Hormone levels symptoms and conditions

I started taking Loestrin in march or april, i cant really remember, because i was missing periods for months at a time and having negative pregnancy tests. I got diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and they prescribed this to me to have a normal period....NORMAL!!! yeah right. If normal is skipping some months, bleeding multiple times in a month and passing clots the size of a golf ball or worse. I stopped taking the pill for two months and it seemed like everything was back to normal, then had a pregnancy scare so started it up again. it just got worse, way worse. I've been losing my hair, crying for no reason and have had crazy bleeding with no cause. I'm tired of being poked and proded trying to find out what the problem is when it could just be this pill. I'm probably switching to a pill with changing hormone levels cause this crap isn't worth it. I worked too long to grow my hair just to lose it to the pill. wish me luck.

I know that for every woman, the side effects or various medications and hormones are different. I personally had the Mirena IUD inserted a little over 3 years ago on the recommendation of a friend who, at the time, had nothing but positive things to say about it. I went on that recommendation alone, and now wish that I had done more research into the side effects before having one inserted.

The initial insertion was not horrible, but not great either- a pinch at insertion, severe cramping and pain within a few hours, and a dull aching feeling in my abdomen for about a week. After that, though, I couldn't feel the IUD at all.

It was not long after that when I began to experience side effects. Like many of you, I attributed my symptoms to stress and life changes. I figured that my migraines, back pain, fatigue, dizziness, increasing urinary tract infections, and weight gain were a result of a changing metabolism and high-stress job.

When I went to my family physician to have blood work done (because I was declared anemic when trying to give blood), I was told that I wasn't getting enough iron and I went on iron supplements. (The supplements then made me constipated- sorry if that is TMI, but that was a very unwelcome result!) When I took trip after trip to my ob/gyn for antibiotics to treat UTIs, I was told that the UTIs were unrelated to the IUD. When I saw a urologist to have three separate tests done (one for hormone levels, another for uterine function, and yet another to test kidney function), all tests came back within normal range. Even when I went to the ER one Saturday morning, when my back was spasming so badly that I could barely walk or stand, I was told that my back pain was stress-related.

All the while, my friend (the one who recommended the IUD in the first place) was dealing with similar problems- weekly severe migraines, back pain, etc. She was being told the same things by her ob/gyn- none of her symptoms were related to the IUD. Since she and I trusted our doctors completely, we went on about our lives, upped our workout regimens, tried to de-stress as much as possible, took OTC pain meds when it was all too much to bear- and yet for both of us, our symptoms continued.

Then, in July, my husband and I decided to begin trying for a baby. I made my appointment to have the IUD removed (which was a painless process), and it was only then that I began to research the Mirena IUD online. My former ob/gyn had moved, and my new one seemed ill-informed about what to expect once the IUD was removed. I wanted to know how soon I could conceive, and she knew very little about the process- heck, she didn't even know what the hormone was called that she had given me to jump-start my period (it was progestin, by the way- a very common prescription that my paramedic husband knew quite a bit about, but the ob/gyn didn't even know the name of!).

Once I got online and found this site (among many others), I finally began to put two and two together. I am now firmly convinced that my symptoms were directly related to the Mirena IUD. Again, different women are affected in different ways, but I know that for me- nothing good came of messing with Mother Nature like that.

Now that I've had the IUD out for about four months, I feel like a different human being. I did experience the "Mirena Crash," but once that passed, I almost immediately began losing weight, my abdomen was no longer blown up like a balloon, my energy level and sex drive increased, my back pain is now gone, and I haven't had a migraine or UTI since.

I've since switched ob/gyns, but I now have a healthy distrust of anything medically new and experimental. I will never have the Mirena inserted again, and I will definitely research anything and everything regarding my body. Ladies, listen to your bodies- mine was screaming at me loud and clear for over three years, and even though I knew that something was very wrong, I didn't listen. I'm just happy that I "accidentally" figured it out. (Oh, and my friend will be having her IUD removed later this week. She and I now call ourselves the "sister skeptics!")

