First period symptoms and conditions

I'm on my 3rd month of Jolessa. I've got about another 2 weeks until my first period, but I've been breakthrough bleeding for 3 weeks already.
I've had several abnormal mood swings and it's also been affecting my sex life.

*Most recently I've started to have a difficult time breathing. Feeling breathless and not feeling like I'm getting enough air and gasping. Also, slight wheezing now.. Has anyone else experienced this?

It just doesn't seem worth it..

I am 30 years old and have never had any children. I had the Mirena for 4 months. During that time, I had no energy and I gained 10 pounds (probably a combination of both the hormones and my lack of energy). I was also very moody. I took two pregnancy tests while on the Mirena because my belly was so bloated and I was not having a period. I convinced myself the only reason I was gaining weight so fast was that I was pregnant (of course, both tests were negative).

After reading these posts, I realized my issues were probably due to the Mirena and I decided to have it removed. I had it removed 4 weeks ago. Removal was painless and my doctor was able to find the string easily. I only had light spotting for two days after removal and no pain. Within two weeks, the bloating had decreased significantly and I'm losing the weight I gained pretty easily (low cal diet and running). I had my first period within 3 weeks. The only bad side effect of having it removed is excessive acne on my face.

Previously, I used the Nuvaring, and I think I will go back on it. Even if I had read these posts prior to having the Mirena inserted, I still probably would have tried it because I rarely have medication side effects. I think everyone's body reacts differently, but I definitely could not handle the Mirena. I would absolutely recommend the Nuvaring, I only switched to the Mirena for ease of use and costs. Nuvaring does not come in a generic and therefore costs me about $40/month.

I was on NuvaRing for 3 years. 3 months ago I stop using, because TTC. I got my first period and second, but now I was due for next one on September 7, and still nothing. Pregnancy test came negative, my breast are sore, I have terrible cramps. I wish I never use NR.....

I felt it was extremely important that I make a post regarding my experience with Mirena so that it might help other women in a similar situation. I had Mirena inserted for the first time in the spring of 2007. The first few months I had some pretty intense periods, but this declined and then my periods disappeared completely. I was so happy with the Mirena, couldn't say enough good things about it, and was shocked by the numerous posts by women reporting nightmarish side effects. I had the Mirena removed just under two years later because my husband and I decided to try to get pregnant. That route didn't work for us so I had the Mirena replaced in the beginning of July 2009. The MOST IMPORTANT part of this post is that I had numerous nightmarish side effects the second time around with Mirena even though I had no adverse side effects the first time. I had morning sickness like symptoms complete with vomiting during my periods, migraines, hair loss, and severe mood swings - to the point of being suicidal or homicidal at times. I had to stop listening to the radio while driving for fear that a love song might come on and I might start to cry so hard that I wouldn't be able to see the road. I started to obsess about killing myself - triggered by the littlest of things or nothing at all. It took me what seemed like forever to make the connection to the Mirena - especially since I had no adverse reactions the first time. I called my doctor to make an appointment to have it removed only to be told it would be weeks before I could get in. I called my local urgent care who told me they couldn't help me - no one there could remove it for me. I was so desperate once I realized that the Mirena was the only aspect of my life that had changed during the time I decided I wanted to set fire to myself that I wanted it out immediately. I researched self-removal online and was substantially reassured by the results of that research that it was possible so I decided to remove it myself. I pulled gently, slowly and it came out without incident. I had no spotting afterward and only minor cramping. I woke up the morning after already feeling more optimistic. A string of things went wrong that morning and I never once thought of hanging myself from the attic rafters. There was a gigantic and immediate improvement. That was two days ago. I am still having horrible migraines and my breasts are still extremely sore, but I have not had a single suicidal impulse since. I even think my sex drive, which had disappeared completely is starting to return. Last weekend I told my husband that I wanted a divorce and needed to move out of the house immediately. This weekend we are going out on a date and I can't stop trying to cuddle with him:) I'm almost certain that making the decision to remove the Mirena saved my marriage and quite likely, my life. Bottom line, EVERY woman will react differently to Mirena and EVIDENTLY each time you have Mirena placed the side effects can vary - greatly. I hope this helps someone.

