Mirena and high blood pressure

SIX HOURS POST REMOVAL- I had my mirena removed today after 3 years and nearly 3 months. My side effects included headaches, sore breasts, weight gain, nausea, severe hair loss, depression, severe pitting edema of my right foot, cramping, hip pain, exhaustion, severe mood swings, and acne. During the first six months I had constant bleeding, which I had been told to expect. I took regular pills everyday and the bleeding stopped. Then the hair loss started. My hair came out in clumps and was EVERYWHERE. I lost about 15 inches of my hair in spots. I went to the salon and got a fantastic hair cut, I attributed my hair loss to stress. Now I'm not too sure. I also didn't feel like I was myself with the odor that I developed. No matter how many times I showered I felt not regular. Slowly but surely over the past three years I have gained 30 lbs. I worked out to try to get the weight off, I lost nothing and in fact gained weight! The pitting edema of my left foot started in July of 08. I have been tested for everything including diabetes, heart problems, clotting disorders, pregnancy, high blood pressure, kidney problems, and the list goes on to the tune of $6,000. I went to my OB back in the spring and was told if they could find nothing else then they would remove the IUD. In the interim I lost my job and subsequently my insurance. I luckily was able to get coverage again and immediately set an appointment for the removal. Insertion hurt like nothing I have ever experience, removal was quick and almost painless. I also ended up with BV (bacterial vaginosis). I feel and look as though I am about 6 or 7 months pregnant. My belly is actually the same size as it was when my son was born. I weight about 15 lbs more. My breasts were extremely swollen and sore.

I instantly felt better after removal. My hip immediately stopped tingling. I have no back pain. It felt almost like a lifting if that makes sense. I am curious to see what the next few weeks will bring and I will definitely keep you all posted.

I am currently weigh more than ever before. I really do watch what I eat and go to the gym at least 5 days a week and do 45 min of cardio. I recently went to my PCP and was told I now have high blood pressure; high cholesterol; and sky high estrogen levels....anyone else out there??? I am thinking that I need to get the Mirena removed for my health!

Oh!!!! I thank God for finding this site. I have been so down and out for the last 4 to 5 months. I'm 48 years old and had my Mirena put in March 2009. It was very painful for me but I quickly got over that with minimal spotting. Since the insertion I have gained at least 10 pounds. I don't weigh myself but I go by how my clothes fit. I consider myself an athlete who is a decent runner. I've completed 12 marathons to date. I know how to work out and how to eat. But for the life of me I can't get rid of this. My breasts feel like they did when I was pregnant - tender and larger. Then I started having stomach problems. Terrible bloating and pain. I went back to my OB and they did a pregnancy test which of course came back negative. I went to my family practioner who put me on prescription Zantac for my stomach issues. With all this going on within a 7 month span, I knew something was wrong but until this morning I didn't know what. I called my OB and talked to the nurse and she said that the weight problem I'm having is just because I'm getting older. HOG WASH!!!! She can't tell me that what I'm feeling is normal. I can't live like this anymore. I will just have to use some other birth control.

UPDATE!! I had my evil IUD removed today and the hardest/worst part was conveniencing the Dr. I wanted it taken out! She kept telling me that my symptoms (headaches, achey all over,panic attacks, quick temper, high blood pressure,sinus infection,cant sleep at night,no desire for sex ) were NOT related to the IUD and I just spent a lot of money to have it inserted.......she would be glad to write me a script for Wellbutrin (sp?) to help with my "issues". I was even more upset when I asked if she had ever googled "Mirena side effects" and she just laughed at me asking me if thats where I got the idea to have it removed. I was very disappointed as this has been my gyn for the past 12+ years and with my family history of breast and ovarion cancer we have always been on the same page. Well, I asked her if she was refusing to remove because I would be glad to get another Dr. to do it and thats when she agreed. It only took a breif 10 seconds and it was out(didnt feel a thing) I instantly felt better but feel that was just because I felt like a huge burden had been lifted and now I can focus on getting back to my old self. I wish others the best of luck for what ever they decide but would encourage you take some kind of action if you feel there may connection to your health issues.

I had mine inserted 10 weeks ago and I am having it removed this afternoon and I cant wait! My problems started on day 3 and have not stopped. I am 50 (had my tubes tied 20 years ago after 2 kids)and my gyno suggested Mirena as my periods are very very heavy and occur about every two and half weeks. My daughter (25 with 1 child) had hers inserted 2+ years ago and has not had 1 problem so thought I thought it might work - wow, was I wrong! I have had the constant feeling of just achey all over, headaches all the time,angel to devil in .0001 seconds, panic attacks (never had them before and NEVER want another one - very scary)sinus infections, high blood pressure (have always been 120/80 now I am 160/100) I just feel crappy all the time and unmotivated. I have never been like this and hope its all related to the Mirena as nothing else in my life has changed. Like other meds and procedures this is not for everyone so I would encourage people to listen to your body as well as your inner voice and take action to get your old self back. Honestly, as badly as I feel since getting my Mirena....having heavy periods every two and half weeks seem pretty minor in comparison!

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.

I had the Mirena for about a half a year. My side effects included cramps, blurred vision, brain fog, nausea, high blood pressure, headaches, extreme fatigue, severe depression, lack of interest in anything, bloating, and extremely dry skin and hair. Also, I had to have two surgeries for atypical cells after my first ever bad mammo. ever. Whether this was related remains to be seen, but the other severe changes to my health make me suspicious. A few weeks after getting Mirena, I thought things would get better, as some of the severe cramping subsided. I was wrong. I had no idea how depressed I was until I had it removed. Honestly, the change after two days post removal was amazing. I could function again. My skin started getting better within a few days. I would have had it out earlier, but like many, my doctor felt I should continue with it. Thankfully, after my second request, he agreed it was a good idea to have it removed. I feel that this is a very dangerous product that certainly affects much of the body. I am aware that many women have no problem with it, but I urge those women who have had problems to report them to the FDA and also consider searching for the Mirena petition site. Otherwise, problems will go under reported, and personally, I do not believe enough studies were done on this product. The manufacturer tells us that side effects are uncommon. What is uncommon? If you have symptoms similar to many others, you should trust yourself. It affected my job and family. I am so happy to have it out.

