I have been on mirena now for 10 months. I was on the depo for 1...

you are not alone i have been experiencing some of the same side effects and i thought it was just me too. but instead i have been itching in the vagina area and it's not an yeast infection. The itching comes and goes i dont know if its the copper or what? I just turned 37 and I"ve had the mirena since 6 weeks after my baby was born in dec 05 and i thought that my body just had to get adjusted to the foreighn object but it only gets worse and on top of that i don't like making love to my husband because he said that it feels like something is sticking him. i asked him what does it feel like "like a needle" i don't know what type of birth control we're going to try but this mirena has to go. it's not due to come out til 3-9-2011 but i won't have any skin left by then. It is my prayer that things go well with you. God bless. Signed keepin it real

I have had the Mirena for about 4 years - 3 and a half of which I have suffered with urticaria, then angiodema, now anaphalaxis. The specialists I have spoken to all deny it can be the effects of the Mirena, but I am beginning to think that it HAS to be. I have been to countless allergists and have changed my diet, environment and lifestyle all to no real long term solution. I have so much joint pain that by the time it is night I am in agony. If I find out that it IS the Mirena ( I am having it removed very soon) I will be so relieved as I just can't live with the side effects any longer. I have also been tested for arthritis, lupus and countless other things. You are the fourth person in a matter of weeks I have found with these side effects - I wonder how many more are out there?

I had the Mirena for 4 years and experieced joint pain, low white blood cell count, severe allergies(doctors put me on 3 different allergy meddications) dizziness etc. etc. etc.....doctors did lupus test and many other tests but finally concluded that it was all in my head. I just had my mirena removed 3 days ago and am starting to feel better already but am taking antibiotics for an infection that the mirena caused. Still cramping. Hope you find a solution to your problems as well.

I had Mirena placed in July. I have began to itch constantly and break out in hives at random times and in random places. It seems that the itching is increasing in intensity, frequency and duration. I cannot find any other cause for the itching, like you I live with someone who suffers from severe allergies and take all the necessary precautions to reduce environmental allergens. The itching is so unbearable and becoming so constant that it is interfering with my life. I am planning to have Mirena removed ASAP. Especially after searching the web and discovering that itching is a side effect discussed on many forums. It has GOT to be the Mirena. I don't care what anyone says.

I had the Mirena fitted in Jan 07 and all was fine until about september when the itching started, sometimes it concentrates in one area, ie, hands, feet, stomach, breasts, at other times it is all over, it is unbearable at times, have spoken to doctor who said never heard of these symptoms but I am having it taken out this week as i am convinced the Mirena is causing this itching. If anyone had these problems and got it removed and it made a difference, please tell!!

I got Mirena in May of last year and although I love love love not having to remember a contraceptive, there have been changes that I never associated with Mirena until recently. I had never had a yeast infection before and in the past year I've probably gone 5 months without itching. I kept thinking I wasn't taking care of myself right so I started eating better, especially yogurt because I heard that helps. Nothing seemed to work so I went to the doc and sure enough I had a yeast infection. Monistat 3 cleared it up for a while and then it came right back. Besides constant yeast infections I had bacterial vaginosis which the doc said just "comes out of nowhere and anyone can get it" She gave me a 10 day treatment for that and in about 3 months it came back! Now I have always had a healthy, normal smelling, normal discharging private area and now I keep infections, don't smell nice 25-50% of the time and I discharge like a water faucet. The Mirena is the only thing that's changed in my lifestyle so you tell me. This thing is gone as of next week.

I am here to say that I had my mirena removed in October of 2007. Within days my skin began to appear more normal. And my headaches are gone and so are many of the other symptoms. I do not regret it one bit. What I have begun to notice is that now in the 24-36 hours prior to my next "period" the itching of my skin comes on and for a day everything itches back to the no medication can help it or stop it phase, but then when my "period" shows up it gradually fades. My OBGYN still thinks I am nuts, but my allergist and rhuematologist believe that I am still experiencing the last of the side effects. All I know is that now 4 months later I have my energy, my skin feels normal and I only have 2 small spots that are still healing, but they are where the initial rash was for over a year. I am also here to say that money or not there is soemthing wrong with mirena. I am pretty healthy I do not smoke or drink but in the time I was on Mirena I had hives, severe allergic reactions, my arms and hands would go numb along with my legs. My skin became paper thin like an older persons skin, and just having something brush against it would cause welts or cuts. Now it is better, my hair is not falling out in as big of handfulls, and every week I see more improvement. I cannot say how bad this is as the worst thing it did was the emotional problems. Do you know the toll it takes to go to doctor after doctor and have tests done only to be told it is in your head, or that it is probably cancer or soem other disease. I was 32 - 33 years old, and just married. It is nice to know I am not crazy, but the damage is done I mean my husband and family are still here, but the fights and rants won't be forgtotten as I lashed out at anyone who didn't understand, well no one really did. I do not regret having it removed. I hope some day like in England and Australia that the US will list skin conditions, numbness and allergic reactions on the pamphlet. I am more than happy to talk with or communicate further. I hope all out there who read this just at least stop and think about it.

