Irregular bleeding symptoms and conditions

I have posted here before and wanted to post an update because after my Dr. recommended Mirena to me 1 year ago, this website and all of the complaints scared me away from it! Fortunately, I gave it a try anyway. I have never been pregnant before and the insertion was OMG painful. Fortunately I had someone to drive me home. I was out of commission for the rest of the day, and I had severe cramping for the next two days. But after that, and for the past 12 months, the only side effect I have had is irregular bleeding, which is very slight. I have not had problems with acne or weight gain or cramping. It has also been 100% effective. I recommend it to my friends.

After reading all these women's experience with Yasmin, I am super confused and worried. I just started on my Yasmin packet almost 3 weeks ago. Before that I was on Brevicon for about 2 months before being switched to Yasmin. My concern for switching was the amount of irregular bleeding on Brevicon (I had a period every other week on Brevicon) and since I also have PCOS, my doctor recommended switching to Yasmin.

But in the short 3 weeks I have noticed some crazy side effects and I wonder if it is the pill. Side effects for me have been:
1. Dryness - I cannot seem to stay hydrated. My skin, eyes and throat are always dry, not to mention the intimacies in the bedroom. Which I've never had issues with before.
2. Fatigue - I am constantly tired. No matter how much rest I get, I'm constantly exhausted.
3. Headaches - I thought initially it was because I'm trying to ween myself off of caffeine, but even when I do get my caffeine fix, I still have them.
4. Back pain - much like when I have my period, but it's happening well over a week before my period.
5. Cramping - again like the back pain. I have never had such severe cramping this many days before my period.

Those are the severe side effects I am experiencing but in addition to heart palpitations, mood swings and trouble sleeping also happen every so often. I feel like I'm drinking red bull, but I have not.

I am not sure what pill to request, I've tried Brevicon and now Yasmin, but I'm starting to think dealing with irregular periods (every 5-8 weeks) and the usual period pangs is better than dealing with these symptoms every month. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm so frustrated with the Depo injections in general. I received my first injection Nov '03...I was 19 years old it was highly recommended to me at the Health Dept because I'm a lazy pill taker and at the time I questioned the side effects, but the general pamphlet I received mentioned NOTHING of bone depletion being a side effect... and after the first few months of constant irregular bleeding, things were great, no periods, no pill, I was okay with gaining the 20lbs for it...about one year in one of my molars just randomly chipped, my dentist told me it wasn't anything to worry about, it didn't need a filing...less than two months later the tooth cracked down the center... I needed a root canal...one year later during my routine visit my dentist found 5 more molars that needed root canals.... 6 months later all my filings began coming out one by one... My dentist said I wasn't taking care of my teeth, but I brush 3 times a day and floss!! It's been 6 years since I started Depo injections, last year in Sept '08 during my yearly, the OBGYN looks at my file and says "oh I hadn't realized you've been on the Depo 5yrs, you need to take a year off, let your body rest" then she handed my some pill packs and a jar of calcium supplements and sent me on my way. I never even knew about the Depo Black Box Warning, now I realize why my teeth are falling out... I need a filing or root canal on every single tooth in my mouth, they are rotting from the inside out....I've put 7grand in my mouth so far... I can't even afford to keep up with it anymore... I wish I had known what not having a period was going to cost me. I'm 25 years old and I look like I've been doing Meth since I was 19.