I got Mirena inserted in Oct 2007. A few months after getting the IUD put in, I started experiencing a lot of different things, such as, depression, weight gain, sinus infections, fatigue, back pain, headaches, severe bloating, changes in bowel movements, cramping, high blood pressure, lower back pain, decreased sex drive and so on... I went to the doctor because I had never had all of these things happen to me before. I never thought or realized it could be Mirena. My primary doctor told me my Thyroid was out of whack, and I've been on thyroid medicine for over a year now, and my levels are fine, but I keep gaining weight for no reason, and I am tired all of the time. I recently started having severe cramping and pelvic pain and went to by OBGYN.. I saw the NP and she didn't seem too concerned, and I insisted that they give me a pelvic ultrasound because I thought maybe I some ovarian cysts, as I have had in the past since I got this stupid IUD! They did the ultrasound and discovered that the IUD was quite a bit lower in the Uterus than it should be, and it was puncturing the muscle... not sure if it is a muscle or the actual uterus or what... I just had the ultrasound 3 days ago, on a Friday, and my doctor's office is suppose to be calling me today or tomorrow to let me know what's going on. I know that this IUD is coming out of my body for sure!!! I have been online now and read all the stories about other people's side effects with Mirena, and it is exactly the same for me! It is ruining my life basically! I have had it in for almost 2 years now, and I can't tell you how many times I've went to the doctor for multiple things, not realizing that it was the IUD causes all these problems!!! I would NEVER in a million years recommend Mirena IUD to anyone!!!

i had my mirena inserted 2 1/2 years ago after i had my 4th child. I just had surgery to have it removed it had moved and went through my uterus. Very painful, this is after having very horrible eczema and hives all over my hands and feet. I can't use my unless i have gloves on because of the blisters and they are permanently scarred from the eczema which we think was caused from the mirena because i didn't have it until about 2 months ago when i started other symptoms. Then i found out that it had went through my uterus which required laparoscopic surgery to remove and to top it off no health insurance so what i thought was going to be a less expensive birth control just cost me about 30,000.00 including doctor bills!!!!

Hi everyone, I had my mirena put in feb of 2008. Around June 2008 I started having dizzy spells, and headaches. Went to ENT and ruled out inner ear problems, went to neurologist and he said it could be migraines. I never had them before but have a family history. I have in the last couple months been having really bad dizzy spells and nausea, like 4-5 times a week. Has anyone else had any of these problems? Not sure if its the mirena or not, but have been to just about every doctor and no one can figure out why i have been so dizzy and nauseous> Any suggestions?????

I have had Mirena since January, 8 months now, I am feeling so sad, actually I am looking now in the net as I was not able to stop crying and there is no reason for crying, everything is ok in my personal life. I am very concerned as this symptoms have increased in the last four weeks and I am seriously consider removing Mirena, I want my normal life back.

Ladies,

My Mirena is out now but I too experienced high blood pressure (165/110) numbness in both arms and legs, profuse sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, extreme fatigue. I thought I was having strokes.

There is power in the media. We MUST contact en masse the national news networks. Contact them all.

It is our duty to protect other women. And please report to the FDA.

L.

Well I posted something a couple weeks ago about the issues with the mirena...migraines, high blood pressure (which ive never had), gained 30 lbs since it was put it, acne (which i never get), irritability, extremely tired, I already have anxiety issues but it is not 10 times worse, and my periods are lasting about 20 days. I went to the doctor and she feels that i should not have it removed and i should give it more time. Its been 9 months since i had it put in. She swears all these things are not side effects and I should wait it out....i really think its time to get a new doctor!

Hi, my name is Eva and I am 27 years old.
I am a mother of 2 and had Mirena IUD inserted a few months after my 2nd daughter was born. This was 3 1/2 years ago.
Since then I have developed Eczema on my hands (which is the least of my concerns). More importantly I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease (hyperactive thyroid function) last year.
I had developed a goiter on my neck (enlarged Thyroid) , my hair was very brittle & my eyes were always dry and itchy.
Since then I have undergone Radioactive iodine treatment to destroy my thyroid. Reading all of your posts seriously made me angry and I teared up because I definitely think that there is a link between Mirena and thyroid problems. It makes sense that your body would try and fight off any foreign object in your body and maybe that send the thyroid into a out of whack mode ?
I am currently researching if there are any clinical studies out there on this possible connection. If anyone would like to join me - pls. contact me at ******
I have an appointment to have my Mirena removed in a few days, I sincerely hope that it will make a difference in my health.
Best regards,
E.

Hi, Ladies,

Thank you for this website. I used to be the picture of health. But then I had my Mirena inserted about 3 weeks ago. Ten days later I started experiencing high blood pressure, sporadic numbness in my arms and legs and dizziness. I told my doctor that I wanted it out and he said it wasn't the IUD. I explained how other women are experiencing the same side effects. He said, "There are scientific studies....." totally negating your voices. Then he lectured me about problems with the Internet knowing full well that I am a teacher. But, he said he wouldn't argue with me. I'm scheduled to have it out tomorrow at 8:00.

What can we do to get this removed from the market?

I had posted on June 16th about possibly getting Mirena because my OB/GYN said it was the best thing for me because of high blood pressure, but I have never had a child. Well I have tracked this forum for about a week now and I cannot believe how many posts this gets a day. Obviously it's a testament to how bad this IUD is. I called the doc and canceled my appointment. I am so happy I researched this product before I had it put in and it ruined my life. I hate when the doctors say, "well it affects every woman differently". That is not comforting at all. My heart goes out to the women who have to suffer daily just because they wanted to be responsible and have a method of birth control. If anyone needs a shoulder to cry on you can e-mail me anytime. ******

I got the mirena put on March of 2008. At first it was hard to get use to it, i had breast ache, back pains, headaches.My period came 1 time after the mirena was put in. So for the past 2 weeks i have felt this cramping pain on my right side where my pelvic bone is, right above that. I went to my ob gyn doctor whom performed an ultra sound and said the mirena was in place and nothing to worry about. So the pain is still shooting, so i went to a new ob gyn whom told me she couldn't feel the string. She mention to me she couldn't even see it, and there was a chance that the mirena has moved and that is why i am having pain on my right side. The pain is like a tough cramp, and it runs through my leg. I don't know what to think. I don't do well with pills, or depo, thats why i got the mirena put in.. I don't know what to think. Tuesday I go get another ultrasound to see if the mirena has moved..

