Mirena and depression

I have had the mirena about 6 months and it is the worst type of birth control that you could go on. It will cramp you to death, sometimes it cramps me worse that I ever cramped while on my period. I would not advise anyone to have it inserted. It affects people in different ways but it is very painful. I have had some really serious depression and headaches since this has been done.

hello, i got the mirena in 2007 and after i got it put in a few months went by and everything was fine. then i started getting sick in the mornings and i thought great this birth control sucks i am pregnant again. but that wasn't the case because i took test and it said no and then the docs told me that nausea was a side effect so i figured i would just leave it at that. but it only got worse i started getting really bad headaches, pain in my stomach, sick all day long, and for some reason i couldn't eat more then once a day but i would gain weight i was depressed and i felt like a complete piece of crap. it also made me gain weight i am 22 yrs old and i have never weighed over 130lbs even when i was pregnant during the 2 yrs i had the mirena i gained 15lbs my experience with the mirena was absolutely terrible if you ever got morning sickness that turned into all day sickness while you were pregnant this is exactly how the mirena made me feel bloated, painful and sick to my stomach i finally got the mirena removed because i just couldn't take it any more i have been off the mirena for 3 months now and i still can't eat much and it really bothers me i am hoping it gets better because i can't take much more of this. please let me know if anyone else experienced this!

I have had Mirena in since May of 2008 and have not felt the same since. In the beginning the headaches and fatigue that occurred was constant. I decided to give it time to see if my body got used to the progesterone and to also figure out whether or not it's having three small kids. Over the last year I've noticed when I have spotting, which usually occurs once or twice a month, I feel downright awful. One day I'll be on top of the world and energized...my normal self. The next day I'm spotting and the extreme body fatigue, leg an hip pain, foggy head, and depression occurs. EVERY time it is linked to the spotting. Which makes me believe that it has something to do with the IUD. I am scheduling an appointment to get it removed asap. I'd rather have my body go through it's natural processes and rely on that process than to feel this bad unexpectedly. Can't wait to remove the IUD!

OMG!!!!! I am a Registered Nurse and still didn't know so many women (including myself) had these extreme side effects from this awful thing. I had a miscarriage back in March and chose Mirena as my birth control afterwards. Every since then I have felt like I was going (or already gone) insane. Like the original poster, I have EVERY SINGLE SIGN AND SYMPTOM!!!!! I haven't slept more than 2 hours at a time since, My bra size before was a 36C, I am now back up to 40E. Which is larger than they got after I had my son and was breast feeding him. I have the pregnant belly, mood swings from hell, hot flashes, off and on cramping (especially after sex), acne that has scared my face, bouts of awful depression, unable to concentrate on anything, lower back pain, nausea, and I always have this feeling that I'm pregnant. I also gained a whooping 25 lbs which is impossible since I had gastric bypass surgery 6 yrs ago. Just like many of you I stepped up the exercise and modified my already limited diet. I truly wish that I had stayed on Depo-Prevera. I plan on having this thing taken out of me this week. This awful "demon" needs to be taken off the market. I guess all of us that have had these extreme side effects need to be on the look out for a class action lawsuit. No woman should have to go through what all of us have been through. To those of you that have already had it removed: Did you lose all the weight that was gained after the Mirena placement? If so, how long did it take??? I'm so ready to be normal again!!

Ohhh, I thought that I was going crazy. My 5th baby was born May 09, and I felt great for just having a baby. I have only had the Mirena since June 09, but thinking back, it has been since then that most of my issues have arisen. I have a constant pressure in my head, sometimes it is a headache, and occasionally it turns into a migraine. I have my period, and then it lags on with spotting for another week and a half, all the while having the cramps, major moodiness, depression, fatigue. I am having low back pains too. I am tired as heck all the time. I am hypothyroid as well, which can cause you to be tired, so I have went and had my thyroid checked 3 times since the baby was born as I was sooo sure it was off because of my fatigue. I have no libido either. My husband thinks all this stuff is excuses and in my head. I have been on the depo in the past for 5 years, but my blood pressure started to raise, and went back to normal after I changed to the copper IUD. I had that removed to try for another baby. But I did very well on the the copper IUD, which had no hormones and is called Para Gard, or something like that. I did still have my period, with some cramping that was slightly more than what I had without the IUD. But I had a libido, I wasn't fatigued or depressed. My doctor was pushing this Mirena, and against my better judgment I agreed. So please remember that there is another IUD, and it is good for 10 years, which maybe why they don't push that one. I am getting ready to get this hell Mirena out and switch back to the copper IUD.

Wow, I'm speechless I came across this website! I just had to share my experience! I had my Mirena removed yesterday. I'm 29 years old, I had it put in 5 years ago under General Anaesthetic whilst having a laporoscopy for Endomentriosis, I was advised by my doctor to give Mirena a go - at that stage I was desperate for a bit of relief from such heavy bleeding and cramps. Reading everyone elses side effects, has made me realize, I have suffered a bit over the last 5 years! I gained 25kgs, and could never understand how I could not shift the weight, I'm really active, play a lot of sport, and eat healthy, I was diagnosed with depression also, and have been taking anti-depressants for 4 of the the last 5 years, I've at times been very short fused, angry, and anxious. Now I've had the Mirena removed, I can't wait to see if I can shift my extra weight with ease! Having it removed was absolutely horrific! The pain was so bad, all I can describe it like, is someone giving your cervix a Chinese burn! OUCH!! I have been bleeding quite heavily, but have been told this is normal????? Is it??? My husband and I hope to start a family soon, so fingers crossed all goes well! I know for some woman out there, the Mirena is great! But for those of us who suffered... I feel your pain... literally!

