Progesterone symptoms and conditions

I have had Mirena in since May of 2008 and have not felt the same since. In the beginning the headaches and fatigue that occurred was constant. I decided to give it time to see if my body got used to the progesterone and to also figure out whether or not it's having three small kids. Over the last year I've noticed when I have spotting, which usually occurs once or twice a month, I feel downright awful. One day I'll be on top of the world and energized...my normal self. The next day I'm spotting and the extreme body fatigue, leg an hip pain, foggy head, and depression occurs. EVERY time it is linked to the spotting. Which makes me believe that it has something to do with the IUD. I am scheduling an appointment to get it removed asap. I'd rather have my body go through it's natural processes and rely on that process than to feel this bad unexpectedly. Can't wait to remove the IUD!

I just wanted to edit my post below... the hormone prescribed to me was Provera, a type of progesterone (not progestin!).

I am 49 years old and got the Mirena for heavy bleeding / perimenopause systems. I was told I would probably stop having periods a couple months after insertion and that appealed to me. I had it put in place on Friday October 30. Insertion was uncomfortable but over quickly and I did not bleed much as a result. I woke up Saturday nauseous with a head ache and tingly feelings in my extremities. I also felt this thing inside me. I laid on my side, I could feel it. I felt a heaviness inside. I took tylenol and Pepto for headaches and nausea but it persisted. I felt very tired and my skin itched. Sunday the same thing. Tingling, headache, nausea and the sensation of having a foreign object inside. My abdomen hurt too. I took tylenol and Pepto but as the day went on I felt worse. I wanted it out! I called a Consulting Nurse who recommended I go to Urgent Care. I went to Urgent Care last night. My blood pressure was very high as well. The Dr said it was a reaction to the hormone. I got the think taken out and felt immediately better. Today my skin itches but that will go away. I have decided to try natural Progesterone cream and other natural methods vs. synthetic hormones.

I went on this POISON Yasmin for a year then went off after I gained weight. I proceeded to lose so much weight after I went off that I lost 40 pounds by doing nothing different over the course of three months. I got so skinny people became concerned but there wasn't anything medically wrong with me. However, I also didn't have my period for over a year after quitting Yasmin. I went to the gyno concerned but after a Progesterone test (which I failed) he suggested I just try going back on again with Yaz this time. I had my periods again of course but not on my own. They were hormonally controlled. After two months, I started craving food and getting anxious and stuffing my face as a way to cope with the mood swings and stress. This is was so not like me. Then I started to get horrible bloating and constipation. I had to use laxatives regularly to have any movement. After gaining 30 pounds and suffering in severe with the constipation, I decided it had to be the pill so I went off again. No surprise, I haven't had a period for 6 months since I've been off and while the crazy mood swings have gone away, I'm still having really bad GI problems. I have a sharp pain in my lower left bowel and I'm chronically constipated. After seeing doctors and running blood test which all ended up normal they still don't know what's wrong even though I tell them it's because of this pill. My gyno thinks I'm crazy, my GP thinks I'm crazy, and now I have a GI who thinks I'm crazy. IT'S BECAUSE OF YASMIN/YAZ!! This is POISON. Do NOT take this or give it to you kids. I'm just praying I can heal the pain and the constipation soon because I'm starting to limp and all the doctors have told me to do is eat a different diet. I've been eating cooked fruits and veggies for almost a month now because that's the only thing I can eat without severe pain. And I'm a 24 year old healthy girl who exercises every day. I am beyond amazed this crippling drug is still on the market place.

I had mine removed this week - thank the lord above!!! However, it has been rough and be forewarned that I experienced horrific cramping and HEAVY bleeding for nearly five days. I also had terrible back pains and some pain down my legs as well as some mental fogginess. I only had it in about one month and had gained 3 pounds and outgrown my bras! So now, two boxes of tampons later, I finally stopped bleeding altogether about 24 hours ago and the cramping has subsided. I feel mentally clearer and, believe it or not, have some semblance of libido - my husband is thrilled!