Well reading all of this is very scary to me. I'm 23 years old and have never had a kid and have never been on any birth control before. I thought it would be a wise decision for it since i'm starting to get serious with my boyfriend and we have sex, but he never ejaculates in me...mostly because he cannot ejaculate from sexual intercourse the only way is thru oral or a hand job (sorry for the TMI lol). I have an appointment on July 1, 2009 to get the Mirena in place. My OBGYN doc told me Mirena was the best thing for me because I am on high blood pressure medication. I've always kind of had my doubts about this type of birth control and she didn't really explain the side effects that much, she just gave me the little pamphlet about it which of course makes it sound like the best thing ever. I am going to another place to have it put in because I have no health insurance and they do it for free. Well...I had to have a consultation with that doc and she did explain the cramping and it may hurt when it's put in, and the spotting but that's it. I almost kind of felt like I was pressured into it. After about 10 minutes the doc was like ok lets get you set up. I'm having very very serious thoughts about calling and canceling this appointment. I like who I am now and I think I would rather risk it and use a condom than ruin my life. Thanks for the help everyone.

Holy crap! Thank you all for helping me to justify my pending MIRENA removal on Wednesday, June 17th. I thought I was pregnant again - but I wasn't. Instead, via ultrasound, they found a large cyst on my ovary - the kind that's an UNDEVELOPED FETUS - it can have hair, fingernails, teeth and sweat glands - but never had a heartbeat! I have to live with this til it goes away or they decide to remove it... It's really sad for me to think about a little one that tried to make it but didn't...

After insertion when my son was 8 weeks old (he's now 20 months old-I've had this for a year and a half), headaches, incredible fatigue, weight gain - never lost the baby weight and gained more, low back pain-constant dull achiness, high blood pressure-mine's always been very low, incredible moodiness (I threw a carseat at my guy), huge depression swings-got a new anti-depressant, anxiety attacks, horrid cramping... The only good thing was no periods.

We decided to have them take the Mirena out so I can be "me" again. We decided that having what could have been a baby sticking around inside of me was unacceptable. I just hope I can be fertile again as I'm already 40 and we might want another.
Thanks again for helping me confirm that it's not all in my head!!!

If I were you , I would have it removed ASAP. I had the Mirena for 16 months and I had every symptom you can think of. Depression, mood swings, bloating, back aches, severe headaches, 20lb weight gain, and high blood pressure. It had gotten to the point where I even had to go to a neurologist to get cat scans. All test were negative and I took it upon myself to have the Mirena removed. Literally 2 weeks after I had it removed I lost 10lbs without exercise. I have lost 5 more lbs since then, that was March 17, 2009. All of the symptoms that I had have went away. I feel like a different person. I checked my pressure last night for the first time since I've had it removed and it was 117 over 70. this is a great blood pressure, this is without taking any medication. With the mirena it was running around 140 over 100.

I am 40 yrs young.... I have terrible PMS with anger to rage mood swings that are sinful.... I considered the birth control pills but my life is simply too busy & I wouldn't remember to take them... I used the BC patches which worked fine but left a rash on my backside..... I had to stop using it because I had high blood pressure and it increased my risk of stroke/ heart attack.... . I felt like the Mirena was a good fit because I wouldn't have to worry about birth control for 5 yrs....At 40, I'm just getting started with all the "FUN"...LOL... I had the copper IUD but it made my periods long (up to 7 days), heavy & I had horrible cramps....

I got the IUD inserted last week Wednesday, yeap, it hurted like H3!! going in.... as soon as my GYN was done putting it in, I had really bad heartburn for a few hours..... I had a tightness in my chest and a dull pain in my left thigh.. she said it was normal and just take some Advil... the next few days I had some light bleeding and cramping...I also had diarrhea for three days.

On the 3rd day, I noticed a serious mood change.. I was going about my day just fine than I got really bitchy.... I snapped at my co-workers and I was down right irritable..... like the PMS mood swings I was trying to get rid of.....

I don't know if its Mirena or me but my sex drive has skyrocketed--- I can't get enough-- I'm thinking about & wanting sex all the time.... engaged in risky encounters with my BF while the cable guy was in our home.... I'm tempted to call the telephone installer to hook up with him... WHY????? ... this is not who I am... I'm mousy & conservative.... I've never felt like this before....

I was concerned about the possible weight gain (i'm 109 lbs on a small frame) because I don't want to gain any more than 5 lbs... I noticed I was eating a lot of cookies ( which is what I crave during PMS) this weekend and had a taste for fried fish.....

I had this feeling of a lump in my throat and a dull ache on my spine.... I also feel like I have to have a bowel movement but nothing comes out.... it usually starts with a cramp like bubble gut but nothing comes out ?????

I've started a journal of my mood, appetite, weight changes and sleep patterns to report back to my GYN in two months.... Honestly, if in two months, things get worst, it's coming out....I already use condom so I'll just have to be extra careful....

I wish I had found this website before I put it in.... I will keep reading here and post an update after my return visit to my GYN in 2 months.... I hope this helps some has much as reading the other post had helped me... Peace to us All...

Thank you so much for all your posts guys!! I just googled Mirena side effects today just trying to check ANYTHING that would explain my recent experiences. I sat her bawling while calling my doctor to insist it's removed immediately.

I had it inserted in December after having baby #3 in October. I finally got my girl after 2 boys and a few miscarriages and wasn't certain what to expect. I am only 25 and didn't want something permanent or really any drugs put into me on a consistent basis. When the doctor pushed Mirena I happily said okay! Sounded like a god send. I have extremely high blood pressure and his strong sale point would be that it would remove the need for meds. Liar! My regular doctor flipped out when she found that he had removed me and of course, I went back on meds a few weeks after having it inserted, after 4 readings 200+/110+... amazing he didn't cause me a stroke. That should have been red flag #1 but I figured it was just an error in judgment on his part.

I felt no pain with it going in and didn't cramp at all.. spotted for a few hours then it was over.. My first cycle lasted 2 1/2 weeks and the next started a week later.. All side effects I was warned of so didn't really concern myself.

I started having phantom kicks (uterus contractions) and stabbing labor pains back in February which I figure was it doing its job trying to get my system on track. I had numbness and pain down my left side and would constantly find myself hunched over in pain.. The bleeding had slowed down so much that I was so grateful and just kept popping pain pills like candy hoping it would go away soon.

