Heavy periods symptoms and conditions

I began taking this pill in August 2009, to prevent pregnancy. I am nineteen years old. In the first month, my sex drive increased, I had no "breakthrough bleeding" or spotting, no mood swings that I could tell...everything seemed fine. My doctor put me on this pill because I told her I wanted a pill that wouldn't make me go crazy. This is the first bc pill I've ever been on, and hopefully the last. Let me put it this way: before I got on Loestrin 24 Fe, I actually WANTED to have sex. I had a sex drive. I have absolutely NO SEX DRIVE now. Sex is a chore. What's the point of taking a pill that enables you to have sex without the risk of being pregnant, if you completely lose interest in having sex anyway? I'm extremely frustrated. Over the past two months (I'm now on my fourth pack) I have been extremely fatigued, depressed, and especially anxious. I also have a blistering headache 90% of the time, I kid you not. Additionally, my blood pressure has gone way down, which makes no sense, as I am a very active and healthy person. This pill is literally deteriorating my mental and physical health. I refuse to put these pills, or any bc pills, in my body any more. I would much rather deal with the terrible cramps and heavy periods that I had before. And I still experienced bad cramps while on the pill anyway. I'm sticking with condoms.

Loestrin 24 Fe has been nothing but a nightmare for me. I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for about a year (originally prescribed for a sudden, random outbreak of HORRIBLE chin acne), and started noticing depression, mood swings, very heavy periods, and severe stomachaches and indigestion problems about nine months into it. I had to switch doctors in order to get off of it...I was seeing a male doctor who thought that my side effects were "in my head" and wanted me to take 5000 blood tests before he'd switch my prescription. My new doctor prescribed Loestrin 24 Fe during my first visit with her.

The first month of my new pill was great; no mood swings, no depression, no issues...I even dropped five pounds, even though the Ortho hadn't given me a problem with weight gain. I didn't get my period until the second day of the new pill pack though, and it was VERY light. I took a pregnancy test that came out negative, even though my husband and I had used back-up methods the first month of the pills to be safe. One week into the second month of my Loestrin pills, everything went crazy. It's been three weeks and not only is my chin AND my forehead completely broken out, but my hair is falling out in clumps when I wash or brush it, I am completely depressed and unhappy with life, I am exhausted beyond belief, AND I have gained a total of TWELVE POUNDS. I am a very physically fit girl...I eat right, I have always had a very fast metabolism, I have been a size 0/1 for years, I work all day and am on the go all day and all evening...and now I am twelve pounds heavier in three weeks and have jumped to a size 4/5. None of my work clothes fit me anymore, and I feel awful. I have taken seven home pregnancy tests just to be sure and have even gone in to the doctor for a professional test, but everything has come out negative.

I am apparently switching to another pill (or whatever will work) today; I'm waiting for my doctor to call and discuss my options as I type this. Ladies, if your doctor suggests this stuff, please take my advice and DON'T try it. It has been nothing but hell for me over the past several weeks. Save yourself the time, money, aggravation, and lost pounds and stay away from Loestrin.

I'm a 19 year old college student and a I've been on Yasmin for about 3 years. I started the pill because after two major surgeries, my body was traumatized, leaving me with very heavy periods and feeling tired all the time. I started Yasmin and at first, was very happy with it. I didn't lose weight on it, but I didn't gain any weight, either, which is what happened when I tried taking other birth control pills. However, after my senior year, I went off to college, where the problems began. It seemed that anytime I was under stress, my anxiety and bad mood would amplify. I got mad at my boyfriend over small things to the point of wanting to break up with him. Thank goodness he was patient with me! I began having panic attacks and although I was living in horrible conditions at school, I just chalked it up to not being ready to move off, etc. I came home the next semester and had the same problems. Anytime my boyfriend and I get into an argument, I can feel myself get heated up and I become uncontrollably angry. I hate myself when this happens. I have also been very tired. Some mornings, I can't stay awake in class and since I've been on the pill, I have felt the need to take naps way more often than usual. I plan to stop taking this pill as soon as my month is up!