I am exploring other options for managing hormonal changes in perimenopause - including evening primrose oil and am still doing lots of yoga (even during the pain periods I did lots of yoga to help me manage)...Mainly, I feel so betrayed by the doctors (two women half my age) who insisted my symptoms were "all in my head" - to those of you planning for removal I encourage you to tell the medical professionals you work with that you are NOT crazy and NOT the only one experiencing these side effects. I personally believe that many women get too much progestin in the Mirena (which is not Progesterone, either) and this, in addition to overloading our estrogen, is enough to make us completely insane and miserable. I say let nature work its course as regards my own perimenopause and to those out there using Mirena for birth control I managed to avoid pregnancy with little concern using natural/rhythm methods and condoms as well as a diaphragm, conceiving my two beautiful (now teenage) sons without any intervention from hormones except my own. I am going to do peri and menopause the same way here on out. !!!!

Would love to hear how long it took for weight and stomach fat to go away after the removal from anyone who has been there - I eat very healthfully and exercise daily so I knew the pregnant look I got after that month with the Mirena was not due to one too many cookies )as my doctor seemed to infer !

Okay...this is amazing, cause I thought I was crazy but now I know all of us are!!!hahah...I had the Mirena put in in early October. I am perimenopausal and my hubby has a vasectomy. The docs encouraged it to help with my menopausal symptoms, primarily irregular cycles and cramping due to not bleeding - they said that was due to low progesterone and the Mirena would work wonders. I had it put in (very very painful - and this from a woman who gave birth, at home, two separate times with nothing but a midwife and some gentle massaging during the birthings!) and never stopped bleeding. Not once! I have gone through two boxes of tampons and three of pads. I have cramping all the time, and low back ache. I noticed that my bras felt really sore and enlarged (so did hubby) and they grew overnight. I gained three pounds and started crying at the time. The final insult: no sex drive. zippo. none at all. I also have terrible vagina odor which is, I know gross to admit, but a very new thing. I think that there are many women who simply cannot tolerate these hormones. Our bodies know what to do and I am going to brave the change without intervention. I went to see doctor today and, of course, she tried to talk me out of removal. She even had the nerve to say that it was good to have in, to protect my uterus, for eventual Hormone replacement therapy -as if I had ever mentioned that as an option? I looked at her and said, "take it out". Now I don' t know if this is imagination, but I swear the cramps have abated in the past several hours. I am still bleeding but feel hope for its ending. I would not recommend this to anyone and to those out there being told its value in managing menopausal symptoms, move on. It is not worth it - the change is change enough!

I had Mirena inserted 6 weeks ago and just had it removed. My medical history includes TIAs (mini-strokes) and migraines. I had a migraine EVERY DAY while I had Mirena. I also experienced ZERO LIBIDO (so what was the point of birth control!?), weight gain and mood swings. I had Paragard inserted a few days ago and I am already slowly returning to normal. My point - if you have had problems with hormones in the past, not only estrogen, but also progesterone, you may want to stay away from Mirena. My OB/GYN argued with me the entire time that there is no way Mirena could cause these symptoms since progesterone is not released in the bloodstream - BULL!!! Women, listen to your body and trust your gut.

I took Topamax 50 mg for about 2 months and experienced a change in menstrual bleeding. I wonder if Topamax effects progesterone levels. I had light spotting 5 days before period due for both months. This medication also made me very depressed and angry. I quit taking it about 5 days ago and felt the depression lift on the 2nd day after stopping the medication. This was my 2nd round for Topamax. My first time taking it I worked up to 100mg and lost 15 lbs in just a few weeks. I had no appetite. I also go very sick with a respiratory infection and dry coughing. I had menstrual problems with the first round too but didn't figure out if may be the Topamax until my 2nd round. It did help my migraines significantly. But I'm uncertain how if potentially messes up menstrual cycle. The warnings for the medication says "menstrual problems" but doesn't go into detail. Anyone else have menstrual problems.

I am 45 years old. I get the impression many of the ladies here are younger, as they speak of having younger children, so I will tell my side from a bit more "mature" (ie older!) perspective:

Had Mirena for a little over 9 months. My two MAIN side effects were a development of terrible cystic acne on my face, back, shoulders, hairline, behind my ears and straight down my spine, ending in a nice lovely rash just above my tailbone. These things were deep, solid knots under the skin, not average little pimples. Worse acne I've ever had, and at my age too!