These last few days have been a flu from hell. Can't leave bed, can't speak, constantly throwing up, loose stools followed by extreme constipation, achy muscle tingling skin.. you name it!! Went to the bathroom earlier and when I wiped, had a small bout of black blood.. Old blood that sometimes you will find at the end of your cycle! I checked the calendar and had indeed finally skipped a cycle.. The cramps and pains have been there as though I was going to start, but no bleeding for a week now.. So apparently to skip a cycle I'm going to be bed ridden with the flu.. I have a 5 year old, a 2 year old and a 7 month old who can't have mommy sick. This has been hell..

I too have experienced
terrible headaches, stomach pains, DEPRESSION, short fused tantrums, sitting and crying for hours on end, no passion for life, numbness of limbs, tingling skin, sinus infections, yeast infections, temporary blindness and now spots in my eyes which aren't regaining vision, 5 months ago I dyed my hair and it came out by the chunks, now that the dye is gone, I'm still losing hair and have bawling spots which I blamed on the dye.. Now I wonder..I also look like I'm about 6 months pregnant and people keep asking.. I HATE IT!! its been devastating to my self esteem. I lost so much weight after my boys so I blamed the weight gain on having a girl.. Now I wonder about that too.. The weight is only about 10 pounds but ALL in my belly..

I wonder so much..

I got about 5 posts into this horrified before I called to insist it will come out.. I have to wait 4 weeks.. but I can't wait to find me again.. I'm gonna just stick with condoms until I get my body back.

Thank you so much for speaking out on this.. I know the doctor is going to insist that it's not to blame.. but I now know better.. Thank you so much for helping me find answers.

I was wondering.......it hurt like hell when it was inserted. For those of you that had it removed, "HOW BAD DOES THE REMOVAL HURT?" I am afraid to have it removed but know it is necessary.

I've called my doctor and am waiting on a reply from the nurse. I want my Mirena removed. I posted my symptoms on May 8th. I've had mine in for 4 1/2 months.

My symptoms are in order of severity:

*heavy bleeding 3 out of 4 weeks (pads or tampons with breakthrough bleeding and pantiliner 24/7)
*acne on my back, butt and jawline (going to Derm. and using ProActive)
*I've gained 15 lbs in the past 4 months and it won't come off
*headaches
*a sore spot in my spine (I was fearful I had cancer)
*facial hair
*bloating (I look 4 months pregnant 1/2 of the time)
*low libido
*irritable and moody more than usual
*sore breasts

I have noticed numerous side effects within the last 2 months. I had mine inserted last year, and it seems the longer I have had this in the more effects I get that stay with me longer also. I would please like to hear replies on any one that has had muscle swelling/fluid in the hip/thigh buttocks area. Like sciatiac pain with swelling.
Mine comes and goes and I would like to know who else has this.
Thank you.

Hi Everyone! I am a 40 year old mother of 6 that has just had her second Mirena IUD put into place on April 10th, 2009. On Easter Sunday (April 12th) I woke with a lot of joint pain, back pain, breast pain, severe nausea, headache, dizziness, faintness and extremely low blood pressure (87/54). My first Mirena was placed in October of 2001, 6 months after the birth of my last child. All went pretty well with no real bad complaints the first time other than the normal cramping and bleeding. I didn't even have headaches or moodiness (my doctor thinks it was because I was breast feeding at the time and the body produces a lot of natural progesterone during this). Things took a turn for me in 2003 though and have progressively gotten worse since; I have had so many crazy ailments (everything from muscle spasms, thinning hair to stabbing pains behind the eye) , that even I was beginning to think it was all in my head! It all started with an ovarian cyst that had to be surgically removed in Dec. 2003, from there I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and an extremely high heart beat rate in Sept. 2004 (on meds to current date). I get sick very easily now and I had gotten strep 3 times in the winter of 2006, so I had to have my tonsils and adenoids removed in March 2007. I have now been diagnosed with Raynauds Phenomenon and Glaucoma and suffer from an array of symptoms. My most recent mammogram showed that I have a lot of breast cysts now as well. I have been tested for MS, Lupus, Lime Disease, RA and many other things; everything comes up negative. Due to the current symptoms and symptoms I have had during the first Mirena (never made the connection until now) it prompted me to do some research. What I found was just shocking to me! The Mirena is made with a synthetic progesterone (progestin) called levonorgestrel. If you research this, you will find a huge list of possible adverse side effects; many of which I have suffered from. I have read many different sites and posts from countless people that have been affected by the Mirena. Most of these stories have a huge similarity to each other. I am now 10 days into these symptoms; yesterday I went to my Dr. because the symptoms were not getting any better and I wanted to discuss the possibility that most of my problems since 2003 may have been caused by the Mirena. My doctor did not confirm my suspicions, but she did not deny that it could be a possibility either. What occurred to both her and I was that I had left the first Mirena in longer than suggested; it should have been replaced around late 2006 to early 2007, but I was sick and had other surgery, so I just kept putting it off. Due to this, the effectiveness of the hormone progestin was wearing off over the past year or so; in the past 6 months (until now) I have been pretty much symptom free (that was why I had the Mirena replaced). The fact that my symptoms are suddenly back and in full force only 2 days after the insertion of the new Mirena, strongly suggests that the Mirena is responsible for most if not all my ailments. Over the last 6 months, even my blood pressure had gotten better and I had to lower my dosage of meds to compensate for the change; now my blood pressure is jumping all over the place again. I am now considering having the Mirena removed before it causes any other symptoms and completely ruins my life! It horrifies me to think that the Mirena is still on the market considering the potential it has to cause havoc on other peoples lives as it has mine.

I wish I had done my research before getting the Mirena IUD put in. I am 48 years old and have 3 grown children. For the last 10 or so years my periods have been VERY heavy and very embarrassing as leaking was a severe problem every time I had to leave the house during the first 2 days of it. I finally went to a doctor about it and he recommended the Mirena after determining nothing was really wrong. He hyped it up as the best thing to happen for women since the dishwasher but failed to tell me any of the side effects.

Well, I have had it now for 4 months but today I had it removed. Among the side effects that I was experiencing, such as the extreme fatigue and constant spotting, I gained about 25 more pounds (on top of the 50 I already was overweight by) and feel that I will continue to gain because I'm finding my clothes are getting 'smaller' everyday. I've had to increase my jean size twice already. This is really upsetting me because I already was carrying around 50 pounds too much before I got the Mirena. But this weight was at least steady. I hadn't really gain any more for years until last December when I decided to try the Mirena. Then when my husband started getting on me for gaining more weight, I was crushed and thought I better do something about it. The first thought I had was to check and see if there was anybody having this problem because of the IUD. Well, imagine my relief to see page after page of complaints because of this thing and that I wasn't just imagining it.

