Mirena side effects

I got my mine in February of last year after having my third child. For 3 months, it was fine. My periods did not get lighter (but I did not expect it to, no matter what BC I use, it does not). However, I found that I could not use a tampon for very long. SO, being the sport I figured that it would go away, so I switched to awful pads. Then at the end of the year, I noticed that I always felt like it is something down there and I look swollen. I searched around, but found nothing. To this day I feel like that when I stand for to long or sit for to long. I have also experienced ambivalence and laziness. My hair was shedding to the point I cut it off. My skin looks like I am 12. When I worked a job that required me to stand for 7 hours, I bleed like a stuck pig, and it was bright red. My feet swelled so bad I could not walk. Then recently, since I no longer work there, my periods have become brown and stinky. Until that little voice told me to look this thing up, I thought that I was crazy. Nevertheless, women's intuition is there for a reason. Get this; I don't even have sex because of the discharge.

My experience has been alright with Mirena...

I'm 18 years old. I got it inserted on January 17, 2008. The first day I had horrid cramps, and would get pretty bad cramps randomly for the first month or so.

I spotted and got break-through bleeding for about 3 months or so afterwards, and then my cycle started steadying out some. My period became lighter with minimal cramps, but it didn't become shorter. Finally after about 6 months my period was back in order. I now have lighter bleeding with minimal cramps, but the amount of time my period takes has not changed any. My period has always lasted around 8 days and these light periods I'm having also last around 8 days (maybe longer), but I LOVE the fact that it has virtually gotten rid of my cramps. I used to get awful cramps that would put me in a cold sweat on the floor with nausea and feeling faint and all that stuff. My period also used to be very heavy the first few days.

As for side effects... I've never had a weight problem and it didn't lower or make me gain weight. I've always had a history of anxiety and depression so I can't really say if it has aggravated either of those disorders. I sometimes get problems with my stomach and intestines (usually just mild to moderate cramping, mild to moderate nausea, and sometimes constipation), but my anxiety has always given me GI trouble.

So, to summarize my experience... I had about 3 months of irregular light bleeding on top of regular, and sometimes heavier, periods. After about 3 months my body gradually regulated itself back to no virtually no spotting or break-through bleeding and I now have a regular monthly period again in which I experience pretty much no pain, lighter bleeding, but how long my period lasts is still the same.

All in all I'm doing alright with the IUD. The most annoying side effects are the possible GI side effects and just generally adjusting to it with the spotting, break-through bleeding, etc. It can take up to a year for your body to fully adjust to Mirena though, so I'm going to wait at least a year before I decide if I want to keep it or not. But so far my experience has been alright. I would like to see my periods be shortened and a little more predictable (they usually are predictable, but sometimes they last longer than my period used to last), but that's about it. :)

Had Mirena put in about two months ago, eight months after my second baby was born. On the positive side, the insertion itself wasn't bad and it didn't seem to affect me nursing my baby. But ever since I've had almost constant bleeding and/or weird discharge, increasing extreme crankiness (like having severe PMS times ten), almost no sex drive, tired by lunchtime every day, constantly bloated and gained 5 pounds. Called my OB's office about having it it removed and like many who've posted here, I definitely got an attitude from the staff for wanting it out and couldn't get an appointment for a few weeks. I decided I couldn't stand it one day longer and after reading up about it, took it out myself today. Took me several tries to find the strings but once I got a good hold of it it came right out before I had even really tried and I felt nothing. I immediately felt SO much better, the crankiness is gone, no bleeding, time will tell about whether I will now lose weight too.

Good luck to anyone else who is dealing with problems from it - don't let anyone make you feel bad for wanting the thing out.

Got it placed October 2007 and have had extreme acne every month. Deep in the cheeks and near the chin. Nothing will rid it even antibiotics or retin-A. Had cramping, bleeding at first but that subsided. Now I just have a lighter period about every 6 weeks. But I'm getting it removed come my annual pap as the 3% risk factor of acne is probably alot higher than that. I'm one that had maybe one zit every month growing up with my period to having probably 10-20 at a time. They are so deep they're not even poppable!

I had my Mirena removed almost 3 weeks ago! I am SO happy I did!

No more DAILY bleeding (3 months!!), painful cramping, abdominal pressure and I dropped 5 lbs like THAT.

I hated that thing. Feel like mySELF again.

I got Mirena Jan. 2008. Since then I get migraines, tension headaches, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, mood swings, bloating (no weight gain), increased heart rate, no sex drive at all (I'm only 21!),and my partner can feel the strings poking him. I finally reached my breaking point with Mirena when I developed lower abdominal pain and a slight discharge. Mirena has infected my uterus and ovaries. This damn thing is coming out ASAP!!!

