Mini pill symptoms and conditions

I loved alesse when i was on it i has no problems, but then the pharmacy gave me the generic alesse (aviane) and i have had every problem you can think of while on mainly headaches and very, very nausea.

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 thought I was going crazy, but I guess this is the norm...I got my mirena inserted about 3wks ago after my son and ever since then my period has been on everyday, the cramps are terrible and it caused a bacterial infection. I'm considering having it removed. I was on the depo for 3 yrs but I was tired of getting injected every 3mths.....should I give it a little more time?

I've had the Mirena since Oct. 2008. It was recommended by my doctor who stated that it would be great for me since I had PMS, heavy periods, cramping and I needed birth control. I told the doctor I didn't want anything with hormones due to side effects I've had before and the fact that my mother died from breast cancer. My doctor assured me that the progesterone would not be systemic, it would only be in the uterus. So I had it inserted. It was great for about 4 months, then I started to get the bloating, sore and swollen ankles (pitting edema), irritability. Same symptoms I had when I took the Mini Pill (which is progesterone). And now I'm getting cramps! I just made an appointment to get this thing out of my body! No more hormones!

I can relate to almost everything on here, but never thought it would be b/c of the Mirena. I never put two and two together. I got it placed just after the birth of my second child in April of 2008, since then I have had no energy, no sex drive, I'm on anit-depressants (but i was depressed before so not sure on that one), I'm always smelly down south even RIGHT after a shower, and that really bothers my husband. I have really bad mood swings, I yell at everyone. I'm not the easiest person to live with right now. I have an apt next month with my OB and I'm going to get it taken out. My husband is not thrilled about that since I'm not very good at remembering to take the pill, and I'm still breastfeeding so I have to take the mini pill which you need to be even more careful about when you take it. Also sometimes I swear I think I can feeling it when I bend just right.

I've been on Femcon for about a month now, and so far so good. I started out on OrthoTriCyclen which made me vomit several times a week, so, strike one. Then went to Yasmin, which was okay, but decided to switch to Seasonique (sp?) for the convenience of a few periods a year, but it made the skin peel off my face at an alarming rate. I was then switched to Yaz, that was great except for one thing: It stole away any sex drive I may have had--no good. Because of this, my doctor switched me to Errin-a progesterone based mini pill-which did give me back my sex drive, but also made my acne horrific, the skin on my scalp peel off, and my breasts painful. Needless to say, it has been a long and difficult struggle with the world of oral contraceptives, so here's hoping that Femcon works out for me!

I am so grateful to all of you for sharing your stories. I have had Mirena in for 9 months and before that I had the copper IUD (which incidentally fell out without me knowing it and I got pregnant and then miscarried--at which point my OB/GYN suggested Mirena instead of tubal ligation).

Over the past 9 months I have had itchy hive like bumps that randomly pop up on my arms, face, neck and chest. I have had frequent headaches. I have had decreased desire and enjoyment of sex. I have gained 10lbs, despite careful calorie counting, vigorous exercise, and concerted effort to lose weight. I am tired all the time. I am irritable, moody and depressed. If I don't exercise and get some endorphins flowing I can pretty much plan on feeling discouraged, depressed and not getting anything done the whole day. I have acne on my face worse than when I was a teenager.

I tried IUD's in the first place because I don't tolerate other forms of BC well (I've tried pills, nuvaring, mini-pill), and my doc assured me that the Mirena wouldn't cause these side effects, but last night I happened upon a WebMD reviews of Mirena and there were so many other women describing exactly the same problems as me--what a relief! I was all ready to head off to the psychiatrist, dermatologist, and marriage counselor!

I am going to get this removed ASAP so that I can be a normal person and ENJOY life again. I wish I would have looked up side effects before I had it inserted.

After having my third child I wanted different contraception. I was over 35 now and could not continue on the combined pill and I definitely did not want to remain on the mini pill. I was not keen on the coil as I had one many years ago. The mirena however sounded perfect. The initial 6 weeks after having it were uncomfortable however I was advised of this. It has since been great.. the only issue that I now have is thrush, having never been a sufferer I have had it 3 times in the last 8 months sine the introduction of the coil. I am therefore linking the coil with thrush, Is this normal with this coil??