Wow... I had no idea that so many issues I am dealing with could be side effects of the Mirena. I already had an appt planned to have it removed this afternoon because my acne has gotten so bad and I want to go back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I didn't really associate the acne with the Mirena because I have always battled acne to some extent, but it is so much worse lately. Just like others have described, it is on my chest, neck. back, scalp... EVERYWHERE! I have invested in expensive ance treatments, but that only helps some, and i can't exactly use it all over my head and body! I never had acne all over like this prior to the Mirena.
I have had the Mirena over 3 years and didn't realize I hate it so much until now! LOL. I definitely have the bloating, unexplained weight gain, depression, etc., as well. I should have googled "mirena side effects" much sooner!

I am amazed to see so many woman going through the same things I am. I really do feel like I have been going crazy with my doctors. Since I have been on the Mirena I have experienced, weight gain, depression, nausea, excessive tiredness, cramps in my uterus and breast tenderness. I also have a hard time sexually. I cant seem to get wet either. Although my sex drive is there I still can get wet. I also have lost hair on my head and have started getting hair on my face. YUK!!!!!!Since I have been on thr Mirena for the past 2 years I have maintained my weight but have lost nothing. I am going to get it taken out really soon, since my husband was nice enough to get a vasectomy. Hopefully these mood swings and tiredness will go away.

Migraines, weight gain, dizziness, depression, no sex drive, some what of an odor and discharge, spotting, numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, nausea, mood swings, tired a lot.

I'M SO GLAD THAT I FOUND THIS WEB SITE BECAUSE I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME. I THOUGHT I WAS JUST FALLING A PART. I HAVE HAD THE MIRENA FOR 14 MONTHS AND I HAD HEAVY BLEEDING FOR THE FIRST 8 MONTHS AND THAT ENDED. I HAVE SEVERE HEADACHES, INSOMNIA, DEPRESSION AND NUMBNESS AND TINGLING IN MY FEET. SOME MORNINGS I WAKE UP AND IT'S LIKE I CAN'T GET OUT THE BED BECAUSE I HAVE JOINT PAIN. I'M ONLY 38 YR OLD. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE MIRENA. ONE LAST THING I HAVE ALSO LOST THE DESIRE FOR SEX! IT'S GONE. I'M IN THE PROCESSING OF TRYING TO GET THIS THING OUT OF ME. ASAP . LADIES THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU GET THE MIRENA.

Hello, Everyone!
I have read a few of the posts and have finally realized that the Mirena that I have has caused some issues for me. I have had the Mirena for about 3 1/2 years now. I just thought it was me, but I have been experiencing painful intercourse with abdomen pain, no sex drive, mood swings and depression. I have an appointment with the OB/GYN in a couple weeks to get the Mirena removed. I pray that I will be back to my old self again. Take care!

Well hi all. I see we have some new ladies on here since I was here last. I had my Mirena removed on Feb 14, 2009 after it nearly ruined my life and my marriage over a nearly 3 year period. Feel free to read my old postings. My Mirena symptoms have been gone for months now. My chronic pain has been diagnosed as Enthesopathy. It may or may not be related to the Mirena, but I'm getting treatment from an internist, not a moment too soon! I was at the point where I couldn't go on another day. The interesting thing is, Enthesopathy is a disease of the ligaments and tendons. I couldn't figure out why I had little to no pain whatsoever when I was on my period, and my pain and mood and depression got progressively worse as my period approached. I wouldn't be surprised if the Mirena is involved in this. Anyways, I recently did some research and discovered that during our period, we release a hormone called relaxing, which relaxes our ligaments and tendons (among other things). So it's nice to finally put things together and make some sense of it all.
Since the removal of the Mirena I have energy again, I used to be so sluggish I would cry, sex drive is back, I'm not crying all day and am very happy, not angry at my hubby, no more insomnia, and my hair is still growing back. I didn't realize how much I had lost until it started growing back and see all this 1-6" -long hair.

I haven't gone through to read all of everyone elses side effects yet but is there anyone who is getting migraines because of this thing? i feel like my head is going to explode and the come so frequently i have never had this problem before getting the mirena i have no clue on whether or not this is what is causing them but i am hoping so, that way i can get it taken out! i go through spurts of depression too but im sure that it is because of the mirena but i will admit i do love the no periods and that it has done its job in preventing another unexpected pregnancy i just do not think i will make it through another headache!

Hi everyone I am sorry for your pain but am so glad to know I am not alone.I had Mirena put in a little over a year ago and since have gained 30 pounds,my mood swings are just as bad as they were when i had postpartum depression,and i to have the lack of energy and acne. My periods have just about stopped I bleed for only a couple of days very very light that and convince is the only thing i like about it.I have a doctors appointment in 3 weeks and hope to get it out.I think I will just have the surgery and become sterile its got to be better than this.

I've had Mirena since Jan. 2006. This is what's going on with me.

EXTREMELY bloated all the time, diagnosed as IBS. I’ve tried everything: herbs, teas, diet changes, prescription meds (currently on anti-depressant (for the IBS, not depression) and an anti-spasmatic pill), and non-prescription meds (currently taking beano before every meal and gas-x after the beano has not worked!)

Irritability

Tired all the time

Not motivated to do anything

Forgetful

Loss of concentration, I have the attention span of a 3 year old it seems!

Heart fluttering and dizziness like a panic attack. The doctor actually said it was panic attacks but I honestly don’t feel “panicked” when they happen.