I thought at first that I must just be starting to go down hill because I'm getting older. I became extremely exhausted, sweating all the time over the smallest of activities, trouble sleeping, in a constant 'fog', and rapidly gaining weight. PLUS, the only help I got with my period was that it became very light and spotty, but stretched out over 3 weeks! That sucks as much as 2 days of extremely heavy bleeding. Well, I can't afford to keep gaining weight as I already have high blood pressure and am in danger of developing diabetes so,...it come out today. I gave it a shot. Just wish I knew the down side before doing this. I know there are some women that have nothing but great things to say about it and good for them. But as for me, I won't be recommending it to anyone. I'll keep you all posted with any improvement now that it's gone.

i had the mirena inserted in sept of 2007 after m son was born. this was a good option for me because i can't remember to take pills regularly, and my OB said that she's seen people gain a ridiculous amount of weight with the shot...but i needed something that was going to be easy for me (and as a plus sized woman already, weight gain isn't an option). THIS was easy,. i had no problems...insertion was easy, bleeding stopped after about 5-6 weeks, and i haven't had a period since a couple months after that!

i was talking to my sitter (close friend of the family) and telling her how my hair has been falling out lately. i had chalked it up to stress at work, but she said her sister in law had the same problem, and that it was a side effect of the mirena. i started to think back, and i've always pulled a few hairs out after a shower, and it's gotten worse in the past year, but the last few months have been insane! i got out of the shower the other day and my hair had parted funny while i was drying it, so i was running my fingers through, and found about a quarter sized bald spot! after further inspection of my head, i found two smaller spots...very thin, but not completely smooth like this big one! i was horrified! and of course it's right on top of my head, just off the center...very difficult to hide unless i wear a ponytail...which then cracks the rest of my hair off! i can't win!

so then searching for other side effects i was unaware of, i find this site and a whole bunch of other stuff i've been experiencing, not relating it to mirena. i have no sex drive, my arms tingle at night (which had me thinking i was becoming diabetic), lack of patience and mood swings (which i blamed on my husband being an idiot), headaches (blamed these on the high blood pressure. why was this prescribed if i have high blood pressure?), leg pains (blamed this on the new shoes)...everything had its own excuse. but putting it all together...it's likely because of mirena!

i have my annual appt tomorrow, where i will be discussing this AT LENGTH with my OB/GYN.

I had Mirena installed :) in March of 08 and did a lot of research prior. I was very nervous because there was a lot of bad feedback on the internet about it but didn't have any other options for BC because I had high blood pressure and was told that was from the pill. So I survived the unbearable pain of inserting it - FYI you need more than Advil and everything was fine. I noticed for the last year I am constantly moody, depressed and anxious but thought that was the changes in my life that had occurred. It wasn't until 2 weeks ago - I suffered from severe migraines, neck pain, pins and needle numbness and cloudiness in my thoughts that I started to question what was wrong with me. I have also grown 2 pant sizes since the insertion but again didn't put things together until I went to the doctor for my 'headaches' and he passed them off as migraines which I never had before. Oh and my blood pressure is still high - and I take a med for that to lower it. I have been researching and researching what could be wrong- MS, pregnancy, lime and lupus and the only thing that fits like a glove is the Mirena. I just don't get why it took so long to have side effects but think its time to take it out. Any feedback on others side effects is much appreciated because I don't know what to do but can't live like this. And I don't know what other options for BC are out there now...

I had my Mirena IUD inserted two weeks ago today. I had it inserted on day three of my normally five-day period. My period stopped for 2 days following insertion and then I spotted for one day. After that one day, I have been bleeding heavily ever since, and I'm talking super jumbo tampon every 2-3 hours bleeding. Before receiving Mirena, I talked to my GYN, read the pamphlet and researched online. Each resource told me to expect spotting - so I expected spotting for 3-4 weeks after and I am completely blown away by the constant heavy bleeding that I am now being told could potentially last 3-4 months.

I normally do not use oral contraceptives because of my problems with High Blood Pressure, but my doctor felt the low dosage of hormones in Mirena was "ok" for me. Since insertion, I've experienced a slight raise in my blood pressure but the doctor doesn't seem too concerned about it because I am supposedly "adjusting" to the Mirena. I am slightly worried that my constant bleeding and increased blood pressure are not going to subside in the 3-4 months the doctor is recommending I wait it out.

Not to mention how the constant, constant bleeding is ruining my sex life.

I honestly have no idea what kind of standards or limits I need to be setting here for myself. It has only been two weeks, but how much is too much..? I also have to say I am worried as well since I have to have minor surger in 4 weeks and would hate to have HBP/Anemia complications because of this.

I had my Mirena place June of 2008 being that it sounded like the best option and it still allowed me to breastfeed, and since then I have felt horrible. At first I figured that I was just getting used to it. Ever since I have had horrible anxiety to the point of a full blown attack at least once a week. Depression to the point that suicide crossed my mind on several occasion. I have extremely high blood pressure which I have never had before. Random outbursts of aggression. I am tired all of the time and my points get these sharp pains throughout the day. I have spent the past 2 months going through blood tests, thyroid tests, MRA's, you name it trying to find something that explains why at 23 I feel like this. I have gained 10 lbs and I have never had weight problems. I can't concentrate at all, even when I try my brain just wont connect to the information that I am trying to retain.Thank you to all of the people that have posted on here. I am calling my doctor first thing in the morning to have it taken out. I can't continue on feeling this way. I hope that this will help me get back to the life that I had before.

I have had my Mirena for about 16 months now and have been experiencing all of the below listed side effects. Headaches, Blurred Vision, Dizziness, Back Aches, Acne, Hair Loss, Mood Swings, Loss of Sex Drive, and the newest thing.......blood clots. I noticed a worm like vein in my left breast and went in to see my OBGYN and he sent me over to a surgeon. I was diagnosed with Mondor's Disease. Over this past weekend I have noticed a sharp pain in my leg. I have an appointment today with the surgeon and I will let you know what happens. After all of this I have looked on the internet and deep vein thrombous is a side effect of an IUD. I am praying this will all go away after I have the Mirena removed. I went in last week and my OBGTN refused to remove it disagreeing with me that it isn't causing these things. I called him today and said I want it out now! I will keep you all posted. Thanks.