I had my mirena inserted about 13 months ago before Christmas after the birth of my 2nd child , I was naturally shedding the baby weight until Mirena came into my life and then I gained 10lbs effortlessly within 2 months! even though my diet is always the same (I am coeliac). I had to start working out running 4 times a week and gradually have lost 8lbs but its been a huge battle.
Last May I woke up one morning bright red covered in a sunburn type rash all over my body it was scary, my joints ached so bad and my hands and feet were really swollen as if my body was reacting to something.. my gp did some blood tests and nothing it kept happening for 2 weeks and then the rash went,..I put it down to a virus at the time but felt as weak as a kitten and suffered night sweats, anxiety and flu like symptoms for months.

Ive had to really fight to keep up my running because most of the time I feel tired and depressed and run down and I have awful PMT the past few months have been dreadful I feel rubbish most of the time..everyone is getting on my nerves, I have little sex drive too and I am sure its down to the Mirena..its side affects remind me of the mini-pill which I took once for a few months it sent me so extremely loopy (paranoid and anxious) that my husband flushed them down the toilet!! well I think its the same/similar type of synthetic hormone that my body DOES NOT agree with.

I saw my Gp the other day and asked her about the side affects and she still said that I shouldn't have any after a year and it was very rare but after reading about it on here I cant believe it... its obvious and Im getting it removed. Ive had over a year of feeling terrible and various ailments so much so that I think my immune system (which is already sensitive) has suffered.

Hi everyone
I posted a couple of times when I had Mirena..I had it removed four weeks ago and at the same time had the TT380 Slimline copper coil inserted, which has no hormones. I bled for around a week after insertion but not too heavy or painful. In four weeks my bloated stomach has drastically reduced, I feel better about myself, I don't have the usual monthly bout of thrush, I don't feel as exhausted and my skin is much better. For those of you, like myself, who have tried the depo injection, mini pill and Mirena....it's another option to think about. It is there for the next 10 years now and I don't have to worry about any complications with hormones. Good luck to you all! x

I LOVE MY IUD. For those of you thinking about an IUD, I wanted to post a positive case study. I am sure there are more, but those people don't bother posting. Before I got my IUD, I did extensive research, not just internet or industrial propaganda, but peer reviewed medical journal articles. I decided on the IUD because of efficacy and minimal hormones. The IUD releases a steady amount of progestin that equates to about 20% that of the mini-pill (what breast feeding women take). Even less than 10% of a low dose pill.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted 7 months ago after being on the pill for way too long. I had random cramps for a few months on and off, and had to readjust to being on my OWN cycle vs. the pill. I do get PMS every month, but I attribute that to my own body's cycle, not the IUD. I have not gained a single pound, am on a normal cycle, have minimal bleeding during my period and no spotting in between cycles. My partner and I are thrilled to have this option. Only you know your body, decide for yourself.

I cant believe i have just found this page!!

After feeling more sore inflamed 'hormonal' spots on my poor cheeks i decided to look up 'mirena related acne'.. i knew that it had some side effects, like possible skin breakouts, but i really didn't think that i would have ended up with skin like a pubescent teenager.

i was diagnosed with severe endometriosis after years of complaining to my gyne at 19. i tried all the usual route of contraceptive pills, oestrogen and the mini pill, but non seemed to suit me, so i was recommend the 'mirena'.

i first had one implanted 4-5 yrs ago, this had to be removed after barley 5 months. i was doubled over in agony on the bathroom floor and often had my breath taken away with excruciating stabbing pains.

i had my current one inserted in May 2007 at 23, under general anaesthetic whilst having a laparoscopy to try and remove some of the endometriosis. Granted i felt rough after being in surgery for 5 hours, but once all the stitches were gone i thought i would begin to feel human again.

i have put on quite a bit of weight, i went from 7 1/2 stone to just over 9 stone in just over a year (i don't know what it is in lbs sorry!) believe me at 5ft in height it's noticeable!!!!