I inserted Mirena in July of 2008 and since then I have had a continuous period (don't know when it comes, don't know when it ends) which is brown blood and it smells terrible, very bad cramps, MAJOR mood swings, body aches, fatigue & I have ABSOLUTELY NO SEX DRIVE... one positive thing I will say is that I have noticed that my acne has pretty much disappeared. My husband definitely feels the string thing in there, in fact, he said it feels like a "razor"! I am a healthy 26 year old with 2 children, never had an issue with my sex drive prior to the IUD... I feel totally disconnected and I am highly considering having it removed.

I had my Mirena input about 5 months ago. At first all was well, but for the last two months I have had bad anxiety. It took me this long to think it could be my IUD. The anxiety is horrible. My heart races, my arms and hands hurt, and sometimes I feel like I am going crazy! I can not wait to have this IUD removed and I pray after a few months I will be back to normal. I would tell anyone thinking about using Mirena, Don't do it.

I've had mirena for almost a month, and the first couple weeks I had cramping, extremely heavy bleeding. No weight gain. but now I felt something hard inside of me and it freaked me out!!! what was that? I think im gonna get it taking out very soon. Any response?

I have decided to get mine out after 10 weeks, going next week, fed up of stomach pain, cramps and weight gain, does it hurt

I got Merena inserted a month ago and I have not been myself since! I have had headaches, laziness, mood swings, insomnia and I never had all of that before getting the Merena IUD!! I just don't feel myself at all lately and I'm 99 percent sure it's from the Merena. I called my doctor and was told it's NOT from the iud but I know my body and I know that's what it is!! I have an appt on Sept. 12th to get it removed!

I had the Mirena IUD inserted six weeks after having my youngest son, which was August 2007. I have always had a bit of a weight problem, but when I was pregnant with my son I started exercising, eating right and when I gave birth to him I was 20 lbs lighter than when I got pregnant. I was told the Mirena was great. No weight gain, period will stop and can have it in for five years. So I got it. It's been a little over a year and I am getting it out! I gained 30 lbs. and I barely eat anything. I dieted, exercised and tried my hardest to stop the weight gain, but nothing worked. And now I look 6 months pregnant again. I have been depressed and had thoughts of suicide at one point. And I DO NOT have that type of personality. I am usually a very laid back, happy person. My advice to anyone thinking of getting the Mirena IUD. DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

Ladies,

God gave us all that "little voice inside" that we call a woman's intuition. LISTEN TO IT! Unfortunately, I did not when it came to choosing Mirena as my first and only choice of birth control since I was a young teen first experimenting with sex. Well now, I am a day away from my 31st birthday and have been married to my high-school sweetheart for ten-plus years. After two kids and a miscarriage of twins, I decided I just didn't want to go through pregnancy again. So, little ol' me decided to be hip and choose a form of birth control that allowed me to be free and not have to worry about the likes of condoms...or spermicide...or those wretched birth control pills. If only I knew back then what I know now, however.

I first got Mirena inserted the end of March 2007. Since then, my sex life with my husband suffered dramatically, because, first, I bled inconsistently (that is, I didn't know when my period was going to show up---every week, every two weeks, etc.); second, when my period did show up, it would last 8-11 days; and third, the wire attached to the device was painfully uncomfortable for my husband during sex to where we were limited to just a few positions, which made for a pretty mundane sex life.

From a health standpoint, like so many other posters, I suffered severe hair loss. It had gotten to the point where I literally had a receding hair line and had to wear very weird-looking bangs just to cover up my hair loss.

I stayed bloated and on edge from the anxiety I felt from feeling like the start of my period was just imminently hanging over my head, because it seemed as though I was always on it (because I did bleed more times times than not).

The weight gain was horrible. I always felt insatiably hungry and looked up one day and realized I was a size 16...and barely squeezing into my clothes. I went on a diet, which went fine. However, I ended up coming to a standstill even after increasing and intensifying my exercise and lowering my calorie intake even more than I had. NO ONE 'til the day I die will be able to convince me it wasn't Mirena's fault for causing the initial weight gain and later stagnating my progress to lose weight.

And, yes, there was a change in my personality. I went from a laid-back, independent, self-sufficient woman to one who was totally clingy, overbearing, and extremely jealous. But then, I turned into the worst person I had ever seen myself becoming: I then turned into a woman who just wanted to be by herself. And so, I was one phone call away from hiring a divorce attorney and leaving my husband and kids, because I just couldn't handle my every day life as it was. I did not know what was going on with me; I just knew I found myself having a total change of heart about everything in my life, even though my life was a pretty dang good one, according to all of my friends and family and even people on the street who would observe how well my husband treated me.

Enough was enough, and I finally had Mirena taken out Friday, July 11, 2008, at approximately 11:00 AM!

My life has totally changed.

