I had Mirena put in five days ago. I have had cramping off and o...

Sorry, luckyone13, but my story is an unhappy one, like so many others who have posted on this board.

I have had the Mirena IUD since March 2007. I'm getting it removed next week.

Not only has my hair fallen out since getting Mirena inserted, I'm now experiencing THE WORST gum and tooth sensitivity, whereas prior to Mirena, I had gone over a decade without seeing a dentist; I finally saw one to get my teeth cleaned; and I walked out with absolutely no problems, including no cavities beyond the two that I already had from way back in elementary school. And, that dentist's appointment was just about a year before I got Mirena inserted!

Then, there's the sex...............

My husband and I have had to change our entire sex life because of Mirena. Instead of making love in any position we want, the wire that is attached to the device actually pokes and rubs my husband's penis really badly in almost every position to the point he is sore for days afterwards...this after my gynecologist had already trimmed the wire once after I first told him about the problems my husband and I were having. Thankfully, we finally found a handful of positions in which the device doesn't bother my husband, but we have been so limited since I got the device inserted, I'm at the point now where I've had enough. There are way too many other birth control choices to purposely keep going through all of this drama.

Oh, and did I mention my periods, though extremely light, last anywhere from 8 to 11 days now?

So, my advice to you is: Be afraid. Be very afraid! Get that thing taken out of you as soon as possible...before it's too late.

Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones for whom the Mirena works effectively without bothersome or serious side effects. I didn't fall into that category, unfortunately, and had to have mine removed after just 5 months. I did stay bloated the entire time....I looked the same way I did when I was 5 months pregnant!

Like the poster above, my periods were very light but lasted a ridiculous 8-10 days. Normally I was a 4-5 day girl, heavy the first two days and then tapered off. On the Mirena, it was just the opposite...started out light, barely more than spotting...then it would get progressively heavier until it was like day one of my previous periods, then it would abrupty STOP! Very odd.

As for sex, we had to avoid positions that we really liked, too. Part of it was because my cervix was so sensitive all the time (aggravated, perhaps?) that I couldn't take much pressure....and part of it was that he could actually feel the strings (trimmed twice) and once got "bit"!! My libido tanked, which didn't help things.

At least you now know that if you start having unusual side effects, chances are it is truly the Mirena, even if your Dr denies it. Mine did not, said he had been hearing of these problems a lot. Don't push yourself to give it more time than the initial 3-6 months if your side effects are negatively affecting your life....that's my opinion. Take care.

Your experience maybe one of the good one's but I've yet to hear anyone say that... I had mine for 4 years before I figured out what the hell was wrong with me... I'm not kidding I lost a great job and I'm sure my husband has cheated but crap with no sex life and me being so Grouchy all the time and tired or sleepy I dont' blame him.. OH and the weight gain of 60 pounds and I've been on Weight Watchers for 2 1/2 years and I've gained 22 pounds.. Something isn't right.. Yea the no period exprenice has been good but not at the cost of a life style I can't live with anymore.. .Be scared be very careful watch your symptons and be ready for anything.. Or no when to get it out!!!!!!!