I've never responded to a site like this, but now feel compelled ...

I just had the Mirena removed four days ago after four years of misery. I never would have associated my myriad of symptoms with the Mirena - I was told it was just a small dose of hormone and my periods would all but disappear. Sounded great to me! I'm so glad I found this site. For four years I have had weight gain, bloating, high blood pressure, excruciating headaches, depression, extreme fatigue, joint pain and stiffness, weird rashes, itchy scalp, no sex drive, and, yes, no period. It never crossed my mind all (or even some) of this could have been from the Mirena. Of all the above symptoms, the only thing I suffered with previously was some mild depression. Over the last four years, my symptoms have worsened to the point where I can't function like a normal person anymore. About once a month I would get such bad heartburn and bloating I couldn't eat, and I drank antacids by the bottle. This would last for a few days, then the headache would hit me - such pain I couldn't get out of bed. I've never had headaches in my life before this. I'm assuming this was hitting me about the time I was supposed to have a period. I have NOOOO desire for sex - don't even want to sleep in the same bed with my husband. He's ready to pack his bags and head for greener pastures! I'm praying that having this thing removed will bring me back to normal!! I already feel less bloated and a little more energetic. My doc told me it would be about three weeks before I have a period - it's been three days and I'm having one whopper of a period! I think my body just wants to cleanse itself and move on.

Some women may do fine with the Mirena, but I personally would not recommend it to anyone. I wouldn't want anyone to have even the possibility of feeling the way I do. Fortunately, my husband has now taken care of birth control - snip-snip! No side effects to worry about there! God bless all of you, and good health and happiness!

I feel compelled to post to this site because it's a big part of why I chose to have my Mirena removed. I had it in for two weeks before having it removed because of ever-increasing depression that started after one week. I also was passing large clots and I think my hair was starting to fall out in greater amounts. After two weeks I found myself standing at the kitchen counter making breakfast and balling my eyes out for "no reason." I had had a pretty bad bout of post-partum depression two years ago, and this felt like being right back there. But why? Then it hit me, I wonder if it could be Mirena. Long story short, I found this site and many others like it (do read the article for doctors that reports 5% or more women experience depression), called and got it removed that afternoon, and the clouds parted that night and the sun came out the next day. It was a 180 degree turn around for me within 48 hours. I feel completely back to normal, thank goodness! There is no doubt it was the Mirena. Also, it had come out of place and was sitting in my cervix, which my doctor said probably caused the clotting. I'm so glad it's out. No more artificial hormones for me. I think I'm one of those women who just can't handle them. I hope this helps someone else, as this site helped me so much. Good luck everyone!

Jill in Little Rock, Ark.

Here is the URL of the article for doctors that reports 5% or more women in Mirena clinical trials reported depression (depressed mood, p. 13): http://berlex.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Mirena_PI.pdf?WT.mc_id=www.berlex.com