No lies. No embellishments. No exaggerations. I lost three pounds by that Tuesday, July 15. So, my efforts to reach my weight loss goal don't seem so futile now. Furthermore, my husband and I are as happy together as we were back when we were in high school; and, I can't even imagine not having the kids and him in my life. Oh, and my hair.... I no longer have a receding hair line. It's still going through that annoying growing-out phase, but at least it exists again!!!

Looking back, particularly at some of these posts, something told me I was in for a nightmare come to life when my doctor was amazed at how I felt hardly any pain while he inserted Mirena. And even now how he and his nurse act totally shocked and surprised at all of the problems that I had while using Mirena just sickens me to the point of wanting to punch something. These medical professionals know. They get very nice perks for being in cahoots with these drug representatives and manufacturers by going along with making us, the patients, guinea pigs. Such low-life scum! I am hurt and totally pissed off by the whole thing. But still, I am thankful my life has returned to normal since having Mirena taken out.

Nevertheless, be warned! Mirena is a steep, pricey sentence on one's life. So, you'd better be prepared.

Aged 40 and with an 8 year old son, I had Mirena coil fit on 1st August after having the depo injection for almost 2 years and being fed up about my weight gain. I was advised by doc that there was no weight gain with Mirena as the hormone was local rather than in your blood system. I was in absolute agony around half an hour afterwards. It felt like I was having contractions every 3 minutes. Rang doctor and was told to take Ibuprofen along with Paracetamol, which I did. The cramps didn't subside until around 5 hours later. I was in tears with the pain. I suffered for around a week after with period pains. All seemed ok after, other than I checked and couldn't feel the strings. I also asked my partner to check and he couldn't feel them......I went last week for my four week check and neither could the nurse! I am now going to have a scan on Wed 10th Sept to see where it is! Can anyone tell me what happens after this....if they find it what will they do?

Hi
I have had mirena for over 1 year and 10 months and completely changed my life Im 22 I feel always bloaded, gaing incredible weight, feel depress, stomach pains all the time n sometimes i feel like there's something wrong with me down there internally cant really explain it I have an average period flow well its completely disappear to just one lil miserable period with mirena, yes I miss my period (and no Im not kidding) let me explain why I feel like all that bleeding that i used to have now its the bloading the stomach pain like something it not leting by body work the way it supposed too n lots of headaches weird huh I know but honest . At first I thought it was me over reacting but now I see like many of you we are feeling the same I know Im crazy for waiting this long and personally would never ever recommend it my sister just had her lil baby grl she ask me like many of my friends and told her not to get mirena i don't want her to go trough with all those horrible symptoms I first thought I was over reacting and seriously going nuts but now Im proud to say my next visit for the removal is on the 18 of sept YES finally why wait so long i was AFRAID of getting pregnant again since im in college. And also because at the doctor they kept saying lil symptoms like that occur but they will decrease but they haven't they gotten worst I talk with my husband we are going to clases for natural birth control yes I know who has the time but trust me is the best choice for your body, not putting up with a bunch of crazy hormones. My mother was right she told women now women don't want to take the time to do the count for natural birth control but yet don't know is the best choice I honestly now know what she talking about are body is a precious temple and should not put it trough horrible thing we are going to regret As for me I just regret not taking this stupid thing before

I had the Mirena inserted 8 days ago..I cannot wait to get this thing out...I fainted when it was put in it was soo painful..I am a healthy active woman..now I am constantly nauseous,non stop cramps,backaches, and heart palpitations..what is up with that?? I had been on the pill for 20 years and never had this kind of stuff..I am done..Tubal Ligation here I come. I now know why all my friends begged me not to use an IUD.

Hi all i no there is a lot of side effects, i have had mine for nearly 10 weeks now, hardly any bleeding which is why i got it in the first place, but have gained weight, and still get sharp pains, realistically does this change after the 3-6 months, as i am willing if there is hope of feeling better after this length of time, before i give up, as they say if you have it removed you go through a bad time also

I am so happy I found this site. I thought I was losing my mind with all the things happening to my body. I had Mirena inserted last Nov, and I can't wait to have it removed. I have terrible mood swings, my scalp is itchy and oily all the time, my hair falls out in handfuls, my hair snaps and breaks. If I color it it only takes in patches and completely rinses away in spots, I have acne, the skin all over my body feels dirty and I could defiantly shower now everyday. When it was first inserted I had my period for 3 straight months and now when I should get my period, I get excruciating cramps. Not worth it!!!!!!!!! I will have it removed hopefully before anything else surfaces.

So I made an appointment to have my mirena removed on Monday. However, i am scared now that my post symptoms are going to be far more worse than they are now but, it needs to be done. So, if you have had it removed can you please reply to this posting so i can have some idea as to what i could be facing?