Fluttering in abdomen as if there were a baby in there

Sometimes feel a pulling or stinging sensation in my uterus

Hubby can feel the strings and we think they are irritating his manhood

A lot of these symptoms seem like depression but all praise be to God, I have a wonderful life. I have the greatest husband and kids I could ever ask for. I love our life. I’m not unhappy at all. I didn’t consider that it may be the Mirena until my husband mentioned that he thought the strings were causing the irritation on his penis. I started googling Mirena to see if anyone else had this problem and came up with so many “other” symptoms of Mirena. I thought “WOW!! Maybe THAT’S my problem!” Maybe it’s time to make that appointment to get it out.

My little sister has gotten pregnant with the Mirena inside. They don't know if it is tubular or not. I just found out that not only will she probably miscarry, but she could get a dangerous infection or die. If you're considering using Mirena don't. Out of the all the women to use this product my sister won the UNLUCKY LOTTERY.

This product was awful from the beginning. First it got put in, painfully so, then it fell out, then it had to be put back in, and months later she gets pregnant with it inside. She probably will miscarry, or the baby could come of deformed if the Mirena pokes and jabs the baby from the inside. It could pop the sac early and it could be dangerously premature.

Do you want to have sex SOOOO bad that you would risk going through this? You could die, this product will miscarry your baby if you get pregnant while using it, and obviously it moves around too much. It lets sperm get through anyway.

SIDE EFFECTS: Miscarriage, headache, nausea, stomach pains, sadness/depression, surgery, infection, severe pain, heartache, loss, anger, emotional distress, and the list goes on.

Don't use this product. Use regular birth control pills, condoms, and abstinence- whatever it takes except this product. It's practically another form of abortion because this product lets you become pregnant and then it kills it. Don't risk your life or your baby's.
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This is my 2nd time with Mirena. The first time I had no problems and kept it in for 4 years until it was time for another baby. My baby is now 17months old and I've had Mirena for 3 or 4 months now. I hate it. I'm having severe mood swings, crying fits and depression. I haven't been able to eat well or sleep well. I'm considering having my tubes tied after having this Mirena removed. I'm calling my doctor first thing Monday morning to get this taken out. Does anyone else experience severe mood swings as well?

23th
2009
10:36 PM
MIRENA is the worst thing EVER!!!!!!
I got Mirena as my husband and I were lacking in the sexual side of our relationship because we both HATE using condoms.I have a 31/2 year old son and we have decided that for now we are happy and would like if we didn't have anymore children right now so I talked to my doctor about Mirena.
Let me start by saying that my labor 6 hours with NO pain meds was nothing compared to the pain I had when they put it in. Then the bleeding started right away I was bleeding for 8 weeks then had 1 week free and now have been bleeding for about 8 weeks. I had 2 ultrasounds to make sure it was in proper and everything was "fine" my doctor says everyone's body reacts different.
The symptoms I have are Occasional Cramping,
Sever bleeding,
headaches,
irritation in my legs (same symptoms as RLS),
Depression,
no sex drive,
back pain
Weight Gain (17lbs in 2 weeks)
and the weirdest symptom is hard to explain but its the same feeling in my body as if you were to touch a 9volt battery to your tongue! Every now and then I have little shocks and its so annoying. I have had mine in for 17 weeks and I have an appointment in 8 days to have it removed...Back to condoms it is

I have had the Mirena in since I was 12 weeks postpartum. My daughter is now five months old. I have had so many side effects that I also thought were due to just having a baby and the life changes that follow (plus my kids are 12 months and 1 day apart so who knows what's out of wack once you've been pregnant for two years straight!). I've had some headaches, sleeplessness, so many pregnancy symptoms I took a pregnancy test and had the doctor do one, incredible moodiness, I hate being touched (I felt this way with both pregnancies), no libido...all of these have made in incredible strain on my marriage. If things don't improve between us a few months after I get this hell-stick IUD removed we're going to couples therapy! I was diagnosed with depression at 14, but it has been under control since then. However, since Mirena I have been incredibly depressed. I have been on birth control since 14 due to terrible periods/cramping etc and never had an issue. I am going to switch to the copper/hormone free IUD and just pray my periods have changed now that I've had two children. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!!

I have had my Mirena for 3 yrs. (Oct 2006) For a long time my doctor, nurse and I joked about how I was the poster girl for this product. I didn't have much cramping with insertion, had one slight period a month later, and have been period free since December '06.

A few months later I broke out with the cystic acne and they put me on Yaz. It seemed to help for about 6mths. I then went off the Yaz and was fine for a few months, until I broke out again. This time Yaz didn't work. I've delt with them ever since. In the mean time I started having troubles falling to sleep. It was very sporadic at first until this past Jan. (09) My doctor put me on 10mg of generic Ambien. In July she cut me off. I had a full blown panic attack! The next day I contacted another dr who doesn't have a problem with me being on them. She put me on several anti-depressants until we found one that seems to be helping.

I have always been a people person, full of life and love for everyone! Now, I dread going to the store, or taking my boys (11,9 & 4) to soccer practice/games!

My husband has mentioned from time to time that I complain of a lot of headaches. Come to think of it now, they happen nearly every day to one extent or another!

I've been researching the Mirena the last couple of days because of the acne and sleeplessness. MOST posts talk about the symptoms beginning right away, making me think I was crazy and just looking for a reason to feel this way!

My husband has been my rock and is very supportive of me. He has no problems with me taking it out, but will NOT get the sweet lil V done! ugh If I can get this out and have the acne clear up. I'd be HAPPY!

First symptoms: Acne
Then: Sleeplessness, Headaches, back pain especially lower, mood swings, anxiety/depression, oily hair, uncontrollable crying... I'm sure I could go on. The symptoms don't have to be instant. In my case they came slowly...