I have had mirena for 3 years and have experienced horrific skin allergies and even been diagnosed with hay fever. My allergies were trigerred by dust, nuts, wheat, perfume, body lotions , rubber and basically the so called wheel marks and hives were unbearable. The allergies seemed to intensify in he evenings where my whole body would break out in itchy marks. Though the leaflet mentioned skin irritation( i am in the republic of ireland) my doctor is/was reluctatnt to have it removed and prescribed anti histamines for me. After reading his i am definately having this thing removed. I have developed an itchy rash around the skin sorroundingg my vaginal opening and no thrush or fungicidal cream is working.his is the last straw and there has to be an easier way of birth control.I am not ready to be reduced to a pill popping allergen .

Hi there -- I know this post is a little older (from back in September) but I'm going through some very similar skin problems, and I had my Mirena IUD removed today thinking that it's causing me to break out in hives all over my body. It didn't start until I'd had the Mirena in for about 6 months. If you see this, could you please respond to me, and let me know if your hives went away after your Mirena was removed? I am hoping this is the case for you and for me.... if not, I'm going crazy trying to diagnose myself with what could be triggering this. My situation sounds VERY similar to yours. Thanks!

I had Mirena inserted in early January 08, within 3 weeks my face and eyes were swollen very badly. I also had a bad case of sinusitis.I was going to have Mirena removed, but it fell out a few days before scheduled removal. The swelling has gone down gradually since then, but I still have swollen under eyes (especially the right eye) and occasionally swollen lids. My right ear is still blocked. Seeing an allergist in one week (have been to many doctors). Wondering how long before I look and feel normal again. Anyone else get these problems? I've never experienced anything like it before in my life (I'm 34 years old).Has been hell.

I had Mirena inserted on October 07, since then I have had very abnormal periods, very light periods as a matter of fact but lasting almost 3 weeks, It was horrible, I also experienced low energy, fatigue and even started to feel depressed 6 months after...........I lasted 10 months with the mirena and I just had it removed a week ago.......I feel much better, I already went through a normal period and my sex life is back to normal......I tried the patch too, but it gave me leg pains and numbness.....so I'm going back to the pill.....

Hi all - I just had the mirena removed yesterday (inserted March 11, 2008). Since having the mirena, my joints ache!! Especially the knees. My husband volunteered for a vasectomy (sp?) thank goodness.

I can't wait for my system to go back into balance. For those of you having symptoms, listen to your body and your gut instinct.

Did anybody have horrible hair loss? I only had mine in for 6 weeks and i got it removed yesturday!!I have a 4 month old and i am following weight watchers and going to curves fitness centres 4 times a week . When my daughter was 2 and a half months ols i had lost all my baby weight plus 17lbs..since Mirena i have continued my program and gained 7lbs!! in 6 weeks!! my joints are screwed up it hurts to stand up my knees are so bad..Nausea..depressed..but the worst would have the be the hair loss!!! my hair line had recieded over an inch in the last 6 weeks..unbelieveable..why are do'cs so quick to say it's not the Mirena..I live in Canada and the dam brochure did nto even mention hair loss..i am a Pharmacy Tech and my CPS which is a reference the doctor's use does not mention it either...so horrible iam now 25 and balding..i have post phoned my wedding scheduled for mar 2009 indefinalty untill i get my hair back..i can't believe how much this product has ruined my life in 6 weeks...i feel so hopeless...

I had mirena put in Aug. 2007. For the last month I have not felt right. I have always been a heathly person, but ...what the hell is going on. My ankles and feet are killing me, yesterday I had a huge tender bruse -that I don't remember getting- and is magicly gone today, headaces, my energy level fell of the truck, nausea, cramps, and my right eye keeps twiching. Could it be the mirena?

I've had Mirena for almost 2 years. I've sometimes felt like bugs crawling on me, making me itch like crazy. Then started the discharge, and varginal itching. It's so bad I itch it raw. I thought I was crazy. I've been on so many prescriptions trying to clear it up. I suddenly thought today about the Mireana and when it all started. It's comming out. I also suffered from horrible mood swings. I don't feel like my normal happy self. I just hope it won't take long to recover. If there's ever a lawsuit I'd be the first to join up, since none of these side effects are even listed. I've already had the cyst that thankfully went away. I'm done.