So I've been reading all of your posts here and finally decided to share my experience. When I got the mirena put in about 7 weeks after my son was born back in the beginning of September the procedure went easy. It just felt like a little cramp then it was over. Before it was inserted tho, they gave me 2 Advil. The Dr. also had me quickly read the pamphlet about the mirena. All that I read sounded like it would be all good so I said ok to having it inserted. After the insertion I went home about an hour or 2 later I started cramping and bleeding. I figured it was ok until it only got worse. I cramped really bad like I was in labor again for about a week. I wanted to call, but stubborn me wanted to stick it out. Well after that calmed down a bit I had irregular bleeding for months after that. Each time I bled or had my period it hurt really bad. Each period also lasted for 10 days about. I finally made an appt. with my regular Dr. and she just gave me Tylenol 3's. This was at about the 6 month mark of having it in. Also by then I started suffering severe anxiety and depression. I had terrible mood swings and crying spells. Well about a month after that I went back because I needed something for all that stuff and the pain had gotten worse. My whole body hurt. So she gave me percocets, valium and effexor xr 150 mgs. I also noticed when they took my vitals this time and the last my temp was 99.4 and my blood pressure was in the 130's one time and the 140's another time. My pulse was also 111 once and 118 another time. Well about two weeks after that second appt. I developed a urinary infection and after I went in for the 3rd time and my urine was tested it came back severe infection. My vitals were 99.6 and 156 for pressure and 109 for pulse. Mind you each time my vitals were never mentioned or even a concern to the docs. Just I noticed it seemed. Well after I took the 10 day antibiotics the urinary pain went away but not my fever and I had really bad body aches. I went back to the Dr. and was given vicodin and was ordered blood tests. My vitals were all high again. I did the blood tests, made an appt. for 2 weeks later to get results and went home and suffered still. When I went back for my results the only finding was my B12 level was low. I wasn't told how low or what to do. So I got all my meds refilled and went home. I went and bought B12 vit.s. I decided to look up B12 online. Then I made an appt. to go back and get more details of it. She told me the level was 168 and she decided to get me a shot that lasts for a month and refilled my vicodin. A week later I felt a little better, but still had symptoms going on. That's when I thought about the mirena being the problem and stumbled on this site and other sites about mirena neg. side affects. I have severe acne, a low grade fever for 4 months, high pulse rate, high blood pressure, mood swings, depression, anxiety, bloating that looks like I'm pregnant and have been asked 3 times when is my baby due. I am 5ft 3in and weigh 129 so I am not fat all over just my stomach is so bloated and fat that it makes me look pregnant. I bleed for 10 days, I have NO libido, I feel strange sensations in my stomach like a baby moving, but I am not pregnant, Iove had nausea, loss of appetite, yet I can,t lose any weight, I am tired a lot, body aces, joint pain, nerve pain, tension in my neck and shoulders, headaches and low B12 levels which don't normally happen to anyone until they are over 50. Well 2 days ago after reading on this, I decided I have had it and couldn't take it anymore and took the damn thing out myself. It didn't hurt at all, in fact I couldn't even feel it coming out. It came out so easy. I don't recommend anyone doing this themselves, I am simply telling my story. I started what seems to be a period this morning. It's very normal so far. I plan on going to my new Dr. I'm getting soon and getting a check up and a pap since I'm due for one. I feel pretty good so far. No problems and I'm relieved that piece of plastic is out of me and look forward to getting my life back. Good luck to all of you!!

Loestrin 24 by the third month gave me..

EXTREME nightmares and waking up in the middle of the night feeling like i'm somewhere else, acne so bad proactiv isn't helping, bloating, EXTREME irregular bleeding, and mood swings

I had the Mirena inserted Auig 2008. The first 5-6 months I still experienced the irregular bleeding although not as heavy and often as prior to. Early Jan 09 I had a sudden gush and then very little to no spotting until about 5-6 months ago. Now the bleeding is worse than prior to the insertion. I have been unsuccessful so far in contacting my gyno. It's definitely coming out. We were just on our way to the beach and had to turn around and come home. It gushed out right through everything...it's awful.....I also experience the bloating and some wight gain. I have had headaches and nausea but always blamed it on something else. There has to be help out there somewhere..........

I have severe endometriosis & a double uterus(yes, that means 2 separate periods). My periods would last between 7 & 15 days w/ heavy clotting & very painful cramps. Last year my dr. said he didn't think it was good to bleed every month, so he put me on Jolessa. The 1st month was great w/ no period & no side effects. Then I started spotting & had a period on & off for about 2 months. Then, I didn't have my period for 2 months @ all & the following month had a 3 day period. The next month(May), I started spotting & it continued until 2 weeks ago(2nd week of July). Then an actual period started & is still continuing. So that's 7 weeks of spotting & 2 weeks(so far) of full bleeding. Besides the on/ off bleeding, I have had no other side effects. Although this severely irregular bleeding is annoying, it is still better than my regular periods so I am reluctant to stop taking them. My dr. said it could really take up to a year to fully regulate my cycle, so I am willing to wait.

I am a 43 year old with two children (18 & 21 years), happily married for the past 23 years. I had a Mirena inserted in April 2007 following a year or so of extreme pain, irregular bleeding etc etc. Polops discovered as a result of testing etc which I was told could be the cause of my problems. Gyno suggested Mirena as a new treatment plus removal of polops, decided to give it a go,
Now in June 2009, I still have spotting (sometimes bleeding) 2 - 3 weeks of every month, incredible tiredness, aching, headaches, sore joints, bouts of depression (we call it sadness) for no reason, reduced sex drive (sometimes zero), difficulty concentrating, some memory loss (may be aging), spots have appeared on my face, bloating, increased fluid retention and my breasts have gone up 2 sizes (along with my clothes).
Before Mirena I had lost 80lbs and attending gym everyday (running up to 11klms per day), in the past 2 years I have gradually gained 30lbs with no diet change (although lately I have given up and eat too much) and I only go to gym when I am feeling guilty.