GOD BLESS!

I had my son 5 months ago and had my Mirena put in at my 8 week check up. The day I got it in I hurt so bad and siting down was out of the question!It honestly felt like it was crooked or put in wrong. So I called my doctor office and of course like always no one ever called me back, but luckily the next day my body adjusted to it and the discomfort was gone. But I bled for oh my goodness, i want to say about 6 weeks after that! it was a drag! But now my periods are back to normal , I haven't noticed a difference in decrease yet ( sadly) in fact they may be a little bit heavier and longer. ( or it could just be that they seem that way cause I had a 9 month vacation! I also haven't noticed any horrible side effects other then just one. Sounds funny because im only 21 but i seriously feel like im going through menopause! Has anyone else felt this way?? I sweat in the middle of the night but am cold . Sometimes burning up hot when everyone around me is freezing cold and begging me to turn up the heat. Im boyfriend will probably tell you ive been mood swinging , maybe I have, i cant tell , right now im planning our wedding and raising baby ,I don't have time to tell, or know if anything ive been feeling is from the IUD or just stress from wedding planning. Now last week and the week before that i had a constant headache but again maybe be stress related. And as for depression, I was diagnosed with that when I was i think 16 and take zoloft for that so I don't have any problems with that. But I just want to know if anyone else is experiencing menopause like side effects?

Had my Mirena put in about 4 weeks ago. I feel like I am sick ALL the time. I have had every symptom mentioned and then some. Severe nausea, indigestion, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, depression, lack of sex drive, achiness, dizziness, anxiety, loss of appetite, and excessive sweating and hot flashes. My husband also says it irritates him when we have sex. I did a good bit of research before getting the Mirena, and never realized any of these side effects could happen. The Mirena website doesn't mention any of these other than headache. The doctor made it sound wonderful, and I just never thought I would feel like this. I almost feel like I am pregnant again, but I know I am not. It is horrible! I have an appointment in 4 days for my Mirena check up, and I am going to have it removed then. Please do your research before getting the Mirena! I am glad I found this site. Now I realize I am not the only one.

Hi!I'm a 34 year old mother of 3.This is funny my husband and some of his co-workers where talking today about their wifes moods and menstrual cycle anyways to make a long story short he was talking to one of them comparing notes about the mirena and the one man was telling how his wife was having all these mood swings, put on weight, the cramping,depression,nausea,headache and been tried all the time.So my loving husband calls me and tells to check in on the mirena.So here I'm,I thought it was all in my head.I've had this in me for 7 months.I can't lose any weight i exercise eat right and the mood swings they suck and the odor(i can't stand it)the cramping is so bad i can't take and i had three babies with no drugs.So I'm glad my husband said something or I wouldn't be here right now.I know I'm not crazy now.I'm calling the doc in the morning to have it remove and he told me to wait a couple of more months he can kiss my......thanks

Hi I am dumb struck by coming across this site i never dream it could be my mirena causing my unexplained symptoms but the more an more i read it i am fighting with my hospital to get it removed A.S.A.P. i have suffered severe dizzy spells,heavy legs,fatigue,sweats,headaches,loss of concentration,mood swings,bloating,thinning of hair,weight gain, depression,dont want to communicate,just fallen apart in the last 17 months,had number of tests all come back normal,i been back to hospital today to fight this corner an they need to see how many women this really affects as every doctor i have seen says no way can it be the mirena but reading all these this needs looking into.i am worried about the dizzy spells they are my most concern along with panic attacks that come out of the blue..makes me think it may be my mirena after all :( just want to be back to my old self again..i have been to A& E at least 9 times with same symptoms only to be put on diazepam which i don't like to take,i am so upset that i still got to wait 6 weeks+ to have it removed as i got to go under to have it done as they cant reach the threads they are up instead of down...i am hoping after my long wait that i have now found an answer to all my symptoms an the mirena needs to be looked into more.an after it is removed i hope i get better as i have also read it can have after affects.nightmare wish i never had it put in.....

Well, I just had my mirena IUD taken out last week. I had wanted to take it out pretty much since I got it in a year and a half ago. It was the second one that I had. The first I got put in when I was 17 due to a heavy period, and I could not use birth control because I suffered with depression on it. At that time I did not associate changes in myself with the IUD because they happened gradually. I lost all sexual appetite which I had believed was because I was ending a relationship at the time and I was uninterested. I began getting acne, which worsened in the colder months, so I did not associate it with the IUD. I had mood swings and was tired a lot. I associated this with stress from being a teenager and in being in school. Two and half years into having my first IUD I met my husband. My sex drive had come back, my my acne continued, and the pimple would get really inflamed and tender. My psoriasis never seemed to fully clear up either. My tiredness and moods continued, and I also became extremely emotional often. I just thought that this is who I was because I had got the IUD so young!
SO when the 5 years on the old IUD was up I thought I should get another one. With the new one my acne persisted, I lost my sex drive again and I now would be dry all the time, whether I was turned on or not. I just couldn't stop but thinking that it was the IUD. So i got in taken out finally after we got married. I didn't want to be a pregnant bride. It has been a few weeks, and my acne has pretty much cleared up, I am wet all the time, and I want to have sex. My psoriasis is also much much much better. I still feel tired sometimes, but I hope that will ease as well.
If it doesn't feel right to you, get it taken out. What is the point of being in a birth control if you don't want to have sex anyways!!! good luck everyone.

OMG i cant believe that its been the MIRENA all this time i thought i was going nuts my hubby thought i didn't love him with the mood swings i was getting the cramps and no sex drive what so ever the depression was really bad felt life wasn't worth living any more i have decided to get it out and have a normal life again with my hubby and family wouldn't advise anyone to get it in.

