Synthetic hormones symptoms and conditions

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.

Hi
I am in the UK - where any knowledge of side effects related to Yasmin appear to be non-existent. I was prescribed this to treat my endo after having problems with another pill (constant bleeding and mood swings).
Initially it was like a magic pill - immediately improving the mood swings and stopping the constant bleeding. Then after about 4 days I felt so nauseous I wanted to go home from work - this lasted a few days.
A week and half into my first pack, I suffered continuous asthma attacks - with no obvious cause, this developed in hours to spontaneous vomiting along with a hacking cough.nI was prescribed antibiotics for "infections". The symptoms continued until it was unbearable and I was put on anti-vomiting tablets. and changed onto a different antibiotic.
A week later back at the doctors surgery I had a series of tests - awaiting results as I type, as I have very dark urine, stools that are not "normal" (clay or yellow), pain in my stomach, pins and needles, continue to vomit if don't take the anti vomiting tablets. Have now stopped taking Yasmin and await results...
HOw long does everyone appear to improve after stopping taking Yasmin? Also does this sound like I may have a case of hyperkalemia? (I am awaiting results).
Many thank

Tearful within hours of inserting the ring. Since, a constant sense of dread; dark thoughts, foggy, sluggish thinking, no motivation (and I'm a go-getter in a highly competitive profession), contact lens intolerance/changes in vision, vaginal dryness (UGH!!) irritability, fatigue, flu-like aches and pains with chills from time to time. Puffy like the Michelin Man. Yuck. Just threw the damned thing in the trash and couldn't be happier. Paragard, here I come. No more synthetic hormones for me. I quit.

A constant sense of dread; dark thoughts, foggy, sluggish thinking, no motivation (and I'm a go-getter in a highly competitive profession), contact lens intolerance/changes in vision, vaginal dryness (UGH!!) irritability, fatigue, flu-like aches and pains with chills from time to time. Puffy like the Michelin Man. Yuck. Just threw the damned thing in the trash and couldn't be happier. Paragard, here I come. No more synthetic hormones for me. I quit.

I just recently about 2 1/2 months ago switched from yaz to the nuvaring. Thank god. I have been struggling the last year with these symptoms: IBS, moodiness, anxiety attacks, palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches, SEVERE stomach cramps, and much much more. It started with taking a ride to the hospital because of what i think may have been an anxiety attack. but at that moment felt like a heart attack. I knew i was too young though. I have since been to my GYN doctor, he told me that it could not be the yaz. But i asked him to switch me anyway to anything else. i have been off for about 2 1/2 months and i feel much better. I don't have to not eat because i know my stomach will cramp. I couldn't even walk up the stairs at wet n wild to a ride because by the time i got to the top my heart would be pounding out of my chest, and everything would be blurry. ...just letting everyone know ...yaz is dangerous...and i do plan on getting a lawyer because yaz never said anything about these complications....

Hello! Its kind of creepy that i just now realized my problems and where they are coming from. A couple months ago I was having symptoms very similar to being pregnant.. went to pp and the dr. and I was not. I have been on Yasmin and the generic brands for 3 years now. and recently quit taking them for the 3rd time... About 2 weeks ago I started having " prego " symptoms again.. took a prego test and of course came up negative once again. Its been a little depressing as my partner and I have been wanting a baby. but now i'm starting to see where these symptoms are coming from.. My digestive system has gone haywire.. i get headaches.. my boobs hurt.. and i'm extremely emotional... my boyfriend has mentioned recently that my "outbursts" are frightening to him.. I didn't think it was that bad but now that I look back on it i've had these problems only during the time i've taken BC. WOW!!! as much as i enjoy the BC because it relieves me of my extremely long periods and severe cramps reading and feeling all of this makes me feel a little mad. I wish there were better ways of handling birth control and menstruation My doctor wont give me an IUD and my mother had severe side effects from the shot so i've been left with only the pill.. as the patch gave me really bad numbness after only 4 days..What are us women supposed to do!!! it seems like the doctors know what they're giving us but they do it anyway! women today should be able to be confident in their BC and know its not going to kill them. if anyone has some sort of "option" for me please don't hesitate to email me your thoughts and ideas... thank you! ******

My main side effect was because they had me on too high of a dose at first: I had severe abdominal cramping to the point of needing to go to the ER and needing a muscle relaxant (bellatal - sp?). My endocrinologist said that was not possible, but the second he put me on the right dose, it went away. Many people have idiosyncratic (personal to them and abnormal) reactions to medicines.