I've had mirena for about 6 months now. I had it put in due to very heavy periods, and i must say for that reason the mirena is GREAT. My sister has had the mirena for 2 1/2 years now and a few times she had cramps/severe pain so bad she couldn't even get to a phone, one time she actually fainted. Well i experienced my first "cramp attack" (as we call it) and it was bad, but my second experience was last night, and it was crazy. It hurt so bad i fell to floor in pain. It felt like a constant contraction that wouldn't go away for about 20 mins. My sister has been to the doctor several times for it and the scary part is they don't know what it is. We know its from the mirena though because we both have it. Has anyone else experienced this?

I had my Mirena inserted yesterday afternoon during a hysteroscopy. The procedure went fine, and other than some cramping (and bleeding - which I knew would happen), last night I was feeling fine.

I woke up this morning with the absolute worst migraine headache I have ever experienced. I believe the nausea and dry heaving I've been experiencing all day are from this huge headache. So far, I am not impressed with Mirena - I wish I had found this website prior to my surgery. Although I'm not entirely sure at this point whether my migraine is due to the Mirena, or the anesthesia from my surgery. My doctor was VERY high on Mirena, and basically talked me into it. I went to her with the intention of having a robotic-assist hysterectomy. I have three children (and don't want any more), and have severely heavy periods - I get anemic every month. She seemed to indicate that she'd like me to try the Mirena first, and if it doesn't work out, then the hysterectomy. With three small kids, I don't think I can withstand the months and months of side affects that I have read on this site.

Hi ladies. I had my Mirena put in just under 6 months ago because of heavy long periods, day 21 Oestrogen test showed I was heading for perimenopausal. Suffered acne on and off over the years but looking back it was manageble. I have 4 kids, youngest is 2 and GP refused a COCP because of my age(40). Persuaded me that the Mirena was the answer to my prayers so went ahead. Despite 4 full term pgs and 2 mc's insertion was very very painful. Anyway, just had the damn thing removed last week, drove to another town's family planning clinic to get it out as couldn't get seen at my GPs for 2 weeks and was desperate and just had to get it out of me.

Side effects: Zilch sex drive, mood swings, hot temper, overly emotional/crying, fuzzy head, tiredness,poor self esteem, bloated, joint pain, aching all over, painful breasts, symptoms of UTI/Cystitis, and the worst for me acne. My skin has never been so horrible. My pores have responded to the androgen's by going mad, producing too much sebum, blocking pores, causing nasty papules, pustules and the off cyst like spot. I have been depressed, not wanted to face anyone, even felt suicidal at times.

Spoke to the doc at the FPC and she agreed it's not for everyone, says she has told the Obstetricians at the local hospital(UK) that they shouldn't be putting so many in! Got the impression she saw loads of women with probs from it. Said she could see it was totally wrong for me. The nurse was lovely, took it out and told me it had been a pleasure to remove it for me!

Came away to give my body a break and think about perhaps Yasmin but after reading about that think I will just go without. Will say my withdrawal bleed from Mirena has been awful, heavy with huge clots and has been going on for 7 days and has again become heavy today. However I would rather have heavy periods than all those horrid side effects. 1 week on and I think my skin is starting to improve as well.

Wish I had found this site 6 months ago. Your doctor will tell you to give iyt longer and let it settle, but if like me you are sensitive to the Androgens then get it out!

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.

I hated the thought of putting a hormone in my body but my husband and I really do not want more children (right now). I was having HEAVY periods and thought the mirena would be helpful.
Honestly it was helpful for the periods, but I was having more herpes breakouts and in areas I have never had, (I have had herpes for 21 years yuck), i was willing to deal with the mirena until I found this link and related my heart palpitations (sometime 8 in an hour) to the mirena. I started the heart palpitations about 3 months after it was put in. I have called to schedule to take the IUD out. I will post my outcome. Thank you ladies for all the posts. We may be saving lives from torment here.
Be Well.

My experience with Mirena has been great! I previously had extremely heavy periods (we're talking soaking an overnight pad in an hour) and Mirena solved that problem--I have almost no period at all anymore. My five years just came up, and I had it replaced. Any "side effects" I've experienced I have attributed to perimenopause. I'm 42 years old, and early menopause runs in my family, so any minor weight gain around the middle, low libido, headaches, I attribute to that, since my doctor's office has confirmed low estrogen through blood work. I love Mirena and plan on continuing with it!