Ok, I have PCOS and had the Mirena put in 3 months after the birth of my last child in 2004 and thought it was great. No more fluctuations never knowing when or if I was getting a period...I just never had one, have not had one in 5 years years. The strings disappeared several years ago, had an U/S and they said it was still in place. I have had zero libido in that time, terrible mood swings, fluctuating weight and depression, thyroid problems, etc etc, all put down to depression. Well 6 months ago the headaches started, the vertigo... the ensuing DR trips have turned up an abnormal brain MRI and not much else no one has thought to think of the IUD. The MRI shows possible demyelination, vasculitis or sequelae to migraines...these are little white spots in my brain. If I find out these things are caused by this IUD there will be hell to pay. I am due to have it removed at the 5 yr mark in November..... I guess dig it out if they can find the strings. Will be interested to hear comments on this.

I hated the thought of putting a hormone in my body but my husband and I really do not want more children (right now). I was having HEAVY periods and thought the mirena would be helpful.
Honestly it was helpful for the periods, but I was having more herpes breakouts and in areas I have never had, (I have had herpes for 21 years yuck), i was willing to deal with the mirena until I found this link and related my heart palpitations (sometime 8 in an hour) to the mirena. I started the heart palpitations about 3 months after it was put in. I have called to schedule to take the IUD out. I will post my outcome. Thank you ladies for all the posts. We may be saving lives from torment here.
Be Well.

I have had several things but am not sure if they are due to the mirena but I have always been good tell I got mirena
here are the symptoms I have

severe bleeding 8 months straight
head aches
increased appetite
weight gain
dizziness
faint
depressed
really moody
mean
angry
tired extremely
cant sleep well
memory loss
memory problems
blurred vision
and recently extremely painful sex
it hurt so bad It was all I could do not to cry
it felt as though I was in labor
I did not have the heart to tell my husband i was in pain cause we rarely have sex due to the constant bleeding
it is the best birth control I have ever heard of cause you cant have sex if your bleeding all the time. I want to remove it but getting a hold of my doctor is like a joke and I don't know what to do cause I need my memory I have a family that needs me as i used to be not the mean upset all the time me.

hi im 23 years old and i just got my mirena taken out this morning after having side effects that i couldn't take anymore. i had nausea, stomach pains, bad mood swings, and lots of depression. cried cuz of the stomach pain. and now that i got it out i still feel the bad stomach pain. don't know if i should go to the emergency room.i hope to god these side effects don't stay with me now that i got it removed. i also have crohns disease which makes my stomach hurt just not as bad as i have now. i still feel emotional, cramps and moodiness. there should be a lawsuit out for this. i never felt so much pain.

Hi, I had Mirena inserted in Nov ,2007. At first , after the insertion, everything was great. Felt as though for once they had invented a new way of not getting prego! As time past completely stopped having my period for almost all of 2008. Concerned I went to my doctor and asked if this was normal. My doctor stated it was one of the side effects. Moved on to believe it was all so GREAT... Starting 2009 problems began appearing, such as, extreme back pain, cramps that would make me almost faint at work. My co-workers were always making sure i felt ok. Began to have acne in which i've never had in my life not only in my face, but also in my buttchecks. Went to dermatologist and got all sorts of prescription drugs for it.... asking myself if acne in my rear end was something common and again i never has this before, my hair was very thick and now i spend almost every other Saturday unclogging my tub due to my hair loss and im only 23 yrs old. Since the birth of my daughter , i have gained 45lbs . I got a gym member ship and began to workout 4 to 5 days a week, and began to change my eating habits since feb 2009. So far i've only lost 5lbs. And talk about depression and anxiety attacks. CRAZY, i fell so alone some days and extremely nervous almost every day. Went to two months ago to my doctor and ask to take it out, she asked me why i wanted to do such a thing? After explaining all my systems, she stated i have a early stage of menopause, i said, Menopause at age 23 ? No way.... I reschedule an appt with another doctor to have it removed.... Hopefully it all goes away! I fell bad recommending it to my friends just to find out one of them currently has cysts because of this.

I had Mirena inserted about 2 years ago and I'm having it removed later this week (thank goodness). I have gained 30 lbs, suffered from terrible fatigue and joint pain, mood swings, thinning hair, depression, total lack of sex drive and worst of all DEBILITATING migraines (especially after an orgasm.....I suppose that's a good reason for lack of sex drive!).

I had no problem with insertion, but was immediately aware of vaginal odor that was never there before....just an unclean sort of smell....really annoying and still persists. I miss my old periods (very normal, one week of PMS, 4 days of bleeding, then done). Now I have about 3 weeks of horrendous PMS with breast swelling, weight gain, fatigue, depression, increased appetite then I "spot" for 8-12 days! Horrible! I'll take 4 days of bleeding over 8 days of "sludge" anytime.

I hope removing it will end these issues.

Hello, my name is pam. About 6 weeks after my son was born I had made the choice to get the mirena iud. Well for 7mon after i got it I bleed. Also, new things started happening. I went to my doctor and discovered that I had an awful yeast infection due to the iud not being set right. He gave me one round of meds just for yeast infections. I went back for a check up and it hadn't cleared a bit. Got second round of med. Then about 2wks afterward I got a call from my doctor. He said that they found yeast infection, staff infection, and a strep infection that I am still having problems with after the level 4 anti-biotic that he gave me. I have headaches, body aches, no sex drive what so ever, mood swings that would send anyone away, and I am also on anti-depression meds ever since Ive had the iud.