All I can say is that some experts believe that the synthetic hormones can give false results on the blood tests, making everything look fine, so I have opted for real thyroid hormone and take Armour Thyroid. My thyroid problem symptoms all completely went away within 6 months (many by 2 months) after starting the Armour Thyroid. I spoke with at least a hundred women online before switching who all had the same experience: doing much better on Armour Thyroid. Some doctors are hesitant to prescribe it because there is some bad press in the AMA that some doctor's buy into about it, but it's all misrepresented and untrue.

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???

My nightmare began Feb 24, 2009 when I had the Mirena IUD inserted. Amazing how crazy we all are! I have an almost 3 year old daughter and my husband and I are pretty certain that we are just having one child, but just in case we changed our minds, we wanted a form of birth control that was not permanent. Before I had this IUD placed in I talked to my ob/gyn about the Mirena vs the Paragard, I decided to go with the Mirena because my ob/gyn explained to me that because of the low level of hormone that would be absorbed into my bloodstream, that I should be okay and not have any side effects and I would have a very light period. I have tried other birth control pills and the nuvaring and all of them have affected me from anxiety to headaches to cold sores.

I have experienced the same symptoms as all of you. dizziness, foggy brain, numbness on right side of body, anxiety, acne, irritable, moody, bloated, headaches, weight gain (although I do exercise 3-4x/wk I gained 5 pounds in 2 mos.), hives( I have a history of allergies which I have been able to control with antihistamines 2x/wk and then all of a sudden I could not control it--saw my allergist who switched my meds), GERD which I was diagnosed with 10 years ago and had successfully arrested the symptoms after treatment), spotting, period every 3 weeks, etc.

I called my ob/gyn a couple of months later to tell her about my symptoms especially the anxiety and was told that it was probably related to my cycle and for me to chart my symptoms and to let her know how I was feeling a month later if things did not improve. Well after putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together, I figured it out that it was the Mirena that has been causing me this hellish nightmare.

On June 15, 2009 I went to go see my pcp to address my GERD issue and to start meds again. I told her that I was considering having my IUD removed because of all of the side effects that I was having. I told her that I was going to go home later and call my ob/gyn to make an appt. She told me that she would be able to remove it for me and so she did.

I instantly felt better--it seems like all of my symptoms have lessend or disappeared, and I had a bit of spotting which my pcp I was a happy person again--I was nice to my husband and was actually laughing when my 2 year old was having a tantrum in the bathtub! About 2 days later I began to bleed heavily and began to feel lightheaded, heart palpitations, cold sweat, and I felt like my legs were going to give from under me. I was thinking that I needed to go to the er. This occurred at 11:00 pm. I called my pcp and spoke to the on-call doc and he told me that if the symptoms continued that I should go to the er; I also called my ob/gyn on call doc (answering service) that I needed to have the symptoms addressed by the doctor who removed it and not my ob/gyn ( I was livid because I have been her patient for 10 years). Anyhow today I called my ob/gyn and spoke to the np who I am not very fond of and she told me that only the bleeding is expected and that all of the other symptoms are related to something else and that I should see my pcp for those. I disagree with her and believe in my heart that all of the symptoms are related to the removal of the IUD. Unfortunately I was not able to talk to my ob/gyn because she is off today. Anyhow I feel like I am feeling better although I feel like it will be a slow recovery and hope that there are no long term side effects.