i have never previously had migraines until the mirena, i now have them every 2-3 months or so.

my poor long suffering boyfriend thinks i no longer 'fancy' him as my libido has gone!
my breasts have become so painful and swollen it hurts to sleep on my side, its painful if i even try to run up stairs, and the boyfriend is no longer allowed to touch them!!

and at certain time in my cycle, my tummy becomes so swollen, i look 5 months pregnant, in fact i was asked the other day when was my baby due...i was really not impressed!! during the swollen tummy time sometimes when i am sitting down it feels like the mirena may burst out of my back passage.. (not a nice image i know) there is a sharp stabbing pain and then a wave of nausea comes over me, this stabbing pain can last on and off for a full day.. i have told this to my gyne.. he had said it must be irritable bowel syndrome!! i have never had IBS before!!

all this at 24 nearly 25, i'm supposed to be enjoying these years, but with my skin the way it is and my body confidence shot, it is really really depressing.
i just thought for so long i was being silly and over reacting to everything, but obviously i'm not the only one..i would not recommend the Mirena to anyone, i fact i would not wish it on my worst enemy. ther are far too many side effects!

Hi, I had my coil removed on Tuesday. I was bleeding after exercise and after sex (although I haven't really felt like sex very often since having it fitted). I went to my GP who checked the coil - said it was fine and suggested a scan. I then had my scan and was told the coil was in the wrong place and I needed to have it removed. I have had it removed and am now on day 4 and passing dry clots and flooding alternately. I have to say in the 10 months I have had the coil I have gained 2 stone. I had a baby in November 07 and was only 2 stone over my start weight - i had put on 4 during the pregnancy and since having the coil I had gained that back and more!!!! I look like I am still pregnant and initially after having the baby i didn't look like that. I am so moody and forgetful that I had put it down to post natal depression and am now on anti depressants. My skin hasn't been a problem which had been my main worry as I got terrible acne with the mini pill which is progesterone based. My hair is incredibly thick and I put hair loss down to post baby hormones. My bleeds were light and the spotting wasn't heavy but just a nasty surprise when it happened. I am so pleased now that it was in the wrong place and that i have had it taken out. I just hope I return to normal now. Birth control is my major worry as I can't take the pill so maybe condoms it is but at the moment I have to await the reawakening of my sec drive anyway.
Hope that helps - I would seriously not recommend it.

My gyn wants me to get the mirena. I am 28 and have a blood clotting disorder for which I take blood thinners. I had an embolism while on Nuvaring in March. Anyway, because of the blood thinners I bleed 25 days out of a 28 day cycle and there is nothing they can do about it...so the gyn suggested MIRENA. I'm a bit scared because I have not had any babies yet and I DO want to get pregnant within the next 5 years and start a family. The gyn assured me that I would not have any fertility problems and that Mirena was a wonderful device. I am still skeptical. What if I become depressed? What if the cramping is too much? It seems like a lot to go through ...the insertion, the risks etc. and what if I hate it? I am leaning towards asking for the mini-pill instead (progestrin only). The idea of having something inserted into my uterus frightens me.

hi guys it me again. i went to the doctors yesterday and had the mirena taken out. i feel 100 times better. i slept through the night, my stomach isn't bloated anymore, im actually happy and in a good mood. i did start my period so we shall see how long the bleeding lasts.
my doctor did tell me a little about the "mini pill" and paraguard. does anyone have any input on these birth controls?

I had mine inserted 5mo ago. I have all the same symptoms (no sex drive, severe moodiness, possible depression, high irritability making it difficult to deal with my 3you). I was hypo-thyroid before, and unfortunately for me - my new GP lowered my thyroid dose at nearly the exact same time I quit my mini-pill to get the IUD. I do feel better for that day, when I take my higher dose pill, but I don't know if it'd be sustainable over time (as my doc won't prescribe me out of normal lab ranges).

The only thing I haven't gleaned from the posts attached, is were folks on versions of the pill before Mirena? I believe my mood swings/depression/(not sure of low libido) are probably my normal state. I had had pills switched on me, with drastic mood changes. My mother has drastic mood swings/depression. I had been on the piill for the last 17 years, minus my two pregnancies. My OB did tell me that Mirena wouldn't fix my "moodiness" problems, if I had them w/o the pill - but I wanted to try it and see.