I pulled out the Mirena 2 days ago. I am still bleeding very heavily & have cramping. Nothing nearly as bad as when the device was inside of me though. I feel much better & have already lost some of the weight. I just wish I could stop bleeding. I have a follow up appointment on March 6th. I'll post results of that after my visit. Good luck to you all.

P.S. I had very high blood pressure before my pregnancy & was on 2 medications which they suspended as my pressure went down. I gave birth in November. In the last 10 days my diastolic number ( bottom number) has been over 100!!!!!! That is way too high for me or anyone else. I am still monitoring my blood pressure to see if it was the Mirena or whether I just have my high blood pressure returning on it's own.
If anyone else has had a similar experience please let me know.
Thanks

Hi Ladies,
I've had the mirena in for about 3 1/2 years. I have in the past recommended it. About 4 months after it was put in, I had no periods and according to my ob/gyn, this was absolutely normal for the mirena. I loved it, having 4 children, who has time for a period. I have always struggled with my weight and I've always been able to control it, but recently within the last year it has gone way up. I started exercising my butt off and dieting, I'm finding very difficult to lose weight. Only losing an pound or two just to gain it plus two the following month. I am 39 years old and my GP keeps telling me that once I hit 40, it would be more difficult for me to lose weight. Out of pure desperation, last Friday, I decided to look up the side effects of the mirena . (Cuz you know my ob/gyn said "there wasn't any side effects except the initial cramping. and absolutely no weight gain like the pill.") I would of never thought that it had so many side effects! ... And I've experienced almost everyone. I blew off most of my symptoms due to high blood pressure, which runs in my family, and the stresses of work, two teenagers, a 5 yr old and a 4year old. I would say if I had to pin point when the symptom started, it would be about 2 years ago. All those years of insomnia, anxiety attacks, dizziness, head aches, bloating, weight gain and yes even depression, that I was prescribe prozac for, could be due to the mirena. I immediately made a doctors appointment to get in removed. Well, that was this Monday and the Nurse Practioner couldn't find the strings. Two ultrasounds later, I still have it in and am waiting the "what are they going to do now, and my next appointment this Friday." I Just want this thing out and wish I never got it in the first place!!"

I had my 3 daughter in sept. 2007 and then the Mirena put in, in Nov. 2007. Ever since then I have had no sexual drive, irritable I fight with my husband everyday, high blood pressure, and OMG the abdominal cramping. The cramping keeps getting worse and worse every month that goes by. I should have known something like this would happen when I was laying on the table and the doctor had to look at the instructions on how to put it in. Yesterday I was in so much pain that I could not get off the couch and I was home alone with my 5, 4, & 1 year old. I was bawling I was in so much pain it was like I was in labor all over again, the only difference was I didn't have anything good for the pain. I was taking 3 Tylenol every 3-4 hours. I talked to my doctor 2 months ago about my problems and she said that we needed to think long and hard before we took it out. I still have it in right now and I'm still in a great deal of pain. I feel like a bad mother I got really hateful with my kids today and the worst part was I couldn't even get up to cook them anything to eat. I called my doctor and I have a appointment this morning. Hopefully they will take it out. I was just wondering if anybody has had these problems with the mirena. Also, when I try to have sex with my husband it hurts so bad that I actually start to cry. This has never happened before. Then I feel like I have let him down. If you could let me know if you have had any of these problems please write me and ******. I just want to know if I am losing my mind or not.

Thank you for reading this,
worriedmama

I am trying to hold back the tears after reading all of this. Everything that is posted happened to me. I had my Mirena removed this morning after discovering that it may be the cause of my high blood pressure and weight gain. I had it inserted 6 months after my daughter was born (11/07). The doctor really promoted this method and had info posted all around the office. I chose this dr. after I had a major concern with my OB. She gave me the ring-while I was still breastfeeding!!! As a result of struggling to produce milk for my baby and knowing that I was possibly feeding with this unapproved method of BC for breastfeeding moms, I thought I was doing the right thing about choosing the Mirena with the new dr. Unfortunately, I could not find any thing on negative side effects or probably didn't look hard enough. At first, I thought that I was in heaven- no nausea or side effects like all of the other methods and I can even keep breastfeeding. Long story short, I gradually began to loose my mind!!!! I thought I needed to see a doctor for drugs ( moody, anxiety, irritable, confused, shortness of memory). Then all of my hair fell out. I have shortness of breath. I too could look in the mirror and see between the strands of my hair. And it continued to fall out and I now wear very expensive weaves and I hate it. I was loosing lots of weight and around the time my periods changed to just spotting for a day or two I gained 15 pounds. No matter what I did- close to starving myself, treadmill 5 x a week, no loss only gaining. I had cravings for sweets and I never did before. Almost everything that has been mentioned by others has happened to me. The headaches and dizziness caused me to go the doctor yesterday. She said that the Mirena works like Depro provera, (sp) aka the 3 month shot, and I used that almost 15 years ago but the doctor took me off after a year because of the weight gain. I could not believe I was using something similar. If I get back on an IUD I think I will use the one without any hormones or estrogen. Until that time, I will give my body some time to heal before our next baby, no BC for me. Please be careful with this drug and thanks to all for sharing.

This is unbelievable. Like most of you, I was told there were very few side effects with Mirena. I had a baby girl in May this year and was considering using the depo after birth since I had used it before with no major issues or dislikes (a little weight gain but, I always felt I was too thin before and the depo made me look curvy in all the right places so no complaints at that time which was about 4 years ago.) I did however, stop using the depo when I wanted to try for another baby and while off the depo I gained much more weight. Right before my due date this year, my midwife suggested I consider Mirena because unlike the depo, "it doesn't make you gain weight." Considering I had gained 30 lbs. during pregnancy and wanted to lose a total of about 45 after birth, I agreed to use Mirena as b/c. Well, I had my baby on May 10th, I immediately breastfed and on my two week postnatal visit I had already lost ALL of the pregnancy weight (30 lbs.!) I then scheduled the appt. to have the Mirena inserted on July twenty something. By that visit I had already lost 50 lbs. by breastfeeding alone...I was ecstatic! About four months later and with the Mirena in me, I am gaining weight, so far 8 lbs. and all of it on my belly, I look like I am about 5-6 months preg. This is especially depressing because only a couple months ago my husband was talking about how flat my stomach had gotten. I am also experiencing hair loss and spotting/bleeding after every intercourse. I am also considering having this thing removed! AHHHHHH!