Thanks for the post on urticaria. I occasionally have red itchy flaky splotches on my face though I usually had attributed this to high sugar-- though I hadn't worried about it before. When I got swine flu it got really bad but antibiotics seemed to have helped. It doesn't bug me. Though in relation to the other post about depression I'd be interested to know if others have had low hormone levels as well.

u dammed if u do dammed if u don't. i just picked up may pack yesterday of loestrin 24 waiting on my period to start to begin taken them. but by the looks of this site might not be taken them.im just confused right now.i was on Yasmin years ago caused me depression.then last year levora.28 made my blood pressure high and my heart beat extremely fast.depo made me gain weight and spot and bleed irregularly.im even using condoms with my boyfriend right now to be extremely cautious they SUCK..I just don't know what to do the pull out method isn't full proof.im just lost at this point.

I am 45 years old. I have had Mirena out for 3 weeks now (had it in for 9 months). At removal I went right back on the BC pill so there was no break in hormone levels. I have never had problems with the pill. I know some of you cannot use them. But for those who say "I just can't remember to take it every day..." consider the alternative of getting this IUD or keeping it inside you. The side effects alone are not worth it. In 3 weeks time that horrible facial/body acne has cleared up, the bloating is gone and my jeans fit much better although I'm not sure I've actually lost weight. A lot of it was just inflammation. The emotional issues just seem to have "vanished". I feel happy again. Imagine that (sarcasm intended). Libido much much better, with no pain or cramping. I started my period for the first time just this week. I thought it would be the period from "hell", getting revenge on my body for not having one for so long. But so far it is fine, and I'm glad it's back to tell the truth! Instead of spotting all the time or who knows when, I'll go back to light periods 3 days a month. Again, it beats the alternative. And a trick to try for taking the pill: put the pack somewhere around your bathroom sink area (away from kids of course) and just take it every morning after you brush your teeth. I mean you never "forget" to brush your teeth in the morning, so take the pill right after you rinse! It never fails. Also, you can tell yourself that if you did have a serious medical condition that required daily medication, insulin, for example, you would be good to your body and make it a priority. As long as the pill doesn't give you any problems, it's 99.9% effective and makes your periods very short and light, but predictable and right on time. No awful surprise breakthrough bleeding. The reliability of it is great. You just have to TAKE it. I'm only writing about the pill because it is the only other option I've tried and it worked well for me. If it's only a matter of inconvenience, try the toothbrush trick. It really works! Hope this helps some of you who are looking for other alternatives. Good luck!!

Yasmin is most definitely the pill from hell! I was originally on Microgynon from the age of 17 until I was about 20/21 which was when I changed to Yasmin. I didn't notice at the time but I had the usual mood swings which come with any contraceptive, I got diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and I was suffering with anxiety and palpitations for no reason. I stopped taking Yasmin in 2007 to give my body a break but had problems with other forms of contraception so I gave in and went back on the pill after a few months, this was when the worst side effects came! Depression, anxiety, palpitations, racing heart beat, breathlessness, migraines, crazy mood swings and I’m so aggressive with it too! My aggression scares me sometimes it’s that bad!  The worst side effect has to be my hair loss! It upsets me so much! My GP but it down to low Iron and Pernicious Anaemia a year ago which I am now being treated for and my hair hasn’t got any better! I went back to my GP at the end of my tether and he did more tests including sex hormone tests which show some of my hormone levels through the roof and others struggling to get into the normal range. I had no idea this was what Yasmin did to your body! I have an appointment to see my GP tomorrow to discuss these results! Hopefully he will have some answers!