Second, profuse sweating under my breasts and lower back, again just at my tailbone, right above my butt. After drying off from a shower, I'd run my hand back there and still feel soaked. This did not seem related to hot flashes. Just sweating, and I think that contributed to the acne, which was beginning to leave scars it was so deep.

I do feel like I gained weight, my pants were much tighter and I just felt bloated all the time.

Fortunately, no hair loss or emotional side effects. I've had anxiety for years and take Ativan (lorazepam) which keeps it pretty much under control. No loss of sex drive either. It seems there are a distinct set of side effects, and some get them in different combination than others, but we're ALL getting them one way or the other!

OBGYN said as the Mirena is only progesterone, I was missing the estrogen which were the 2 components of the pill I took for years with no trouble. He gave me a Rx for a low dose of estrogen. Now I am getting what I had in the pill in 2 separate forms, and having these awful side effects on top of it. It didn't help.

So I had Mirena removed 6 days ago. Luckily he found the strings, told me to cough, and pulled it out, no pain! I immediately went back on Alesse BC pill that same day, so no break in hormones, but I handled the BC pill fine all those years, so I"m just going back on it. Have been bleeding ever since removal, but I figure that is just my body "getting back at me" for not having periods for months. My first real one, due in about 3 weeks following the pill schedule will probably be the period from hell. Ok, I accept that. My uterus wants to get this poison toxic mess out of me, and I'm ok with that.

I'm crossing my fingers that I will miss the "crash" I've read so much about. As it seems to be mostly psychological, and I didn't have those side effects to begin with, maybe it won't be so bad, or at all. Of course that could just be wishful thinking on my part! So far, 6 days of having it out of me and I already feel 100% better! My face cleared up in a matter of days. The sweating stopped immediately. My pants are looser, although I still weigh the same. The bloated feeling is gone. I just feel thinner. Before, my profile in the mirror looked like I was 4 months pregnant! That too is going down quick. Good luck to all who have it removed. Things can only get better!

And don't let any doctor tell you you can't have it out! It's your body! You can demand whatever you want, especially if you feel like it is making you sick! Do not take no for an answer. You don't even owe them an explanation. Just a "Sorry, it's not for me..." at the most.

Good luck to all....

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..

Btwn, ladies - what is it called when you no longer get your period and your progesterone levels ( in your bloodstream) are low ( because your body no longer circulates progesterone as it it generated locally in your uterus. ) ? Let me tell you it's called MENOPAUSE! I think a lot of what we have experienced are symptoms of a very abrupt menopause.

my mirena experience was a nightmare to say the least. i had it inserted about 1.5 years ago and finally had it removed last week. the insertion itself was a nightmare. i passed out. i had horrid pain but then was fine within a day or two. the following week, i near passed out. then, i felt lightheaded for about 6 weeks and was convinced it was mirena. i went for my followup. I was feeling better so i decided to keep going.

in the "getting used" to period i had very painful breasts. eventually i had a painful breast lump that stuck around for a few months. off to the doctor for mammogram and ultrasound. they found it was not the bad kind of lump. it cleared up in a couple months.

about 4 months after insertion, i had a couple of near passing out incidents. off to the doctor again - this time for EKG, echo cardiogram, holter monitor. all normal. they suggested i had either panic attacks or vasovagal syndrome.

i also found that i was extremely alcohol sensitive. one drink was a huge problem for me! (in retrospect, i believe the near passing out and alcohol sensitivity were due to becoming hypoglycemic. it turns out progesterone is tightly coupled to insulin response! who knew!).

my next problem was cystic acne. this is really bad acne that goes deep in the skin and is impossible to get rid of (never had that before!). so i was off to the dermatologist.

oh and did i mention that all this passing out ended up giving me terrible anxiety? so now off to the shrink.