Reading these posts makes me realize, this is my real problem - I need a regular dose of BC pills to feel normal, have my whole life - not my thyroid. I guess I'll stop getting so concerned that I cannot get in to see an endocrinologist for another month - hopefully my 5 min appt to get this thing out will happen next week!

Thanks to all and good luck to you!

I had Mirena put in in April 08, I did not have the bad cramping when inserted or any cramping after, how ever I did start bleeding 2 1/2 weeks later and it continued for almost 15 days, and then every 8 days after that I would start "spotting". Just recently the spotting has slowed, but I am bloated ALL the time I have had Looser stools I get nauseated easily IM VERY stressed and tired, and I had a great sex drive before, now I don't even thing about it and pretty well shun my husband who now sleeps in the living room. I have a blood clotting disorder where I cannot take certain forms of birth control and I was told that this was the best option now I wonder if the mini pill is better?!

I got Mirena 10 weeks after having my second Child. That was in December 2007. Since then I have absolutely NO sex drive at all!! I get irritable about sex and angry at even the thought of it. I have had low abdominal pain for the last 3 months and feel like I have put on weight around my belly and Butt and hips that I don't remember having even after my last child was born hmmm. I was told to get this because it is a low dose hormone that is localized to your uterus and not your whole body but now I am having major thoughts of getting it OUT! My hands have been sore and feel swollen in the morning and my joints have all been hurting for the past 4 months or so. I am young but feel as if I am aging very rapidly because of my health issues. I feel the same way as some though that if I get it out I don't have any options of birth control because I am nursing and I got pregnant last time while taking the mini pill and breastfeeding. I don't want to do anything permanent either because we may want to have another child in the distant future. After reading all the complaints from others though I am going to call my Doctor today and see what she says.

Gosh, I too freaked out when I started spotting after being on it for 4 days. I am on my 15th pill, and I am still noticing some light browny bloody. I am hoping that it is almost over since I am starting to see it become mucus a bit.
I am always thinking of the worst thing and it drives me nut. I always wonder whether it is just the pill or could it be (cervical and ovarian cancer). I know I am crazy, but having 2 young kids and a husband make me worry a lot more. BTW: I am 28 years old. When I first started, I also felt nausea but never threw up. Another thing that is also bothering me is the fact that I feel bloated while I am spotting. My OB is telling me that it will get better after 2-3 months. I am just keeping my fingers crossed!!!!! Before, I started Loestrin24Fe, I was on the mini pill because I was breastfeeding. Now that I have stopped nursing, he gave me this pill to take so that I could have regular period. It is really bothering me to have this long spotting since I am sexually active and I don't want to have sex with the hubby while I am bleeding.... Good luck to you all. I guess we are all in the same boat.....

I'm five months postpartum and quit the mini-pill a few days ago and started NuvaRing as soon as the bleeding started (yesterday morning). I have never felt so aggressive in my life! Perhaps it the combination of getting off one BC method and onto another, but this is awful! I feel angry toward my baby and my husband. Do I need a break or a new BC? Before I got pregnant, the pill made me feel even worse, crying all the time. Now I just feel volatile and mean.

Hey...I got my mirena put in about 6 weeks ago..And so far im not happy with it.I have been bleeding ever since i got it,my cramps are much worse and the hair loss is inbelievable.I was taking a shower tonight and i pulled about 4 chunks of my hair.I seen on other pages that its slight hair loss.However thats not my case.Foe a second i was really worried thikning something wrongs with me then i read this site and see in not the only one.However my sex drive has increased but i do notice the dryness.I thought that i didnt want to hassle with taking a pill every morning but now that dont sound like a bad idea.I dont reccommend it.And if you want problem after problem...Be my guest and get it..youll regreat it...Tracy From AZ