I had my mirena put in 5 years ago!! It was a horrible experience getting put in, but the pain made the next 4 and 1/2 years worth it (I thought) because i had no horrible side effects but the best part was NO PERIOD. My side effects were weight gain and acne which i never had before. So that was difficult to deal with. But my biggest thing was my mirena was Removed 5-28-09 almost 3 months ago!!, It was a Thursday, my doctor told me to start my BC pills on Sunday, and that i didn't have to wait for my first period, so i started my pills and still have not had one period since i had my Mirena removed. I was on the pill before the Mirena and always had 2-3 days regular periods every month. Ive taken several dollars worth of pregnancy test and all come out negative. If i do not start when i am suppose to next week, i feel i need to get checked out. Both my friends have had theirs removed a few months before me, and the odd thing is, is they both had miscarriages at 5 -6 weeks along. Now im scared to death to find out, maybe i am pregnant, but the tests are not showing it although i have no pregnancy symptoms, or has this damn mirena messed my life up so now i will never be able to have another child??? has any one else not had a period since removal of the mirena and on birth control pills? Any info will help!

hey am 19 years old i been on this pill 3 years at first it done good took my periods from heavy to light and down to 3 days now. for the last 7 months they have been heavy again and this month i been on my period 2 times the first period lasted 6 days and now am on it again and its already been six days and doesn't seem like it wants to stop any time soon . and oh i been having the worst cramps ever! worse then when i first got on them and ALSO.! MY period comes after the brown pills. it starts on the last brown pill and goes on the white pills has anyone ever had that ?

I'm 21 and I've taken Yaz for 7weeks. During the first 2weeks I took it at lunch time - within hours I'd feel nauseous. I changed when I took it to before I went to sleep - this seemed to work with the nausea which eventually completely subsided.

I had spotting for the first packet but after my first period on YAZ the spotting stopped.

By the time I started the second packet I became aware that my sex drive had plummeted and I no longer was initiating sex with my boyfriend. I also noticed that I was thirsty a lot more & craved sugary drinks like soda/pop which I never shopped for until YAZ.

I've also gained 6pounds.

The strangest side effect I experienced was a heightened sense of smell, for example - I cannot tolerate the smell of steak cooking - it makes me ill.

On the positive side- My skin has improved.

When my period is approaching I am no longer angry or overly emotional.

Prior to taking YAZ I would have severe menstrual cramping the day before the period began and three days following (at least). I had to take pain killers like panadine fort but for the first time I needed no medication and I only had cramping for day one. A huge improvement!

The biggest plus for me with YAZ was the decrease in the length of my period - it went from 7-9Day to 4days max.

If I gain more weight & it if it gets to the point where I reject my boyfriend when he wants to be intimate then I'll stop YAZ but at the moment the positives I’ve experienced are just too valuable to consider stopping.

I am 39 year old who has had problems with hormones since I got my first period (12 years old). Heavy bleeding, thinking for sure "I was going to die every month" cramps, having to stay out of school for 2 to 3 days a month. I thought after having children(which I was told by doctors) my hormones would get regulated. They did not. Four years ago I was diagnosed with fibroids and got a partial hysterectomy and having no more periods. The doctor put me on hormonal pills(not Yasmin) and I was having problems breathing. So I suffered with a lot of the symptoms listed here until last year September when they found a cyst on the ovary that was left. So I wound up having a full hysterectomy and was put on the Yasmin pill. In the beginning I would get sick on my stomach really bad and I stopped taking them. But, because I was I am full menopause, I swear I was going thru some serious, serious mood swings. So I got back on the pill and started breaking them in half for a month to get my body used to them and now I can take the full dosage. I personally am so happy with this product. My acne has cleared up tremendously and my mood swings are intact. I still may have a few instances if my husband or kids push me to far, I'll let them know in my own way. But it is not as bad as it could be without these pills. I feel bad for those who have really bad reactions to them, but maybe taking half doses until the body gets used to them might help.