overall, it has been 1 year of a near constant feeling of lightheadedness, numerous near passing out / vasovagal type of episodes (probably due to low blood sugar), anxiety about passing out, throbbing head feeling (which i just realized is a migraine), unable to sleep through the night, mid cycle cyst pain, terribly tender breasts just before my period, did i miss anything?

now, let me mention that all the doctors to whom i mentioned that maybe mirena is the cause of my problems said "nah, that is not it." i also mentioned blood sugar and no one bought that either - "nah, you are too physically fit, eat too healthfully, and your blood test from last year is normal."

finally, the psych nurse believed me. she said to get the mirena removed since it appeared all my problems started after the insertion. if it was psychological or if it was physical didn't matter. just get it out!

i've had it out about 6 days now and i would say i feel 70% better. the throbbing head sensation at night is gone and i am sleeping much better. the lightheadedness is improved. i feel much less hungry than i did on mirena so i can only guess my hypoglycemia is improving.

only time will tell if my problems were caused by mirena!

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 doctor, 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.. ******e-mail me with Mirena in the subject line!!

I'm having facial flushing, I'm 33 years old and not close to menopause but I get extreme migraines that last 3 to 4 days and bad facial flushing and sweating. I have had the Mirena in for a little over two years.

When I had my last son, my obgyn did not inform me any negative side effects. I had previously used the copper T, and although I still got my period, mine aren't that bad, but still, my Ob-gyn assured my the progesterone in the Mirena would be limited to that area. Well 3 years later and I have had headaches, never got my libido back (which is hard on a marriage), and have gain about 30 pounds(with no change in diet or activity) from my 6 week post delivery check-up. I only have short spotting with Mirena, but would trade for a monthly period in a heartbeat if I could go back to my post pregnancy weight of 116 and get libido back. It was not until my check-up last week that I was informed it could affect libido. I'm 5'2", so 30+ pounds really shows, my mother and mother-in-law, both had made comments about "hoping I wasn't pregnant again. Its also caused a loss of self esteem and depression over all this. If my insurance will cover it I plan to go back to my old, 10-year copper IUD.

i see that others on this site did not have the best experience with implanon. i'm on it right now and i never experienced any of the side effects presented her, although i did have one problem. implanon is a progesterone ONLY drug. my doctor inserted implanon at the wrong time in my cycle, making my periods... CRAZY. i was initially told that most patients didn't even experience a period. after i had what seemed like a TWO MONTH period, i went to the doctor. the doctor explained that it was not a two month period but that, since the above (progesterone only, inserted at wrong time of cycle) had been thrown into the mix together, i was not making enough estrogen which was causing the progesterone in implanon to basically, wear away the lining of my uterus. the estrogen builds it up, but when you're not making any estrogen, you cant really do that. so my doctors put me on Femcon FE, an oral contraceptive from the same company. the estrogen in the drug regulates the hormones. it has worked so far but the estrogen is making me a WHOLE DIFFERENT PERSON. other than that, i'm doing okay with it

I have an appointment this week to get a Mirena fitted. It was recommended because I have low iron, and have bad peri menopausal symptoms. I have been told that it helps mood swings, you bleed less which is good for low iron and is a slow release progesterone that helps balance out the oestrogen levels. I have been recommended HRT hormones before to tone down the hot flushes and mood swings but have refused to go there so I guess the doctor felt this was a good thing for me. I don't need it for contraceptive reasons either. Gosh after reading all this I will be ringing on Monday to cancel my appointment. Never felt good about having a foreign device in my body. Thank you all for your honesty.

I was on ortho-tricyclene lo for years and had no problems. I had a baby a year ago and was on a progesterone only pill due to breast feeding. I recently weaned him, and wanted to go back to the ortho. My doctor prescribed me the Ortho, and when I picked it up at the pharmacy it was the tri-sprintec. I gained weight with in the first week of taking this medication. I weighed less when my breasts where engorged with BFing!! Now my breasts are not full and I eat less and work out more and still gained weight!!! This is really discouraging because I work really hard to stay in shape and I am a petite girl, so a few pounds goes a long way on my frame. Anyway, because this is the brand name and not the generic that I want, it is a pain to request the brand name now to get it covered by insurance. I am hoping to go back to the ortho and get rid of this excess weight!!!

