Mirena side effects

I have had the Mirena since Feb. of 2007. I still have heavy periods that last approx. 10-12 days and my cycle is every 26 days. I do have the bloating and extreme fatigue as well as the "lazy" feelings. I have no cramping, no back pain, or headache. It was a piece of cake to have inserted...it was done during my 6 week post partum pap smear and it was painless. While it sucks to have my period for ½ the month (which does nothing for the sex life) and it sucks to be bloated and feel tired, and it sucks when we DO have sex that we can both feel it for the first 30 seconds or so, AND it sucks that I can't wear a tampon with it...I'd much rather have this than have to take a pill (I'm not a good pill taker) and it does prevent pregnancy, and it doesn't have NEAR the side effects of estrogen based BCP's. That being said...I am almost 42 years old with a 3 yr old and an 18 month old and that in itself makes me extremely tired. Also, to bond...I didn't think they would put the Mirena in someone who had never had children??? At any rate...I have really had no problems with it, but I am considering having my husband get a vasectomy so I can get this out of me and maybe the fatigue will leave, and hopefully the periods will get shorter and less heavy. I am also considering an endometrial ablation as well...but knowing my luck, I'll probably still have periods considering I'm in the 10% of Mirena users who still have a period after a year of use. Girls, you just have to accept the fact that we are women with crummy hormones that will give us headaches, and hot flashes, and back aches, and acne, and cramps, and bloatedness, and tender breasts, and a myriad of other symptoms for our entires lives. It's just the way God made us.

Thank you for all of your input, makes more sense to me, and as many of you have stated, I don't feel as "crazy" to know your stories. I have had the Mirena for only 5 weeks, the insertion wasn't that bad for me, as I was still post-delivery of my 2nd daughter, it wasn't pain free but do-able. Then the symptoms (unbeknownst to me as to what they were), I've been bleeding some every day since (plus the post partum bleeding-so I'm quite over it), not bad cramping, but the headaches have started coming which I chalked up to sleeplessness, I've been more irritable by a long shot, my husband is ready to commit me, but my worst symptom is the lower back pain, it's unbearable. I've always had back pain to a point, very manageable, but after the insertion it became ridiculously painful, there are times I can't stand up for about 2 minutes without pain. I'm very thankful to all of you for sharing your stories, and I'm worried now about the Mirena, but I'm wondering if I've given it enough time. I go next week for my checkup but not really trusting to "share" this with the Dr. as he is a man and doesn't know what this feels like

My Mirena, which I have had for 16 months, landed me in the emergency department at hospital at 2am this week. Apparently it had moved and cut a vein in my uterus, leading to 5 hours of very heavy bleeding. A gynecologist was called and he removed the mirena immediately (very painful but quick). It has been a difficult 16 months. The insertion was extremely painful (perhaps because I haven't had children), with bleeding, extreme cramping and vomiting. My period lasted 20 days each for the first 3 months, which was exhausting. My gynecologist advised to stick with it for 6-7 months. After 8 months, my period had finally become lighter and lasted around 8-10 days each time. Side-effects included cramping during the month, and cramping after sex, with occasional light bleeding (which I had investigated, and got the 'all clear', after sex. I've had bloating and what seems to have been increased hair loss. It is now 5 days since I've had it removed, and with the help of prescribed progesterone tablets the bleeding has almost stopped. But I feel more like myself now that its gone. I stuck with it for 16 months, as I was told that it was better for me than other forms of birth control. I have a friend who really likes her Mirena, but it wasn't for me.

My mirena landed me in the emergency department in hospital at 2am this week. I had my mirena fitted 16 months ago. I haven't had children, so perhaps that's why the fitting was so painful, with lots of bleeding and vomiting. I had periods that lasted 20 days each for the first 3 months, and it took 8 months for my period to drop to a lighter bleed lasting around 8 days. I had cramps on and off during each month, and cramps after sex. I never felt really good, and my hair loss also seemed to be greater. I had it removed in the emergency department this week. Apparently it had become dislodged (unusual after 16 months) and had cut a vein in my uterus. I had extremely heavy bleeding for 5 hours before going to hospital, where the gynecologist pulled it out immediately (painful, but quick). I've had heavy bleeding for a few days since, but it is easing up now, thanks to 3 prescribed progesterone pills a day. I have a friend who loves her Mirena, but for me it did not work. My body seemed to fight it all the way.

I had mirena put in 2 weeks ago and i can't stand it, i have my period and it's not normal it smells really bad and the blood is dark major camping no time for any pain management. i have headaches all the time. i'm always crabby i'm more depressed then i am now.. it needs to get the hell out of my body. i hate having my period and i just feel bloated and lazy,i think i have cysts on my ovarys it hurt on one side then in the middle like a cramp im only 21 with two kids and i'm healthy but i can't understand these side effects their just not right,i think it shouldn't be on the market at all...