Thank God for this site. I have been trying to figure out for the last year what is wrong with me! I have had such unexplainable depression and mood swings for so long and I never would have thought to attribute it to Mirena. Thank all of you ladies for posting on this site and diagnosing me, because obviously none of my doctors are qualified to do it! Everyone I have seen has done nothing but brush it off. I also had an US done the other day and they found a cyst on my ovary. My psoriasis (which I have only had a few small spots on my scalp my entire life) has flared up tremendously all over my body. I have lost all motivation to do anything and have nearly ruined all of my relationships with family and friends due to my laziness, depression, and mood swings. I will hate having a period again, but as I keep reading all of your posts I realize that having a period will be a blessing compared to dealing with all of this. I am making an appt on Monday to have it removed! Thanks so much ladies!

Hi, I am a mother of 2, and not quite 23 years old and got the Mirena inserted at my 6 week check up after having my second. I read all the literature that the Dr. gave me and I was sure that Mirena was the right thing for me (no where in the brochures did I read anything about the symptoms Ive read about here or anywhere else on the internet). I started having incredibly horrible mood swings, bloating, fatigue, nausea (sooo bad, every day) back pain, neck pain, no sex drive (!!!), depressed, lazy, headaches (to the point where I thought my head was going to explode), constantly hungry, acne, smelled maple syrup constantly, complaining all the time about everything, weight gain (only 7 lbs but I just had a baby, I need to lose weight, and I'm nursing),chest pain, and some other symptoms but the most important one is the stomach pain i was having. The pain in my stomach felt like a knife, and I kept having pain in my right side. So after a few days of this pain I went to the dr. he ordered an ultrasound of my abdomen and I am scheduled to get that done Wednesday. My doctor thinks that I may have gallbladder disease or something else seriously wrong with me that we suspect is induced by the Mirena. Keep in mind that I've had this thing in me for about 4 months!!! So after my doctors appointment I typed into google "side effects from Mirena" and Omg, I wish that I had done that before I got the thing inserted, those brochures about the Mirena make it seem like a Godsend and I am all for a lawsuit due to the problems I am having and the depression Ive felt. My 3 year old has suffered from my mood swings, every time id feel it coming I had to make her go to her room :( that poor girl deserves to have a mother that is not so depressed and ill that she can actually play, and both of them deserve that really, and im doing the best I can.... anyways I removed it myself yesterday, i had a hard time finding it but I took it out and I feel as if a huge burden has been lifted, EXCEPT I have been cramping very bad, spotting and incredibly sick, i also read about this thing called "the mirena crash" no matter how long you've had it in, if the hormones were in your system then you are effected and can feel very ill from it (and it can happen to women who had no problems while on it at all, even after 5 yrs). Im hoping that I have nothing wrong at my doctors appt on Wednesday when I get the ultrasound, and it may just be a cyst, turns out that is a side effect of mirena as well, that and bleeding the first several months (oh yeah, I did for about 2 months maybe 10 weeks altogether) Im also hoping that my daughter whom I am nursing is not sick as well :/

oh and for anybody out there thinking that the only women gaining weight are fat to begin with, well I am usually 105 lbs, after my baby I weighed 145, lost some weight, went down to 130ish gained it all back then some, losing weight is easy for me because I diet and exercise like I should, now I am doing all that and nursing a child.... and hello weight, when it really should be goodbye... well goodbye mirena I WONT miss you!!!!

Has anyone developed a complex ovarian cyst since having mirena inserted? Before I had this dreadful IUD I had no problems at all. I just got back from the Dr and was told that I have a complex cyst. I can not wait until I get this IUD out this month!!!

I just had mirena removed today!! Everything was fine for the first nine months. Then i started feeling like i was pregnant and bloated and sick to my stomach all the time. It was great not having any periods until three weeks ago i started spotting and it never stopped. I was having breast pain and i even found a lump. I had to go for a mamo and ultra sound and nothing came back abnormal but what the heck is going on with my body?
I started reading the posts on here and called my doctor right away and he removed it today. I am so tried and i never sleep anymore. and i cry all the time. I am so upset i just want my body back!!! Thank you for all posting on here. I am hoping that my body returns back to normal soon. I had my tubes tied 13 years ago and was hoping never to be on birth control again but i was to control my periods each month. I also found out i know have a ovarian cyst. Is it due to the mirena? to to sure but having surgery soon for that. This whole thing is crazy!!!
Please really think about it before you put it in. I have never felt this bad in my life. I hope soon to get my life back. I have fell in to a deep depression and i need to get out of it soon. If you have any of the side effects please get rid of it. Thanks

I am 22 years old and had a baby last feb in 2008, shortly after that i had a mirena inserted with minor side effects...well now a year later i decided to remove that darn thing after noticing the side effects! i lost most of my pregnancy weight all but around 10 pounds so that was (150) then several months later i noticed my weight shooting up...now i'm almost 170 poun\nds! i dont eat all crazy either and did my fair share of exercising...not too mention the constant bloating and stomach aches...i have also been suffering from acne for the past year which is way out of the ordinary! my vision has worsened in the past year, im very moody, and i'm taking wellbutrin for my depression. i just removed this darn thing last week and have not stopped bleeding, it is very heavy with huge clots! i hope this ends soon, i'm ticked off because i was not told about any of these side effects, and this darn company should be sued! ugh, well i'm glad i did my research because never again will i get this mirena iud! there was also some info on infertility so everyone should read up on that. glad to know i'm not the only one with these problems! good luck everyone!

