My son was born March 2007, when he was 8wks old, to much of my s...

Hi. I made an appointment to get my IUD taken out. My GP, however, was not able to reach it as the strings are embedded in my uterus. Nice.
Anyway, I've had mine in for almost three years and never connected the dots. The first year was great. Then slowly, side effects are becoming worse and worse. I haven't had the cramping or bleeding, in fact, haven't had a period since it was put in. I thought maybe the fatigue of working and having three young girls was just wearing on me. Well, summer break has come and I still feel utterly exhausted. I told my mom that it has been the worst summer of my life. I've been at home with my girls, but I have been so miserable with mood swings and bouts of anger that I feel I've ruined their summer as well, by yelling at them over little things and just not being there to enjoy the break with them! Oh, the hot flashes! They only started becoming more regular the last six months or so and are becoming more frequent and intense. I thought maybe that I was beginning menopause early (I'm only 34!). When they happen, I am so irritable!! I am literally covered in sweat! I feel like a furnace all the time! I've also been crying all the time and just depressed! I feel like I am living a life I don't want. So I made the doctor's appointment to get it out. I actually started bawling in the doctor's office. So he made an appointment with the GYN who put it in and gave me a scrip for Celexa. I have to go and see him in a month to see how things are going. I am after my husband to get vasc. but if he doesn't move fast enough, I am willing to get my tubes tied. I, too, had my daughters close together. Right now, they are 6, 5 and 4. I know, though, that I don't want anymore. It just seems so final, I guess. We put in a pool this year, which helps keep me cool, thank goodness! Hopefully, I will have it removed soon and things will get better. Hang in there! It is so convenient, but on the other hand, my well being is more important! Jill

Hi - I had my Mirena for only 5 months but could not deal with the side effects. Headaches every day, brain fog, lack of concentration, cystic acne, insomnia, heart palps, fatigue, constant bloating and dizziness all the time. With me, two months AFTER removal, I started having hot flashes. First it was one or two at night...it would wake me up....then they started during the day. Looking back, the heart palps and insomnia were probably precursors to the hot flashes. So, in June, at 43, I was determined to be post-menopausal. Pre-Mirena - regular periods (that's why I got the Mirena, I thought I needed birth control!!!). Post-Mirena - menopause. No one in family started this early, no where near it! I am on HRT now because I have to protect my heart and bones until I get to normal menopause age (at least 5 more years). What a shock, though. I think the Mirena disrupts the estrogen-progesterone balance in your body and that's why we get all these side effects. The hormone obviously does not stay local!!!! Removal was a breeze and I started to feel better immediately (other than the menopause thing!). Best of luck to you.

My cousin had her mirena removed. Developed papillodema which is in uncurable condition. A south african website attrributes it to the mirena and it is life threatening. Don't waste another minute get that thing out of you!! Ear drainage is a symptom of papillodema. They paint a picture of mirena like it is something wonderful and it is not.

hot flashes are a side effect. i still get them now. and my nervous system seems to be affected. i get myself so would up and start to get hot and bothered. i can fly off the handle all to easily.i keep saying maybe its the change but at 33 i doubt it. after reading one page in i think maybe i underestimated what damage this thing could do to women.

Ive been on Mirena for just a few months and Ive experienced breast tenderness, excessive tiredness, and increased smoking. I fell like im PMS-ing all the time. I dont feel happy and I wondering if I should have it removed. I never had these side effects when I was on the pill. Reading all of these comments makes me feel like Im not alone with these issues. I see my GYN in September. I might opt to remove it then!