Dear EZ-RUST ... you must be a doctor with that attitude towards everyone ! I just had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove an ovary/tubes/cysts and so on from Endometriosis. I had the Mirena inserted at that time. MY DOCTOR told me that is is a great thing and I totally trust his judgment being a specialist, also, I did my research and read a lot of these comments regarding side effects prior to my insertion, and I thought wow, that's crazy, but I thought everyone responds to meds differently, I knew two other girlfriends in my office that were looking into this and one is going to be getting this as well. So I did cover everything, got the good reviews from another friend, plus read us on the Mirena... Positive = no bleeding since put in other than mild spotting after surgery, but that spotting was probably related to surgery ...... BUT I now have some side effects after 2 days and thought it was a intestinal / bowel issue ... but I have the acne, mild headaces, look 6 months pregnant = after only 1 1/2 weeks of this being inserted !!!!!!!!! Plus the moodiness which that can be caused by anything in general as well as a sore lower back. I WILL be having this removed as soon as I am back in Canada, I am in the USA enjoying the 4th of July celebrations .... But you are a bit harsh, judging other people ! Conditions are conditions ! Having your opinion is one thing but being so defensive makes me think you work for the company !

I had my Mirena put in May 2009 & have already experienced SIGNIFICANT hair loss. My hair was thin to begin with, and so the hair loss is already extremely visible. I am planning on calling my doctor Monday to get it removed, but what I was wondering was if those of you who have had it removed could tell me if the hair loss got better after removal, and if so, how long does it take? I have totally freaked myself out reading posts on other sites about how women are still experiencing hair loss years later! I am hoping that since I have only had it in for a little over a month, my hair will start to regrow sooner, but is that just wishful thinking? Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks so much

oh please your all a bunch of whiners. I don't understand that when people get something medically new that they seem to blame every little thing on it!!! seriously!!! if it were so bad it would not be on the market..... i have had it for two years.....a little cramping in the beginning which is NORMAL and as STATED on the side effects list. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND that these are listed because they DO AND HAVE happened to other people. That is why they are listed! NOW if you died, got cancer, pregnant or what have you then you can bitch. BUT PLEASE don't complain about the LISTED side effects. it is a wonderful product and it does just as it claims. yea the cramping sucks....the spotting is a pain.....men can feel it during intercourse and yes sometimes they can bump it and hurt you. also it causes cysts to grow on your ovaries which can sometimes require surgery. it can also grow outside your uterine wall at time. and it can fall out. all kinds of things can happen that are LISTED. what i would recommend people should do BEFORE they leap into bed with a new contraceptive is RESEARCH the SIDE EFFECTS BEFORE you decide you want it or not. its simple read the damn sheet and decide if you can live with the side effects. maybe one....or all...or none. THEN DECIDE.

i had the mirena put in in late march 2009...i HATE the MIRENA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had it removed 2weeks ago...i look like like im 20 months pregnant....my breast are swollen...im normally a b cup...now im a 38 c....i've gained about 20 lbs or more...and i HAD beautiful skin...i now have acne...and the pimples will not come to a head...i bled every day that i had it , sometimes heavy some times light and it would be at least for 3 weeks and then i would have either a yeast infection or a bacterial infection the 4th week and i was not sexually active...then the day after i had it removed i had to be rushed to the E/R i thought i was bleeding to death..i passed clots and tissue...i hate that i had this thing in my body....i had the paraguard i.u.d for 9 years with no problems...but you ladies are accurate in calling the mirena EVIL......it must have come from hell.......thank god for this site...im happy to know its not just in my head

I had the Mirena inserted 2 weeks ago and about 5 days post insertion I began feeling changes. The first problem I had was the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. My 2 months old daughter has been sleeping through the night and I was looking at the clock all hours just trying to fall asleep! I had insomnia! Then I began getting horrible acne, deep lumps in chin, very painful. I have been a horrible person to live with. I have been crying for no reason at all and yelling at my husband and children. Luckily, I noticed that these changes began happening shortly following the insertion of the Mirena. I began my research and found this website! I feel so lucky that I realized it was the Mirena before it ruined my life. I have an appointment to get it taken out in 3 days! Of course, my doctor said, "The Mirena couldn't be causing these problems, the hormones are only in the uterus." Bull! I know my body and it is having a terrible reaction to the hormones! Keep your chin up and get the Mirena out, you can be normal again!

hi i had the mirena put in me on april 30, 2009 and to be honest i really don't like it. when i start my period i bleed for about 20 something days and just recently for the past couple of days i have been bleeding just a little tiny bit its really nothing though. i should have started my period a couple of days ago... but with the mirena you don't really know when... anyways i went to the doctor on June 5, 2009 so she could check the mirena... guess what? she couldn't find the strings so i had to go get an ultrasound to make sure it was in the right spot which it was... my doctor told me that since my strings weren't there then it was going to be really hard to take it out... it hurt going in and im scared about how much it was going to hurt. i do have cramps from time to time... acne is bad mainly on my forehead. i want it taken out. i do have headaches at least once a day. heres some advice to any of you women who are thinking about getting the mirena... don't get it!!! My sister in law got the mirena but somehow it got lost in her uterus she got pregnant and had a little boy. the doctors were surprised that she didn't have a miscarriage because usually the mirena will cause a miscarriage. anyways the mirena came out of her because it was embedded into the placenta... again like i said if you want to save yourself trouble don't get the mirena!!!!