I am 21 years old and I have been on Loestrin 24 since June 2nd. I'm about half-way through my second pack. I used to take Kariva which had a lot of negative side effects (headaches, weight gain, couldn't wear contacts, longer periods). Fortunately, I haven't had many of the bad side effects with Loestrin 24 that most women have been describing. My first period on Loestrin 24 came a little late but when it eventually came it was quite light and only lasted about 3 days. I also haven't experienced ANY spotting which is good. I have been a little nauseous and I threw up once which I can only assume was from the pill. I've had some trouble sleeping and some weird dreams but I usually do anyway so its not too bothersome. My only major issue is acne. It seems like in the last couple weeks it has gotten a lot worse, even worse than when I wasn't on any type of pill. I noticed a lot of women saying that their acne got worse. I was just wondering if it will eventually get better? I may have to talk to my doctor because it’s getting bad (I notice at least 1 new pimple a day). I've always struggled with acne so if it continues to get worse I'm totally going to stop taking this pill. Any suggestions or feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I just wanted to post my experience/perspective. I am 30, never had children...

For the most part I love my mirena and would get it again in a heartbeat. Negatives: I have had it for over 2.5 years (I had to get it reinserted after the first month because it had started to expel, but the removal was pain-free and the reinsertion was less painful than the initial insertion). My period does generally last 8-9 days (compared to 3-4 before); BUT, I love that I only have to wear a pad or pantyliner because my flow is so light. My cramps are not necessarily worse, but different--I swear I feel myself ovulating!

Positives/Neutral: I have actually lost weight since getting my mirena (about 30 pounds), but this is because I joined weight watchers not because mirena helped me lose weight :) I have always shed a bunch of hair and haven't noticed a difference. My sex drive has been low lately, but I think it's because my significant other gets home from work after I'm asleep so my motivation for sex succumbs to being tired. My period is so light that I only have to wear a pad (first time since 6th grade!). I've always had some acne since I was about 11 and have noticed no changes. My significant other can't feel the strings because they are way up by my cervix (I have to struggle to feel them to check that it is still in place). I love not having to remember a pill--I am very forgetful and busy!

I am 36 and had the Mirena inserted in 8/07 (two months after my 2nd child was born). Following the procedure, I had some mild cramping and spotting. I spotted on and off for a several weeks. Before the Mirena, my periods were always light and only lasted 4 or 5 days with no cramping. 6 months after the Mirena, my periods were gone. I had no discomfort or side effects with the Mirena. Three weeks ago, I had the Mirena removed. I experienced some spotting the following day and started my first period a few days ago. The period has been heavy with some clotting and mild cramping (this is unlike my normal periods before Mirena). I hope that since this is just my first period following the removal of the device that it will be atypical of future cycles. My husband and I hope to conceive as soon as possible, but were told to wait until I have had three cycles so my uterine lining has time to thicken. I am sorry to hear about others' scary experiences with the Mirena and hope that things get better for them. For me, the Mirena experience has been a good one...just ready to get on the baby train soon! Hope this helps someone.

I have taken Yaz for one month, and in the past week noticed my breasts got bigger by a cup size (for me that is too big!), i can't stop crying at night, i feel crazy and uncontrollable, and the cramping and bloating leading up to my first period on Yaz have been uncomfortable. this is my first experience on birth control, and i think it's for the birds. I don't even know if I'll ever try something else. Yaz has not been a gentle introduction.

I have been on this med for about 2 years. Until about 2 months ago, I had zero problems and it was great! About 2 months ago I started having SERIOUS issues. I had never had a palpitation or chest pain in my life and then I started having heart palpitations, chest pains, shortness of breath - sometimes it feels like I'm not going to be able to take the next breath. I was in the ER - they said it was my thyroid and gave me synthroid - that made everything worse so they gave me a beta blocker to cover up those symptoms. I quit taking ALL medication! I am not a pill taker and it doesn't make any sense to take a med and try to cover up those side effects/symptoms with the next med and so on. I can't find a good Dr. who will actually listen. I have been on the heart monitor and it found I was having PVC's all the time. I was then referred to a cardiologist - after a one thousand dollar visit with only an EKG he said my heart is fine - go home. I told every Dr. about Yaz - none of them could connect the dots! I thought I connected them....only by chance. I forgot to take my pill for a couple of days in the middle of all of this and stopped when I finally remembered to take one a couple of days later. I thought to myself.....hey - I've felt a little bit better the last couple of days. I was near the end of the pack so I QUIT taking them!! Best decision I ever made! Within 2 weeks my symptoms had pretty much disappeared! I thought I had it solved. I am 43 years old and in really good health. A few days ago my palpitations are back - but they are different this time. Before I had a "normal" heart rate but it felt like my heart was going to thump out of my chest. Now I have that PLUS a racing pulse! Chest pains are a part of daily life. Mornings and nights are the worst but I think it's going on all day - if I'm moving around I just don't notice it as much. These symptoms reappear a few days before I'm supposed to have my first period after quitting Yaz. I'm wondering if it's hormonal or menopause or if this stuff will just stick around for a while. I'm scared! I've read about people dieing and it's traced back to Yaz! I have a 6 year old precious daughter that I kiss good night and pray like heck that I get the next day with her! It's just not fair - I really wish I could find some answers. Anybody out there got any? Thanks.