Hello Ladies,

I just had my Mirena inserted on 11/7/2008, and since the insertion I had experienced some side effects as well. For the first time in my life I had experienced the worst anxiety attack ever. It lasted three days... three whole days... The day after insertion my husband took me right to the ER. The er doctor said it was from the anesthesia, gave me Ativan IV and sent me home with a pill in case it didn't get better... After the anxiety attack subsided I was then left with anxiety, light headedness, dizziness, and mild headache and at times nausea. I call my doctor with these symptoms, he decided to keep me home for the rest of the week and said I should rest. However I noticed that I am still anxious, I was having a rapid pulse, I was waking up with light headache and a high blood pressure... My pulse was going up as high as 150 bpm... So far today the rapid heartbeat has calmed down. But I'm still feeling that foggy brain feeling. I feel as though I'm never going to feel normal again.. Not sure if this is all related to the Mirena but folks I haven't felt normal since I had it put in... I want to feel like my old self again... I don't feel right! Any suggestions???

I have had the Mirena since September 22, 2008. Getting it inserted was easy and great. I took a pain pill an hour before having it inserted and there was hardly any pain. I cramped slightly for about a week and spotted in between then and now. My cycle came at its normal due date but it has not gone away. This is the second week. It is much lighter now but it has turned brown and has a very strong odor. The odor is so embarrassing I don't know what it is. I am also experiencing a lot of hair shedding. I have beautiful long hair and I am afraid that I am about to lose it. I have read where others have experienced severe hair loss. I have also started crying a lot lately too. I go to the doctor tomorrow and after reading everyone's comments I am having this thing removed. So much for birth control!! I guess I will go back to the pill.

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

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

I received the MIRENA on Jun 9th 2008, the doctor inserted the Mirena while I was on my cycle. After the insertion my cycle stopped. Its been a month now and I received my cycle for the month of July last week. Since then I have been spotting and wearing pantyliners. So, Tuesday I went for my 6 weeks checkup and explained to my Gyn what I've been experiencing with the Mirena which she said it was normal. I explained that my partner could feel the strings and if she could cut them down. When she went in to cut them down the string were not there. I have a sonogram scheduled on the 28th to see where my strings are. I am am very alarmed and concerned of where they are and why she couldn't see them. I asked is this something i need to be concerned about and she said no,,,,I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this at all. I chose the mirena due to high blood pressure and not being able to take the pill, but now I really don't know if all this was worth it. Im tired of the spotting etc.......No sex drive.....I've had migraines for yrs so I cant say its from the Mirena.

I had my Mirena removed three days ago and I already feel like if my life is back. I had Mirena since January of 2006 and I had been feeling like another woman for the last six months...The horrible side affects included: Lower back pain, fatigue, depression, cloudiness, slurred speech, rapid heart rate, thinning hair, high blood pressure and the list goes on.....I can't thank one of my co-workers enough for opening up my eyes to take this thing out of me....Of course the doctor told me that the Mirena had nothing to do with the way I was feeling, but I decided to have it removed anyways. He sent me to do some bloodwork, so I did this morning...He's blaming the way I felt on my thyroid....I'll keep you posted....No matter what.... I am glad the Mirena is out!!!

I had Mirena inserted in August 2007. I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure, and the doctor had to take me off of NuvaRing because of the connection of the hormones in birth control and HBP. My Gyno said that Mirena was very low hormone and would not affect my BP. Since I have been on Mirena, my BP has stabilized, but now I get dizzy spells, often, and I constantly have a headache. I also have cramping, sometimes very severe. I have gained ten pounds, and I have bad acne. I work out religiously and eat very healthy. I kept wondering how I gained this weight, and couldn't get it off, until I found this website. Also, I have never had an acne problem, and at 31 years old, I don't think I should have the skin of a sixteen year old, especially because I had perfect skin at 16. I found this website because I was having spotting, again, tonight, so I decided to GOOGLE the phrase "Mirena Side Effects." The spotting is not unusual since I have had the Mirena. It is one of the side effects that I experience regularly, especially after intercourse. Intercourse has been a problem, too. I have been married, happily, for ten years, and our sex life was great until I had the Mirena put in. Now, I don't want my husband to touch me, and I have even told him several times, since having the Mirena implanted, that I want a divorce. I think this has to do with the physical and emotional changes that I have had since getting Mirena. I have thought about having it removed, but I am finally starting my career after staying home with my three children. So I am torn because I don't want to get pregnant. My husband has said several times that he thinks that the Mirena has caused the problems in our marriage, and after seeing what others have to say, I am sure he is right. Although I have been thinking the same thing for months. Just a couple more points to make: Like some of the other woman, I have insomnia. When I had the Mirena inserted, I think I experienced TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) because I had an extreme pain where it was place, followed by immense dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and a rushing sensation in my face and head. When I went to get a checkup, I was told that the Mirena was "lost," and the doctor had to do an ultrasound to locate it. I have lower back pain and strong, period-like cramps. And I have an irregular period with spotting throughout the month. (It is getting expensive having to buy new panties all the time.) I think that I have made my decision to have the Mirena removed.

Hello, I'm 30 yrs old and I had the mirena for about 5 yrs. The reason I had it for so long is that I have a auto immune disorder and I thought it was coming from that. But now that i'm listening to everyone else, It's starting to make even more sense. I remember before I got it put in; I didn't experience any problems and I had the immune disorder than but it didn't bother me physically. When my 5 yrs. was up I had it removed and I started to feel much better. What was really dumb is that I had it replaced not knowing that it may be the mirena. Now, I have it in for 3 months now and I feel worser than the first insert. I have high blood pressure now and I never had a problem with that before. My hot flashes has begun after the second insert and I'm having more and more panic attacks now and the only thing that I can do is cry feeling alone and that my family did not understand what i am feeling. I cried to my mom and told her what's wrong with me and I told her it's not the auto-immune disorder because those symptoms only give me dry eyes and nose and other salivary gland problems. I'm having hot flashes and not able to sweat and also feeling bloated even more in my waist line and what tops the cake is that I'm getting pre-cancerous cyst on my cervix now, It's has to be check every month. I told my doctor that maybe it is the mirena and he said no because the hormone only stays below my waist and I said well my cervix is below my waist. My mom said it's the mirena. I'm glad I found this website.