cannot believe how many stories I have read about mirena and hair loss etc..etc.. etc.. I have experienced many of the side effects that everyone is mentioning.. I actually feel I could live with most of them if it weren't for the hair loss. I have had ( copying from other post.. ridiculous right?)Tired all the time ~ Depression ~ Hungry all the time ~ leg cramps ~ HAIR LOSS TO THE POINT OF BALDING IN SEVERAL AREAS ~ oily skin and bad breakouts ~ Mood swings (huge...yelling fits at my husband and the kids) ~ fluttering in uterus~Sore breasts.. I have medium thick hair that is about 10 inches. I noticed a bald spot in June and now have discovered 4-5 others starting. I just had the iud removed today and my OB pretty much tried to convince me that there is no way that the IUD is causing my issues. I have never had any of these issues before. I got the Mirena on 4/30 of 08 and noticed slowly but surely all of the side effects mentioned. My OB told me that the progesterone could not be causing my issues because it is such a small dosage that it would be comparable to spitting in the ocean as far as the amount that is in my blood stream. She said because I am black and 35 that I may have an autoimmune disorder and that I should stop reading blogs. I told her that all of my research wasn't from a blog and that ALOPECIA is a side effect just not mentioned in my pamphlet that I can find. I understand what she is saying and that she is the one that is the dr. but nobody knows my body better than I do.. I am in it!! I have !never had any problems and have been healthy my entire life. There is no history of autoimmune disease in my family. I am going to my primary care doctor.. to have some blood tests done. I think that the mirena has caused an autoimmune response in my body.. it may not necessarily be the progesterone..although I don't rule it out no matter what she says . the progesterone is synthetic and has an androgynous like activity that is similar to testosterone the main thing that causes male pattern baldness. also Mirena is made out of Silicone.. perhaps those of us that are having hair loss are having it due to our body trying to fight off the foreign invader of the IUD itself. I was going to go and have the Paragard inserted.. because i was thinking it may just be the progesterone.. nope... I read that many women are complaining of ACNE and HAIRLOSS even with that because its made out of copper. So with that being said.. not sure what to do.. may have to go back on Yasmin.. didn't seem to have any problems with that.. I really just don't want to risk putting another hormone in my body.. We all need to get together and look into a class action suit because I am tired of being made to feel crazy by doctors.. sometimes what seems to not be possible is .. especially when there are so many women having the same problem. Feel free to e-mail me re: a class action suit.. if they took depo off Mirena needs to come of too. It seems like it has really screwed a lot of peoples system up.. Hopefully I won't find out I know have a thyroid problem etc.. etc..

I just had a baby about 8 weeks ago and started nuvaring and have only been on it for 2 days and i am already feeling nausea, headaches and severe cramps. i took it out and felt a relief of pressure immediately. i don't know if it is just because i just had a baby but it was not fun and i don't think i will use it again, it is not worth the effects you get from it.

I was on Yaz for two years, and gained a total of 17 pounds from the day I went on it, to the day I went off of it. I'm sure some of the weight gain can be attributed to other factors, but I didn't really change my diet or exercise regime at all and the piles still packed on. I also always looked really swollen, almost pregnant, like you could see the water retention in my tissues. I had issues with my hair falling out, too. The plus was that my moods did feel more leveled out, but then the weight gain and hair loss caused other emotional issues so it was a no win situation.

I went off of it about a year ago, I've lost 15 pounds of the weight and my hair loss has pretty much subsided. But now I have very short periods, lasting three days tops. I worry that Yaz did something to my body that may affect my ability to get pregnant long term, as it seems my hormone levels have seriously depleted...

I'm on my second week of Loestrin. I started on the first day of my period, I had two heavy days and 3 days of light spotting....only requiring a panty liner. I have had a bit of hormonal acne crop up, which I was prepared for, as my skin doesn't like change of any kind. I'm sure this will even out over the next couple of months as my body adjusts to the hormones in Loestrin. Several years ago I was on ortho-cyclen and when I first started on that bcp I had similar skin issues, so I'll give it a couple of months before becoming concerned. Other than the breakouts I have had no negative side effects so far. That said...I think judging a pill that switches up your hormone levels prior to being on it longer than 2 months is a bit premature. I realize that I have to be patient and wait out some side effects as my body adjusts.

I've had the Mirena since Aug. 2006 - three years now. I considered having it removed because of intense irritability, depression, suicidal thoughts, and lack of interest in sex the past 5 months. I went to my doctor's office this morning to have it removed, but kept an open mind to alternatives. I'm 39 years old, and the doctor indicated that at my age, some of these issues are normal. I found a list of Menopause side effects, and many are similar to Mirena's side effects! At any rate, I asked if there is a way to offset these side effects so that I can keep the Mirena. She gave me an estrogen patch called "Vivelle", and I'm hoping that will help. Has anyone else tried estrogen therapy to offset Mirena's side effects? I still have the Mirena and will follow up in a few weeks.

I cannot believe I happened to find this page today!! Thank GOD!!