Had the Mirena removed and almost instantly felt a little different. I am now on my 3rd day with out it and started my period. I have more energy then before. I feel normal again. I chose the pill. We will see how that works.

I had my mirena place in October 2008. I had no symptoms at first, but about 3 months ago that all changed. I'm losing my hair, severe abdominal cramping, fluttering (like being pregnant), severe lower back pain, dizziness, headache constantly at least once a day. I also had regular periods up until last month, when it simply never came. I freaked thinking I was pregnant I had all symptoms (tender breast, missed period, frequent urination, and nausea). So I called my doctor and demanded he order a blood test because with my son the home pregnancy test did not show positive until I was 3 months pregnant. Of course the test came back negative, but I swear I am pregnant, all the symptoms I had with my son I am having now. I know that I'm not but these are crazy side effects from the mirena..Also I didn't know until I read on here that the cyst are a side effect I have one on my right hand that just appeared out of no where about 3 months ago as well..It hurts just to type :)....In the end I will not have the mirena removed, the benefits surely out weigh the risks. Good luck to everyone with the mirena!

I had a mirena a couple of month a ago
after the mirena place i noticed i bleeding a little bit until i had a monthly period..
but i doubt it I am still bleeding until now actually my monthly period is last 4 to 5 days..
Let me know who would have the same problem..
thank u

Now you guys have me all paranoid. Are any of you first time mothers because some of these things your are experiencing are also post childbirth side effects. Hair loss, when you are pregnant you stop loosing hair, those couple of hairs you loose every time you comb your hair, well they stop happening but you keep growing more hair hence the fantastic thick pregnant lady hair. Once you have the baby the hair that didn't fall out while you were pregnant finally falls out. Also if you are breastfeeding it can cause you to loose your sex drive, its your bodies way of preventing another pregnancy because pregnancy can make your milk supply dry up and then your baby has nothing to eat! My only symptom that sucks that I KNOW is from Mirena is acne and and that's because of the kind of BC it is, which is just something I have to deal with because its the kind I need that wont mess with my milk supply and my son comes first! I am having no mood swings or depression which is something, if someone's going to get it its going to be me, I was diagnosed depressed and bi-polar and an anxiety disorder all through my teenage years and I'm fine now, maybe a little anxious but that comes with having children!

I do also have back pain but I always get back pain when I have my period and well, I've been on my period for almost 3 weeks now so.. A lot of you just sound like tired over worked Moms.

PS: tiny 35 year old.. your 35, your metabolism slows down with age and with every child you have, you can't eat all you want anymore, I lost that ability with my first child before Mirena, you just have to exchange the oatmeal cream pies for carrot sticks, its what I do.

-mood swings
-constantly stressed
-depression
-fluttering in stomach ( like a baby moving)
-Irrational anger

I had mirena inserted last year ( april 2008)
i was loosing hair but after 3 months that side effect was gone and now its the opposite
It's been over a year and i was happy about how effective it is, and that i lost my periods , later ..I actually wanted to make an appointment with my doctor for all the mood swings and depression, stress anxiety at one point I thought I was bipolar, or maniac depressive but i thought about mirena and found this webpage read all the women out there that have my sintoms so now I truly believe its mirena...I will get it removed and see if thats what it is

Mood swings ( severe)
Depression
constantly stressed
Irrational anger
Fluttering in stomach (like a baby moving)
Got Mirena inserted longer than a year ago ( April 2008)..I was loosing hair but that side effect was gone after 3 months now is the opposite

At one point I actually thought i was bipolar, or maniac depressive ...getting a doctors appointment asap...too bad i really like the no periods and very effective but the side effects are really hurting me and ppl around me mood swings are very severe :(

I have had the Mirena for over two years now. I have had some slight negative symptoms; however, I have been please. I suffer from IBS-D (chronic diarrhea). Since I have had the Mirena, I have been close to cured...not much diarrhea, until recently. I wonder, does the effectiveness of the Mirena change as the side effects change?

I'm 35 and had Mirena inserted on April 7, 2009. I didn't notice any side effects, until now. I've always been on the petite side 4'11" & have weighed between 94 - 98 lbs. I could eat everything & anything, never exercise and not worry about gaining weight ever. Now I weigh 106, which doesn't seem like a lot to most people, but it is for me. The weight I've gained is in my stomach area. My pants now fit snugly around the waist & I've thus developed an ugly "muffin top". So I can't wear form-fitting shirts because I feel like everyone can see my "muffin top". I've never felt so unattractive before. Most people get mad & say I look the same. But I know my own body & know this is unnatural.

I pretty much don't have a sex drive either. I'm never "in the mood" and just go through the motions numbly.

I've also become a mega-bitch. I feel like I'm angry at the world & always trying to pick a fight with my boyfriend. I hate being this way & am thinking of having Mirena removed very soon!

The only positive thing about Mirena is you don't have to worry about anything: no daily pill or messing with condoms. Also, my periods are super light.

Of course, I know everybody's body is different and will react to Mirena in certain ways. Just thought I'd post to see if anyone has had similar side effects.