I Had mine inserted 01/2006 and plan to have it removed in a couple of weeks. My husband and I would like to start trying to get pregnant (I've never had kids) soon. My experience so far includes: Sever abdominal pain for the whole first week - I had a heating pad on my lower belly that whole time and had to be drugged up from the "widening" of my cervix.

Afterwards - almost constant cramps all month long, mild to severe, no period blood or very little, mood swings like crazy, pain during sex (dependent on position) and pain after sex so severe sometimes I would cry. I swear I have cysts from it - the ultrasound said so, but they said that could just be from the hormones? That made no sense! The doctor never suggested having it removed though. Great birth control - you have painful sex, so you don't want sex!

I have a great sex drive though and we have found ways around it. I have to take diflucan every week to keep me from getting thrush, never had that problem before. Can't wait ot have it out, however, I'm really worried about the bleeding so many have experienced after its removal.

Hello, I had my IUD in for 2 years. Last September due to bad side pains, I had it removed. Well it has been a year and my symptoms are worse then ever. I am in pain I can't sleep at night, My weight gain is through the roof and I can't seem to get pregnant. I can't find anything about how long it is suppose to take before they go away. Every time I go to the doctor they can't find anything wrong.

OMG. I guess I am lucky that this is the first site i found! I am 22 years old and i have had Mirena since may of 2007 since i delivered my youngest son. I stopped having a period (which is great) but i started having some symptoms that were completely out of the ordinary for me. I started what felt like panic attacks, it feels like tightness in my chest with pain high in my chest. I'm having heart palpitations very often, and sometimes when my heart palpitates (it feels like it stops for a second) i partially black out. i have been attributing it all to stress because i am a full time college student with 2 toddlers and a house to run but now after reading all of these comments i'm not too sure. I have a really hard time focusing, it's like my eyes slide out of focus and i just stare into the distance. I've been having sleep trouble as well... i'm always fatigued but i have a really hard time falling asleep. My mood swings have inreased tenfold. i get so angry at the littlest things and i just can't help myself. the last and most important side effect (at least in the eyes of my husband) is that i have absolutely no sexual appetite. I find myself dreading sleeping with him because i just don't feel like it anymore. I love him dearly and I really think it's not normal for an otherwise healthy 22 year old to have zero sexual interest.

I had my Mirena placed in Jan. 11, 2008. I had my son Sept. 20, 2007. Since I had it placed I gained over 15 pounds, after losing most of my baby weight. I had continuous bleeding for about 4-5 months and than really bad odor started that medication didn't cure. I have very dry skin and unusual amount of acne, I've always had pretty clear skin. I've had a noticeable amount of hair loss and regular headaches. I've also had really low energy and different forms of depression and irritability. Also the biggest thing that really bothers me is I have very low to almost non-existent sex drive.

I just called my doctor tonight to schedule an appointment after doing some research on my symptoms. I will never get an IUD again.

I've had it for about 3 years. I didn't have any problems with the insertion. I can't believe all the problems that people are having. It's been nothing but a joy for me. My periods have stopped. I haven't gained any weight. Everything on this site is just plain scary. I have a few friends that also have Mirena and they love it too. Sorry you other ladies are having such a hard time.

I had Mirena placed just last Thursday and I wish I hadn't. The pain was excruciating, nearly passed out. Ever since, I have been nauseous, headaches, cramping/sharp pains in lower abdomen (not like menstrual cramp) and excessively tired as well as dizzy. I will give it the three to six month trial but as of right now I would not recommend this to anyone. I should have stayed on the pill!!!!!

MY STORY

My Mirena was removed on 29th May 2008.