What makes me the most upset is that the drug manufacture does not disclose all of the side effects, which I am sure that they are all very aware of. There are thousands of women with the same complaints and yet this birth control is still allowed to be distributed to women. Shame on them.

To all of you considering the Mirena: DO NOT HAVE IT INSERTED

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 have been on prednisone since I was two years old (I am now sixteen) because I have Autoimmune Hepatitis IIa. I would like to point out that there is still a life worth living being on prednisone, maybe I say this because I do not know life without it, but at least we're alive! Last year I had a flare up of the AIH and had to 6x my dose of prednisone. It sent me into a spiraling depression of constant sleep, crying, hopelessness etc....but I made it through. Just PLEASE keep hope that things would get better, because I know what it's like being on the dreaded drug better than most.

I'm just in shock.
I can't believe that this sort of thing can go on.
My experience is all over this page. And the seven after it.

I graduated high school with a 99 GPA and was at the top of my class.
I was accepted to medical school along with my admission to college.
I started Yasmin at the same time.

All of a sudden I was getting classic migraines multiple times every month.
Soon, Yasmin became Yaz. Okay, fair enough, nurse says to switch, I'll switch. Yaz is said to be safer.

Time goes by... I'm irritable, I've lost my sex drive, I'm dragging myself out of bed in the morning if I get to classes at all, but I miss lots of them.
My GPA falls from a 4.0 to a 3.6.

I had to come home last semester because of how sick I was. Nurse says that the doctor wants me off Yaz because of the risk of classic migraines.

Liver enzymes were screwed up - fatty liver at 20?? - and cholesterol is backwards. My heart races a lot, too.
My anxiety is out of control and I'm depressed for the first time in my life.

I've been off Yaz since November of 2008 and still haven't had a period.
Additionally, I still haven't MET my gynecologist, despite asking repeatedly if I can see her.

Now she's ruled out PCOS and all other causes and wants me to "jump start" my period with more synthetic hormones.
This feels so wrong.

I have IBS, nausea, back pain, and abdomen pain. This is all just too much. I'm disillusioned with the medical field now and am having a hard time accepting that I wanted to put myself in a position in which I'd have to either perpetuate the problem or fight it. It doesn't make sense.

There needs to be a lawsuit, and now.

I think most of this is all in your heads. It does state clearly in the booklet though that you will have less of a sex drive. But being depressed and all is all own thing. Maybe if you start thinking that its making you happy you will feel happy....

I HAVE THIS AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE BABIES! OF COURSE THERE WILL BE SOME PAIN BUT DAMN COME ON NOW YOU ARE TRYING TO SCARE PEOPLE TO GET THEIR REMOVED YOU SUCK

I am 27, married, and have been on birth control continuously for four years (right before we got married). I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for five months and just stopped three days ago. I thought there was something wrong with me. Our whole marriage I've had sex drive issues, depression, tiredness, feeling sick all the time, and headaches. All of it got even worse on Loestrin 24. In talking with a co-worker and then doing research a few days ago, it occurred to me that my these problems could be a result of the synthetic hormones I've been taking in the form of birth control. Prior to Loestrin 24, I was on Ortho-Tricyclen, Ortho-Tricyclen Lo, and Yaz. I suffer from endometriosis and have problems with severe cramps and bleeding. My Gyn thought Loestrin 24 would help, with fewer inactive pills. Since taking Loestrin, the side effects mentioned above have gotten worse. In addition, I have had cystic breakouts on my chin and neck, horrible vaginal dryness, fluctuations between nausea and ravenous hunger (I've gained 8 lbs. in five months!), chest pain, muscle and joint pain that gets to be almost unbearable, moodiness, anxiety and paranoia issues, and hot and cold flashes. I think Loestrin 24 should be taken off the market. I've only been off of it for three days and already feel a bit better. My husband and I are now researching natural family planning. No more synthetic hormones for me. Keeping your body's estrogen levels so artificially high all the time is bad news. Not to mention it is a leading cause of breast cancer.