I was looking up reasons for being exhausted and irritable (which I feel I am ALL the time lately) and thought- maybe it has to do with my birth control pill. After reading these posts it sounds to me that it does!

I have been taking Aviane for 10 months now- prescribed Alesse after the birth of my daughter but was given Aviane by the pharmacy because it is a generic that is supposed to be the same as Alesse. I have been depressed, irritable, unable to sleep, overly exhausted, spotting for 3 weeks, and am beginning to gain some weight. I brushed the depression off because I thought it was my hormone levels returning to normal after the pregnancy. Unless I have postpartum depression (which I don't feel I do) then my hormones should have stabilized by now!

As for the weight gain- I'm not eating any differently than usual- maybe less do to the stress of being in school part time, being a mom and wife, and working, so this gain is not typical for me. Generally, when I'm stressed I lose a few pounds.

My irritability is out of control! Since I've been on Aviane I have been angry and mean. My reactions feel out of control. I can't count the times I've told my husband that I don't know why I'm acting the way I am and that I feel my "freak outs" are beyond my control. I have destroyed some of my husband's personal property as well as my own during fits of rage. When I pull myself outside of these situations I say to myself- who the hell is that person because It's not me. I used to be very laid back, easy going, and rarely angry in the past.

Every night I wake up at least 3 times on my own. My daughter sleeps through the night so I can't attribute my lack of sleep and night waking to her. I can't seem to get through the day without a nap. Sometimes I take two because I feel so tired.

All of these behaviors are so uncharacteristic to me. Before I had my daughter I was a competitive soccer player and enjoyed running, hiking, and biking. I traveled the country working as an archaeology field tech where I would work 10-12 hours outside all day, sometimes walking 4 miles or more a day in the hot summer sun. I enjoyed life and was light hearted and funny. I would never raise my voice to the people I care and never considered myself someone with a temper. Sadly, for the last 4 months I have been walking through life wondering what is the matter with me and wondering why I couldn't get myself together. I never even thought to research the side effects of my pill!!

Thank You EVERYONE for posting your thoughts or problems because it has helped me to see that maybe this pill isn't for me!! I am going to stop and will post again in a few months to let people know if my life has changed for the positive since quitting this monster of a pill.

I've been on Yasmin for years now, but recently switched to the generic Ocella. I'm trying to figure out if Yasmin or Ocella is causing my depression. I'm 25 and just recently my depression has been horrible. I've been on Lexapro for years to help with Anxiety/Depression, but never had problems like this before. My psychiatrist just switched me to Prozac. I've been on it 4 weeks and it's not doing anything. The reason I think my depression might be linked to the Yasmin is because the 2 weeks before I get my period I'm insanely depressed, borderline suicidal. Then, the day I get my period, I'm ok. Anyone else have this weird problem?

I am a 39 year old mother of two teenager daughters. I had my original Mirena inserted in July, 2002 due to extreme bleeding for many months. I would bleed for about 24 days out of every month and felt horrible. As I was only 32 years old at the time, my GYN did not want to perform a hysterectomy and suggested the Mirena. I bled for a couple of months after insertion, but shortly thereafter I had no bleeding and have had no period ever since. This is the side effect that is fantastic!

Shortly after having the Mirena inserted, my marriage fell apart and I was feeling very depressed, EXTREMELY EXHAUSTED and overall "crappy". I assumed that this was all due to my life circumstances. I gained significant weight in my mid-section, I had (and still have) constant headaches, I am always still very very tired, am dizzy, fuzzy-minded, blurred vision, achey, etc. etc. etc. I never once thought about the Mirena being the cause of any of these symptoms.

My doctor has checked my bloodwork numerous time to ensure my iron levels, etc. were okay as well as my thyroid - every time the results were normal so I thought it must all be in my head and all be due to me being somewhat depressed, etc. due to my marital breakdown.

I had my 2nd Mirena put in in December, 2009 as the first one was in for the full 5 years. It was a little painful getting it taken out and the new one put in, but for me the pain was worth it to continue to be period-free for another 5 years!