I had my Mirena removed in May 2009 after two years. I am 49 years old with three children. After insertion, which was very painful, I began to have mood swings and then settled into depression. It was a very dark period for about a year. I also lost my sex drive completely. My gyno said no it wasn't the IUD-just menopause approaching. I felt lethargic and bloated even though I run 3-4 times a week and eat healthy. I saw this site and made the appointment for removal that day. Within a few weeks I felt better and now four months later I am my "happy" self again. I have energy, my sex drive has returned and I am able to function and look forward to each day. I am mad at myself for not researching Mirena more thoroughly. I would not have used it had I known that it released levonorgestrel continually. I feel like I lost a year or so of my life. You will never convince me that the IUD did not cause all of my symptoms.

OMG!!!! Okay, I have had the Mirena since may 2007! Over the past two years I have been through more testing than I care to admit... Severe and constant nausea, headaches, anxiety, depression, acne, sleepless nights, joint pain, no sex drive whatsoever ( my poor poor husband), lack of energy, and just overall moody! I have asked my doctors many times if it could be the mirena causing this.... No! I have also gained about 20 lbs over the last 6 months! I am normally 106 and have never in my life been able to gain weight! This is insane!!! I am calling my doctor today to get this thing taken out of me!!!! Thank you to all the women who have posted! I just thought I was going crazy...

I had a mirena fitted twice with no significant problems except weight gain but I now have a 6 month old baby and had my 3rd mirena removed this morning.I had my second one removed in April last year when we decided we would like to try for baby no3 after a 12 year gap.I fell pregnant in the July and had lost 10lbs in the three months after removal without trying.I felt calm,slept better and had loads of energy.I then progressed with my pregnancy and continued to lose weight as was very sick so by the time my daughter was born I had lost 35lbs in total.i then lost a further 10lbs in the six weeks following her birth and felt great,loads of energy,my skin looked fantastic and was really happy.
I decided to have my 3rd mirena inserted just after my six week postnatal check as I hate heavy periods etc,well that was at the beginning of June.As soon as it was inserted my stomach started to bloat and it looked like I was 6 months pregnant,I have experienced extremely heavy prolonged bleeding with clots.I had phoned my doctor 3 times over the last 3 months and they said to give it time,it was the fact I had not long had a baby and give it 6 months.I have also gained 14lbs in the 3 months,my skin has broken out,my hair is thinning and have really bad mood swings,anxiety and restless sleep and I know I don't have post-nantal depression as had that 16 years ago and know the difference.
I am so glad i took the decision to have it removed and feel 100 times better already knowing this thing is no longer inside me.I definitely know this mirena has caused all these side effects now.Why do the doctors not listen to us.

I had my Mirena put in nearly 6 weeks ago- and they side effects now seem to be compiling. At first, I had pretty much only pain - sharp, cramps pains in my lower abdomen- and light bleeding (everyday since insertion). But now I've realized the mood swings, the acne (which is impossible!), depression, the sleepiness... I just don't feel like myself at all. Only 6 weeks in, and I can't wait to get this thing out of me. Not to mention, I'm backpacking in Australia and now need to find a clinic here to help...

I have noticed that a lot of you are not utilizing Planned Parenthood's services, however. One woman mentioned spending nearly $1000 to have Mirena inserted. Planned Parenthood, although a lot of women have many misconceptions, is a wonderful option for women. Their services are available to anyone, any age, any situation. The clinics are always very professional, clean, and the staff always helpful and knowledgeable. I was unemployed at the time I had my Mirena inserted, and had to pay nothing. They depend on donations as many of you know. The counseling services have helped me through a few rough spots, and even if you need to only discuss your side effects and other possible options, I've learned they'll never let me down. (1-800-230-PLAN)

I had my Mirena put in August of 2008. To start with I thought it was great. Now insertion was worse than giving birth to my two year old but I figured that was normal. The first few months were great. I have not had a period since having it. I LOVE this fact but I would rather have a monthly than have all my other symptoms. I am ALWAYS tired no matter how much I sleep; I have terrible headaches verging on migraine level. I have horrible mood swings. One minute I am fine and the next I feel like a mad woman. I feel horrible because my two year old see’s this and I know she does not understand. I have terrible bouts with depression. Sometimes they last for days. I have gained 25 lbs, now I have always been heavy but when I work out 5 days a week and eat VERY healthy and am still gaining weight there has got to be a problem. I am almost 30 and I now have acne like a teenager. And I think the WORST side affect of them all is NO SEX DRIVE. This has seriously hurt my marriage. For a long time I have just put much of this off as being the mother of a toddler but now I am not so sure. I cannot take it anymore and have an appointment scheduled for October 1st to have it removed. I will update as soon as it is out.

Oh boy. So it started with this sentence in my obgyn's office "is there anything to help the EXTREME cramps i get every month?" to which he replied "oh yes there is the mirena" and it went on to ask him what it does. oh it sounded so wonderful! but....FAIL! my daughter is nine months old now so i guess i have had it for 8 months now. got it in right after my check up. I have lets see....i wrote these all down. Sex Drive..GONE. increased weight gain which is that i weigh more now then when i was pregnant and have changed everything and i keep GAINING more weight..cramps regularly there not bad but they are everyday. no energy i cant even do the dishes without getting tired. heartburn everyday, if my stomachs empty i have heartburn so it doesn't help me trying to lose weight! I have become more moody and when i say more i mean i have clinical bipolar disorder and it is HORRIBLE with my anger and depression and my always crying. I get pain in my joints and mostly my right leg goes numb (idk if thats mirena but it didn't happen till AFTER mirena happened). I have always had AMAZING skin...now i get acne all the time its unbelievable. i get dizzy and sometimes i cant even hold my daughter! and the migraines are the worst of all...no the worst is the no sex drive! All this and i was never told the cons in my doctors office! Isn't that against some code? Here is the topper on the cake. two weeks after i had mirena inserted my obgyn was asked to leave the practice and they refused to tell me why. Shady thats what that is.