I had the Mirena put in four years ago,I had terrible pain the day after, it was that bad I was going to go to the hospital Emergency to get the thing out but I put up(the worst thing I done in my life, Im paying for it now) with it and it and the pain got a bit better,had a lot of bleeding (spotting) for the first six months and then it finally went away. For the first year I thought Mirena was Great but then the problems started.I started to gain a lot of weight,facial hair,Very sore breasts, I also had a lump removed from my left breast a couple of years ago, but I didn't know until recently that it was most likely caused by Mirena. Some of the other problems I had, My stomach bloated, I look like I'm six months pregnant ,I have a cyst on my left ovary,dry skin,acne,strange depression,headaches,and the Worst of all I had to have my Thyroids REMOVED on 1st Nov 2006 and I'm pretty sure that was caused by Mirena as well, so now I have to take thyroid Medication for the rest of my life,I had the Mirena removed as soon as I done some searching on the internet for my unexplained medical problems, mainly my weight as I had weighed about the same my whole adult life and now I had put on a few stone and now I have to try and lose it,as for my thyroid I have trouble getting the Meds right its a real pain,blood tests all the time.I just don't feel I have much left in my life,depressed,sick all the time. I eat well as I have high cholesterol so its not that I over ate,I noticed you do feel a lot more like eating sweet things. I found a site called ****** and found out there are thousands of woman,girls with the same problems as myself and that there is a class action law suit going on to Sue. Its worth having a look at this site it helped me a lot.I feel so bad I don't go out anymore I don't see friends or family I'm to depressed about my weight now. I am in the process of trying to find out if there is a Class Action Law Suit in Australia.If anyone knows of a Class Action in Australia could they Please let me know. After having the Mirena removed about 6 weeks ago I thought I was doing ok only a bit of spotting,but about 3 weeks after having it removed I got my period and the pain was unbearable,I was in agony stomach cramps and I bleed so much I thought I was going to die from blood loss,also the scariest was the huge blood clots,very scary,must of been four years of period in 1 week I couldn't believe how bad it was, I felt really sick and weak,but thank goodness its eased off now after a week. I just hope now I might slowly start and feel like my old self. Im also on medication for heart palpitations,I get Heart palpitations (SVT) a few times a week,I had my heart palpitations just after my thyroid removal op and was put on ecg and my heart rate was 176 Beats per Minute I was rushed to Intensive Care and I had to have an injection called Impending Doom (It makes you feel you are going to die) to slow my heart rate,it worked and I was kept in intensive car for 3 days,very scary thing to go through I hope I never have to go through that again,my heart palpitations got worse while I was on Mirena and now I also take Magnesium to help control them as well as Metoprolol which I have been on for some years and I recently read that if you are on Mirena it increases the side effects of Metoprolol.

So if you have had any bad experiences with Mirena please let us know,it will help others with their problems, hopefully. I just wish I never got Mirena and my advice is DON'T its not Worth the risk,if the Doctors had of told me about the BAD side effects I would NEVER of had it put in. Sorry about going on so long, Good Luck to you all,

Thanks Net.

google mirena-side-effects.****** (a mirena help,info site)

UPDATE

I have had it out nearly 3 months now my painful breasts feel normal again,I haven't lost any weight yet, but will soon hopefully,I do feel a lot better but still get some of the symptoms back just before my period.

I get sooo mad when i think of what Mirena done to me and all the other women and how bad some of their side effects have been. I get mad when i read some of the other ladies stories and the terrible things they have gone through ,

Perforations,Miscarriages,IUD's lost in their body,

Hystorectomy,and the rest. I want to wish them all the best, and we WILL get Better and Bayer ,Mirena will PAY some day for what they have done to US..

Okay so I am 27 and I had my mirena put in Jan/Feb 07. It was the most painful procedure of my life. I mean tears and all. I have never had kids so i was a little worried about that because they advertise this for women who have had children but, my doctor said its fine for me. At the time, I was not married, highly sexual active and didn't want any unexpected pregnancies. I had been on Depo on and off since I was 17 and was worried about the Calcium bone loss and weight gain from that so I decided to switch. Any who, I normally had very bad cramps with my period but, with the Mirena they were 10 times worse for like 2 months. I was told that it was normal, of course (What would I know) Time goes on everything seemed normal. My cramping lessened, bleeding lessened, but, i still had my breast tenderness and moodiness and my sex drive seemed normal. However, at this time I wasn't as sexually active. From the beginning I had very sharp stabbing pains mainly in the left side of my pelvis.

I married my sexy wonderful husband in Dec 08 and since about May my sex drive has just died and I am irritable 90% of the time. Now, I am a newly wed, and moved to a new location so I thought all of this was completely due to all of that stress and it might be. However, if its not and it just took took 1yr or so for my body for adjust to the hormones and this is the outcome then I can't continue to get irritated at my husband every time he wants a hug. I just always feel so tense and I WANT TO HAVE SEX AGAIN and be sweet and happy without having to be on percocet. So, i am thinking that i am going to get it removed and maybe try the YAZ thing.

I had my Mirena put in 1/07 and I had it removed 08/08 because my hair would not stop falling out. At first I thought that it was from just having the
baby but after 20 months it just wasn't that. The doctors tried telling me that hair loss is not a side effect from mirena but i beg to differ. My hair has stopped falling out and I am glad I had the Mirena removed before I went completely bald. Now I am taking Yaz which seems to be ok.

very bad experience with Mirena that after having it for 1 year (inserted at age of 43, taken out at 44) it looks like caused me an early menopause at age of 45. not one medic looking at the causes of my nausea, pains has thought that mirena might be the cause. Only after having it removed all these symptoms have calmed down but otherwise always punctual periods (before the insertion of Mirena) have not returned ....would not recommended it anyone!! also the Gynea told me that has some other cases with problematic Mirena...