I have had many appointments with my doctor with countless blood tests all apparently normal. I think my doctor thinks I am nuts (hypochondriac). No longer know what to do!!
My husband has made an appointment to see about having a vasectomy (we don't want any more children) so I can have the Mirena removed.
Would love to know which countries other women are from? I am in Australia.

PS forgot to mention I often feel sick and describe my condition as "never actually feeling 100% on any given day".

Wow I'm so glad I found this website. I have had Mirena for about 6 months with pretty much no side effects. For the first two months I had a little irregular bleeding then it became more normal. However all of a sudden at 6 months I had major side effects. I was sure I was pregnant from all the symptoms I have been having, but all tests said I wasn't. Suddenly I My sudden symptoms were; stopped menstruation, which I had previously had the last 6 months. I then had breast tenderness, constant nausea, weakness, weight gain and exhaustion all the time!! I am getting Mirena removed as soon as possible as we plan on having another baby in the near future. I feared this entire month that I was pregnant and the risks of removing Mirena if I was.

What are some symptoms you had once Mirena was removed?

I started taking Yasmin 7 months ago, and although many of the side-effects I experienced in the first months are gone, some have been chronic and are making me question whether or not I want to continue taking this medication. I am currently uninsured, so each month when I go to the pharmacy, I feel a pang of guilt when I hand the pharmacist my $50, because I'm starting to realize that the negatives of Yasmin FAR outweigh the positives.

Positives--Considerably better skin, larger/firmer breasts, and effective in preventing pregnancy.

Negatives--I had irregular bleeding which continued throughout the first 3 months. Once that stopped, I developed chronic vaginal moniliasis which combined with a decreased libido has virtually ruined my sex life. On top of this, I often get feelings of hopelessness which interfere with my performance in school and work. Although it may be unrelated, I have noticed accelerated tooth decay in my front row of teeth--which may or may not be related. All in all, I'm very dissatisfied. I was originally drawn to Yasmin because of its "fewer side effects" claim. Now I wonder why I am even prescribed to birth-control when I'm not even having sexual intercourse anymore.

I wish I never had the mirena put in at all. I've had it for almost 2 years now after the birth of my third child. I let the doctors talk me out of tubal ligation. Boy am I sorry for that. It seemed ok for about a year. My periods slowed down, everything seemed kind of normal. But now I have irregular bleeding, like one woman described as old, stringy blood. My hair is SO thin I had to go out and get extensions, again, like another woman. I cannot lose weight no matter what I try, and I've always been very active and do some hard core work outs. Still, I'm not losing anything. I'm bloated. Headaches seem to be more present. I called my primary care and am making an appt for tubal ligation and removal of this horrible device. Perhaps some women like it. I cannot stand it and can't wait to have it removed. I just hope my hair grows back ok:( Good luck ladies!

Hello All,

I have had the Mirena since July 2007, and I have in fact experienced some of the side effects mention by other posters. Severe depression, inability to focus, mood swings, irregular bleeding and don't forget the VAGINAL DISCHARGE AND FOUL ODOR - Argh! My doctor recently prescribed Prozac for the depression but I opted not to take it and instead prayed for some relief and then I realized that I was fine, except for heavy periods - before the Mirena and then I researched it and found this site and read the other post. I immediately felt better and made the decision then to have it removed..so I am scheduled to have it removed this week!!!! I thank God for coming across this site.

I have been on Femcon for 2 months now, I take it as directed. I am so disappointed. I continue to bleed, but dark brown every week. Is this normal, it is however annoying. I should not be getting my periods for another 2 weeks, has anyone experienced this with Femcon. Other than that i could never find a perfect time a day to take them, i am always sick to my stomach after this pill

I've Been Taking The Pill, I'd Say For About Three Months. I'm Sixteen Years Old. It Has Caused A Lot Of Problems For Me. I've Had Weight Gain, And Irregular Bleeding. Before, I Took Yaz. I Had To Get That Switched Because Every time I Had Sexual Intercourse I Would Bleed. Now On Femcon, I Just Randomly Bleed. Last Month, I Probably Went Sixteen Days With A Period, && Now, I'm Eleven Pills Into The Pack And Heavily Bleeding Again. I Would Say, That Since On The Pill, I've Gained About Ten To Twelve Pounds. Anyone Else Have Symptoms Like This?

