Facial hair symptoms and conditions

SEVERE ACNE, FACIAL HAIR, WEIGHT GAIN, DECREASED SEX DRIVE

I had my mirena removed about one week ago after a year and a half of having it in. my doctor had told me that I would have no side effects as it only dispersed hormones locally. My experience was very different! The most noticeable were: immediate weight gain (10pounds in 6 weeks from inserting it), inability to lose weight with diet and exercise, terrible mood swings and depression for no reason at all, extreme fatigue and lack of energy (I couldn't stay up past 9pm), bad acne, hair loss on my head and increase of facial hair (go figure!), constant bloating (I looked pregnant all the time), definite decrease of libido, nausea (which led me to see many gastro dr's as I was convinced I had a stomach bug), vertigo, terrible discharge...you name it, I've had it. The thing about Mirena is that the side effects are accumulative and subtle to begin with, so it takes a while before you make the association. Since removing it a week ago, I have noticed a major increase in my energy level (I love it! i feel alive again...), increase in libido, sudden disappearance of depression and mood swings, and bloating is gone. I'm happy to have my body back and feel liberated! I replaced mirena with a regular Copper IUD. In the past I've had increased bleeding during periods with the copper IUD but I'll have that any day compared with my experience with Mirena. The doctor that removed it for me told me that she never advises woman to use mirena unless they have a medical problem such as fybroids, very heavy periods etc...Mirena is used as a cure for these conditions. Her reasoning is that if you are a healthy woman with no hormonal problems, why would you ingest hormones into your body in this manner and mess with your system? The fact that periods stop with mirena means that hormones are all over your system... I advise all women to listen to their bodies...you know better then any doctor if a contraceptive is right for you. There are always other options for you if you are not happy.

Hello everyone,
I have my Mirena put in 6 weeks after my baby was born, around the last of Sept 2008. I had very light periods for a few months then just some spotting here and there. I keep a yeast infection all the time. I have also had hair loss,weight gain,mood swings,acne,facial hair, the list goes on and on. I went the the doctor to see if anything could be done other then removing it, i have 4 kids and don't want to get pregnant any time soon. The DR checked me and could not find the strings. I then had a vaginal ultrasound that reviled that I have a softball size mass of some sort surrounding the Mirena.The Dr is hoping that it is just some built up fluid and has but me on provera to make me have a period. He wants to see if this mass "come out on its own" before we do anything else.I go back in 3 weeks, i'll post back and let you know what is going on. I wish I had NEVER had this thing put in

I've been prescribed Prednisone since April and just recently experiencing hair loss (I'm Female)

I've had Mirena for almost a year and I'm wondering if there is anyone who's suffered adverse effects that didn't start until much later. I had the usual severe cramping and excessive bleeding for a few months after I got it, but my period has been pretty regular since then. I do have sharp stabbing pains (I'm guessing they're cramps) off and on. Very occasionally they are just terrible, but normally it's just like a quick shock every now and then. I can tell that there are extra hormones being put into my body because I have experienced all the stereotypical period side-effects (moodiness, cramping, cravings) much more than I ever did before I got Mirena. About two months ago I was sure I was pregnant - I had all the symptoms - but three pregnancy tests all came out negative. I'm not experiencing anything bad enough to get it out. So far it has actually been great. I feel terrible for everyone suffering all these severe side-effects. I guess I'm just wondering if these symptoms show up sooner or if they can start a year or more after Mirena has been in. Please let me know if there's anything I should be watching for. Thanks.

I have the mirena now for about 4 months, ive gone from and outgoing fun loving, keep fit person to a person who doesn't want to go out, i wont train cos ive abdominal cramps. Im getting panic attacks, heart palpitations.
My sex drive has hit the pits.... when i do manage do try sex it hurts like hell... my vagina feels all spongy on the inside.

My back hurts, im constipated, cos when i try and go i get cramps in my tummy.
My periods stopped which is what i love about the coil, but i pay for it another way with monthly bloating and cramps.
I never had period pain or cramps before the mirena.
I've turned in to a monster, my moods is a rollercoaster, i feel my husband is cheating or doesn't love me any more. But he does love me and isn't cheating, its the coil thats making me feel this way.

