After a difficult pregnancy and emergency C-section, my husband a...

After a difficult pregnancy and emergency C-section, my husband and I decided that Mirena was the best answer for us to prevent future pregnancy. After insertion of Mirena at 8 weeks post-partem, I experienced non-stop bleeding for approximately three months. I never thought the bleeding would stop. Once that stopped, I only had three very light, spotty periods in the remaining 57 months of use. I have had a lot of side effects that I a lot of you have already mentioned. In five years of use, I have gained 70 pounds. Other side effects I've experienced are cystic acne, greasy hair, extreme fatigue, constant lower back pain, pain during intercourse, no sex drive, depression, anxiety, and mood swings. In 2004, I paid over $700 to get Mirena. After five years of use, I called to schedule an appointment to have it removed during my annual ob/gyn exam. The nurse told me I would have to pay $200 dollars more to have it removed. Our health insurance did not cover the insertion of the device and they do not cover the removal either. Needless to say, my husband removed it last night. The removal itself was not painful although I did experience a little cramping afterwards. I did not have any bleeding either. If 5 years ago I would have known what I would experience in terms of side effects, I never would have gotten Mirena. My husband recently had a vasectomy which cost only a $25 co-pay. The insurance covered that!! I guess we should have checked into that 5 years ago. Hopefully my health will get back to normal now that the device is out.