Let your body heal from child birth before you get Mirena, that is my opinion. I didn't get Mirena until my son was over a year old and i haven't had any crazy side effects, at first the bleeding and spotting for about a month and then my period stopped. i love it so far and reading some of these comments i realized the common theme in them is that many of the women have had problems got the Mirena right after having their child. i really think your body needs time to process all the hormone changes and get back to normal before you add birth control to the mix.

Wondering if any of the other women are experiencing leaking, clear fluid into their panties every morning. I have had my Mirena in for almost a year since the birth of my twins and every morning since I had it inserted when I first wake up and usually after I stand up a get a gush. I spoke to my doctor and he said it was because I didn't have enough estrogen to he put me on a patch for that. I feel like a true chemistry set these days. I am tired, feeling depressed, a TON of my hair has fallen out all round my face and my face broke out horribly. I am considering having it taken out but don't know if I should blame all these side effects totally on the mirena or if some of it not the hair portion is due to being a first time mom to twins.

Please let me know if anyone else is suffering from the morning gush. The best way to describe it is like the clear fluid that weeps from a wound.

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.

I had the Mirena put in Aug 4, 2008, l had light cramping and bleeding after it was put it. I got my period and it lasted for 7 days and spotting for 6 days now. I am so bloated right now, my 4 year old son said my stomach is getting big. I get headaches now which i never use to get before. I have a yeast infection right now. Right now I feel heavy. Im calling my doctor on Tuesday to get it removed.

gain like 5 pounds and bad acne

For all of the poor girls who are searching "mirena experiences" because you are looking for a sure thing contraceptive-
This site is only for people who have had BAD experiences. Read them all if you want, but take into consideration they are the 3%, or whatever number, that had problems. None of these women deserved it, asked for it, needed it, or wanted it, but unfortunately their bodies responded to it in such an ugly manor.

Here's my experience so far....Had it inserted 8/06/08. Insertion was fine. Felt that speculum more than I could feel the actual insertion of the mirena.
Slight cramping afterwards...not immediately-went home and for like 20 minutes had cramps lighter than my period cramps.
For the first week bled lightly, second week had an actual period, week three and week four just spotting. The doctor told me this can go on for up to six months...kinda worth it if you think about it.
No acne problems so far, my hair is fine (and trust me, if my hair was thinning, falling out, or anything like that I would take the mirena out!), muscles and joints feel like they did before pregnancy, still breastfeeding (I know that they say that the mirena will make you produce less breast milk-tell that to my breastfed 13 pound 24 inch long 2 month old. he would disagree)
My breasts are a little tender and at first I was slightly bloated (less than if I were on my period) but that has subsided. Abstained from sex for a month after insertion per my doctor's orders, so I will come back and post if there were any problems with that...NEXT WEEK! yay!
Know that I understand the side effects could show up later.

Now again, EVERYBODY will experience something different. We are interfering with nature. Birth control is one of the most unnatural things we could do to our body.

Again, since this site commonly comes up when searching the mirena, I want for women to know that it might work for them better than it did for others.

I've never responded to a site like this, but now feel compelled to. I had my Mirena fitted 13months ago, after a friend recommended it on the strength of her excellent experience with it. I was on anti-depressants already, so haven't felt an overwhelming sense of depression, but have been thinking for the past 10 months or so, that I get way more tired, have an overall achy body often, painful joints and swollen ankles. All stuff I never experienced before. But the thing that really did it for me was the weight gain. I was only slightly over normal weight at the time of insertion but have been gaining weight steadily. Initially I thought it was just a bit over over-indulgence, but after weighing myself last week, I've made the horrifying discovery that I've gained 13kg in 13 months!!!!!!!! I've never fluctuated more than about 4 kg in my whole life, eat healthily and am normally active. Nothing has changed to what I was eating/doing before. I specifically searched the internet today to see if weight-gain is a problem. It's not listed as a major side-effect on the 'official' sites, yet I see it on many of the postings on this one.
And for those of you who are into alternative therapies, I had myself checked with a kinesiologist for dietary intolerances/allergies that could have caused this weight issue, and what came up is that the problem is progesterone. When she checked if my Mirena was a problem for me, it came up VERY positive. When checked if I should have it removed, the response was equally positive.
It's a pity, as I had none of the other problems mentioned and it's such a convenient method of bc. But in my case it's coming out, before I have to come out as a seriously obese 41 yr old!!!!!