I just got this pill from my doctor today!!!!! but i am afraid to take it reading all these comments. I started birth control when I was 16. My doctor first gave me the orthro patch. I took it till I was 22 and had major mood swings depression and bad anger problem. Everyone thought it was just that I was a bitch and there was nothing I could do. I knew it had to be the birth control so I asked my doctor (a different doctor since I moved) and she said that the patch is very bad and doctors have now come to realize it puts to much of the hormone in your body. That is what was causing me to go insane. I then switched to the NuvaRing . IT WAS HORRIBLE!!! I had the same mood problems ( a little less dramatic) but I felt like the ring was cutting my insides. I could feel it everyday putting pressure inside me. It made me lose my sex drive and it even came out one time during sex which my fiancee found weird for a ring to pop out of me lol. Now today I went to the doctor to switch birth control again and she gave me Loestrin 24. I am kind of afraid to take this because everyone has problems and when I read all the comments it sounds like every possible birth control out this is making every women go completely insane. Any advice from someone would be good. Should I stay in the crazy birth control world and give this pill a shot or should I give up birth control all together?

I'm 31 years old, in a stable relationship and had the Mirena inserted in April in order to lessen the amount of synthetic hormones going into my body. I'd also never really found an oral contraceptive that didn't have some major side effect (nausea every night 2 hours after taking the pill). My doctor told me that the chances of side effects I'd read about on the internet (acne, weight gain, loss of sex drive, depression, etc.) were statistically extremely unlikely.

The side effects didn't appear immediately, but after about 3-4 months, I got everything but the depression. I'm a yogi and practice vigorously 5-6 times a week but was gaining weight around the middle, I broke out in large, deep, incredibly angry pimples all over my chest, back and chin (places I've never had pimples). I hardly wanted to touch my boyfriend. The thing is, it wasn't until I went to see an acupuncturist for my acne that she pointed out that my change in birth control might be the source of some of my symptoms. Once I really started researching side effects of Mirena, I realized that my experience was not as rare as my doctor had made it sound.

I had it taken out today and a Paragard IUD (cooper, without hormones) put in. Even then, the doctor was extremely resistant to even the idea that Mirena had anything to do with any of my symptoms. He was actually rather condescending and aggressive towards me. He did point out that when I had my Mirena put in, I stopped taking Oral Contraceptives and that loss of those hormones could be the cause of my acne. I admit that it could be a possibility, but my acne is worse than when I was a teenager (when I wasn't taking birth control) and in places that I've never had a problem with before. And the loss of hormones don't explain weight gain, vaginal dryness or loss of sex drive. I'm open to the possibility that the Mirena isn't the source of all of my problems. It probably works very well for a lot of people. However, my personal experience along with the other women on this site should be taken seriously by the medical community instead of cast off as "unscientific." I know my own body and I think that often, our gut feelings are dismissed because there isn't a readily available scientific explanation. As we've seen through history, medical opinions change and known effects of drugs/hormones/chemicals are slowly discovered. Doctors should be open to the possibility that we actually know our own bodies.

I wanted to say this as well: why do we feel like it's all in our heards, why are we so relieved when we find other testimonies of how badly a bc pill has affected us? Because we don't believe it's the pill, because no one really warned us. Another thing: my period is still VERY painful and heavy. I went on bc strictly to prevent pregnancy, not for painful/heavy periods (otherwise I might have tried to switch earlier). So there is no guaranty that the pill will give you a lighter/easier period. It affects everyone differently. The point is, you have to decide whether you want to take synthetic hormones. I don't anymore. I am gonna try a cervical cap.