I finally had the Mirena removed today after almost a year of hell with all the side effects. Does anyone know how long it will take to feel normal again or if i will experience any other side effects before feeling normal again?

I had Mirena put in on July 2nd. I had it removed today (August 4th). I gained 10lbs in 3 weeks, my hair is falling out like crazy, my face is breaking out, I was having kidney pain and the most recent was on Sunday when I couldn't get out of bed due to severe back pain and I couldn't lift my right leg. My husband had to pull me out of bed so I could use the bathroom. Any time I sat down, he had to pull me up. As the day went on, I could slowly start moving more. Yesterday and today my back was still very tender. I had it removed @ 3:30 this afternoon and my back pain and tenderness is completely gone (it's now 8:15 p.m.) My doctor told me that Progesterone is what causes all of those symptoms so he recommended I wait 2-3 months before trying any kind of birth control to get all of the hormones out of my body and make sure it's not a thyroid issue. Two people I know have Mirena and they have no symptoms and they love it. I on the other hand, can't say the same. I think people sensitive to progesterone need to find a different route.

I was on lupron following a laproscopic surgery when I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I had two 3-month shots. I gained a little bit of weight, and had some hair loss. I would also recommend to people that they take add-back therapy like I did, it takes away a lot of the side effects, and I barely had any hot flashes or night sweats. In the beginning, I was so scared to get the shots with seeing all the horror stories online about what it has done to people, but for me I think it's a success story. I have been without pain for 10 months!

I had Mirena put in 2 days ago for post menopausal progesterone to balance the estrogen. My gynecologist said that absorption of progesterone into the systemic circulation was minimal, but when I read the pamphlet that came with it, it was clear that there are many possible side effects, but I'd already paid for the thing in advance, so I went ahead. I've had bloating, nausea, can't hardly eat, fever, feel sick all over since then. On top of this I'm being treated for chronic Lyme, and the treatment for that can cause you to feel like crap. I'm thinking about having it taken out right away not that I've read what you ladies are writing.

Major hair loss (even my eyelashes have thinned out. Talk about upsetting), nausea, seriously bloated stomach, gassy, bacterial vaginosis (the second in my entire life), 2 week periods, breasts grew a half size so far, foggy headed, vision seems off when I drive (focusing it harder).

I posted some of my side effects last week. Today I got Mirena removed! I was sweating it b/c it hurt bad during the insertion 2 months ago, but it wasn't that bad. Hurt a little but it was quick and easy. They used long tongs to pull it out. I'm bleeding now a little bit but I've been bleeding for 10 days already from being on my 'extended' Mirena period, so I don't care. I'm just glad it's over with. My doctor said I didn't have to explain why I wanted it out. It was my choice. I mentioned again to her anyway the hair loss (probably a third of my hair in just 2 months), and the bloating (I look at least 3 month pregnant and I haven't really gained but like 2 lbs. I think it's from progesterone. Progesterone has to be causing this gas too b/c I had that side effect years ago when I was on progesterone). She said it's all possible side effects and that everyone is different. Some women do well on it and some don't. I'm just bummed b/c I could never have sex anyway b/c of the long periods and the case of BV in between those. These past 2 months have been a big waste of time and energy/worry. I can tell my husband is glad this saga is over with. With 2 young children I need to focus my energy on them and be clear headed. Good luck! I won't recommend this to my friends.

I cannot contribute - in the same way as other posters, I can add a side effect of getting of all birth control pills-- health. The pill seems to act by mimicking the first trimester symptoms of pregnancy in many ways - explains many of the symptoms. Can you imagine being 1st trimester-pregnant for years? I cannot understand why women will use un-natural, non-organic foreign substances in their bodies with possibly deadly side effects - yet swear by organic soy milk, veggies what have you -seems a bit schizophrenic. Better to wait for the man who would love you fully and not ask you to hurt yourself so he can use you for sex. We become just like the men here, this is so sad to me. Instead of being "liberated" we, (not the men) become slave to the pill. And then we don't get he freedom or the man. Try organic sex, in the ways God intended, much healthier.