I had Mirena in for two months - and it was hell. I had a non-stop period PMS cocktail, cramps, crazy mood swings, depression, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, etc. My doctor talked me into keeping it in for awhile. I wanted it out after the first week and instead of listening to me she just gave me a prescription for anti-depressants and told me that any side effects from the Mirena would go away eventually. After a few more weeks of torture I stopped listening to her and listened to my body. I've had the Mirena out since Tuesday (08/26/08) and I'm more depressed than I've ever been in my entire life. I don't know if the Mirena crash can happen since I had it in for only 2 months - but I wouldn't doubt it considering how strongly it affected me while I had it in. I had a baby in May and I think the Mirena messed with hormone levels that were already fluctuating post partum anyway. I'm hoping to achieve homeostasis before I go messing with my body anymore. I wonder if it would've been a better option to have had it put in much MUCH later after delivering a baby. Every woman is different and makes her own choices about which birth control works for her, but Mirena was hell for me and that's what I will be telling every woman I know.

I have had the Mirena in for 6weeks and I am so BLOATED(look like I am 6months pregnant), GAINING WEIGHT (I work out regularly but nothing is changing), TIRED all of the time, MOOD SWINGS off and on. I feel CONFUSED at times as if I can't seem to get it together. I am having this thing remove ASAP and will post my comments afterwards to give everyone and update.

I had mirena put in three weeks ago after the birth of my second son. I cramped really bad when it was inserted. I started bleeding like a light period the same day and it lasted a little over two weeks. I have gained a little weight but I can't tell if it's from the mirena or zoloft- I assume it may be a little of both. I am still very bloated, feel nauseated, and have a little acne. I am willing to give it 3 months though b/c that's when most of the side effects seem to decrease. I hope this helps anyone who might be thinking about getting it put in.

I have had this thing in for 6 months and feel the side effects have gotten worse. I spoke to my doctor about the hair loss, fatigue, weight gain and general feeling that nothing makes me happy, she suggested I check my thyroid levels. My results came back as in the normal range, she said maybe I should check with my primary care to discuss other possibilities. She said the hormone in the Mirena is a really low dose and shouldn't be causing these side effects.
I still made an appointment to have this taken out because after doing a little more research I am completely freaked out by this thing. I have an appointment in 2 weeks and will let you know if I go through with it and if it does make a difference.

I had the mirena put in about 5 months ago. I've had the annoying period side effects, having it last for 2 weeks or more. But, for about 2 months now I've been battling yeast/bacterial infections. I have never had a bacterial infection in my life!! I just googled bacterial infections and mirena and I'm shocked to see how many people are suffering from this! Plus, I've had severe mood swings and I've been trying to figure out why I feel like a crazy woman all of the time. I was prescribed clindesse for the bacterial infection, which gave me a yeast infection, after 3 yeast treatments and a diflucan I feel once again like I have a bacterial infection. I don't think that this is all coincidental considering that this is the first time in my life that I've had to deal with odor, discharge, bacteria etc. I'm getting this thing out!!

I had my mirena insertion 11/07...the insertion was a tearful event! I felt like such a wimp...but this site has helped me see the light! The weight gain has been so bad that I don't recognize myself and neither do others! I really want to have it removed but my periods are so bad that I am terrified, not to mention after the insertion I don't want anyone in there anymore! I am considering NovaSure which is ablation of the uterine lining. My doctor told me I was too young (35) but I need a resolution to my periods other than a hysterectomy. I love that I haven't had a period for 10 months now! That is great but I don't know that the side effects are worth it. Thanks to everyone for their postings!!!

I had the mirena put in in june after my third child. I did feel a bit dizzy when it was first put in but did not cramp at all. I was still spoting then from giving birth, so it just continued for about 3 more weeks the stopped altogether. I have not had a period since, woooooooohooooooooooo!!!!!!!! I don't feel bad about that at all. I did have a day when I woke up cramping and thought I was going to start but never did. My doctors nurse told me everything I needed to know about the mirena long before i had it put in. I actually made the appointment to discuss it with her. Everyone should have been smart enough to ask questions before it was done, not the day it is. You cant think straight when someone is getting ready to put a device in you. I have to say I love my mirena and would not trade it for a pill, a shot, or any other birth control method. Ladies know your gyn very well before trusting them. I think most of you just think it is your doctors fault. It is not it is yours for not researching it more. And come on what women is not moody a day in her life, not many. How many headaches did you get before the mirena? How were your sinuses before mirena? Probably the same. Some womens health simply changes after having a baby. I also advise against you removing these mirenas yourselves. It is not smart, you could get a bad infection from not being in a sterile environment.

hi guys it me again. i went to the doctors yesterday and had the mirena taken out. i feel 100 times better. i slept through the night, my stomach isn't bloated anymore, im actually happy and in a good mood. i did start my period so we shall see how long the bleeding lasts.
my doctor did tell me a little about the "mini pill" and paraguard. does anyone have any input on these birth controls?