So glad I found this site.
My doctor is trying to convince me to having the Mirena fitted as I'm having very heavy periods every 2 weeks that last approx 8 days. I initially said "no", but was still given information regarding Mirena to take home & read. I was beginning to reconsider but after reading through these postings I will be sticking to my guns & will NOT have it fitted.
Thank you for taking time to share your experiences as it has helped me to make a more informed choice.

I am so happy I read all these posts! I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for about 7 months now and I thought I was going crazy! After the first 3 months on it I was extremely depressed and usually I'm a very outgoing person. I called my doc and he said that usually after 3 months things will get better. So I waited and for a month things were find but then everything got so much worse then they were. I would get depressed about everything and think the craziest things which in turn made me think the craziest things. Also I always thought I was pregnant because I felt nauseous and lost my appetite and for a whole month 2 months ago my boobs were sore. This is my first bc and so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Well after reading all the posts I know I am not crazy! I am a very happy out going person but since using this pill i've been the complete opposite! As of today I am no longer using this pill! I'd rather have my horrible cramps and heavy periods then deal with feeling like I have been!

Okay, I had my first Mirena inserted in 2002. I had ZERO issues. Slight cramping and then, miraculously, NO PERIODS until it was removed in 2007! The 5 years was up. I was pregnant in less than a year without it and then after the birth of my son in February 2009, I had another Mirena inserted at the 6 week check up after birth. Since then, ALL of the above relates to me! I found a new OB and she found that the Mirena had been inserted into the wrong spot! Imagine my surprise, now the understanding of the cramping and constant heavy periods. She removed it and put in another ... safest form for me as I am 37 and a smoker. It's been 4 weeks since the new one and now I have that funky brown discharge...its nasty and I will keep you posted once I tt the Dr.

Good luck all and thanks for sharing, at least I know its not just me!

Thankyou for posting all these indepth reviews. I spent more than an hour going through each one of them, they gave me a much better insight into the drug that I am taking - Loestrin 24 Fe.
I have been put on these to correct my heavy periods, I have been taking these since about a month and a half. I have never been on a birth control pill before. I noticed that I had difficulty in wearing my contacts the first month and attributed this to the pills since its a major side effect listed with using the pill. I spoke to my Ob/Gyn about this but she asked me check with my eye doctor first. But it just so happened that I never got a chance to visit an eye doctor.The problem ceased to exist when I changed my contacts, so I am assuming that it had nothing to do with the BC pills. Other than that during the first month I had headaches, which went away on their own, guess my body got used to the pills. The third side effect that I noticed in the second month (now) is the spotting (never saw that the first time around). Its not that bad but its definitely annoying. Other than that I haven't really experienced any other side effects. I have never been sexually active so cannot really comment on the libido part. My bleeding has decreased to almost one-half of what it used to be and I don't get the bad cramps that I used to get before, so this pill definitely seems to be doing what my doctor said it would do. Other than the spotting, I don't have any complaints with the pill. I haven't monitored my weight so thats one thing I will have to take a look at. Hopefully I wont have any other side effects, if I do I will make sure that I post them.

Good luck to all the ladies in finding the right pill............

I started the NuvaRing on Oct 1 and felt a flu coming on Oct 5. Oct 6 I had a horrible headache and fever which has been between 99.3 and 100.5. On the 10th I awoke vomiting and developed a yeast infection. It just dawned on me it might be the ring. I googled and found this page. I'll see my general physician tomorrow, not the OBGYN who sold this on me when I complained about heavy periods. I'm using this not as a birth control but pre-men stabilizer. I'm thinking to yank it right now...?

My name is Stephanie and I had the Mirena IUD inserted in 12/2004, about a year after I had my daughter. I had some cramping in the first few months following it's insertion. My periods slowly lightened over my first year and now I haven't had a period since. I will spot every once in a long while for about a day. I have lite acne problems but nothing that can't be handled with washing my face before I go to bed at night. I didn't not experience any weight gain while using the IUD. I think women forget to change their eating habits after the baby is born. YOUR NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE! I love this contraceptive and plan on using it again. Mood swings maybe but I'm a woman that comes with the territory. Anyway, if you are thinking about using this IUD don't listen to only the complaints, this is a good contraceptive it's just not for everyone but that's with any contraceptive on the market. Be smart research all contraceptives, find what your body can handle.