I had the Mirena put in on the 5th of April, 8 weeks(ish) after the birth of my 2nd child. I wasn't 100% recovered from the labor, as I had some spotting and cramping from the breast feeding. When I was 7 months pregnant, I was told I have a very sensitive cervix, meaning that it bled easily. Upon insertion, there was some bleeding that they had to use silver nitrate to stop for this reason. I was informed this may also cause it to bleed a little longer. This being said, since my daughter's birth (Feb 25th) there has been a total of maybe 12-15 days where I have NOT bled, only increasing since the iud. When I had my first period, I was throwing up for 24 hours, dizzy and crampy, with a very thick discharge. Before pregnancy, my periods were no where near this bad, controllable PMS and bleeding for only 4 or 5 days, max. I'm still spotting. I've been trying to be more active, to little avail, as I've been exhausted and temperamental, wanting to do nothing but sleep, cry and argue. The day after I had the mirena put in, i began training for my job, and I felt ready to cry! But I persevered! I pushed myself to walk to work, trying to get out of the funk, to get myself more exercise and maybe help the pinch in my back work out (a side effect from being preg hehe)
In the past month and a half, I don't have as much control over my moods - swinging from "fun, let's sing and dance mommy" to "get away from me, and stop crying" mommy in mere seconds! and it terrifies me, b/c i've ALWAYS been an easy-going lovable person; very mellow and rarely losing my temper. as hard as i've tried to make myself more active - park w/ the girls, as mentioned before, walking to work - non stop moving while i'm at work, i've actually gained weight! I've bloated up at least 1 and a 1/2 sizes! and in the past 2 weeks it's only gotten worse. I get home from work, feeling ready to fall over - to an extreme. I can't focus on anything in particular w/o losing interest or just not being able to complete it, even something as simple as doing the dishes! just this past friday i began to experience joint pain that was only dulled by a tylenol 800 (i'm taking AT LEAST 1 daily now). ZERO sex drive, and the sensation of movement in my abdomen (which i thought was just in my head and i was losing my mind) - I thought i was beginning to suffer from PPD, and was completely prepared to mention it to my doc on my follow up appt, but after reading all the symptoms and experiences, I'm beginning to think that it has little to do w/ that. - something else, and i may have overlooked it, but i've also had an increased craving of sweets, especially tarty candies. has any one else had this happen?

I just want to be me again, and if that means going back to and OTC contraceptive, then so be it!

I have had my Mirena for just a little over 6 months now. I have two side effects that are annoying the daylights out of me. I have been bleeding the ENTIRE time, and I have acne like never before! I am soooo irritated.

i've been on loestrin24fe for about 8 months now, and most of my periods have been annoyingly unique. the first period was normal, the next only lasted a day or two, the following lasted 5 or 6 days with bad cramps...the fourth month i bled about 19 days total, mostly breakthrough...the fifth and sixth months were pretty much norma, lasting about 4 days, but accompanied by horrible cramps. the seventh was several days late....now im in the second week of month 8's pack and am having heavy breakthrough bleeding and bad cramps...is this normal at all? i also get horrible body aches during my period.

should i switch to something different? i went on birth control mostly to regulate my period and ease up on the debilitating cramps, but it has only made both problems worse! please please give me adviceeeee! i used to take depot provera, and i didn't have a period or anything for almost 3 years...however, i got osteoporosis from the damn thing, so i don't think i should go back. advice?!!?

in addition to the last post, some things i forgot, i had a bleed for about 6 days when the mirena was removed. then my first period came 3 weeks after removal, it was short and not heavy. 8 weeks after removal, i just got my second one and oh boy did i know it was coming! i had baaad pms! its heavy and clotty, 10 times worse than it ever used to be before i had the mirena, just hoping it is just because i still have some extra hormones left from the mirena. also, when the mirena was in i got terrible heartburn, thats gone now completely.