Hi Ladies, like all of you I too have my share of Mirena issues. I have had my IUD in since March 2008, so a year & four months now. To start with the positive- I do not get periods. I haven't had a period starting the following month I had it put in. Now for all the Negatives- Bad Acne and usually I have great skin. Not anymore. They are more like red bumps mainly on my forehead, Constant migraines, mood swings, constantly stressed, pain in my lower abdomen, lower back pain (Doctors thought I had a kidney infection- all urine, blood tests, pelvin ultrasound, CAT scan were normal), constant urinating & cannot hold my urine (like a bad UTI), I have noticed when I comb my hair after washing it, I am losing a lot of hair, I get a lot of dizzy spells all the time, painful cramps in my legs, fluttering in my stomach (like a baby moving/kicking- I thought I was pregnant), I have a lot of discharge- I will be walking a big gush just comes out, my sex drive is barely there- I am in my 20's and just about every time I have sex with my husband I will just go dry in the middle of it & just about every position hurts, I have very itchy skin now. I am always scratching especially my legs. I am always applying lotion to help with the itching, I also developed a ganglion cyst in my hand next to my wrist. It was so painful my hands would swell, numbness & tingling in my fingers, pain in my forearm, I just had a needle aspiration done a few days ago. Now that I have confirmed the side effects with this site, as soon as my doctor's office opens I am calling to have this trash removed!!! Thank you Ladies.

I had my Mirena put in in July 2007, 2 months after I had my son. I had no problems with it until about 6 months ago when my periods became more erratic. It seems like when I actually have a period, I'm fine during it and for about a month after it. Bu when I would normally be having another period, I start to get grumpy. The longer I go without one, the angrier I get. I am normally a very nice, patient, loving person, but during these times I am extremely angry at the world and am very impatient with my boyfriend and son, which really hurts me. I realize I'm doing it sometimes and I always feel bad about it afterwards, but I can't control it when it does happen. I just snap. I've NEVER been like this in my life!!! I'm having it taken out asap.

I feel so relieved to have found this website. I am going to call the doctor and have my Mirena removed ASAP! I have been experiencing many different random health problems lately. Which is strange because I am an extremely healthy person. My husband was laid off from his job and we lost his health insurance, so through all my symptoms I have just been suffering through it because I couldn't afford to go to a million doctors and have a million different tests run to find out the source of my symptoms. It started with itchy hives on all of my joints, elbows, knees, knuckles, toes and fingers. Then a symptom I had gotten during my pregnancies called PUPPP which is basically ugly, little, red bumps that ooze a clear liquid and itch like the dickens on my hands, fingers and legs. Then a big knot developed under the skin on my right wrist. The pain started on top and started radiating all the way around my wrist. Then the numbness, tightness and pin-prick pain occurred in my fingertips, then my hand, then my entire arm went numb from the elbow down. I also had horrible pain in my reproductive area on two different occasions that had me doubled over in pain. It felt exactly like contractions. I also have been bleeding every day for several months. Not enough to call it a full blown period, but bleeding every day. Some days, blood streaked mucus, other days full on blood clots would drain out of me. I've has horrible back pain and have been very fatigued even when I am careful to take care of myself. I also am naturally a very optimistic person who can handle bumps in the road of life, but lately, even though I hate to admit it, I have been down-right depressed. I have lost interest in all my interests, have a hard time shaking off life's set-backs, find myself on the verge of tears a lot, and basically have just wanted to pull the covers over my head and not wake up until I can just feel like myself again. Then last night my lips started to tingle, numb and swell. Then the same thing happened again tonight. I told my husband I am just falling apart and don't know what's wrong with me! I have never had any health problems before and now it's a new symptom practically daily. He said he had been doing some research and that he thought I was allergic to my IUD. I immediately Googled "Allergic reactions + Mirena" and found this website. It is such a relief to know that I might actually have an answer to all my problems. I can hardly wait for the doctor's office to open in the morning, I want this thing out right now and I want my life and ME back!

I had teh Mirena inserted in February 2009. The last two months I have had BAD back pains, hair loss,hair loss,hot flashes and headaches like crazy!! At first I thought something was wrong with me other than side effects from the Mirena but when I found this website and read the comments..... I ALMOST LOST IT! I will definitely be having this removed! I can't take it!! Not only that I bleed at any given time of the month sometimes light sometimes not!! Now I'm scared they won't be able to find it! The first couple of months I didn't see or remember any side effects but now they are definitely there!!!

I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS AS EVERY ONE DESCRIBES ABOVE, EVERYTHING HAS BEING OING VERY WELL SO FAR, IVE HAD IT PUT IN OVER A MONTH AGO.

I went on the mirena a month ago, had a light period ever since, but nothing could stop me . i haven't had any of the symptoms that every one describes, guess it doesn't work well with everyone. I did have light cramps after i had it put in but since i been fine. I have no problem with hair loss, sex drive or anything else. so i would say my experience so far has been good.

I had Mirena for 9 months and I finally got it removed today. It turned me into a completely different person, I was edgy all the time, mean, and depressed. I gained 15 pounds in 9 months! My blood pressure was very high and I got headaches almost everyday. I bled for the first 3 months non-stop. The finally subsided but then I started getting my period for 2 weeks at a time. I am SO happy it's out. Just wondering when my hair will grow back?