WOW..all these negative reviews! I have been on loestrin 24 for over a year or so. I had heavy heavy periods so my gyno prescribed these. Other than the break thru bleeding...I have noticed no side effects. For me the pill has been wonderful. My periods are so lite that sometimes all I need is a panty liner. It has worked wonders for me...and I am in my 40's. I have 2 kids and I would NOT want to feel pregnant and these do NOT make me feel preggo at all. I guess it works for some...it's not for everybody! But my experience is GREAT!!

I got the Mirena 1 year ago, at age 46, when my youngest child was 13. My doctor did not do anything to dilate my cervix and the insertion hurt very badly. I almost told them to forget it! I have a high threshold for pain and had both my children without any medical intervention, so it is saying a lot to say the Mirena insertion hurt. I decided to get it because of my heavy periods. My periods are much lighter, but last just as long (6+ days). Since May I've had a weird rash on my legs and tailbone. The one on my tailbone looks like a bruise. My shins are mottled and itchy. I've been to numerous doctors and tried many different medications. They have gotten better, but have not cleared up. It seems that my legs are not getting adequate circulation. Also, my belly and area below my navel are bright pink and itchy. I, too, feel bloated and pregnant all the time. Ugh! I experience heart flutters and once ended up in the emergency room because the school nurse, where I work, thought I was having a heart attack. Does anyone else have a rash like I describe? This darn think was so expensive, I hate to have it removed but, if it is causing this rash, I'll have it removed right away!

I had a mirena fitted twice with no significant problems except weight gain but I now have a 6 month old baby and had my 3rd mirena removed this morning.I had my second one removed in April last year when we decided we would like to try for baby no3 after a 12 year gap.I fell pregnant in the July and had lost 10lbs in the three months after removal without trying.I felt calm,slept better and had loads of energy.I then progressed with my pregnancy and continued to lose weight as was very sick so by the time my daughter was born I had lost 35lbs in total.i then lost a further 10lbs in the six weeks following her birth and felt great,loads of energy,my skin looked fantastic and was really happy.
I decided to have my 3rd mirena inserted just after my six week postnatal check as I hate heavy periods etc,well that was at the beginning of June.As soon as it was inserted my stomach started to bloat and it looked like I was 6 months pregnant,I have experienced extremely heavy prolonged bleeding with clots.I had phoned my doctor 3 times over the last 3 months and they said to give it time,it was the fact I had not long had a baby and give it 6 months.I have also gained 14lbs in the 3 months,my skin has broken out,my hair is thinning and have really bad mood swings,anxiety and restless sleep and I know I don't have post-nantal depression as had that 16 years ago and know the difference.
I am so glad i took the decision to have it removed and feel 100 times better already knowing this thing is no longer inside me.I definitely know this mirena has caused all these side effects now.Why do the doctors not listen to us.

I had mirena put in in Oct 08. My symptoms are: dizziness, sweating, nausea, (these symptoms can be mild and brief (seconds); or last a few minutes. I had severe dizziness in May and June of 2009. I also get acne on my shoulders, neck, face, and my T zone is very oily (especially my forehead). I am using good acne products to try to combat this problem, but I continue to have a problem. Some of my acne is like welts and I even have this going on on my scalp. I wrecked my car in December 2008. At that time I was very foggy headed. I blamed the foggy headedness on being stressed and overworked. I am 40 years old. My children are 10 and 13, therefore I know my symptoms are not post pregnancy. Today, I questioned if I wasn't going through early menopause. My doctor said this mirena would be wonderful and that after six months I would not have a period anymore. I have a period every two weeks. My periods are very light, but I still have them every two weeks, and they last for two weeks. I have been wondering if my body will adjust, and if I will eventually get to this heavenly place of now periods and bliss?

I also thought I had something serious wrong with me until I found this website and read all the symptoms that so many women have been having!! I have made an appointment with a GP on Wed and hopefully will have no problem convincing her to remove my Mirena. I had it inserted in Feb 09 for heavy and painful periods. I didn't stop bleeding for 2 months after insertion and then only stopped due to medication prescribed by GP. Since then periods have been regular, not as painful and not as heavy. BUT!!!!! I would rather put up with painful, heavy periods than put up with heart palpitations, painful breasts and underarms, weight gain, constant lower abdominal pain, lower back pain, no sex drive, weight gain. Who needs all that crap in their life!! Can't wait till Wednesday!!