And for the body hair what can i say. I no sooner shave my legs and then they are back to looking like leg warmers. Facial hair is another, and then the pain in waxing.

This list is endless. there isn't just one thing i hate about the mirena but all of it. We had sex 2 nights ago and now i am bleeding so much that its like as if i just had a baby. I am drained yet i don't need iron tablets.
My husband is now going to have a vasectomy ASAP..

I am 26 years old. I've been on warfarin for almost eight years. I wish I had seen a site like this eight years ago when I started on warfarin (after DVT and P.E) I may have had some insight into the hellish two years that were to follow: hair-loss, depression, weight-gain. But I attributed all this to stress (it was pre-med varsity and I was under a lot of pressure academically).
Anyway, now my life is more settled, I eat right, exercise furiously 5 times a week...but I have digestive problems. Bloating, gas, overall discomfort in my stomach almost every night. I've cut out milk, wheat, coffee...nothing.
But tonight I started thinking...could it be the warfarin?
Does anyone experience or know about possible side-effects of warfarin on the digestive system, and does anyone have some useful advice????

Ugh, this has to be the worst medicine I have EVER been on. I was having anxiety attacks that occurred every evening and lasted for hours. Hot flash, nauseousness, inability to concentrate, thought I was going crazy.........
they started after my mom went in for open heart surgery in Nov of 2008. They put me on Xanax for attacks, and Clonazepam (double ugh), and I didn't take Effexor for a while, but my aunt convinced me to do it as I wasn't doing much better.

The thing is I'd been having issues with fatigue, heart palpitations, facial hair, etc. for several months to years and the doctors ran blood work and said everything was fine........

With the clonazepam and effexor I didn't have mood swings so much, but it was because I spent 16-20 hours a day in bed. When I first started the effexor I was told that the side effects go away after your body adjusts, and as it was the fourth or fifth anti-depressant I tried I figured I would suffer through. I lost 40 pounds (as I was/am overweight it was a good side effect in some ways) in a matter of 6 weeks, lost my appetite to the point that when I realized that I needed to do something about it I had to force myself to eat 1/2 piece of toast a day, slowing eating more...........I went several weeks only able to eat an average of 500 calories a day. I was so nauseous all the time. I was pretty much having a break down. I would only be "functioning" for 2-6 hours a day.

After going to the ER because my muscles began shaking while standing or trying to climb stairs (I'm only 28), having racing heart beats which they just prescribed more medication for, absolutely no energy, my hair falling out by the handfuls, I would wake up with it on my pillow............could not concentrate for the life of me, falling behind in school work (back to school mom), unable to do papers because I couldn't think.............

They finally tested my thyroid (runs in the family, have been telling them it sounded like my thyroid from the beginning........) my levels were finally off the charts, my TSH wasn't even registering. I was diagnosed with Graves disease........which can cause the panic attacks that they put me on the medication for in the first place.

As I figured it was probably the Graves, I tried weaning off my meds, only to feel as though I was going nuts and going to die............... I cut my clonazepam and effexor dosages in half, and within 2 days I could concentrate, and within a couple weeks I could go up and down the stairs again.............

Even now it is hard to say how much of my issues were caused by the Graves and how much was due to the Effexor combined with the Clonazepam. I was able to wean of the Clonazepam within 6 weeks by cutting my dosage in quarters every two weeks, but NOT the Effexor. I tried cut it and started having panic attacks, couldn't think, major migraines, and bed ridden........so I had to reduce it even slower.

Once I got down to half a dose, all of my symptoms went away except the fatigue. That is why I associate a lot of it with Effexor and NOT the Graves, because the symptoms did not go away until I reduced the drugs. I am now finally free of Effexor for about a month, and it was a hard road. It took me six months. I still have some issues with concentration and the occasional panic attack, but they are very minimal. I have read that this could be due to either both or one of the drugs I was on as it can take a year or more for your body to adjust.

Anyhoo, I wonder if the medication didn't trigger the Graves, or what.............but I would NEVER EVER suggest this medication to anyone.

I have gained most of the weight I lost back........but that is to be expected since my metabolism probably hit rock bottom not eating anything but toast for weeks.......