I had the Mirena put in at my six week check-up. I have to admit its kinda painful but its not THAT bad. I'm am 23 and my husband and I jsut had our first child March 09...I BEAUTIFUL baby girl. I thought this was the best BC for me as well. My only complaint is that I am still bleeding since It was put in. I've had it almost 2 months now and its starting to get on my nerves. IF it does stop....as soon as my husband and I have sex it will start back. :( I have mood swings like crazy but I'm not sure if its being caused by the Mirena or not. I often get HOT to the point of passing out almost too and then it will just go away...hate that too. I def say to someone who is thinking about getting it to just try and see if it will work for you. I still have the same sex drive I've always had (YAY), my weight is wonderful...I've lost it all and then some. I guess its different for different people. I'm going to keep mine inless I have a huge problem with it but that hasn't been the case yet. Like I said earlier, its gonna hurt a little but its nothing that doesn't go away in like 2 mins.....its super quick!
Also my Doc said that the BEST time to have it inserted was when you have your first period and thats what I did!!!
>>>I had a C-section too....

I am currently on my 2nd pill pack of Loestrin 24. Prior to that, I was taking Yasmin, which was causing yeast infections and nausea. My doctor switched me to Loestrin, thinking the lower dose of estrogen would help with the nausea. The first month of being on Loestrin was okay, although I spotted for about 5 days halfway through the pill pack. I had a little bit of nausea, and my first period was EXTREMELY light, barely a period at all. I started taking my pills again on Sunday, and Monday morning I felt extremely nauseous, so much that it left me in bed all morning. All week I felt waves of nausea, no vomiting though. Then yesterday was day 5 of the pill, and I felt the worst case of nausea ever. The only thing I can attribute all of this nausea to is the pill. I don't know what to do....I don't feel myself on this pill and I'm sick of feeling sick.....I would rather have cramping and period for a few days than feel nauseous every month.

I recently delivered a healthy baby girl (Feb 9th) in which 1 week later I developed a blood clot on my brain and was hospitalized for 1 week after experiencing 4 seizures. They told me it was pregnancy related and I would be on warfarin for 6-9 months until the clot dissolved. I too am experiencing: fatigue, extreme dizziness, light headedness, I am seeing spots all of the time, I am getting leg cramps and foot cramps a lot, I feel really weak, and just plain old. I will be 37 years old this July, and I feel way too young to be feeling this way all of the time. I can not handle going to the lab 2-3 times every week for blood work, my veins are collapsing and bruising really bad. I cry every time I leave, my husband must think I'm such a loser. It has been almost 3 months now and I just got my first period since my daughter was born. I thought I was going to bleed to death. My husband had to watch me around the clock to make sure I didn't have to be rushed into emergency. This sucks....I'm trying to remain strong, and doing lots of praying these days....Thanks for letting me share my story.....

Okay, I had Mirena put in by my doctor a little over a month ago. I had my first period as scheduled, but I bled for 2 weeks. I have been spotting ever since. This is getting on my nerves. My question to everyone else is this: has anyone noticed a metal or copper smell with their discharge? I seem to be having more discharge than usual, and it has a coppery smell. It doesn't matter how many times I take a shower, it's still there. I am currently waiting on a call back from my doctors office. This is frustrating me more than anything. It is making me smell like I'm dirty. UGHHH. I'm leaning more and more towards getting myself permanently fixed because nothing else is working for me. Someone please help me. I can't help but think that I'm not the only one having this issue.

Thanks

It's been almost a month since I've had the Mirena removed. Today I got my first period. I was a little surprised. I thought it took several months for the drug to be out of your system and for the lining of your uterus to thicken up. Anyways, after not having a period for almost 2 years I was a little taken aback. So far everything seems normal. I am so glad that I had the Mirena removed. I'm no longer bitchy, angry and withdrawn. The sex hasn't returned completely (only because I don't want to get pregnant and we haven't decided on what type of birth control we want to use) but I'm definitely more affectionate and don't shun any intimacy. I don't regret my decision to have the mirena removed.