As a follow-up to my posting of 10/10/07, I have had my Mirena IUC removed and went immediately on Errin Tabs (mini-pill). All of my previous side effects have gone away - meaning I was right on the money thinking the Mirena was causing them even though my Dr. and the NP both said these were not side effects: weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, dizziness, and the horrible joint/bone pain. I haven't bled since I started the mini-pill which was great since the non-stop bleeding with Mirena. I feel like my old self with that thing out! Best of luck to all.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted on October 10th. I had it switched from the copper IUD because I was spotting dark brown blood prior to my period, so my gyno recommended the switch. I spotted for the rest of the day, then stopped for two days, then began what I would call my period, since I was due for it later that week anyway. I am still bleeding, but I'd like to believe I'm nearing the end, since it seems to be lightening up. I expected my period to be fairly long after insertion.

The day after insertion, I experienced severe itching and swelling down there, and decided that I must have a yeast infection, but both symptoms are listed as side effects on the sheet I got from my pharmacy. I treated the infection, but still itch from time to time... I'm wondering if it's the hormones in the IUD.

On the weekend of October 19th, I lost my appetite, my sex drive, all sense of sexual pleasure and my ability to acheive orgasm. I ate three meals all weekend long, and only because I felt that I should eat, not because I was hungry. Sexually, I felt friction and not much else. Upon trying to climax 4 seperate times over the course of the weekend, I failed at all 4 attempts and all I got from my efforts was sore muscles, frustration and tears from being so upset by it. I have never experienced problems with sex or climaxing in the 14 years I've been with my husband. However, a couple of days before insertion, we had had sex and it was fabulous, as always. I climax every time we have sex, so it's been very upsetting.

I weighed myself today, just out of curiosity, and since the insertion, I've lost 7 lbs. I'm not dieting, not exercising, not even trying to lose any weight.

Upon calling my gyno and discussing my symptoms with her assistant, I was told that it couldn't be the Mirena, because the amount of hormones in it are so minute that they wouldn't affect anything outside of the uterus. I was told that something else in my life must be causing my sexual problems. !!! I don't think so! The IUD is the only thing that has changed in the past 2 weeks! And how do you explain a sudden loss of 7 lbs??? She didn't want to say it straight out, but she was trying to tell me it was all in my head.

I've had sex again since my failed attempts, and it's getting better, as is my appetite, so I'm hoping that my body is simply adjusting to the new IUD and getting used to the hormones. I have not been on any medication or hormones in the past two years, as I've been pregnant and then breastfeeding, so it might be quite a shock to my system.

If my inability to acheive climax continues, I am going ot have the IUD removed and have another copper IUD put in. My sex life isn't worth this.

My Mirena IUC has been in for 3 months and I'm having it taken out tomorrow. There was a lot of irregular bleeding from spotting to period-type, but the worst side effects have been the acne, fatigue, and bone pain. My hands have even been swelling. I also seem to have intermittent swelling of my lower abdomen. Last month, ongoing back pain and digestive problems had started. I've missed a few days of work. The convenience of Mirena is not worth the side effects for me. Also have had ongoing headaches and some dizziness. These are all side effects of the hormone in Mirena according to other websites, but by Gyn says they are not. Either way, it's just not for me. Mini-pill - here I come!

Thank god I'm normal! I plan to call the doctor TOMORROW to come off of this medication.

I'm breastfeeding my son, so it's difficult to find a "safe" pill to use. I tried the mini-pill with lots of side effects. Have been on Yaz for 10 days, and as I read through all of the posts I realize I've had side effects I didn't even know were side effects!

The most troubling has been the anxiety. To have a panic attack while nursing an infant in the middle of the night is not a good thing. Especially the loss of control knowing that if I pull him off for my own comfort, he will probably become frantic. My anxiety level during the day has been ok, but I've been on Prozac for depression all along, which may be keeping me somewhat even.

Other side effects: insomnia (last 3 nights I've been up till 3 in the morning), extreme muscle aches, nausea in the morning (feels like morning sickness, but def. not preg!), dry, itchy skin, lack of libido and aversive to touch, even in a non-sexual way.

Oh, well...time to try another. Hopefully my OB/Gyn will not give me a hard time.