Just an update about the class action suit discussed previously, and Aamaya had provided us with the Florida attorney, Justin Wikin: I got a letter in the mail yesterday stating that they would not be pursuing suit against them. They said that they deal mainly with wrongful death cases and it does not mean that the case does not have merit, just that it is not their specialty. I will be doing some research here locally in Ohio to see if I can locate a practice to pursue this. If anyone comes up with something, please let us all know.

Has anyone had the Mirena taken out and immediately replaced with the copper IUD? I'm having this procedure done on May 20, 2008 and I'm really scared that doing this will further hinder my weight loss effort. I've had the MIrena for a little over 2 years, and like many many women I only have very recently started to connect Mirena with side effects I never imagined. It was inserted Feb. 2006, and immediately I turned into a horrible, moody, extremely emotional basketcase. I never even thought twice about the Mirena being responsible. My husband and I thought I was postpartum depressed. I lost everything, meaning my husband, my home, my life, and my mind within 3 months of insertion. I had already had one child, and after she was born I had PPD, but not to the extent of attempting to kill my husband and turning his mother in to Social Security. This was a horrible time in my life and I wish I had known that it wasn't just postpartum behavior. Recently I've noticed the increase in my weight....a problem I never had before and I don't like it. My skin is a big oily blemish nightmare, also a problem I never had before. I'm always nauseated, I am depressed still and now summer time has become dreaded because I can't stand to look at myself and it's too hot to cover all the way up. I'm terrified of removal because I have read many stories saying that you go through a worse emotional roller coaster to get the hormones out of your body, but I suppose I've done it once, I can do it again. If anyone has had the Mirena removed and replaced with the copper one, can you please tell me what to expect??

So glad I found this website!!! I have Mirena for 1year and four months. My period stopped like six months ago. I have experienced increased anxienty and for three months already almost panick attacks, heart palpitations, nausea like morning sickness, and developed high blood pressure related to the anxiety. Never thought the Mirena has anything to do with it but I will call my doctor tomorrow to have it removed as soon as possible. I had never been on hormonal contraceptives so did'nt know what side effects i could develop.

My Mirena Removal....
So i posted here a few weeks ago after I found this site. I had EVERY side effect listed and was so freaked out that i immediately made an appointment for removal.
For those of you reading and wondering what the removal is like..
Well, NOTHING like the insertion. I was so so nervous and it was over before we actually started. The DR was surprised that i was back in his office to have this removed. He then proceeded to do an ultrasound to be sure it was placed properly before removal. And yes, all was OK on the position of it. I explained to him my reasons and he looked at me like he had never heard this before. I honestly can not imagine with all the women he sees that NONE of them have complained. But...as I was getting dressed afterwards, I took a good look in his office. There was Mirena literature ALL over the place. In fact, that was the ONLY thing he was advertising. Not to mention...they made me pay up front with the insertion back in Nivember...billed my insurance and I still have yet to receive my reimbursement. Oh yeah, and that...they charge more than the actual Mirena costs, then they bill your insurance for the price they know they will pay and the DR then makes about $150 profit. Nice.
Ok, back to my side effects post Mirena. The removal was not painful at all. I did spot for about a week- nothing too heavy but it was clotty and def there.
A couple of days after the removal it felt like I was coming out of my skin something terrible. I figured this was my body adjusting to the lack of hormones. I also had some headaches.
It has now been 2 weeks and the spotting has disappeared. I also can see the bloating of my stomach is starting to go away. It looked like I was about 4 mos preggo while I was on it. I also have an increased sex drive. And sleep-- well let me tell you, I have not slept this good in a very long time. I am actually sleeping more than 6 hours now and the night sweats have also discontinued.
I can't believe EVERY time I come to this site and look up Mirena ALL the people that have posted their experience as being negative. Yet, the DR looks at me like I am crazy! I have been seeing him for years and I have never complained about something like this. I really am so happy that I have it out and wish I would have done my research on this prior to insertion (which was one of the most painful things ever!)
So..for those of you out there that are either contemplating having it inserted...I say NO WAY. And for those of you out there that are nervous about the removal or not sure..I SAY YES, DO IT! For our bodies to be reacting this way, it is clear to me that it should not be inside of us. Listen to your bodies...they really do speak to you and let you know when something is not right. Forget about the DR saying it is safe or he has not heard of any of these side effects...YOU be the judge.
Good luck! And I promise it gets better once you get that lil' demon out!
Mona

Thank goodness its not just me! Of course i have been to other websites that do not make the MIRENA sound this severe, so i thought it was just me. I have never had any luck with any bc since having children. I have 3 kids and don't want any more. My doctor is a female and just raved about how wonderful the MIRENA is so decided to try it.....OH where to start. I had it inserted and bled heavy for 4 months straight! i called the doctor and basically said, hmmm well we can just remove it. I decided to give it more time. I had about 2 weeks off from a period but still spotted and then continued to have more periods. Every few days i would just start again... Then 8 months into it i had the most severe pain that bent me over in pain, i was sick in bed for 5 days when i decided it has to be the MIRENA so i called my doctor went in and had a vaginal ultrasound. Low and behold i had cysts on my ovaries. My doctor said that is associated with the MIRENA because you body cant sluff enough. My body had just sluffed for 7 months straight! So they passed on their own. Then here at 11 months into it i have the cysts again! I have miserable cramps for weeks on end and yes i finally bleed less, but the side effects are not worth it! This morning i woke up with severe back and chest pain that radiated into my jaw. i felt like i was having a heart attack. I'm 28 and in very good physical condition with no prior high blood pressure or medical conditions. This has gone on long enough. Monday i am making an appt. to get the MIRENA out! P.S. also mood swings. I have been short tempered and feel rage at times. I have never had that bad of a temper before this. My husband agrees. Also loss of sex drive almost completely.

I had a horrible experience with the Mirena. Weight gain, high blood pressure, mood swings, loss of libido, etc. I got the Mirena removed on Monday, and I am already feeling better. I started a blog detailing my experiences with the Mirena, and would love for more ladies to come participate and share their stories.