Had baby in July 2007, Mirena inserted Jan 2008. Since then my husband and I have had sex only 5 times due to no libido! I have cramps all of the time, bleeding heavy for a few hours, stops completely, next day- bleeding again! I now have PMS (I am 35 and never had it!), depression. No headaches or acne- just cramping, meanness, weight gain, no sex-drive...but, isn't that enough?!? My poor husband- we don't need it as birth control as long as it makes me feel like this!! I do not have any insurance so taking it out will have to wait. My doctor said there was no notable side effects...he apparently never saw this website! Oh, and that string irritates me down there!

I've posted here before right after I removed my mirena. Well it's been 27 days since I've had it out. At first I felt great. I had a period two days after I removed it. That period lasted a week long. Right after my period I CRASHED MAJORLY!!!! I had severe depression, severe anxiety and really bad leg and joint pain. All of that lasted about a little over a week. I got put on clonazapam and 20 mg. of celexa. So far I'm doing pretty good. I still get a little leg and joint pain, but not as bad and it doesn't last as long. I feel 90 % better and am expecting my second period on the 9th. I really hope I don't crash again. It was awful!! While on the mirena I had high blood pressure, fast heart rate, low grade fever, joint and leg pain, anxiety and depression, bloating like I was 4-5 months pregnant, nausea, heartburn, headaches, body aches (like I was sick), carpul tunnel syndrome (which I only get when i'm pregnant just like the heartburn) and more! Everything went down or completely away within a couple of weeks of having it removed. All except my heart rate. I am on a low dose of beta blockers to keep my heart rate from going over 100. Just like many of you I have been tested for many things like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and so on. i have also been suspected of having hyperthyroidism, but with negative results from blood work. We are experiencing a major hormonal imbalance from this mirena. I just hope and pray our dr.'s will do their research and realize we are all right about our experiences and something can be done about this IUD. There is hope. Your bodies will regulate. It's only been about 4 weeks for me, but I am feeling better so far since my crash. Don't hesitate to tell your dr.'s about any depression and anxiety you may be experiencing as those are very serious side effects and can be treated even if it's just temporary to get you through the crash. I also take a one a day multi vitamin. So maybe that will help to.

When I had my last son, my obgyn did not inform me any negative side effects. I had previously used the copper T, and although I still got my period, mine aren't that bad, but still, my Ob-gyn assured my the progesterone in the Mirena would be limited to that area. Well 3 years later and I have had headaches, never got my libido back (which is hard on a marriage), and have gain about 30 pounds(with no change in diet or activity) from my 6 week post delivery check-up. I only have short spotting with Mirena, but would trade for a monthly period in a heartbeat if I could go back to my post pregnancy weight of 116 and get libido back. It was not until my check-up last week that I was informed it could affect libido. I'm 5'2", so 30+ pounds really shows, my mother and mother-in-law, both had made comments about "hoping I wasn't pregnant again. Its also caused a loss of self esteem and depression over all this. If my insurance will cover it I plan to go back to my old, 10-year copper IUD.

I, too, was told, only good things about mirena. I got it after the birth of my son, and had previously had a copper IUD, with it, I still gt my period, but no worse than before. Since getting the Mirena, I'd gained over 30 pounds (with no change in activity levels or diet), and have experienced frustration, depression, and am very self-conscious of this-from being asked if I was pregnant again, etc., as this make a very big difference on my 5'2 frame. I also never regained my libido. My gyn, Just told me last week that loss of libido can be a side-effect of mirena. My periods have been lighter, but still have the emotional side effect. I'm going to check with my ins to see if it will cover having it switched back to the copper one. I'd gladly take a period, than go on like this (as you can imagine how its affecting my marriage.)

You just described everything that's been happening to me to a T! Except I've only had it in 11 months, my periods come completely randomly still, and range anywhere from barely there to torrential bleeding. My back pain has started to get to the point where curling up is the only thing that relieves it, and my face is breaking out so bad that I had a doctor think i had some wretched bacterial infection. I also have no energy, but yet can't seem to sleep. And have lost almost all motivation to do anything, at all. I thought I was going crazy or just maybe coming down with depression, but now I'm thinking that's not the case. I'm only 24 and haven't had the chance to have a family yet, but I think if I want that option in the future, Mirena has to go!

I have had the Mirena for about 3 years now, I first started having noticeable symptoms about 6 months ago. I started having panic attacks out of left field. I am a very happy person, with a good life so I could not understand what was going on with me. I thought I was going crazy. My daughter had to go with my mother for about 2 weeks as I didn't want her to see me the way I was: having panic attacks, paranoia, depression, crying fits. I was put on celexa to help these problems. It worked for the panic attacks, but I'm still moody and can only sleep if I take a 2.0mg of klonopin. I have never had these problems before. I cannot say it was the mirena, but I doubt I have any other reason for it. I recently started getting really bad cystic acne on my face, chest, back, and even on my scalp. I have gained about 25 pounds and cannot get it off for the world. I only have one daughter and a lot of help from my husband and my mother, so I can't understand the feelings of fatigue that plague me. I have a horrible year. Just the anxiety and panic attacks alone have changed me completely. I thought I was abnormal and sometimes just wanted to die. I do feel better, but as I read, I wonder if taking it out will help with the weight, acne and fatigue as my other problems seem to have just vanished after only 2 weeks on celxa, which I thought strange but was thankful nonetheless. I spoke with my doctor today about removal and she gave me a rx for the acne and said we should think about it.... I think I'm all thought out.....