Yasmin basically ruined my life for the 6 months I was on it. I was 22 when I first started taking it, and for the first 4 months on it everything was great, then suddenly I started having extreme panic attacks - laying in bed shaking uncontrollably, my chest so tight that I felt like someone was sitting on me. Every other hour I felt like either crying or screaming or pulling my hair out. I started questioning everything in my life, including the great relationship I was in at the time. I was absolutely miserable to my boyfriend - either mean or crying for no reason. I had to miss work because I couldn't get out of bed because I couldn't stop crying in the morning. If I did go to work - I would have to run to the bathroom to cry. Eventually I ended up seeing a doctor and going on antidepressants. That didn't help either. Finally, I decided to take myself off of everything and just try to pull my life back together. It took about 4 months to get back to being myself. Needless to say, the boyfriend couldn't stick this one out, and quite frankly I don't blame him. Just a few days ago, I tried going on Yasmin again, thinking maybe it was just circumstantial last time - graduating college, new job etc. Literally, on day TWO of taking the pill, I felt all the symptoms come rushing back. I stopped the pill yesterday and feel pretty much normal again. PLEASE don't take this pill, and let anyone you know that's on it know how much this pill can ruin your life.

Did anyone find they where extra paranoid and jumpy while on Yasmin especially towards your loved ones? and that your blood was boiling inside you over the smallest things?

Ladies! I think it is wonderful that we are sharing our experiences here and helping one another. I felt it is necessary I share my experience as well. Thank You to all you ladies who have posted. You have helped me.

Got Aviene from my pharmacist saying 'it's same as Alesse, it's cheaper and the drug company covers this versus Alesse.' How dumb of me not to research this despite the fact this came without a box and instructions.Where is this made? Read up on it etc... things one would do BEFORE trying something. I did not do this and this has cost me.

I noticed changes as you all say you did as well. I have been taking the pill for 3 months. I work out as much as I can so about at least 3 times a week, I had a energy loss, I felt in an unexplainable way, just tired and irritated by the day. No, this is not normal for me. I got a great deal on a scale and stood on it and couldn't believe a 20 pound weight gain. This was not exactly a surprise since my clothes don't fit well and I am very uncomfortable. However, this still didn't make sense b/c I have breakfast and it's not junk, toast coffee or eggs with it or serial. For the last 3 months I made healthy lunches, I cooked ahead so took fish, chicken, rice, whole wheat sandwiches, orange juice, water, milk to work. No junk, no pop, no over eating. Had fruits and veggies. I was glad I was keeping up with this but to gain weight from it? I have a full time and a part time job keeping me busy and this life style, what I did for the last 3 months always included weight LOSS not GAIN. I am pretty pissed about this. (Of course, I am on Aviane, we are all pissed off, haha but not really haha right?) I have major issues with my face, considering I am using the same wash... no change...Anyway.. you're all seeing something doesn't' make sense. I have actually had bloating. Major bloating. 3 weeks. Never had this before. I took over the counter aid, that did help. I am 30 I never took over the counter aid.. let's not mention what I took but it helped.

Listen everyone, get off this pill. I will never take this pill again. I have 4 left this month and forget it I'd rather get my period tonight and anticipate change to occur.

On my way home, as usual of late, I tried to figure out WHAT is wrong with me. In conversation with a cooworker I mentioned the 20 pound weight gain and all and she said 'so much in such little time?' I was thinking about it on my drive home... I am at 2 new jobs and have stress but... to gain this much... and it dawned on me. I CHANGED MY B.C. It HAS TO HAVE something to do with it. I came home and goodled. You can't find anything on Aviane but negative comments. You go on Alesse... oh! a company website at least shows up.

Thank you Ladies... I believe I am having the same reaction as all of you did and I do sincerely Thank everyone for taking time out to post. You have helped me and I do think this B.C. is the reason for my current state.

I'll post in a week or two and then after a month to provide an update.

Take care Ladies!

For all of the poor girls who are searching "mirena experiences" because you are looking for a sure thing contraceptive-
This site is only for people who have had BAD experiences. Read them all if you want, but take into consideration they are the 3%, or whatever number, that had problems. None of these women deserved it, asked for it, needed it, or wanted it, but unfortunately their bodies responded to it in such an ugly manor.