Recently I have been experiencing hot flashes and night sweats so I asked my doctor if I could be going through menopause. She ordered bloodwork to check my hormones and informed me last week that yes, in fact I am quite far into menopause!!! (remember, age 39)! Because I have not had a period in almost 6 years, I did have the early warning signs of menopause such as missed or irregular periods.

I wondered why I would be going through it so early so googled "Mirena and early menopause" which brought me to this site. When I started reading all the side effects, I wondered if it was maybe the Mirena that cause a lot my problems over the years and it wasn't in fact the dissolving of my marriage and change in life circumstances.

I now have to decide what to do. My doctor stated that I should (because of my young age) go on Hormone Replacement for quality of life. (I am close to my decision and believe that HRT is beneficial for me) - hopefully this will help with the terrible symptoms of menopause I have been having.

I am wondering if having the Mirena inserted had any part in accelerating my body into menopause. I am thinking of having it removed before starting HRT because even though the doctor told me that there is a very low hormone dosage in the Mirena, I don't want to over-do it with hormones as that could cause me even more problems. It would be amazing if I had it removed that I would feel the way I used to feel back 6 years ago (minus the husband)

FYI, before I had the Mirena inserted the first time I read and re-read the pamphlet which contained all the possible side effects, etc. But, as I stated above, my life changed dramatically very shortly after insertion so it never occurred to me that some of my problems may be related to the Mirena.

If this device does accelerate a woman's body into menopause, this should be well publicized as it would be tragic for young women who use this as a form of contraception early in their life to only find out later that they are no longer able to conceive due to their body going though "the change".

I had this thing placed in April of 2008. I was fine had minor cramping and went back for check up. everything was okay until January 2009 I got a yeast infection. I did an otc med and it went away for about 3 days. It came back with Avengeance not only did I have a yeast infection but it was accompanied with migrated arthralgia. I could hardly walk at one point on my right foot then it moved from my right hand to my left and has settled in to my right foot. I called my PCP and she gave me meds to treat and it went away for a month. I was told that if it came back with the arthralgia she was going to test me for lupus!!!! LUPUS I thought I was in a lot of trouble the next month because it came back. I have had 8 yeast infections in 6 months. Every time my husband and I have sex it feels like a rug burn and I get the infection back. I was told (when I finally thought to call) by my GYN that if you get yeast infection and it doesn't fully go away it can live on the strings and keep coming back. I was treated this last time with a vag cream insert and an oral med. I thought I was free and clear but two months later here I am again. I am going in to see my GYN/PCP to have this removed tomorrow she agrees that the mirena is the issue. I have had all these other symptoms thought mostly the weight issue I can't lose weight not matter how hard I work at it. I have facial swelling and have been very fatigued. Also be warned that you should not have this placed if you have history of endometriosis. I consulted as to why with one of the doc that i am a nurse for and she said that this can cause bleeding to be worse since endometrial tissue can attach anywhere in the body. I have endometriosis removed twice and I am not willing to take the risk of abn bleeding elsewhere I already have enough CRAP to deal with. I am sure that some women have had this and it hasn't been an issue. More power to you!! but for those of you who are suffering form this. You can file a formal complaint with the FDA I think if enough of us file complaints maybe will step back and take a closer look at the TRUE SE of this horrible device!!

Sorry to post again, but NO ONE REPLIED TO MY POST!

I am 5 days post removal and need reassurance. Unlike everyone else, I have NOT felt better right away. I am just as tired (if not more), more irritable, and JUST GOT ACNE on my face and arms 2 days AFTER removal! I'm still dizzy and the brain fog is just as bad. Have not bled a drop at all.

I know everyone is different, but my removal experience has been completely different... don't feel better, no bleeding/clots, no immediate improvement. IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME??? Was it not the Mirena after all???

I started taking Loestrin24fe on Sunday June 7th. That was the first day of my peroid. It is now 13 days later and I am still on my period. I am 44 yrs old and was put on this pill because my periods were so heavy. This is defeating the purpose. I want to quit taking them. I am anemic and think this is doing more harm than good. I am going to Hawaii on July 23rd and do not want to be on my period then. If I stop now, I am wondering when I will start my period again. I am really fed up.