Can anyone tell me how long it took before they had their Mirena removed for their hair to grow back? I had my removed on Tuesday and it seems like my hair is falling off more now.

I have been on the Mirena for 4 years, and I've passed out, had horrible anxiety attacks, and my doctor says its not the cause, that I am depressed, and everything else. Considering I NEVER felt like this before that, I decided to look it up, since it has going horribly worse. I am making an appointment today to get it taken out.

I forgot to mention also...sex was VERY painful in most positions. I assume its because I chose to have a foreign object inserted in me! I feel so stupid now.

I forgot to mention:

UPPER LEG PAIN AND LOWER BACK PAIN.
both really bad until i would say the 4th month it slowed down- cramping did a little bit too- but after about 5 months now- the cramping has gotten worse.

i had the Mirena inserted in Feb '09. first off, it hurt very badly going in. On my way home from the doctors, i was cramped over and swearing from the pain.

CRAMPING every day (mainly in the morning and seem more severe when dehydrated from booze the night before. BLEEDING everyday, all day- not much but always there. WEIGHT GAIN- i have always been skinny and felt skinny- but now I have weight in places I never had it before- even my one ankle looks swollen. I lost my job (b/c i blew up at my boss) and have been real lazy and tired ever since, but after reading these other comments, may be related.

I admit that I have been sexually active (unprotected) with more than a couple people since, which is an IUD no-no. BUT I was tested for IUD infections before it was inserted, and ordered a sonogram which showed a swollen ovary and cists (which I have always had cists and no problems like these) I was on the DEPO SHOT for the past 8 yrs, the pill was horrible- pains related to blood clots so thought the IUD would be safer with less trips to the doctor. When i lost my job, i lost my health insurance.

I'M NOT SURE if i should have the IUD REMOVED????? seemed like the best thing for me, but not sure how long I can go on like this and can't afford further testing.

Please share any advice or similar problems. thank you.

Someone please tell me this! I had my mirena put in aprx 3 months ago. At first I didn't notice anything but now my biggest problem is the bloating. I was on the depo for 8 years prior so that is why I have yet to get a period, however I would really like to give this a chance! Did anyone have the bloating issue and it went away? My other side effects are back pain,mood swings,small weight gain! I just want to know if anyone had the bloating and it went away!

WOW! I had no idea that all these things that are happening to to me could be related to Mirena!! I have gained aver 20lbs, I have no sex drive, sleepy all the time, ZERO patients. All this started after I got Mirena. I got Mirena on Jan. 19, 2009, and my life has went down hill from there. I catch myself crying for no reason,I go from sweet to bitch in ONE SECOND!!! MY lower back hurts all the time. I have tried to lose the weight but I can't. I joined the gym. I do pilates, kickboxing and body sculpting and still i have no results. I cramp almost everyday. It hurts to have sex. You name it , I am feeling it. I made an appoint for Wednesday the 8th, hopefully they remove it!!!!!!! I will keep ya'll updated. Any body have any answers to my problems until then.

Day 16 post removal. Still NO BLEEDING. Anyone else like this? I'm worried.

I can't believe how reading all of your horror stories make everything "come together" for me too. I have been on Mirena for almost a month and had side effects from day 3 on. It started with this overwhelming fatigue and what I assume was depression. I am the happiest, most vibrant person and all of the sudden I was fighting back tears for no reason at all. Then around day 5, the cramps started. I thought I was going to die. I couldn't work, couldn't sleep, couldn't play with my kids. It was awful. They subsided after about 4 days. Then the worst happened. I started losing hair...I mean clumps, not just natural shedding. I have long dark hair and when I showered it looked like I was on chemo or something with the amount of hair hitting that shower floor. So scary! Then the headaches, OMG! Awful! Remember, all of this happened to me in just a few weeks time. So I'm freaking out crying last night because of my hair and I call the doctor and they think its my thyroid so they're sending me to an endocrinologist. Then my mom found this website and it all came together for me. MIRENA! So needless to say, I am having it removed tomorrow morning. Oh yeah, and I've gained 7 pounds in 3 weeks...nice.

Had it inserted on June 15th of this year. I have had cramping every day since. No other side effects but I will have it removed if these cramps don't subisde. I can't get over how many people have had horrible experiences with the Mirena. The doctor never said a word. Why would they say how great the Mirena is when so many women are having all these problems?

Ladies, as you can see, you're not alone.

Mirena was put in on June 19th, and since day 3 or so I've been fighting depression, irrational anger and anxiety, no interest in sex whatsoever. I don't like myself. The cramping has let up considerably, but is still noticeable. I have a 2.5 y/o and a 2 month old. I normally have the patience of a saint, but with each passing day I find myself having less and less with my oldest. Little things that would usually not bother me, now make me want to punch through a wall and scream. This is NOT ME at all. I called my doctor yesterday and explained all this to him, and he offered to call in a script for happy pills, which I declined. He thinks it is a combination of PPD and the IUD, but I felt absolutely fine before I got the IUD. I got the earliest possible appt, July 6th, to have it removed.
On a positive note, I am exclusively breastfeeding my son. I was concerned about my milk supply being affected, but so far we're having no problems.

I am literally in tears after reading all of this, I'm beginning to think that Mirena ruined my life and I didn't even know it.

I stumbled upon this site while searching for Mirena side effects related to periods. I had mine inserted in October 2007, at my 6 week checkup after my daughter was born. I had severe cramping and irregular periods for about 3 months, but after that, my periods have been completely regular and pretty much the same as they had always been before my pregnancy and Mirena. But, just now, I've started my period 2 weeks early and was slightly curious if it may have anything to do with the Mirena. Apparently, it may. And now I see that having an early period is the least of my worries.

I've been experiencing so many of these side effects without even realizing they were side effects! I had put everything off on stress, disliking my job, then losing my job, the fact that "pregnancy changed me," and numerous other things. Now I feel sort of stupid for not even thinking that it could be Mirena.

I had my daughter in August 2007, at 23 years old. Mirena was put in during October of the same year. I was overwhelmed with motherhood and suffered from post-partom depression and severe anxiety attacks. I thought that this was what was causing my complete lack of sex drive.

Seriously, the thought of sex physically made me ill. And on the rare occasion that I did give in and have sex with my husband, it was so painful that I would cry. For a long time I thought that it was just because my body was not finished healing after giving birth. I had been told by several people that it isn't uncommon for sex to hurt for up to a year after giving birth. A year passed, and it still hurt. Now it's been almost 2, and it still hurts. I've probably had sex a total of about 10 times since I started Mirena. It's been 21 months.

On top of this, I've also had serious rage issues. I fly off the handle over the smallest things. For the longest time, this rage was directed mainly at my husband. Everything he did was wrong, hurtful, stupid, or just plain irritating. I'm even getting angry right now, just thinking about him. I left my husband 5 months ago, because I simply could not stand him anymore. But when someone asks me why we're getting a divorce, I really can't come up with a good reason. Sure, he made some mistakes, and did some stupid things (don't all men?), but he never really did anything terrible or life altering. He was always faithful to me, was generally a good husband, and loved me unconditionally. So why can't I stand him? Why don't I love him anymore? I can't logically explain it.

So now that I don't have him around anymore to be angry at all the time, I'm starting to direct my anger at my daughter. She'll be 2 in August, and has started that "terrible 2's" phase. I'm very quick to just completely blow up and yell at her for the littlest things. I've been starting to think that I'm just not cut out to be a parent. I love her with all of my heart but I have no patience with her at all. If this rage issue is, in fact, caused by the Mirena, I have to admit that I'll be somewhat relieved.

Other than anger, I'm pretty much emotionally dead. I've cried ONE time since my husband and I split up (well two now, since reading all of your posts actually made me cry). I'm jobless, husbandless, living with my mother, and pretty much have absolutely nothing going well for me in my life right now... and I have not cried. I don't even feel very sad. There has seriously got to be something wrong there.

I'm constantly tired, and if given the chance, will sleep 14-16 hours at a time. I don't feel like doing anything. I thought this might be signs of depression... but again, I don't feel sad. I can't keep up with my daughter. She's so full of energy and I often have to get help from my Mother. I'm 25 years old and I'm so tired I have to get help from a 48 year old woman!

I get headaches almost daily. Migraines weekly. I've got severe anxiety about just about everything. I freak out about driving, being around groups of people, anything new, anything fairly difficult, or anytime my daughter is with a sitter or relative. Even when my husband has her, and he is a wonderful father, and very responsible with her. If I had insurance, I would probably already be on anxiety medication.

I've started getting acne, which I never ever had. Not even as a teen. Now I get those really deep pimples that never come up to the surface, and they ache very badly.

I haven't had a lot of the physical side effects that have been talked about here. No weight gain or loss (120 lbs pre-pregnancy, 145 lbs at 9 months, 125 lbs now). No hair loss. No bloating. No breast swelling/soreness. Normal periods until just now. No pains or flutters or anything. Really the only physical symptoms I've had are the headaches, acne, and tiredness (all of which I attributed to stress) and the pain during sex.

Do you ladies think that my symptoms are all the cause of Mirena? Does my story seem to fit the bill? It seems to all fit, to me. But maybe I'm just looking too hard for an answer. Please give me your opinions! I need to decide if I should start saving up some money to get this thing taken out of me!

Oh wow ladies. Thank you all so much, really, for speaking out about this horrible birth control. Everyone but my husband thinks I'm crazy for associating the Mirena with all of these symptoms. I got mine in December '08 after having my daughter in October. Within a month I had lost my breast milk. I bled for about 3 months straight, plus severe cramping (I screamed that I wished I was in transitional labor again and I gave birth without drugs), and all the other things you ladies have said. I thought there was something horrible wrong with me. I can't have sex because it's too painful for me. My entire genital area has been irritated and swollen since I got the Mirena. Since I have sensitive skin, I just thought (at first) it was some sort of skin allergy to detergent or something. I've since switched everything: underwear, detergent, soap, toilet paper, etc. and it hasn't helped. Now I've finally started finding out about the negative side effects of the Mirena and I know it's causing all of these problems. My doctor and everyone else I've talked to about this has told me that there was no way that the Mirena could cause these problems, but I know my body better than them.

Thank you again, ladies.