Hello all. I too am a new recipient of this "miracle" called Mirena! I just had my third son in late July, and I had weighed my options, and with some STRONG convincing from my OB/GYN, I had decided on the Mirena. I had it placed on September 20, 2008, and no more than two weeks later my hair began falling out! Now when I say "hair falling out", I mean every time I would brush off my shoulders, brush, comb or wash my hair I would get hand fulls! The hair loss got sooooo bad, that I couldn't sit down to a descent meal without finding MY hair in my food. I'm always bloated. I bleed for weeks on end. My neck, arms, legs, and breasts are soo itchy it's rediculous. I have had to treat a new yeast infection every five days since placement, and this, from a person who has only had a yeast infection maybe TWO times in my life. I am an emotional wreck. I mean, right now as i'm typing, I'm tearing up because I thought that I was going crazy. My marriage is on the rocks because I'm so temperamental, and heck, my husband and I have been waiting for love making for LONG ENOUGH! My newborn is only 3 1/2 months, and I can honestly say that I've had only about TWO weeks total to deticate to the intimacy of my marriage (now keep in mind ladies, that the last two to three months of pregnancy are not ideal for an emotional "stress ball" to be having sex either, so you do the math). But I am PROUD to say that I WILL BE CALLING MY DOCTOR 9 a.m. MONDAY MORNING TO SCHEDULE MY REMOVAL.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had mirena for almost nine months. It felt uncomfortable and I was sluggish. I gained so much weight and I was just living normally. My body seemed heavy and slow. My whole body was itching. I had it removed a few days ago. I hope someone can tell me when my skin will go back to normal. It feels so sensitive concerning the whole body. And I have hives.

Hello....
I had the Mirena IUD placed in me on Wednesday ( yep...8 days ago!!!!! ) I am having Kaiser remove the darn thing TOMORROW!!! I broke out into hives all over my arms, legs & stomach. The itching has been unbearable!! I had Kaiser give me a shot of "some sort of steriod shot yesterday".. I felt better within half an hour...they prescribed "prednisone" to control the rash, but honestly my rash is pretty much back today...I am counting down the hours to get the IUD OUT TOMMOROW!!!!!!

I had Mirena put in after my 3rd daughter in Jan. Shortly after, I began getting bumps on my legs and chest. They were filled with a clear liquid and there was no end to it. The skin irritation was so bad, we removed the IUD. Fast forward a month....Well, the itching is unbearable, I breakout all over my body, and I'm having the worse pain in the va-j-j area. Feels like tiny needles. Has anyone experienced this??? I have marks that look like scars all over my face and arms;yet, they weren't there 3 weeks ago. Also, it seems to be a lot worse at night time and in the heat. The worse part is, my 2 youngest daughters are begining to experience the samethings. I went to a dermatologist, who had no idea what he was doing, he said the marks were old scars. When I told him they only appeared a few weeks ago, he looked at me as if I were nuts!!!!! The pediatrician had the same reaction. Can anyone please spread some light on this... I have a 2 year old, who was up all night screaming with vaginal pain;which, I was also experiencing.

OMG! I too am going thru this. I have my Mirena put in feb. 2009 and taken out April 2009. When will the hives go away? This is crazy and my doctors think I am nuts too!

so i have wondered about other peoples itching. is it just in the vaginal area or all over? i have constant itching and its driving me crazy! and its not just in the vaginal area its EVERYWHERE! i have scares now from where it itches so bad i cant stop myself from scratching! my breasts have scares and even my thighs...HELP!

OK, I had my Mirena inserted 2 weeks ago. I had a heavy bleeding for about a week, which is tapering off. Very fatigued, terrible low back, and neck pain, little stabbing pains in my legs, cramping calves, pain in ankles and feet. Itchy skin and headache. As I can see alot of other women are experiencing this, I was starting to think I was getting arthritis, I am 35 and it does run in my family, does anyone else have this muscle and joint aching, especially in the back of my legs and behind the knees.

Ihad mirena put 3 weeks ago,after 8 weeks of my delivery, am bleeding since than ,itching started since 2weeks , i did not had any skin problems before more on my thighs,back legs,am 35years,iam a dentist ,idont know what to do?

I gave birth to my son this November (2009) and had mirena placed last week which was my 6 week check-up. I have had cramps and a pinching/scraping feeling, stabbing stomach pains, heavy bleeding, headaches, crying spells and a severe allergic reaction. This was all in my first week! I had hives and swelling all over my body and my throat was constricting and ended up in the ER on Christmas day. This was not a fun way to celebrate my baby's first Christmas. The doctor's were insisting that I must have developed a sudden food allergy and the IUD could not possibly be the cause. I have never ever had an allergic reaction to anything in my life and I am 41 years old. This is all too much of a coincidence. I will be calling the doctor tomorrow and have it removed immediately. I am truly disappointed in not doing more research on my own before having this placed and trusting the Mirena pamphlet to truthfully disclose all the possible side effects. Thank you for sharing your stories-I feel better knowing I am not alone with my symptoms. Best wishes to all of you suffering from this IUD...