I had mine inserted 10 weeks ago and I am having it removed this afternoon and I cant wait! My problems started on day 3 and have not stopped. I am 50 (had my tubes tied 20 years ago after 2 kids)and my gyno suggested Mirena as my periods are very very heavy and occur about every two and half weeks. My daughter (25 with 1 child) had hers inserted 2+ years ago and has not had 1 problem so thought I thought it might work - wow, was I wrong! I have had the constant feeling of just achey all over, headaches all the time,angel to devil in .0001 seconds, panic attacks (never had them before and NEVER want another one - very scary)sinus infections, high blood pressure (have always been 120/80 now I am 160/100) I just feel crappy all the time and unmotivated. I have never been like this and hope its all related to the Mirena as nothing else in my life has changed. Like other meds and procedures this is not for everyone so I would encourage people to listen to your body as well as your inner voice and take action to get your old self back. Honestly, as badly as I feel since getting my Mirena....having heavy periods every two and half weeks seem pretty minor in comparison!

I am so surprised to read that. I had Mirena for over one year after my first baby and think it is the best thing in the world! I cannot wait to get a new one! I had it removed to I could get pregnant again. I felt the IUD for about a week and my periods became lighter and lighter each month. When I had it remove I only had my period for literally 2-5 minutes each months and never had to use tampons or napkins. It was a big change for me, because I use to have super heavy periods that would last for 7-9 days and even suffered from anemia because of it. I did not lose nor gain any weight with it... I will get another one for sure after baby number 2.

OK..... looks like this site deleted my links on my previous post on where you can go to view the video on IUD self removal. Actually, you really don't need to watch it... it's so easy. If you can feel your strings, grip them tightly and firmly with your fingers, and just pull gently for a few seconds. I didn't feel any pain at all, just slight pressure. Mine came out in about 10 seconds.
It's been 24 hours since I've removed mine. I cannot tell you how much better I feel. Normally, every morning when I first wake up I start feeling really irritable, I start bawling in the shower and can't stop... I even run late to work because I can't stop crying long enough to put my makeup on. Throughout the day my moods will fluctuate depending on what's going on and how other people around me influence them. Today has been totally different. This was the first morning in months where I woke up and showered without crying. I feel like I've been "cleansed," I don't feel my blood pressure boiling over from the slightest family disturbance... in fact my kids were screaming and chasing each other this morning and this was the first time I didn't jump up and scream at them and send them off to their rooms for an hour! I'm going to call my GP tomorrow and see what he says about coming off of my antidepressant, because I clearly don't need it now that the cause of my depression is gone.
Good luck to everyone out there.... maybe we can all get together and turn this bad into good and file a class action suit against this company. I'm really scared about what it could do to some of these women who have depression before they even get this product.... this is a pretty serious situation here.

HAS ANYONE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH MIRENA??

before my mirena i always had VERY regular periods. every 30 days for 4-5 days. when i had my mirena inserted in the 2nd week of june, i started my period 4 days later on time (the 15th). however, it lasted 14 days! 2 weeks later on-time on july 15th, i had another 12 day period. since then NOTHING. does this sound normal to go from two super heavy periods to nothing?

since missing my last period (almost 2 weeks ago) ive had an out of control appetite but have only gained 5lbs and im extremely fatigued yet have a hard time falling asleep.

i got my mirena IUD in last year, Ive been getting a lot of the side affects like headache,mood swings,depression,weight gain,hair lost,nausea,really bad sharp pains,insomnia,and really heavy periods and, i couldn't feel the string...so yesterday i went to the hospital with the sharp pain and they did a CT on me.....get this, they told me that the IUD is in the pelvis,however, it is outside of the uterus and adjacent to the sigmoid colon and, a low density lesion in the adnexal region probably representing an ovarian cyst which has ruptured!!!! so they sent me home with some pain killers and told me to call the doctor that put it in......ohh yeah and I forgot to tell you they said i need to have surgery to remove it.(how nice!!!) GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY