Mirena and bouts

Well I think that I have been the most dramatic person posting on this website.I have had the mirena since May 2007 and overall thought that it was the best thing in the world until I started putting two and two together. I have had bouts of major depression, hair loss with every combing, acne galore (Im 30 years old and have always been complimented on my clear skin), headaches,moodiness, been a recluse, no sex drive, when i did have sex it hurt my ex so bad that we just decided not to, and not to mention the weight.I work out twice a day on my bike, do weight lifting 5 days a week and do stomach exercises twice a day.All of this was done to my dismay because I have not loss a daggone pound. The straw that broke the camels back was when I went to see my doctor and he told me that I had to get a rx filled for bacterial vaginosis. (I don't have sex and haven't had sex in 6 months) so it couldn't have come from new or many sex partners(Im not that type of chick). He said that the hormone that the mirena delivers can make the normal bacteria in your body grow in excess. Well I just about lost it. I was so upset that I asked him to remove it. He told me that in order for them to do it I would have to wait until after the holidays. Well that wasn't good enough for me so I marched out of his office, drove home in a rage, and marched upstairs and snatched it out myself. I thought it was going to be painful but it actually didn't hurt at all. I haven't started bleeding as of yet but am prepared for it. The only good thing that I can say I will miss about the mirena is the absence of my period. I went the whole time without one. The thought of not having a period scared me as well. Regardless, this is my story and I know I went to drastic measures but i was extremely unhappy.

I had Mirena put in about 5 weeks ago to control heavy periods. After about 2 weeks I started experiencing a foggy head feeling and bouts of dizziness. I didn't relate this to anything and thought it might be from lack of sleep. Last week I stated having spells of rapid heartbeat and nervousness that lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 hours. Exercising is out of the question since it makes me now feel lightheaded. I feel like I can't think or concentrate. At first I didn't think the symptoms were related to Mirena, but since I am otherwise very healthy and don't take any other medications, I started doing a search online and came to this website. I called the doctor and told the nurse my symptoms and she called me back to say that they never heard of anything like that and I must have some other medical problem...They insisted it was not Mirena causing the symptoms. I mentioned that my symptoms are actually ones listed by the manufacturer as "possible" side effects. They disagreed with that. Now I'm thinking of going to another doctor to remove it, if they'll do it. Can anyone tell me if they had these symptoms and if they got "better" with time? Or do they just get "worse"..??? If I knew that they would improve I would hold on a little longer. Has anyone had improvement after the first few months?

I am so happy to have found this site, I only wish I would have researched prior to having Mirena inserted. I have had The Mirena IUD for nearly three years. I thoroughly enjoyed having decreased flow and some months not having a period at all. However now I realize its probably one of the worst decisions I ever made. Only recently have I come realize that my fatigue, inability to concentrate, loss of memory, lack of interest in anything including sex, weight gain, constant yeast and bacterial infections were most likely due to the IUD and not due to anything that I was doing wrong. I have had bouts with depression and have been on meds for that, however it seemed like I was a basket case, over anxious and often times a nervous wreck. There were days recently where I was lethargic, lacked motivation to do anything. Then I'd have a good day, a day where I felt energized and thought, well maybe it was just the gloomy weather. Now I have come to realize it had to be the IUD. That is the only thing that makes sense. I made an appointment and got the IUD removed yesterday and already I can tell a difference in the way I feel. I woke up this morning feeling well rested for the first time in three years. I am looking forward to getting back to the "old me" rather than just a shell of of person that lacked motivation to do anything. I wish I would have investigated further and not listened to my Nurse Practitioner all these years that told me over and over that my symptoms were not the cause of the IUD.

I'm glad I read this. I got the Mirena in March of 2007. I didn't have any symptoms for about the first year. In February of 2008, I started getting headaches almost every day and thought I had tension headaches... Then, I would come home from work feeling tired and irritable and just sleep for hours, wake up to eat dinner and spend time with my husband and son and then go back to bed. I'm SO tired of being tired and irritable. I've gone through small bouts of depression and anxiety. Then, what's happened in the past two months is that my hair has gotten thinner (my hairstylist even noticed) and I've begun to break out really bad around my chin and neck. I've NEVER had a problem with acne before and now these are scarring! It's horrible. If I hadn't come by this site, I would still be wondering what's wrong with me, but now I know. I'm only 24 years old and I have the sex drive of an 80 year old, I swear. I thought I could wait it out and have Mirena removed as scheduled in March 2009, but I can't! I am getting it out as soon as the GYN can give me an appointment!

I only had my mirena for four days. I had it put in last Friday as the wonder cure for heavy, long and painful periods and I was very excited that my life was about to change for the better. (I do not need it for contraception as my husband has had a vasectomy). The moment I came off the gynae's table I had terrible lower back pain and immediate abdominal cramping. It hadn't helped that the strings had been left too long and the one that wasn't hanging out (!) was stabbing me internally. That was soon rectified early on Saturday morning after a sleepless night of severe cramping when the emergency clinic trimmed the strings for me. I felt immediately better as I was more mobile, but during the day I became aware of an odd, occasional, but familiar pain in my hands and feet. This developed into a constant pain (with occasional shooting pains) over the next few days. I had had these pains during both my pregnancies and they had been diagnosed then as carpal and tarsal tunnel syndrome. I also developed the severe "fanny ache" where it feels like your pelvic bone is going to split in two (another reminder of pregnant days) and sends shooting pains down the thighs. I had a permanent headache - sometimes manageable, sometimes unbearable (bear in mind that the whole time I was dosed to the max with nurofen too!). I was incredibly thirsty all the time, drinking gallons and gallons of water, I had a metallic taste in my mouth (same as when pregnant) and my saliva had become very thick. I think it was this that made me feel as if I had something stuck in my throat. I had bouts of nausea that were similar to morning sickness only more unpredictable than my pregnancy sickness - things like the dishwasher powder was OK but walking past the butchers was not! My boobs grew but were not tender, my waistline grew too - probably as a result of all the extra fluid that I was taking on. I felt thoroughly miserable - although whether that was just because I was feeling like crap dealing with all of that or whether it was a hormonal thing, I don't know. I did eat more but I do that when I'm miserable anyway! I went to see my GP Tuesday morning - he was very understanding and agreed with me that the phantom pregnancy symptoms were due to my body's response to the hormone. When I mentioned that my bleeding had changed and seemed to have become quite watery, he took a swab to check for infection (I don't think that there is/was one - results due later in the week). He suggested that I wait for the results to come back before making a decision. I thought about that for about an hour and took myself to the FPC and asked for it to be taken out. The doctor I spoke to there was unsympathetic, repeated all the side effects that are listed on the leaflet and steadfastly refused to acknowledge any of the ones I was telling him about. He said that the bleeding and the sore breasts would all settle down with time. I explained again that I was geared up to bleed for the next six months if that's what it took - that wasn't the issue, my breasts weren't sore and it was my pregnancy symptoms that were alarming me. He reluctantly agreed to remove it (in fact he was, in my opinion, extremely rude and dismissive once I had asked him), and spent the next few minutes banging on about what contraception I should now use. I referred him to my notes as I got off the table to dress. As quickly as it had come with its insertion, my lower back pain disappeared with its removal. I was astonished. The doctor didn't believe me. 24 hours later, I am still cramping and am still slightly swollen, still bleeding the watery blood but I have no hesitation that I have done the right thing for me in having it removed. My head is in the right place again and I will never complain about my periods again....

I'm 34 and my children are 3 and 5 years old. I had my Mirena coil fitted on 12 Sept 2007, so have now had it just over a year. During that time, I've had bouts of intense abdominal pain, almost constant vaginal discharge, bleeding after exercise or sex and a curious sensation in the region of the uterus that feels like when a baby moves inside you. My doctor dismisses all my symptoms as being nothing at all to do with the coil, but having read the other posts on this site I'm not so sure....
I'm also constantly exhausted and get spots. I am a coward though, and having the coil fitted was so excruciatingly painful that I'm not sure I can face having it taken out so (relatively) soon. I'm off to see the female GP at my practice next week so it will be interesting to hear her take on things.

This site has been a god send. I had mine placed 2 weeks ago and its been horrible. I've been telling myself that everything is going to be fine, but its hard to believe that. Getting it put in put me in tremendous pain. I could barely walk and i had to work a 10 hour shift an hour later. After 2 days the pain went away but i started to notice random bouts of depression. Ive been a totally different person, Im happy and laughing one minute and the next im in tears over nothing! What made things worse was I was starting to feel nervous and shaky on top of wanting to cry all the time. I figured it had to do with Mirena because ive felt this way once before and that was when i tried the depo shot. Within the last few days ive noticed an unusual discharge and itching. Ive been thinking it might be a yeast infection but i have never had one. Its just one more thing im contributing to Mirena. I dont want to get it removed because its nice not worrying about pills or condoms but at the same time I think Mirena is making me crazy. Reading these posts really helped me regain some of my sanity. Ive also heard from many people who used to have an IUD that as soon as they had theirs removed they got pregnant. I know to use condoms but i dont trust them, accidents happen.

My son was born March 2007, when he was 8wks old, to much of my surprise I found out that I was pregnant again. Mirena sounded perfect!!!! I had it placed 7 weeks after my 2nd son was born in Jan 2008. I had what I still assume is normal with any type of birth control method, irregular bleeding,cramping,some slight mood swings. That all seems normal to me when you mess with you body like that. Aug 1, 2008 I woke up at4am with awful abdominal pain sooo bad that I turned to my husband and said that I think I have to go to the hospital. I decided that if I could fall back asleep then its probably nothing major. I fell back asleep (or passed out, I don't know) The next morning I was hurting so bad I couldn't lift anything, couldn't stand up straight, felt weak and felt as though I had rocks in my stomach but had an empty feeling at the same time. The pain was all over my abdomen, stabbing, shooting,pinching. I also had pain aroung my belly button and a noticeable discomfort about my pevic bone. Finally I called my husband to come home, went to the hospital, they took blood, cultures, did an exam and did a ctscan. All normal! WHAT!! Aug 11th still having pain and now having MAJOR HOT FLASHES. I find myself getting so hot and irritated that I cant be around the babies because I am afraid I will yell at them. If I get in a little disagreement with my husband it will most likely end with me saying I want a divorce (I noticed another lady with that same problem) Today I had a ultra sound done and it came back what my (new) doctor says is normal. The problem with that is that one of my ovaries is split and is NOW shaped like a horse-shoe. I was pregnant for almost 2yrs straight and had lots of ultrasounds NOT ONE TIME did anyone say anything about a odd ovary. I'm just going to make a educated guess that it wasn't deformed till after the Mirena. Now I am wanting to remove it but feel like I should get every test known to man first to rule out any other possibility. I really don't want to remove it. I am afraid of getting it removed and even more of getting pregnant when I already have two 10 months apart and still in diapers.
My biggest question is wanting to know if hot flashes are related or if I might be having something else going on. Am I the only one with he hot flashes? I have them all day long!!!!!!!!
Also I noticed after reading other post that some other things may be related like, piercing headaches, itchy flaky oily scalp, weight gain, ear drainage, lower back pain, oily skin, increased smoking, in-grown hairs in inner thigh area, joint pain, fatigue, decrease sex drive.

I am so glad I found this website. I had the Mirena inserted on April 14, 2008. Since then I've been having anxiety attacks and I'm always tired no matter how much sleep I get. My mom had an accident 2 days after Mother's Day (May 13th) and passed away on July 17, 2008 so I thought my issues were related to everything going on with her. On July 24th (the day after her funeral) I was transported from my doctor's office to the emergency room via an ambulance because I was having chest pains for about 7 hours. After 2 EKGs, and blood work, they could not find anything wrong (thank goodness) and I made the doctors aware that I had the Mirena. I haven't had chest pains since then but I googled Mirena side effects because I still have bouts of anxiety and I am extremely tired. After reading the posts I think my symptoms may be related to the Mirena. I will have a talk with my OB/GYN and see what she thinks.

Hi Guys

I had the Mirena fitted 9th May 2008

I had it fitted because I have two kids, one with CF so had decided that was me finished, and they said I was too young for sterilization (29 I don't think so), So we agreed on the Mirena

It has been the worst decision ever, I have suffered from the thing was put in.

I had discomfort pain with insertion but not too bad, but felt really faint and dizzy like the whole day, just had to go to bed!

So then I bled non stop for 6 weeks, the bleeding stopped a few days before my 6 week checkup which showed everything was fine and it was in the correct position.

My symptoms include:
Extremely oily skin, especially on my face
Spots!!! aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
Hot flushes and generally hot all of the time
Tired all of the time no matter how much sleep I get
Lack of concentration, really bad even when I try to concentrate mind just clouds
Dizziness and faintness feeling
Much hungrier and crave chocolate all the time
I suffer from heartburn always but it has gotten worse
I have pain in my lower back every morning
I have had this thing in for 14 weeks and I have had 7 bouts of thrush, it just won't go away
And my sinuses are so well blocked I feel like someone has poured concrete into my head, my ears are blocked my nose everything it's terrible

Anyhow, sorry for the long rant!, I'm having this thing removed on Friday (22nd August 2008) I really hope things improve quickly

It took me quite a while to realize maybe it was the coil, although hubby said all along it was the mirena!!

I will let you all know how it goes

It has been a little over 2 months now since I had the Mirena removed. I am doing a lot better. My dizzy bouts are few and far between now. I have been dizzy today and yesterday but I hadn't been dizzy for weeks before yesterday. The dizziness isn't severe anymore either. I still have fatigue but not nearly what I had when I had the Mirena. I think the fatigue I have now is the kind that the doctors kept saying I had from being a mother of toddlers. Much different fatigue than before. It was so annoying to have them tell me it was from the toddlers because I knew my kids weren't taxing me so much that I couldn't get off the couch. Well the fatigue now is different, I don't have to take two naps a day anymore and I can keep up with normal duties. I hope everyone on here that is struggling gets better soon. Mirena is terrible!!!

I'm experiencing some VERY concerning symptoms and have a feeling it might be from the Mirena. And my doctors think it's just stress! SOMEBODY HELP!

I had a baby 4 months ago and at my postpardom appointment I was talked into getting the Mirena. After I had it inserted it all started with severe cramping and light bleeding that still has not subsided. I have been suffering with chronic headaches, dizziness, and facial numbness. I've also had bouts of anxiety and leg cramping and recently starting to have pain in my neck and one of my lymph nodes on my left side has become present and tender to the touch.

I mentioned all the these symptoms to my OB/GYN and he said "it's NOT related to the Mirena, go to your Primary Care Dr. and get some tests done" Well, I did that, got a full CBC and had my thyroid checked and all of my blood work came back normal. My Dr. said I am stressed after having the baby and to get some rest. I really wanted to have a CT done but after reading this I am beginning to think it's the Mirena as I had not had any of these symptoms prior to the IUD. I think i'll make an appointment to have it removed.

Anyone ot there have any of my exact same symptoms???

I had Mirena put in on Monday at noon and had it removed on Wednesday at 4:30. The time in between was awful. First, the IMPLANTATION (and don't let anyone tell you it's an INSERTION - it's IMPLANTED) was honestly the worst pain I've ever had. It compares to slamming your finger in a door. My eyes immediately teared and I kind of screamed and jumped. The dr. said "It'll only hurt like that one more time." WHAT???? Sure enough, it hurt like that again, then it was in. Then the cramping started. It continued through that day, eased up, hurt a bit the next day. Then my stomach started hurting, and I began developing a bruise on my skin on top of where the Mirena was. It felt as if it were trying to push its way out through my skin. The next day I woke up feeling almost normal, but that afternoon thought I was in labor. Was crying, couldn't take deep breaths or it would REALLY hurt, severe cramps worse than any menstrual cramps I've ever had (and I've had BAD ones). My husband called the doctor and I went right over and had it removed. Within 1-2 minutes I felt normal again.

What upsets me the most is not the promotional piece of literature that only told me the benefits, but the fact that my gyno presented it as The Device That Would End All of my Problems. I would expect a more fair assessment from a doctor.

It ended up being her partner who removed it, and he said, "Mirena's not for everybody." I really wish it had been presented in a more unbiased way upfront.

Anyway, the pain is over now and I'm taking Loestrin. My advice would be to just REALLY SERIOUSLY consider what you are doing before you get this device, and be ready to have it removed if it doesn't work out for you.

I had Mirena inserted right after giving birth to my son, which now would be about 11 months ago. I still have many of the symptoms listed here. I have severe mood swings, am very impatient and am ALWAYS tired, no matter what I do. I exercise every day and get plenty of rest, but the fatigue is very very severe.I go through bouts of depression and I am almost sure this is due to Mirena. I am going to have it removed soon, I cant take these symptoms anymore. Anyone else had it in this long and still feel crappy??

I am 34 years old. I went to the OB today after having Mirena inserted in August. I had a baby last March and was nursing her at the time. I had asked my OB a few months ago if fatigue was a side effect, as I have been just exhausted for months. She said no. I am exercising, eating exceptionally well, and losing very little weight. I have been extremely emotional--on the verge of tears all the time. My marriage is terrible right now.

I mentioned at today's appt that I had some irritation/itching/rawness feeling in my vaginal area. She did a culture of my discharge and said there was no bacteria/infection, but she saw some "premature" cells, (I don't know recall exactly what she said, is a blur, but she gave me estradiol vaginal insert tablets and told me to use them for 3 months. She said that maybe starting me on Mirena while I was nursing got my estrogen too low and that I "shouldn't have to be on this {estradiol} forever." Am I now experiencing premature menopause? No wonder I've suddenly sprouted gray hairs over the last 6 months!

Hi, I'm 27 and had Mirena inserted in Oct. 2006, six weeks after I had my little boy. I have been experiencing extensive hair loss, fatigue, lack of sex drive, heart palpitations, intolerance to cold, and inexplicable mood swings (especially including anger or depression). I haven't gained much weight; however, I have been incapable of reclaiming my pre-baby weight regardless of diet and exercise. I wrote off most of these symptoms during the first year, since I thought they were just the result of my hormones getting back to normal after child birth. But now that my son is almost 19 months old, I've really started to get worried. Not only are these problems NOT dissipating, they are getting WORSE.

I've recently been doing some research, and it appears that these symptoms are indicative of hypothyroidism. I was planning on undergoing treatment for that affliction. However, I don't know what I should do now that I've discovered that so many other women on Mirena are having the same problems as I am having. Perhaps it would be better to switch to a different birth control. It would be stupid to take one drug in order to counter-act the side effects of another, wouldn't it? It may be less convenient, but I know for a fact that I never had problems like this when I used Nuva Ring.

First of all I would like to thank you foe sharing your stories... you have saved my life.

I got Mirena "the monster" in October 2006. For a while I thought it was the best thing ever. In the next few months I gained a few lb, my skin stared to scare after bouts of acne, I did not have the usual energy. I blamed the new job, stress and aging. It seemed like an accelerated aging but I have just accepted it, low metabolism, everyday stress, you name it.

In May 2007 we went for a graduation of a friend. When entering the auditorium I started the feel panicky... it was a weird sensation but I decided not to pay attention to it. I love crowds, I love people. I forgot about it soon afterwards.

During my annual the doctor told me that my thyroid is becoming hypo and I have the elevated number of antibodies.

Then in July 2007 I was returning from Europe I had a full blown panic attack (I know now what it was). I had to be taken to the emergency room where I was treated for tachycardia and ordered to see the cardiologist. The months between July and December I have spend trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I started to have the anxiety attack on the regular basis, insomnia, I lost half of my hair, I was just barely serving, living from day to day, unable to accomplish anything, I was just trying to attend to the basic needs of my family.

I went to the cardiologist, endocrinologist, ob, EarThroots doctor (In September I developed the strange sensation of a foreign object in my throat), my family doctor (several times). I was put on Beta blockers, Xanax , Lexapro. Nothing was helping. I was depressed and absent, could not remember a thing, my mind was under some gaze. I could not understand: I am happily married wife, mother with no worries, great financial situation, job and perspectives. No drama and trauma in the last few years.

But even though it did not make any sense, I started to look for a psychologist/psychiatrist. I hired the private trainer and started the rigorous program of exercising. I learn how to meditate and attended twice a week yoga classes. I read everything in the library on the subject of anxiety, I learned relaxing techniques, bought tapes, music, dvd's. Changed diet. Eliminated alcohol and caffeine. Got massages. Everything provided only a temporary relief.

I started to make notes... the most severe anxiety started every 28 days (for a week) and sometimes in the 14 days. This when I suspected that Mirena may have something with it. Then I found this site and several other sites. In December, after a month of researching I came to the conclusion that it is impossible that thousands women on different continents are hallucinating... and on December 22, 2007 I went to take The Thing out. the best Christmas gift ever!

12 days later I had the famous Mirena crash (thank you again for sharing!), with a mini depression, suicidal thoughts, full blown anxiety and a lot of crying. The period brought a huge relief. The side effects are still present but they are diminishing day by day.

As someone here recommended, just when I was about to start this month "the anxiety period"... I went to acupuncturist. I told him that I need help with anxiety. When on the table he told me that I am having hormonal imbalance, I have a lot of heat (?) inside and that the region that correspond to the liver is pretty swollen. He told me that he is going to help me in 5 session and that I will be able to take off myself and that my body in a few months will return to normal. I have had two sessions, I did not have acute anxiety this months, I almost feel like my old self.

I am off meds, I take occasionally the beta blockers for heart palpitation (one time in January), I started to supplement with vitamin B complex. I drink Sleepy Time Extra -- with Valerian (celestial seasoning) at bed time. If I need to make sure that I will sleep I take the prescription antihistamine (hydroxizinum).

I am sure there is a light in the long tunnel... courtesy of products of Mirena... well ... you could say that I owe them a lot of spiritual growth and learning... at the price of personal hell...

Please know if I can be of any help-- I will gladly answer any questions.

Have hope! Take the damn thing out!!!

I had a Mirena IUD inserted in April 2007 after my second child was born. I wish I would have done my homework. I had it removed yesterday. Nausea, bouts of lightheadedness, weight gain (despite being on Weight Watchers), and allergies. I've never had allergies in my life, so when I was uncontrollably coughing for weeks, and my doctor told me it was allergies, I couldn't believe it. I didn't correlate it to the IUD until now. It started happening last May. Zero sex drive. Zero. Mood swings like crazy. And the doctor told me none of these symptoms could possibly be because of the IUD. She should read these posts.

I had the Mirena IUD inserted in September 2007... BIG MISTAKE! I paid $550.00 for the stupid IUD & another 225.00 for doctor fees!!
Okay here's my story.. I have three children, 26 yrs old, married, 120/122 pounds.. can stay in shape/get in shape easily, happy, VERY short 3-4 day periods.. BEFORE Mirena..
Now.. its been 7 weeks.. And even though I keep to the same diet, I have gained 8 pounds! I have been on a period & constantly spotting for 15 DAYS~ oh yeah.. AND bad, bad, bad, BLOATING!! Yesterday I had Severe Cramps- my doctor is out of town so the nurse actually called in muscle relaxers to help with the pain.. I was in TEARS yesterday. I NEVER EVER had menstrual cramps before.... to make things worse..I am so moody & I hate my quick temper. I have never had acne, but now I get a few spots.. not so bad, but I shouldn't have any. I feel like I don't have control over my body.

My appointment is for this Thursday.. I am getting this thing removed, so I can return to normal!

Before getting this awful thing ( which hurts when inserted & bad cramps afterward) I was using NuvaRing for two months.. I did not have any of these bad side effects with NuvaRing... I am going to try that again.

IN SHORT.. I PAID over $800.00 for severe cramping, 15 day long periods, constant spotting, brown discharge, EXTREME BLOATING, huge weight gain, and acne!! WHAT?!? I want a refund!!