I was on Yaz a few years ago, and decided to stop because I was no longer sexually active. However I just went back on, and within a week on the pack I started experiencing these weird headaches, next to the irregular bleeding, cramping, and fatigue like symptoms. I know that the bleeding is supposedly normal, however the headaches/migraines felt worse than my usual caffeine withdrawals. I just spoke to my doctor and he told me to get off the pill RIGHT AWAY. He said that what i'm experiencing right now could possibly lead to a stroke.

I was on Yaz a few years ago, and decided to stop because I was no longer sexually active. However I just went back on, and within a week on the pack I started experiencing these weird headaches, next to the irregular bleeding, cramping, and fatigue like symptoms. I know that the bleeding is supposedly normal, however the headaches/migraines felt worse than my usual caffeine withdrawals. I just spoke to my doctor and he told me to get off the pill RIGHT AWAY. He said that what i'm experiencing right now could possibly lead to a stroke.

Hi Ladies, I am glad to have found this site. I got my Mirena inserted on July/08. I was very nervous and anticipated the pain, however with the 2 Tylenol that I popped prior to the appointment and the wonderful nurse I had the pain was bearable, nothing more than a bit of cramping and a little pinch and it was over. I figured we had got off to a great start, except for the uncomfortable feeling of having a foreign object in my body that lasted about a month. My partner complained that it poked him during intercourse but he understood our WHY to having this done, I was determined to make it work. Now Im a 28day cycle girl that is regular...lasting only 4-5 days. Since Mirena has been in my life I am bleeding for up to 2 weeks long, seems like my periods get longer and longer! I have experienced bacteria vaganosis, along with yeast infections. Yuck! Weight gain of 15lbs, minor stomach pains and the mood swings. This is starting to affect my life and its very frustrating...Im sitting on the fence with what to do. I go to my doctor next week and will have made up my mind by then, I cant take it anymore! Even if it were not for the irregular, looong periods, I think I would hang in there, but am tired of constantly feeling wet! and not being able to touch my partner!

I was on Yaz a few years ago, and decided to stop because I was no longer sexually active. However I just went back on, and within a week on the pack I started experiencing these weird headaches, next to the irregular bleeding, cramping, and fatigue like symptoms. I know that the bleeding is supposedly normal, however the headaches/migraines felt worse than my usual caffeine withdrawals.
I just spoke to my doctor and he told me to get off the pill RIGHT AWAY. He said that what i'm experiencing right now could possibly lead to a stroke.

*I'm completely sorry for those who loss someone from this pill. Thank you for all those who posted things up..If I did not see those post I would have probably stayed on the pack for the remainder of the month, and I wouldn't realize the urgency of this.

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone else has had a fever on Necon bc pills? Since I Started I have had a low fever, 99.2 - 100.6 almost every day. I also am always tired, get night sweats and have a lot of headaches. I also get dizzy often and have a little blurred vision. Has anyone else experienced this on Necon? Thanks.

I have been reading a LOT of posts from all of you here and on other Mirena forums and a lot of you are complaining about most of the same symptoms, however mine is a little different and I haven't really seen anyone talk about it yet.
I got my Mirena inserted on July 23, 2008 and it is now Nov. 15, 2008. I was fine the first 14 days, then I started bleeding vaginally and have not stopped since. Some days are lighter than others but still bloody. After 2 months I went back to the Dr. and she checked the strings and stuff and said everything seems to be in place and just fine and that I'd have irregular bleeding the first few months and maybe give it some more time, I agreed. Now 2 more months later no change and I am getting fed up, not to mention my iron counts are very low, I've been very anemic this whole time due to the constant bleeding from Mirena. I also have no sex drive, blurry vision, vertigo when I'm laying down, fatigued due to the anemia, depression and temperamental as well.
I am now trying to make an appt with my GYN to take this out as well as my whole uterus. Mind you, I am 42 and have 5 children varying in ages and I have had a tubal ligation, I am not using Mirena for BC, I was using it to help with my weird periods and heavy bleeding. HA

Has anyone else had this bleeding problem? If so, did it ever stop? and when?