This is the 2nd time I have gotten the IUD and I am totally convinced that Mirena is causing all of my side effects. I got the IUD the first time 3 years ago and right after I broke out with acne and BV. I didn't think of anything and was like I guess that's common because my body is probably rejecting it first. A few weeks later I got my period and it didn't go away for 3 month straight. I called my doctor and he was like it's normal and that I should hang in there. My weight went up by an extra 20lbs and I can't even describe the heavy cramping which I had. I hung in there for 6 month and just couldn't take it anymore so I had it taken out. My body went shortly after back to normal with no complaints for several years. Last year my gyno suggested that I should get the IUD and I was like there is no way I would get it again and he was like your prior doctor must have not placed it in right so he sure enough convinced me that I should try again. Ok, so here I am with the same symptomes again and this time a little worse. I developed a intense itching and burning and whenever that happens my whole vagina and the side of my right leg swells up. I can't even describe the crazy hives.... Since I don't have health insurance, I decided I am going tomorrow to Planned Parenthoot to have it taken out because I don't know what else to do. Its 3am here and I am sitting here with sever buring, itching, and swelling again. I just went to a free clinic last week and the doctor there prescribed me with antibiotics and nothing has gotten better.

After 10 weeks I finally had the Merina removed today and although sore, I am just so relieved. Prior to the Merina, I was on the pill and happy. I was an avid mountain biker (burning 2500 cal/session as recorded from my heart rate monitor 3 x week), a runner (1500 cals/session 1 x week) and attended spin class once a week. I am a project manager for a pharma company and most importantly a mother to my 10 year old daughter (whom I raised almost single handedly prior to meeting and marrying my husband 2 years ago). I was a highly motivated, happy and positive thinking person who dealt with whatever life had to offer. In the 10 weeks of living with Merina, I have experienced mood swings, irratability, low self esteem, lethargy (became disinterested in most activities), sadness, spotty neck, face and back, bloating, stomach cramps, back pain, joint stiffnes, 12lb weight gain, old looking skin on hands and general feelings of inability to cope with my job, exercise and life in general (is it me? am I going insane?). The last week has brought an itching vagina and feelings of allergy around my sinuses. I had mine fitted at a local family planning clinic but called my GP to have it removed as I couldn't wait for the next FP session. Strangely, he enquired (during a telephone conversation)if I had felt coerced into having Merina fitted, which I didn't. He asked me to come in to chat first however, on my arrival, he immediately acknowledged that I had made my decision and removed the device. I did wonder if he knew that there was more to the Merina than the patient info leaflet provided. I am shocked that the info leaflet didn't mention the extent of the side effects as these should have been obvious during the clinical trials. I am restless tonight as I am still sore however, I hope that my positive old self will return soon and I can get back to normal asap. I hope my post has helped someone in someway. Love to all.xxx

Thank god I have read this site, I have been having terrible itching and buring in the vaginal area for over a year now, its so bad i am crying shilst writing this message, my gyno dosn't seem to know whatw wrong with me my gp just gives me HRT, I now have inplants which I don't think I need, I have been to a dermatologist and he dosn.t know either, I get so swollen and sore down below its unbeleivable. I was on thrush medication on and off also for a couple of years, I am just at my witts end.

I have experinced the same symptoms and was beginning to lose hope. Thank you for this post. I was also beginning to think I was crazy.I have been dealing with strange rashes and horrible joint pain along with numbness. I was going to see a rheumotologist but instead I am calling my ob gyn.

i had the mirena inserted about 3 years ago. at my first check up they couldn't find the string and had to give me an ultrasound- they found the string right away and I have to go thru the same drill each time I go for a check up. 6 weeks ago I broke out in hives and they have gotten progressively worse and I also have chest pain/tightness and the feeling in my throat like I swalled a big pill and it's stuck. my mother has been trying to figure out what is causing the hives and suggested it may be my IUD so I googled and have found all of these posts. as I write this I have that lump in my throat and am covered in hives from head to toe. I pray the Mirenais the culprit but am concerned by all of the posts that say they've had it removed and still are symptomatic. I am calling the Gyn tomorrow to this removed. she has already suggested that it may have to be under general anesthia since they won't be able to take it out via string.
Good luck everyone- I will post once it's out.