Hi all! Was just reading through all your experiences with the Mirena IUD, and let me just tell you, I am so happy I found this site! I had my Mirena IUD inserted about 6 weeks after my son was born (he will be turning one next month). I noticed my world literally falling apart within the first week of having it in. Of course when I talk to my Doc about what I've been going through, she says there is absolutely no link between my symptoms and Mirena. So then tell me why I am reading all your stories and it feels like I am reading my story back to myself? We can't all just be crazy here!!! I mean, some of my symptoms are so dead on with what others have shared, and the only thing in common is that we all have/had the Mirena IUD!! I honestly think people think that Doctors are Gods and that what they say is the word. Don't get me wrong, it takes a lot to be a doctor, and there are many many great ones out there, but in the end, you know your body more than anyone else!! So anyways, going back to the hell I have been dealing with: Within a week of having my Mirena put in, I got a MAJOR kidney infection. I have never had any problems with my kidneys whatsoever. The infection got so bad (I had no idea what it was) that I almost got Sepsis from it, which can be fatal. Since then, I have had 2 more kidney infections, as well as passed a kidney stone (which may or may not be related). Also, within that first week, I went from being a happy, active, energetic human being to being depressed, moody, panicked, weak, lethargic, and EXTREMELY fatigued all the time. I look in the mirror and don't even recognize myself anymore: I can't keep up with my son, the housework, cooking dinner and taking care of my family. I have watched my whole world literally fall apart. My partner and I split over a month ago, and I lost my job. I feel like the most worthless person on the face of the planet. I feel so horrible for my son because I just can't do the things he wants to do. All he wants to do is play, and I just can't do it. I can't be a normal mother to my child because I have no energy at all. I feel tired and weak CONSTANTLY, and just getting out of bed in the morning takes an act of God. I have to nap when my son does, because if I don't, I won't make it through the day. Even when I do get my naps in, they are not energizing naps, they are just to keep my head above water so that I can at least do the bare minimum to take care of my son. This is the complete opposite of the person I once was. I used to love life! I used to run and hike, and treat the world like it was my playground. Now all I do is sleep, and schedule my life around sleeping and just try to get by. The depression and anxiety attacks are new to me too. Some days I am in such fear of the anxiety attacks that I don't even leave the house. I have become a total hermit, and it's not fair to my son at all. I have also experienced pretty significant weight gain, and am still gaining. I have always been very fit, active and petite with an average weight of 110, and now here I am pushing 130! That just is not me!! With my small height of 5'3" it just doesn't look right. No wonder why my husband doesn't want me anymore!! I'm chubby, I sleep all day, I'm depressed, moody, and afraid to get out of the house!! I would do anything to have my life back. I would do anything to have my family back!!! That's why I ended up coming across this site in the first place. Like so many others, I have spent hundreds of dollars going to the doctor, and having all these expensive tests done just trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me! You name it, and my doctor has tested for it, only to have everything come back looking fine. I can't even begin to tell you how extremely frustrating it is to sit there in my doctor's office feeling the way that I do, and knowing something is definitely not right, only to have her tell me, "You're fine. It's all in your head. Take this anti-depressant and you'll feel better." So, my initial intention was to go online and try to find some tips on how to increase my energy level, and suddenly all these links started popping up about Mirena and chronic fatigue. I started reading your stories on here and it was like a light suddenly went on in my head! And for the first time in almost a year, I felt the relief that I have been literally praying and praying for!! I have already called my doctor's office and made an appointment to have the damn thing taken out next week! I am actually excited for it! I keep thinking: What if this is it? What if this is the reason why I have been feeling so bad? What if they take it out and I become ME again? The me who used to camp and hike and fish and run and hold down a freakin job and play with my kids and take care of my family and have passions and hobbies?!!! What if??? Well, I am going to find out! I will post again and let you ladies know how it goes! If it does turn out that it was the Mirena that caused all this, you bet your booty I'm gonna be the world's biggest advocate on getting that thing pulled off the market!!!

It's nice to know that I'm not alone..

I got Mirena in November 08, and since then I've developed a plethora of unpleasant side-effects. Initially, I couldn't put them all together. As I'd had a fainting spell and some restless legs a few months prior to getting Mirena, I've been concerned that all of my symptoms were stemming from a nutritional deficiency like folate or b12 anemia. Nothing seemed to quite fit exactly right though, and I take vitamins regularly, so I was perplexed until last night. After googling "tingly feet" and "heartbeat" I stumbled onto one of these forums.