Anyhoo, I really wish that Doctors would tell you what could happen before giving you a drug. At least then when you start having these symptoms you know where and why...........rather then going in, and them having no idea?!?!?!? Funny, as if you search online you see lists that match exactly what you are going through.

I am now VERY leery about taking any meds at all, including Tylenol.

I DID IT MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!! I took mines out today it was hanging halfway out for 2 weeks, called the doc a few days ago and doc said its ok thats its halfway out i shud still be fine! i got a 6 yr old girl and a 9mo old girl.....don't want anymore kids right now. I FELT A TINY TWINGE OF A CRAMP BUT AM SO HAPPY.

I GOT MIRENA OCT 08 (8 MONTHS AGO)
how about hubby is going to buy me a pregnancy test tonight! i dont think i am but still....THEY SAY 2 OUT OF 1000 WOMEN GET PREGGERS ON MIRENA I PRAY I AM PART OF THE 998!!!
i hope to get on another birth control Monday I GO TO PLANNED parenthood because i no longer have insurance!

all my SIDE EFFECTS are just like you all, i told my hubby about this and he was like wow. Depression, headaches, bloating gained 30lbs, decreased milk supply, hair loss, facial hair(hubby be sooo grossed out) i pluck the few that do come out on my chin. BROWN SLUDGY discharge that is dumb! just recently my period stopped but i want THE OLD LALIE BACK!!!! LOW ENERGY, NO SEX DRIVE, SNAPPY, OR MOODY, VERY TIRED! DID I SAY HAIR LOSS? ACNE ON FACE ARMS AND BACK! JOINTS HURTING, WRIST TENDINITIS! VOMITED ONCE IN JAN, FEB, AND MARCH! THOUGHT I WAS PREGGERS AGAIN! BUT WASN. DIZZY THOUGHT I HAD VERTIGO! I GOT PREGNANCY BRAIN BAD EVERY 5 HOURS I LOSE MY CELL PHONE! LOL JUST ABSENTMINDEDNESS.....

AND I AM A VERY Healthy young 29 yr old veteran...i was in the navy man! i never felt all of this crap till MIRENAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhh! THATS HOW I FEEL!

I've had Mirena for about 2 years now. I am just now to the point of thinking, gee, I wonder if THAT thing is causing all of this. Sure enough, I found this website and now know that I can stop all my side effects. Thank God. I have experienced depression, headaches, abdominal pain, breast tenderness and enlargement, severe acne, thick facial hair I have to pluck daily, weight gain... I even hired a personal trainer for 6 months and it barely made a dent in my weight. I was devastated, not to mention out $2,000! I've all but lost my desire to be intimate with my husband (poor thing). My little girl is just about terrified of me because I've become so easy to anger. I'm getting this thing taken out ASAP. Thank you everyone for all your posts. If it weren't for you all telling your stories, I never would have known it was the Mirena causing all this. I now have hope.

A year ago I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis and began taking 50mg Prednisone per day. The worst side effects in the beginning were weight gain, moon face, facial hair, hump-back neck, bruising (for example, just by my knees being together while I sleep,) excruciating joint pain and water retention to the point I felt my skin would split open. And poor vision which could have led to glaucoma, but an eye specialist put me on eye drops to reduce the pressure to normal levels. I've felt horrified and embarrassed by the change in my appearance but relieved that my sarcoid was being treated.
I feel confident in my case that Prednisone was the necessary treatment. My pulmonologist, opthamologist and regular doctor all agreed on a course of treatment. But I really advise people to get a second or third opinion before they take it. A friend of mine was prescribed a weeks course of Prednisone for a severe sinus infection. Luckily she didn't have any side effects but I really question if it was necessary. I'd also like to stress that if you're on Prednisone and experience worsening vision, please see an opthamologist who is a glaucoma specialist because it can lead to blindness if not treated.
And lastly, sorry this became a novel! I have been tapering off and I'm down to 20mg. But recently I've noticed my hair is thinning so much. I lose a ton when I brush it and it clogs the drain when I shower. Also my skin is shedding. When I shower and use a loofah sponge like I've always done and I lose layers of skin like a snake. I would really like to know if my hair will start to grow back when I'm finally off the Prednisone or am I going to lose it completely??

I had the Mirena since November of 2007 til yesterday, I started having side effects about six months after I stated gaining weight, acne, cramps, anxiety, facial hair and moodiness I had never put the two together until I came upon this website. The only thing it helped was my migraines and my heavy bleeding I probably had a period 3 times 1 yr 7 months which was great. But I hate the other side effects. I have worked at a clinic before and know that what the doctor does to remove it is to just pull on the strings. I have also read on these comments how some have taken out themselves or by their spouse/partner so I decided to try it yesterday. It was easier than I imagined I won't lie and say I did not feel a thing but it was worst when the doctor put it in then to take it out. If felt like a light cramp and that was it I just reached in and with two fingers pulled it out with a light tug. Now lets wait and see happens....

YEAHA!!!! IT'S OUT!!!! 20 seconds, no pain, just a little cramp and that was it. What was interesting is that I had state my case for wanting it out, to the nurses and then the doctor. The nurse even said "don't get undressed until you talk with the doctor." I really felt like they were all trying to "talk me out" of wanting to have it removed. And then the doctor said "well this is your first baby, and all of the side effects (acne, hot flashes, facial hair, rage, extreme tiredness,no interest in sex, headaches, weight gain) can be caused by breast feeding.(Spoken by a woman who has no children.) I felt like saying, are you f*#king kidding me??? Instead, I simply said, "please take it out".
LADIES, you know you body better than anyone, trust yourselves and do what's right for you!!!! I wish I would have sooner!

I was wondering.......it hurt like hell when it was inserted. For those of you that had it removed, "HOW BAD DOES THE REMOVAL HURT?" I am afraid to have it removed but know it is necessary.

I've called my doctor and am waiting on a reply from the nurse. I want my Mirena removed. I posted my symptoms on May 8th. I've had mine in for 4 1/2 months.

My symptoms are in order of severity:

*heavy bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks (pads or tampons with breakthrough bleeding and pantiliner 24/7)
*acne on my back, butt and jawline (going to Derm. and using ProActive)
*I've gained 15 lbs in the past 4 months and it won't come off
*headaches
*a sore spot in my spine (I was fearful I had cancer)
*facial hair
*bloating (I look 4 months pregnant 1/2 of the time)
*low libido
*irritable and moody more than usual
*sore breasts

First of all, a big thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences. I am a biochemist, with a background in pharmaceutical research...I chose the Mirena IUD after careful consideration of it's active ingredient, Levonorgestrel. The side effect profile seemed pretty acceptable...until I started to experience nearly ALL of them...I am 33 years old and had the Mirena IUD placed in October of 2008 after the birth of my second child in June of 2008. The initial reaction was to be expected...cramping, a little spotting etc...nothing to be alarmed about. I still have yet to have a period (which I really don't miss so no problem there) I never gave a second thought to this until now...for the past month or so (coinciding with the weening process, since I have been nursing the entire time, I believe the side effects were not as noticeable) I have been experiencing the following (that may or may not be related to Mirena as my OBGYN has so adamantly pointed out, but after reviewing your posts I'm willing to bet they're connected) and are in order of occurrence: Major, but temporary, hair loss after 2 months or so; Major respiratory infection lingering over a month with difficulty breathing, tightness and pain in the chest at around 6 mos; And in the past month, several instances of motion-like sickness/ nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, major impatience/ mood swings, loss of appetite (pregnancy-like symptoms...yep, I was thinking man I'd be pretty pissed if I was that 0.01% pregnant statistic), and as of this past weekend, my first aurora migraine with tunnel vision and serious nausea and vomiting, to the point where I went to Urgent Care...who referred me to the ER...who wants to perform a battery of tests including a head CT. I have an appointment with a trusted GP tomorrow to discuss possible root causes...but it is to coincidental that so many women are experiencing these same symptoms! I am certainly leaning towards having this removed. CAN THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE HAD THIS REMOVED PLEASE RESPOND IF YOUR SYMPTOMS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED OR WERE RESOLVED!!! THANK YOU!
These side effects seem to go well beyond a 5% rate of incidence according to all of you who have reported. I will investigate further and keep everyone posted. As someone who is highly experienced in the pharmaceutical industry, you bet your a$$ I'm going to get to the bottom of this! Good luck ladies!

Hi I've had my Mirena now for 9 years and am scheduled to have another fitted in 4 days. When my Mirena was initially fitted I was advised that some women experience increase bleeding or decreased bleeding - as I had had heavy bleeding after having my first son when my second son was born I decided to opt for the Mirena as at the time it seemed such an ideal. I firstly noticed that I could feel when I was ovulating and for the first 3 months my periods were lighter and lighter and then ceased completely by the 4th month. I have not had a period for nearly 9 and a half years now - which was not a problem for me. However, the following side effects ensued which I put down to just my going through changes:- severe migraines, moodiness, loss of libido weight gain ++++ irritability, depression, tearfulness, oily skin, facial hair in chin and jawline, dry itchy scalp (a once healthy head of raoildy growing hair) now reduced to dull splitting ends and struggling to grow hair, lethargy +++, low mood, suicidal thoughs, aggressive mood change, tearfulness, insomnia, feelings of total despair and irritability but with now valid reason or cause - and just like you said all my energies were consumed with "trying to show the outside world that I could cope and that everything was fine". Within days of having my second son all my baby weight had dropped off - everyone was AMAZED - my hubby was MOST pleased and I was the happiest woman in the world having had my sons and returning to me pre childbirth figure. I had my Mirena fitted 10 weeks post-partum then by the time my son was 5 months the weight gradually started to creep back on and no matter how much I exercised and dieted it made not difference I felt like I was exercising and dieting in order to pile on weight. At no time did I make a connection to the monster I had become and the Mirena. It is only on contemplating this forthcoming refit that I decided to look up side effects and am devastated to find that what I've endured for all these years was the side effects of what I had come to rely on as effective contraception. I have spoken with my husband about our options for contraception and a vasectomy is not an option for us as this moment in time. Even as I write this I can feel the anxiety and tears welling up inside me. I had gotten to the point where I honestly felt I was going MAD - but my determination to not give in to the inner demons and my strong personality, the loving faces of my two sons as well as a supportive family and friends network are what have kept me going. I am ELATED to say the least to read that I was not going mad - but angry that I and so many other women have become victims of circumstance whilst trying to control our lives. Thank you so much to all you ladies for taking the time to share your experiences - you have really helped me to decide that the Mirena is no longer an option for me.

I had my Mirena installed 4 weeks after I had a full term still birth in October 2007. I gained a total of 20 pounds within the first 6mths. They perforated my uterus when they were putting it in. I bled for weeks with severe cramping. Three months later I was bleeding more than not. So the doctor prescribed me a oral hormone to stop the bleeding. I began getting dark facial hair and losing my hair. I finally had it removed about 2 weeks ago, and it has been hell. I have been bleeding heavily and dropping large blood clots ever since. I hope it all ends soon.

Hey I see Im not the only one with problems that the doctors blam on other things!! I have always been so healthy UNTIL I had twins in Feb 06 and had Mirena put in Oct 06 and almost immediately started having side effects.I started to read up and realized the ones I had were all listed as side effects with it.The first side effects weren't that bad but OMG now I am horrible.I have so many side effects and am wondering if anyone is in the same boat??Mine are:weight gain,hair loss,facial hair,migraines,irritability,fatigue,NO sex drive,anxiety,depression,fluttering in my stomach,back and joint pain,pain during sex,stomach spasms,the list goes ON and ON, oh and lets not forget they say I have PCOS!! Now I wish they could tell me how I went from perfectly healthy to THIS!! I have been to 3 different docs and asked to have it removed but surprise surprise they all did not want to remove it and now I have NO insurance..I am to the point if I could take the thing out myself I would!! I am SOOO miserable and if I say I want it out who are they to tell me no?? Can anyone else relate?? I AM GOING CRAZY!!!

I had the mirena put in sept 06 six weeks after my 2nd child. And I have had it in 2 and a half years now and its been a slow progression of side effects until I am ready to just get this thing out!! I started getting acne on my face,back, and arms which bothered me but it has progressively gotten worse. Its like I have cysts under my skin and they take forever to go away. But the final straw is that my hair has thinned to the point that I can't afford to lose anymore or I am going to have spots of my scalp showing. I do hair for a living so this is not an option. And the last thing is I have started to notice A LOT more facial hair.EWWW so that is when I started to think ok this is not normal and started to research the mirena. Thank god I found this web site and a couple others where I realized that I am not going crazy or turning into a hypochondriac. I understand that this works differently for everyone and have a couple of friends who have no problems but I think that if your going to be putting something into your body you should definitely do the research and then decide if its right for you. I will be calling tomorrow to have it removed. Will let you guys know how it turns out.

2/21/09

I have had my Mirena in for two weeks now. I have been having abdominal pain, I thought perhaps the Mirena had bruised my ovaries. The insertion was extremely painful. I had a two week check up and now I have multiple cysts on my ovaries.
I have a 6 year old and 22 month old twins. I have always had heavy, long periods. After having the twins I began experience extreme cramping 2 weeks prior to even having my period, lower back pain, and mood swings. I have never been a fan of contraceptives but felt if the Mirena could stop me from feeling crampy all month long it could finally be the relief I have been looking for.
Now I am in more constant pain because of the cysts and after reading this site wonderf if I should have my thyroid checked again. Before the Mirena I was positive for Hashimoto's disease and have had a nodule removed (non-cancerous). I wonder if the Mirena is going to push my horomones so that I will have to begin taking medicine for my Hashimoto's.
I wonder what releif is out there since the pill is still a hormone.
When I spoke to my OBGYN she said the Mirena had nothing to do with the cysts. I don't know if it is because there are a couple on each ovary?
So far my side effects include ovarian cysts, facial hair, acne, swelling in ankles.
Thanks for having this page and I hope we can all find some relief.

Hi my name is Red and i have only been talking Yasmin for a month and mid -way thru i felt like crap . I started Having these really bad cramps i mean really bad . You see i too have been diagnosed with pcos due to facial hair and weight gain , and my doc ptu me on Yasmin 2weeks into taking it i was cramping bad . I usually cramp like two weeks before i get my period , but this was different . I didn't like how they made me feel so by the 3rd week i was kind getting tired of the pain . By the forth week i wasn't having it anymore im thinking maybe my body needs to get use to the new pill since none of the other pills liked me either . But No Yasmin doesn't like me either . So after i stopped taking the pill it took my period almost 2 weeks to come , it usually only takes a few days so im scared thinking well maybe i was pregnant , but anyways so my period finally came a boy did it come im talking massive bleeding tampons were no match like i didnt want to move because it was either the blood was coming out heavy or i was cramping really badly i tried midol i tried muscle relaxer i tried advil and others nothing is working this pill is the devil in descise , i mean it is worst then ortho tricyclin and that pill always had me throwing up anyways i would NOT recommend that anyone take this pill at all . MY SIDE EFFECTS: HEAVY HEAVY BLEEDING , REALLY BAD CRAMPS , TIRED , DEPRESSED cause your bleeding so much , and feeling really dirty . oh and for those who are losing hair or your hair is thinning there is this hair oil called Wild growth with a little patients this product will so improvement visit****** for more info i have been using this product for about two years now and my thickness has tripled as well as the length. Thanks for listen .

I am in shock reading these posts. I thought i loved my Mirena (no periods, increased sex drive, no daily birth control...), but am now questioning that. I had my Mirena put in after the birth of my last child and I think close to when I stopped nursing, about 2 years ago.A few months prior to that I had health problems and had to have my gallbladder removed. I have had many physical problems since and always wondered if it was due to the gallbladder removal. I have always been thin, but have put on 15 lbs in past 2yrs (only put on 20 with each pregnancy which was off right after each birth) even though diet has not really changed and i am active.I look like I am 3-4 months pregnant,bloated belly, I have begun getting headaches, developed a weird type of migraine "ocular migraines", get dizzy, my blood sugar drops, I wake up hungry in the middle of the night, I am irritable and moody and exhausted and achy all the time. The worst however is that for almost 2 years I've been losing my hair. At first I noticed it after stopping nursing and just thought it was hormonal. But it is getting worse, and I am growing more facial hair, how ironic! I have an appt to see my MD next week, i wanted her to check my thyroid again. I also am seeing OB this week for PAP. I think I might ask her to get this thing out.
How long has it taken for others to get thier hair back after removal???

I had my Mirena inserted in July 2005 and removed 2 yrs afterward. Till this day the effects are still showing. I have facial hair that I never had before. And the hair loss is still onset. I have developed fibroid cystic breasts. I have also gained a significant amount of weight that I'm still battling. At first I thought I was leading an unhealthy life so I changed my eating habits, stopped smoking, stopped drinking (which both were extremely RARE!), and cut out the fast food and replace with a healthy lifestyle. My hormones are still so out of whack that I think hormone therapy will be the only thing that will control my mood swings and help with the breast tenderness. BTW!!! If you do experience this symptom limit your caffeine intake!!! It could cost you your breasts. Right now I'm trying to make the best of my life and spending lots of money in electrolysis. Do not think for a minute that this thing is safe because it is far from it. REMOVE IT OR OPT TO ANOTHER FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL!!!

I started Lupron in April of 2008. The year before this I worked HARD to lose 80 lbs. I finally got down to my goal weight because I was tld my endometriosis symptoms could be relieved if I wasn't overweight. I had a laparoscopy in March of 2008 confirming my diagnosis- Lupron was a last minute decision because of my age and status the doctor didn't want to do the hysterectomy right away. My endometriosis is spread throughout the body- including the lungs. While Lupron helped with the pain I was experiencing, it caused other pain. Pain that I can no longer even deal with. I became lethargic, depressed, and angry. My hair was falling out in large clumps. I didn't gain weight right away.. except a pound the first shot and three pounds hte second shot but I figured that was alright if it was only like 15 lbs total. I oculd deal with that. Here I am almost a year later. my last injection was in August. I gained a total of 47 pounds. I am a fat slob. I couldn't work out because my bones hurt so bad while taking the medication. No one around me knows what I went through physically. They al think that it was just some excuse to be a lazy fat cow but it truly HURT to move. Just simply walking from my bedroom door to my bed killed me. It hurt my ribs, my knees, my shins, my back. There were times when I couldn't even get out of my bed ebcause I just didn't have the energy. Then the depression started shortly after losing a large amount of hair. By now I am thinking about how ugly i've become on top of how fat I am. Nothing went right but my doctor pushed the shot. I figured hes the one with years of experience he couldn't possibly be this wrong. I trusted him. When I would go to him with complaints of my weight gain he would tell me to stop eating. The problem was... I wasn't eating. I was too sick to my stomach to bother. Then when I would get hungry i'd over eat. I bled a lot through the shots and I still had pain here and there but I was too afraid of what he'd put me on next if I complained. I started to forget simple things. My career was going down hill because they were sick of me not being 100% commited to my job any more. I cried all the time. I finally got sick of the weight gain while I was on my shots and I decided to work out regardless of how I felt and three times I passed out in the gym and was transported to the hospital where I had to listen to their advice on being overweight WHICH WASNT THE REASON I WAS PASSING OUT TO BEGIN WITH but no one wnats to hear what I have to say. Every one just assumed that I was this pig who never worked out in her life and over did it this time. What no one understood was that three months before the incident i was my average weight. I was tachycardic all the time- my normal resting heart rate while i was on my shots was 162. During a work out it would get up to 220!

Ive been off them since August and I haven't lost a single pound. I get up at 4am every day and work out. I park as far away as possible. I use the stairs instead of elevators. I eat healthy. I cut out extra sugars and stopped rewarding myself when I deserve it. I started these shots at 155lbs and today I am 215. Ive been on a strict monitored diet, diet pills and work out regimens and I am still 215. My knees kill me nad sound like velcro when I walk- ive even fallen a couple of times because they hurt that bad. My back still hurts and my neck still wont turn to the right completely because of a nerve that pinches or what have you in there that sends the sharp pain through my face when I move. I still have the depression but i think thats more because of my weight now than it is anything else.. and I finally ended up losing my job.

I recently saw my OB for a follow-up where he stuck me on yet another birth control. This one makes me vomit and gives me stomach cramps so Ive decided im done. I won't take another pill because its making me worse. Id rather have my uterus fall on the floor than pop another drug.

I had the mirena fitted in August 2005 due to heavy periods. I still have my period every month but its much lighter the only side effect that ive had is (FACIAL HAIR) arghhhhhthey say 1 in every 1000 women get this. The Gp recommended that I have normal IUCD fitted but this caused heavy periods before.