Hey Everyone...
I was really just reading... but it's all just to familiar. And now I'm questioning some things I thought were just stress or whatever.

Headaches, always tired no matter what... pain.... crazy crying episodes...

I know everyone has mentioned headaches... but is it in a certain spot or go into the ears ever? I had sever headaches for like two weeks and they would always be around the back of my head and in my ear. And reading all of this, I just realized that it started a couple days after getting the mirena put in... And although my ears have stopped hurting I still get headaches at least once a day.
Has anyone just felt achy too? Like I've got the always tired feeling and EVERYTHING hurts. But I am always achy on top of it... Like my body just went through a rigorous workout or I just got over the flu... only neither has happened.

And I know what you mean about sex drives! I haven't always had the best sex drive, but it was certainly a lot larger than it has been in the last month. (I got mirena put in just over a month ago) The sex drive thing just seems to get worse. Is it just not there for you guys or do you have the feeling but go dry anyway? That's what I keep doing. I want my husband so bad, but right in the middle of everything I'll go completely dry... And then of course he'll freak like it's his fault or like he really thinks I'm not interested.... And if we do manage to get further it hurts so bad I'm almost in tears... but I can't bare to tell him because the lights are out and I just want him to be able to finish and have faith in me again.
I thought mirena would be great because I have two kids already and would be scared to death about getting pregnant again throughout having sex instead of enjoying it. Now I'd do just about to be able to share that special time with my husband again.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I would cry over anything. From an argument with my husband to the sappiest of sappy movie scenes.... When I'm not pregnant I rarely cry. For the last week or so I've had tears welling up a couple times. It's driving me nuts. I don't think that I act much different other than that though... And no one has really noticed that I know of.

Are these like the symptoms you ladies are experiencing?

I finally had the mirena removed today. It was in for 7 weeks or so - in the past couple of weeks i couldn't get a grip on anything w/ my hands being stiff - my back has gone from bad to worse, barely able to stand let alone keep standing. I gained 20 POUNDS!! in 7 weeks! and i was on a roll before insertion, losing all the baby weight plus some (i'd lost 15 lbs post-pregnancy)!I broke out all over my body in itchy patches, which the resident i spoke to said it wasn't possibly the mirena - though bayer had noted it in 5% of women who received it. When i told her i wanted them to remove it, she didn't look too surprised after all the symptoms and weight gain i'd described. So hopefully i'll be back to my old self in a few days - few weeks at most!

BTW:
When I described my symptoms, she suggested the testing for anemia and thyroid problems! - something that I've NEVER had issues w/ in any of the blood work I've had done in the past.

I got Mirena inserted back in April 2009 after my son was born. I have been feeling tired and have had back aches as well as some increased vaginal discharge. However, no foul odor and my sex drive is just fine. I'm wondering if the effects get worse the longer you have it in? It seems that most of you are experiencing these horrible side effects after 6months or so.
I'm going to keep my Mirena in and see how things go. It is a convenient form of birth control, but since I no longer have a period I get very paranoid that I could be pregnant again! :\

I am relieved to find that I'm not the only one feeling these side effects!

On January 30, 2009 I had my Mirena put in (about 4.5 months after the birth of my son). The doctor never went over the side effects just touted it as the best thing since sliced bread. It was more painful than labor, delivery or the healing afterwards! I bled so much it looked like the linens were from a child-birth and that was just putting the dang thing in! The doctor had to waste one before she could get it seated correctly.

I bled for three months after insertion non-stop. Sometimes it was very heavy and sometimes it was lighter - but it was always there. I cramped all the time.

Since then I have stopped bleeding all the time but I start bleeding/spotting again at the drop of a hat. If I twist, turn or bend the wrong way I start bleeding. Sex makes me bleed. I think I am single-handedly keeping Always and Carefree in business at this point. I have been bitchy, cold, no sex drive, reclusive, back pain almost all of the time, bloating, unable to lose weight, short tempered and maybe worst of all I SMELL! I am a very clean person. I have only ever had one single sex partner (my husband). Since the Mirena was put in, I feel goopy, gross and wet all of the time and there is a smell which I cannot describe except to say "dirty" or "used". I may also be keeping Summer's Eve "personal" wash in business too.

At this point, I am very seriously considering having the Mirena removed. I thought a lot of what I was feeling was in my head or not related but apparently I was wrong.

I have been on Mirena for 6 months now. I am 35, with a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I am so happy I found this website! I thought I was going crazy! I too have had terrible low back pain, migraines (never had them before), fluttering (feels just like there's a baby in there), hungry constantly, and worst of all, EXHAUSTED all the time. I thought I had some terrible disease until I found out all of you wonderful ladies have the same symptoms. Thanks for making me feel normal.

On the other hand, it is a very convenient birth control, you don't have to think about it. My insurance covered it 100%. Although I had daily bleeding for 5 months, it's finally stopped and I have not once had an actual period, which is wonderful. We are discussing getting my hubby "fixed" so I can get my energy back. I miss the old me!