I am a 39 year old mother of two, ages 6 and 3 had the Mirena put in about 2 months ago and I really don't have any complaints. I just took Advil before it was inserted and went on with my day. The cramping wasn't severe like some women have experienced. If I do have back pain or a headache, I just take advil and then I can go on. This only happens every so often. I was bleeding only a small amount after insertion and now have stopped bleeding all together. I might spot for a bit but it stops, nothing big. In the first month when I was due for my period, I couldn't tell if I got it or not or just light bleeding. I used to have such heavy periods that I wouldn't go out for the first few days. So needless to say, I am pretty pleased so far with my experience.

I am not a person who believes that everything wrong in life needs to have a lawsuit. I DO believe the Mirena needs to have a lawsuit to stop unsuspecting women from getting this EVIL thing placed in their bodies. I had the Mirena inserted in January 2008 after lots of research. I thought that I was making a good choice. After 8 months of hell, I had it removed yesterday. I bled constantly for 8 months straight. I also experienced many other side effects such as achy joints especially after sitting or sleeping. I had headaches, no energy, lower back pain, acne (more now than when I was a teenager). I suffered several infections and had eyesight changes. I also gained 21 pounds in that 8 months. I have not ate carbs in many years and had maintained my weight until I had this thing put in. Needless to say, I am angry that this product is on the market.

I HAD MY IUD IN 2007 AFTER MY BABY BOY AND IN 2008 I GAINED WEIGHT LIKE CRAZY I GAINED ALMOST 30 PONDS EXTRA AND IM GETTING CRAZY WITH THESE SIDE EFFECTS AND THAN I THOUGHT Y NOT USE A MULTI VITAMINS 1 A DAY WHICH IS GOOD FOR WOMEN IT GIVES ENERGY SO I DON'T GET HEADACHES BUT DO HAVE PROBLEM WITH WEIGHT IM JUS NOT LOOSING IT EVEN THOUGH I DON'T EAT FAT FOOD A LOT I JUST SUDDENLY GAINED I HAVE DOUBLE CHIN LOL I LOOK LIKE A FAT COW 157 POUNDS B4 I WAS 130 POUNDS SO U CAN SEE NOW BUT IM THANKFUL TO MULTI VITAMINS PILLS I FEEL MUCH BETTER I DON'T GET THOSE HORRIBLE PAINS IN MY BACK HEAD AND LEGS ...CHEST PAIN BUT IM THINKING TO TAKE THIS SHIT OUT OF ME BECAUSE ITS NOT GOOD BECAUSE IT CAN DAMAGE THE UTRES I THINK AND IM ALREADY HORRIFIED WITH THIS I CALLED MY DOCTOR AS SOON AS I GET HER IM TAKING IT OUT WHEN LAST TIME I TOLD MY DOC SHE SAID ITS NOT MIRENA CAUSING WEIGHT GAIN BULLL S*** THEY JUST LIE I THINK THE DOCTORS I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I CAN GAINED WEIGHT SOO QUICK SO IM GETTING IT REMOVED ..MY ADVISE TO ALL LADIES PLZZ NEVER CHOOSE MIRENA ITS BETTER THAT OUR MEN SHOULD USE STUFF NOT USS I HATE PILLS TOO .. SO I DON'T CARE I WILL NEVER HAVE TO PUT UP WITH S*** AGAIN GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL

Just had mine inserted..it wasn't a pleasant experience at all as my cervix kept tightening up. I didn't feel well the rest of the day, cramping, bleeding, and fatigue. Better today. I hope I don't develop further problems/
What surprises me about this site is that many of the things you are describing are listed by the pharmaceutical company and the FDA as warnings and precautions as well as possible side effects. My doctor went through all of these step by step with me. I have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks and then another at 12 weeks then annually...all to check the device.
Yes, it is terrible that you had to go through these things, but this is a foreign device that is inserted in your body to deliver progesterone...if you are breast feeding, this will get to your infant; you are at risk for an infection; you are at risk for it to move/dislodge; it is a hormone and you may have adverse effects; it shouldn't be used if you have fibroids; immediate postpartum use is cautioned.
I am glad you are sharing your experiences, but I think it would be even more useful to report them to the FDA. Thanks.

I have had Mirena for about nine months now and I absolutely hate it. I have mood swings all the time, when I get a period it's very light but lasts 10-14 days! Not to mention I have had no sex drive (if anyone else has had this problem please email me at ******) since it was placed and I have noticed a dry itchy scalp and dizziness. When the doctor put it in I sat up and a pool of blood spilled out on to the floor, I also got extremely dizzy and got really warm like I was having a heat flash. I cramped the whole day! I'm so glad I found this website I am making an appt to have this removed ASAP!

I REMOVED IT BY MYSELF ; I DIDN'T THINK I HAD IT IN ME; JUST FIND A TIME WHEN YOU ARE ALONE/HAVE A PAIR OF LATEX GLOVES/ FIND THE STRING-WHICH WILL TAKE FOREVER/ AND SLOWLY PULL IT OUT/ SO EASY