I have felt like a crazy person all of this year, and I am now quite certain that it's from Mirena. Feeling foolish that I didn't see this sooner.. but I guess I we perceive what we want to, and I was happy to have easy birth control.

I've NEVER had heart palpitations, this kind of foggy-headedness, anxiety like this, unexplainable nausea, tingling in my feet, or depression before. My dizziness and fatigue alone had me fearing for my health, and my extreme mood swings had me fearing for my life.

I'm getting this removed as soon as possible.
Clearly I could've done my pre-Mirena research better, but the pamphlet and pep-talk I was given did not mention everything that I've been going through. I'm a little pissed, to be honest.. but mainly relieved.

I think I'm going back to the Nuvaring.. I'd rather bleed than be a dysfunctional, ill, zombie-person.

I had my Mirena in for 20 months. I had it removed as i realized that it was causing many side effects including headaches, painful feet when i got up in the morning, bloated stomach and fat rolls! WEIGHT GAIN of 6kg or 13 pounds and i could not get it off (usually i can drop a kilo or two if i needed by eating smaller portions and no snacks), foggy brain, very tired and exhausted for no reason, lower back aches, tender breasts, no period whatsoever (not a bad thing), NO libido and possibly more - a doctor suggested he possibly suspected depression. After i had it removed, i bled for several days then nothing then a few days again. It has been 5 weeks since its removal and i have already lost 3kg or 6.5 pounds, and i have not felt tired unusually at all. All my other symptoms have pretty much disappeared overnight and i feel myself happy, exuberant self again. HIGHLY recommend removing your Mirena if you are feeling symptoms like mine. Condoms girls is all i can say, don't mess with your finely balanced hormone levels. Also i researched a natural product you might be interested in to regain natural hormone balance, Maca Root. Ask a naturopath at a health food store for more info. Stop searching for answers like i was doing, and do what you think is right for you and your body.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted on April 7th after 13 yrs of being on the pill, the last 3 of which was continuous use and only 4 periods a year. I had been dealing with chronic daily headaches since Aug 2007 and had finally found a wonderful headache specialist that of instead of prescribing more and ore meds and upping doses did lots of bloodwork and tests and found that my hormone levels were messed up, specifically I had nonexistent testosterone levels caused by all the estrogen in my pill. So he took me off the bcp and I choose the IUD thinking that that would be the best birth control since I am married with 2 kids, but sure that my family is not done yet, but not ready for that 3rd child just yet.I wanted the paraguard because I was hesitant of the progestin in the Mirena, as it is the same in the Levlite bcp and had caused me to have severe anger mood swings about 9 yrs and I had to go off of it, but the gyn that I had been seeing had gone on a leave of absence so I consulted with her partner and was told that yes, this would be the best IUD for me because of my history of anemia and that side effects of the Mirena would be localized and I would not experience any mood swings or headaches. So against my better judgement I went with it.
The insertion went fine, had some bad cramping for about 4 hrs later, spotted about 3 days. Then cramped on and off for about 2 weeks. During this time frame I was actually HEADACHE FREE!!! For the 1st time in almost 2 years. Going off the bcp had worked, you cannot imagine my excitement and my whole families, they thought I was going to be me again! Then I started getting mood swings, yelling at them for no reason, getting angry and knowing that what I was doing was wrong and way out in left field but I couldn't stop---- it was reminiscent of my Levlite experience and my hubby freaked out. Said it had to be the IUD. I wasn't sure, but thought maybe so. Then I started getting acne on my chin and jaw and had never in my life, even as a teenager had acne. I also gained 6 lbs. I then started my period, VERY light spotting that lasted 20 days and with came a migraine!! A migraine that won't go away. It started April 26th and I still have it today! I knew then that it was the Mirena. By that time I had found my old gyn-instead of going on leave of absence as they had told her patients, she had actually left to start her own practice, but of course confidentiality agreements wouldn't let her say anything. Luckily I work in a hospital and ran into her in labor in delivery, so I made an appt with her on May 11th for my pap and to have my iud checked and while I was there I told her every side effect I was having and she totally agreed that it was the Mirena and she said that in more than half of women the Mirena hormone is localized, but the rest it causes a full body systemic reaction and I was one of the lucky ones!! She said with my history of migraines and my history with the Levlite that I should have have NEVER, EVER have been advised to get the Mirena. She said to go ahead and do the pap and then reschedule to have it removed since she was busy that day and needed to get to the hospital. So I rescheduled and had it removed on May 20th- 6 weeks, 1 day after having it put in. I am so glad it is gone. The cramping is gone, I am not having mood swings, no new acne flare-ups just trying to deal with getting rid of the ones I had! The headache I still have, but I think it is because my period started 2 days after removal....28 day cycle like clockwork! Maybe when my period ends, the headache will go away. Unless I just have to wait for the Mirena to completely clear out of my system?? Anybody know how long that can take??? Those 2 weeks that were headache free were a godsend and I can't wait till it happens again! In my opinion the Mirena is HELL! For those of you that have gone through similar issues I am sorry and glad that you can understand what I have gone through. For those of you who have one and have had no side effects, you have no idea how lucky you are!!!