I had the Mirena put in last August after having twins in March. Have had no complaints until recently. Now all of a sudden I notice that I am nausea frequently and keep having fluttering in my belly that makes me paranoid like maybe I am pregnant. I don't really feel pregnant but then again I keep feeling this weird movement that makes me think I could be. I have not had the acne everyone is describing except maybe these little bumps I keep getting on my arms that were never there before. Only have had the nausea and recently the fluttering in the belly. As far as the weight gain, I do feel like maybe I have gained some weight. The biggest thing I can't seem to get rid of is my belly still looks a little pregnant. I noticed a few others have had the same problem, but I have been equating all of this to having twins. I don't have anything else to compare these things to, since I only have my twins and have never been pregnant before. After reading this I think that maybe it is the Mirena and not be just being paranoid about being pregnant! Does anyone else keep feeling that too?

I had Mirena put in last June '08. It is now June '09 and I had it removed yesterday. I had my child May '08 and was 10lbs away from my pre-birth weight when I had the Mirena put in. Now I am 10lbs heavier than I was in my ninth month of pregnancy! Its like I am pregnant all over again. My belly is always distended, feet and hands swollen. It is the worst 10 days surrounding when my period occurs- I can't fit in my clothes. Libido is zero and I have been foggy and unable to concentrate for the past year. The fatigue is considerable. I thought it was just being a new mom- since my Dr. told me this BC has no effects, but based on my previous experiences with the Pill- I think that anything with hormones is just a bad idea for me. After the mirena was removed yesterday, I have not stopping urinating! Belly has already gone down a little bit. I hope this does not screw me up too much!

Well for the longest time I assumed that my side effects were because I was a new mom. Even though my friends had babies and were fine I figured it was just me. I just found this site and told my OB that I wanted it out but they insisted on running tests for my thyroid {norm} and anemia {norm} and I'm still waiting for the results of my STD {yes they went that far} panel, but considering me and my husband are faithful it really makes me question their sanity. Plus I got 3 kinds of pregnancy tests, Blood, Urine and Ultrasound which also paired to make sure my IUD was in the right place and checking for cysts. Yea all normal and no pregnancy. Go figure.

I've had my mirena since jan 07 right before I turned 19 and 2 months after I had my daughter. In the beginning I didn't notice side effects that is until jan 08 when I noticed I went from a fit 190 {which with my height and bone structure it was muscular and fit} to 250 which for someone who's life didn't change was odd. I went on a research weight loss drug which actually helped with some of the symptoms and dropped my weight to 195 but I still had the 4-6 month pregnant belly not happy at all. After the weight loss pills were done, I remembered the horrid effects. Severe migraines, pelvic pain, strange sensation to push while peeing {yes labor push}, nausea, mood swings, sore breasts, fluttering in abdomen, joint pain, lower back pain, Low to no sex drive {I'm 21 and its NOT NORMAL} and this fatigue its ridiculous! A sensation like the presence of a baby rolling you know that weird pressure? I honestly can't stand it anymore I want to be a normal mommy. Not weird and like an alien is living in my belly.... I love this birth control because it is good but the side effects are crippling. Between the pain, fatigue and migraines I can't hardly function, I'm 21 and SHOULDN'T FEEL LIKE THIS, It's actually rather saddening.

Is anyone else in their 20's and feels like this?

I had my Mirena IUD placed in on July 08, I've had a period every month since then; waiting to see when im actually not going to menstruate. It is not as heavy as it was before the mirena, it has been a light flow that lasts about 3-6 days. I have awful mood swings, Wanting to take everything out on my husband.. Very horrible migraines , so horrible I can't even function. I break out from time to time, and i have NEVER had acne! I have been experiencing tremendous hair loss. Thinking I just had a baby so that may be the reason why my hair is falling out..Im always tired and depressed! Now im hearing some doctors cant even find the thing!!.... Never again... Id rather have another baby

I have been on the web for over a week now trying to get some answers. Dec 2008 I gave birth to twins. We may want more children later, but wanted to wait. So in Feb 2009 I got the Mirena placed. I had a period Feb, Mar,Apr. But have not had one since. I have had breast tenderness, migraines, fluttering in lower stomach, pitching pains in my cervix. I had a c-section, so I am not exactly sure what it feels like to have your cervix completely dilated, but I went into labor 4 times before having my twins. So it's that similar pain. I honestly feel pregnant. Way tired, not wanting to eat. I have taken test after test, but all are negative. Was wondering if anyone else has gotten pregnant and had a negative result. I am going to the doctor Thursday, and there is a great possibility of removal.

My experience with Mirena has been awful. I had it inserted a little over a year ago (2 months after the birth of my younger son). Since then I had cramping ALL the time, significant hair loss, periods every three weeks, then every two, then every week and a half. They only last three days on average, but I go through a heavy tampon an hour. I lost a lot of weight while on Mirena, but I don't know if that can be attributed to it-just diet and exercise. I had severe bloating, depression and mood swings, complete lack of sex drive (very much unlike me), here's the kicker. When I went to get it out (last week), they couldn't find it. So after 3 ultrasounds, 2 xrays, and a CT scan, they found it. It's perforated my uterus and is floating around in my abdomen. The evil thing has gone rogue!!! I'm scheduled for a laproscopic surgery next week to find the damn thing, followed by a more in-depth surgery to remove the evil.

If you're thinking about getting it---DON'T!!!