This is my 3rd week on my first pack. I did not want to take bc, but had to since my insurance co would not cover mirena. I have noticed some indigestion and have gained 7 lbs in these 3 weeks. My appetite has changed, but I am working on trying to ignore the cravings. I am not sure if I want to stick it out for another few months or not. I can't afford to go out and buy new pants with my weight gain. Other than that I have not noticed any other side effects. I am anxious to see how this first period is going to be though.

About three and a half years ago, I was having extremely heavy periods that were causing anemia. My truly wonderful, trustworthy, kind GYN suggested the Mirena because it would lessen/delete my periods. I had 3 days of severe cramping after insertion, but within a month - no periods! At all! For just over three years! This was fabulous, I thought.

Over time, I began to wonder if my weight gain was related, but could find nothing online and the doc said absolutely not. I weighed 156 back then, weigh 173 now no matter what I do. Hmmm.

Then, about 4 months ago, I got my first period sort of thing. Mostly, it was 16 days of sticky, gunky brown smudges on light pads. Very odd. Next period included huge "flakes" of gummy brown stuff - still no reed or pink blood. Really unsettling. It lasted 12 days. Made GYN appt. A week later, my "period" began again - erratic - had 7 days of brown gunk. Asked GYN to remove the Mirena.

That was 10 days ago. I have three children - I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I have passed dozens of blood clots, and put together they'd EASILY weigh as much as a placenta and a half!!! Some look like cow's liver and are just as big, others are like huge night crawler worms or the size of fried eggs! I can't go out in public because they are so heavy, they fall out of the pad and slide down my leg! (Although I can hold the larger ones in until I get to the toilet now - not a skill I wanted to learn!) The bleeding is intense - a 100% soaked pad every 2-3 hours except when sleeping, when it slows a bit.

Called the nurse today and she said, "It just sounds like your period." Uh, no, it doesn't. It sounds like I've lost a gallon of blood. I've been dizzy and tired - got myself started on Burdock Root from the healthfood store and I'm slowly stabilizing my iron levels - but the blood loss and the huge clots (8-10 per day!) are really freaking me out. I was a BIG fan of the Mirena IUD until I got this one taken out. Just freaky, scary, odd. What the heck was it doing in there? Holding all that old blood inside me? Blood clots take time to form. What are these clots? Self-aborting would-be babies? If the IUD works by agitating the uterine wall, how in the world did all these huge clots get stuck in me? Why weren't they reabsorbed or "agitated" right out? They are not water soluble - I can hold one under running water and it doesn't dissolve or leak red. They have significant weight and mass. It's the most unsettling thing I've ever experienced - I really suspect this is blood/tissue my body couldn't remove while I was using the Mirena, or else partially formed embryos. Really creepy whatever they are. IF they are damaged embryos, then I've technically been pregnant many times in the last 3 yrs. IUDs don't prevent pregnancy, they prevent impregnated embryos from embedding in the uterine wall. That's why I suspect that's what these all are.

I wish there was more research than the pamphlet they gave me on "Choosing the Mirena" before insertion.

This morning I had the Mirena removed. Hooray! Before the removal, my doctor asked me why I wanted it removed. I explained the side effects I'd been experiencing. My doctor ordered a blood test before I left. She said a lot of the side effects from the Mirena could be associated with my thyroid. Great! Something else I have to worry about. The removal was painless and quick. The doctor told me to cough. When I coughed, she pulled it out and she was done. She showed the Mirena to me. Also while she was up there, she found a piece of a tampon. I couldn't believe it! Why didn't she see that last year when I had my annual gyno exam? I was so grossed out.

I already feel so much better and it's only been a couple of hours since removal. I don't know if it's a mental thing or not. I have a little spotting. I don't know when I'm going to get my first period. I feel like I'm going to be on stand-by until it finally happens. I've decided to stay away from hormonal birth control for a while. My annual women's exam is at the end of the summer so hopefully I will have come to a decision on what I want to do next.