I have an appointment to get the Mirena put in next Wednesday, but reading all these side effects that some of you have had, I don't think I'm going to get it. I am proned to yeast infections and uti's especially. Anyway, I went to the Mirena website and I found this at the bottom. Maybe you all could write or call this number to tell them about the negative side effects that you're having.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MIRENA®:
Only you and your healthcare professional can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Candidates for Mirena have had a child. Mirena is not appropriate for women who are or may be pregnant; or who may have a distorted uterine cavity; acute genital infections including pelvic inflammatory disease; cancer of the cervix, uterus, or breasts; unexplained vaginal bleeding; or acute liver disease or tumors (benign or malignant). In rare cases, perforation or embedment may occur. Mirena may become completely or partially dislodged. In the rare event you think you're pregnant, contact your healthcare professional without delay to be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy. Ovarian cysts may occur and typically disappear. Persistent cysts should be evaluated. Missing periods or irregular bleeding is common in the first few months, followed by shorter, lighter periods.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

I had Implanon inserted in June 2008, I just had it removed Sept 17 2008. The first side effect was that I gained weight. My appetite increased and I felt like I was constantly hungry. Within the first month I got an Urinary Tract Infection, the infection was so bad that it transferred to my boyfriend through sex.. After a month I started bleeding and it lasted 4 weeks, not spotting just bleeding. I lost my drive for sex, I felt bloated and was too tired ALL THE TIME!!! I was crying over everything, I felt depressed and stressed about everything, my head hurt all the time. My whole body just felt off. I wasn't myself at all. One morning I woke up with a horrible sore throat. I went in for strep test and tested negative. They said it was just a viral infection. A few days after that my muscles started to hurt. My left knee and hip joint began hurting so bad that it was hard to walk and get up out of bed in the morning.(The Implanon was inserted in my LEFT arm). Occasionally I felt tingling in my left arm and fingers. I then notice my left ankle was getting swollen and at that point my whole body felt like it was shutting down.I started to run fevers and thats when I looked up the "possible side effects of Implanon" online. As I read I realized that I had every single side effect even the uncommon more severe ones, but it seemed like my symptoms were multiplied by 100. I called my doctor and she immediately had me come in to have the implanon removed. Today is Sept 22. I have been on bed rest since the implanon was removed. It turns out that my body had rejected the Implanon, treated it like was a foreign object.

I went on the NuvaRing because it would regulate my hormones- I have IBS and get sick a few days before my period. The NR was great for keeping my IBS at bay. However, I gained over 15 pounds while on it. I had not changed my eating habits or activity level. The only thing I could associate to the massive weight gain, enlarged, swollen, and sore breasts was the ring. Even after hiring a personal trainer, eating healthier, and working out multiple times a week, I couldn't lose weight. I finally decided to take the ring out. After two weeks of being "ring free", people can see a difference in my weight- and I haven't gone to the gym to work out in over 3 weeks. Now I have to suffer through painful periods and digestive problems because I can't bare the weight gain that comes with the ring. If anyone knows of another form of BC that does not cause weight gain, please let me know.

I switched from Yaz to Loestrin 2 weeks ago, On day 11 I experienced spotting, now its full on breakthrough bleeding like a normal period. It is now day 15/ At night it tends to get light and then mid day its very heavy w/ lots of cramping. In the morning I don't want to get up cause the cramps hurt. I never experienced problems on Yaz. No weight gain, I only would get cramps and do to the increased level of potassium yaz causes my doctor didn't like me taking too much midol,etc on Yaz. So I switch to Loestrin. I was coming on here to see how long the breakthrough bleeding generally lasted....looks like it ranges. Hopefully I'll luck out and it will stop soon!!!! But some positives...I was experiencing some nausea daily before the switch to this pill, that has now stopped, and I haven't experienced any weight gain or moodiness as others have described.

I don't know if seeing all these posts help me or scare the crap outta me even more (none the less very helpful), I have no insurance and really want to get my IUD removed. I had it inserted when my daughter was 8 weeks old that was about 11 months ago. I have had nothing but problems, severe cramping, nausea, periods that last a whole month, one month it will be icky brownish discharge with a lil blood here and there, I will stop for about 2 weeks and get it again this time lasting about 3 weeks then i will go about 6 weeks and have it again this time with severe cramping and bleeding for a whole month straight. then i may not have it again for 6 weeks etc... I have really nasty blood clots that look very fleshy. I also have had very thick yellowish stinky discharge everyday i don't have my period ( I have NEVER smelt this bad) I feel like im losing my mind Im so absent minded i forget the simplest things, my arms and legs go numb and tingly, my hair is falling out in clumps, im extremely moody and very impatient. and the tiredness is really starting to bother me, no matter how much i try to stay awake its almost impossible, i literally need to take a nap every 3 hours it seems like just to function...I feel like im falling apart. Has anyone else had a lot of these symptoms? And what should I do about getting it taken out....I don't qualify for Medicaid so I was wondering if i should just go into the hospital the next time the pain gets bad and see if they will remove it any advice will be helpful! And good luck to anyone else going through problems with this IUD.