Here's my experience so far....Had it inserted 8/06/08. Insertion was fine. Felt that speculum more than I could feel the actual insertion of the mirena.
Slight cramping afterwards...not immediately-went home and for like 20 minutes had cramps lighter than my period cramps.
For the first week bled lightly, second week had an actual period, week three and week four just spotting. The doctor told me this can go on for up to six months...kinda worth it if you think about it.
No acne problems so far, my hair is fine (and trust me, if my hair was thinning, falling out, or anything like that I would take the mirena out!), muscles and joints feel like they did before pregnancy, still breastfeeding (I know that they say that the mirena will make you produce less breast milk-tell that to my breastfed 13 pound 24 inch long 2 month old. he would disagree)
My breasts are a little tender and at first I was slightly bloated (less than if I were on my period) but that has subsided. Abstained from sex for a month after insertion per my doctor's orders, so I will come back and post if there were any problems with that...NEXT WEEK! yay!
Know that I understand the side effects could show up later.

Now again, EVERYBODY will experience something different. We are interfering with nature. Birth control is one of the most unnatural things we could do to our body.

Again, since this site commonly comes up when searching the mirena, I want for women to know that it might work for them better than it did for others.

Hi ladies,

I'm a 20 year old girl and I've been on Yasmin for just over a year now and it has hands down been the WORST YEAR OF MY LIFE. I started taking it for extreme menstrual cramps that would leave me screaming on the kitchen floor, curled up in a ball begging for the pain to stop. Yasmin fixed that, trust me it was like a miracle, and my acne on my face and back cleared up, another miracle.

Now the bad stuff. The first month was okay, because sometimes it takes time for the hormones to take affect. But I became severely depressed thereafter. It just started happening, crying all the time, hopeless, binge eating, gaining a lot of weight. And on top of that the GI problems, my stomach literally ballooned out to the size of a watermelon, and everything I ate irritated me. But a few months ago I became bulimic in a drastic attempt to get control back of my life, I hadn't even thought of the pill as the culprit up until this point. Keep in mind that I'm young, fit, have a great family, in school, there's no reason for my to be falling so low.
I started seeing a therapist, then a psychiatrist. I was this close to being put on antidepressants. And then something happened, my years worth prescription of Yasmin ran out so my OBGYN told the pharmacy to refill my prescription but with the generic brand, Ocella, that they had available which would only cost me 10 dollars a month with health insurance. Within four days I felt like my old self. Happy. I couldn't believe it. I went to a physician for tests and everything seemed normal, but after explaining to her my severe stomach problems she told me that it seemed like the pill induced me to become lactose intolerant. Wonderful!
So I started the second pack of Ocella a week ago and it all started happening again. The first month was fine again, but my body had caught up by now and even though I've cut dairy out, my stomach has ballooned up again and I have heartburn and indigestion no matter what I eat. Yesterday I felt insanely depressed, I binged, became insanely nauseous and threw up. I didn't leave the couch once. Now I know that it may sound like I need to reevaluate my problems, but I promise you, THIS IS NOT ME. I've realized that Ocella is exactly what it is, the generic version, and hence chemically the same as Yasmin, so the effects will mirror Yasmin's. MY OBGYN told me to finish the pack, and then I can come off them, and I cannot begin to explain how excited I am. I'm done with pills, and I'll find another way to deal with the pain.

Please, if you're taking birth control for something like acne, reconsider, it's not worth it. We are the experimental age. We can't ask our grandmothers what the long terms affects are. But if you must be on it and are feeling badly in any way, switch! You might find something better for you.

I was on the Nuvaring for 6 months in 2006 but had to stop because I lost my insurance coverage. I had no side effects back then, except abnormal clots in my period.

I just started it again a month ago, I'm on my fourth week and have to put the new one on on Monday. I have no other side effects while the ring is in, but since I started my period yesterday I have had bad cramps and very bad lower back pain. I never usually get cramps during my period without birth control. I also have the blood clots again.
Is this a bad side effect that could be effecting the health of my body overall?