I had the Mirena IUD inserted on April 1st 2009 for treament of endometriosis, nearly a month and a half ago, and I am absolutely miserable. I thought I was completely losing my mind, only to find out from finding this site and others that I am not alone. The worst of my side effects are the EXTREME anxiety and now depression. I have had a history of both from time to time in my life but nothing like what I have experienced since the Mirena. Also, my hair is falling out like crazy, my face is breaking out everywhere (never before), and worst of all I've gained 7 lbs since I got this thing put in. I felt ravenously hungry almost immediately, I never craved sugar and food like this in my entire life, not even when I was pregnant. I too was fooled by my OB in that I would experience little to no side effects as I cannot take BC due to the effect of hormones. She said that the Mirena is a localized synthetic hormone within the Uterus and would not at all enter my blood stream. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! I'm a basket case, my 3 yr old told me that she misses her mommy, that I sleep too much. That is what finally brought me to researching my symptoms and the Mirena it was the only thing new that could be related and so it was. To summarize my side effects in order from worse to much worse: weight gain, hair loss, cramping, bleeding constantly, libido decrease, extreme tiredness, severe mood swings, depression, blurred vision, sever migraines (no previous history) and the very worst of all the ANXIETY. I'm generally a very happy positive person and lately I can't even stand myself. I often times ask myself when will I ever feel normal again. My OB refused to take this thing out after I went in for an office visit a week and a half after insertion. She said let's not "throw the baby out with the bath water" and give it till 3 months before we can say for sure that I'm experiencing this from the Mirena. Whatever, it's been 6 weeks and getting worse. Finally today I took some blood tests to prove that I'm not diabetic, that I don't have a thyroid problem and that my CBC is fine. Then finally she will consider removing it, well newsflash lady, I'm going to demand it be removed immediately. If not, I'll take it out myself.

My 15-year-old daughter experienced alopecia (bald patches) after the first injection. We didn't initially connect it to the vaccine. Then, after the second shot, her thick long hair thinned significantly. She will NOT be getting the third injection Gardasil is poison. Anyone else who has experienced hair loss, please post a comment with information on how long it took to come back. She cries daily about this and it breaks my heart.

Wow!! I thought i was imagining all of this stuff. The out of no where headaches and the HUGE mood swings that began my first week of use. I thought the NuvaRing would have been a good choice for me. I liked the "low" hormone levels of the Ring. But I am really felling emotionally crummy and i have only been using the Ring for a week and a half. I am over it!

Wow! I'm on day 4 of my new nuvaring. Last night I curled up in bed and contemplated 15 different ways to kill myself. That was after I kicked my cat across the room so I wouldn't go belt my sassy daughter across the face. And this was suppose to EVEN OUT my mood swings. I'm 40 and going through a lot of internal changes emotionally, some of which can be blamed on changing hormone levels. I was hoping to alleviate the mood swings (which compared to this aren't that severe!) I'm removing the ring today after reading many of the posts on this site. I can't wait to just be my regular moody self-lol! Oh, and I have to apologize to my cat who hasn't come near me since yesterday. :(