Mirena and iud

I have a 4 yr. old daughter and an 8 month old daughter. About 7 weeks after giving birth the second time, I had Mirena inserted. I admit that I was skeptical about this method, however, my OBGYN convinced me that it is the best choice with little to no side effects. Since having the Mirena inserted, I have gained 1 pound per week and currently up to a total of 28 pounds gained! I have been working out at the local gym 4 days a week and watching what I eat (for the most part). I have been blaming myself for my weight gain and lack of sex drive. After reading these posts I realized that I am not alone and I thank all of you for blogging on here. I had the Mirena taken out today. Rest assured that it did NOT hurt at all. Of course my OBGYN said that there is no way that the IUD caused my weight gain( and by the by my blood pressure is high now too). But it seems like doctors are so pro Mirena that they don't take the time to listen to the side effects that it actually causes. I wish all of you luck and thanks again for sharing your stories.

I'm 27 years old. My daughter is 2. Two months after my baby was born, I had Mirena put in. Everything was fine up until this last September. I haven't had a cycle since then. I've taken 6 pregnancy tests and all of them negative. So I know that I'm not pregnant. I have also gain 25 pounds and I've been careful what I eat. I am constantly nausea. My face looks like a bunch of mini volcanos all over it and no matter what I do they just wont go away. My migraines have gotten worse and the doctor tried to tell me it had to do with muscle spasms. I have also had problems with my gall bladder. After reading the things on this page, I'm calling my doc on Monday to get my IUD removed. It's time to go back to my period once every three month birth control method!!!!!

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!

Thank you Thanks you Thank you!
I am literally crying - tears - reading all of your posts because I have been totally stressed this week trying to figure out what is wrong with me... I am 33 and mother of 3 so I just thought it was normal to be tired constantly. I had Mirena put in Dec of 2008 so almost a year now. At first not a big deal, slight spotting here and there. Now I am headed to the doctor with 100 symptoms. I have felt ALL the things you all are saying, the mood swings, random crampiness, feeling like a period is coming, but nothing happens. Cramping after sex and almost always spotting the following day. Low back pain, hip/groin pain too. Feeling bloated/ full/swollen in my low abdomen. I've had a headache just about everyday for the last 2 weeks and I have been nauseous (feeling like I'm preggo again) since I got the Mirena. Anxiety, dizziness, etc etc etc. Finally called the Dr because after 10 months of no periods, I have now been actually bleeding for a week. It has scared me to death thinking I have cysts, or worse!! It has helped tremendously hearing your stories although I am sorry that so many of us are going through this.
Of course my doctor won't get me in for another 6 days - but at least I am going. The nurse made it sound like the IUD may be out of place! I have felt uncomfortable all along knowing that there was this foreign object lodged in my body so I am sure I will be getting it removed no matter what they tell me. I just have to figure out what my next step is.... I am not prepared to have any more children!
3 is amazing, but just about all I can handle right now! : )
Thanks for your posts, they have calmed my fears tremendously.

I had my IUD removed November 12th after having it for two years. The removal was painless. Within twenty-four hours, the abdominal bloating was noticeably less and within a week, gone. I also noticed an increase in energy level and change in appetite. I am looking forward to getting rid of the gained weight over the past two years and getting back into the clothes I love. More importantly, I want to feel alive and attractive again. The only adverse effect of having the IUD removed was four days after removal, I had a very emotional, crying episode for the better part of the day. A minimal amount of vaginal discharge, similar to the start of a period, has been present for about six days. Otherwise, no problems. Also, my knees, hips and back are no longer hurting like they were. Don't hesitate to have it removed and don't let your doctor talk you out of it! It is your body and your right to make all decisions regarding your healthcare! Good luck to you all. Thank you for sharing your experiences. If you had not, I may have never put two and two together.

I have had severe canker sores since January of this year I had the IUD put in on Dec 23, 2008. I am only 21 and have maybe had a few canker sores here and there but I have had multiple canker sores now for almost a year. I have been to my doctor several times, a ear nose and throat doctor twice and a oral specialist once. I have had a blood test done only for it to come back normal. No one seems to know why I keep getting them the only thing I can think of is the IUD. Can anyone help?

ive been on mirena since march 2008. at first i thought this was the best birth control product out there. however for over two years i have been riddled with allergies, sinus infections, upper respiratory tract infections, tiredness, headaches, joint pains, muscle aches, gastric and bowel problems, cyst like acne, mood swings tachycardia (rapid heart rate), anxiety. at first i thought all these were related to getting older (im 29) and work related stress so i wrote it off. but being a person who has never been sick in my life to all of a sudden being sick once a month is crazy. this has been the only thing i could think of that i could think the problem is. i hate to remove the iud because it is so convenient but i am sick of being sick. the doctors dont tell you of the not so obvious side effects like these. i just hope that no permanent damage has occurred.

I got the mirena in September of this year , I have had 2 bacteria infections,once I get them gone they come right back this IUD makes u smell very bad, I have experience feeling like I have peed on myself.. I don't know why someone would make something like this , the string holding fluids from sex or just from discharge, the devise is plastic which is probably hold odors making you smell fishy, they need a lawsuit out on this , It messes with your sex life in more then one way.

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!

I know that for every woman, the side effects or various medications and hormones are different. I personally had the Mirena IUD inserted a little over 3 years ago on the recommendation of a friend who, at the time, had nothing but positive things to say about it. I went on that recommendation alone, and now wish that I had done more research into the side effects before having one inserted.

The initial insertion was not horrible, but not great either- a pinch at insertion, severe cramping and pain within a few hours, and a dull aching feeling in my abdomen for about a week. After that, though, I couldn't feel the IUD at all.

It was not long after that when I began to experience side effects. Like many of you, I attributed my symptoms to stress and life changes. I figured that my migraines, back pain, fatigue, dizziness, increasing urinary tract infections, and weight gain were a result of a changing metabolism and high-stress job.

When I went to my family physician to have blood work done (because I was declared anemic when trying to give blood), I was told that I wasn't getting enough iron and I went on iron supplements. (The supplements then made me constipated- sorry if that is TMI, but that was a very unwelcome result!) When I took trip after trip to my ob/gyn for antibiotics to treat UTIs, I was told that the UTIs were unrelated to the IUD. When I saw a urologist to have three separate tests done (one for hormone levels, another for uterine function, and yet another to test kidney function), all tests came back within normal range. Even when I went to the ER one Saturday morning, when my back was spasming so badly that I could barely walk or stand, I was told that my back pain was stress-related.

All the while, my friend (the one who recommended the IUD in the first place) was dealing with similar problems- weekly severe migraines, back pain, etc. She was being told the same things by her ob/gyn- none of her symptoms were related to the IUD. Since she and I trusted our doctors completely, we went on about our lives, upped our workout regimens, tried to de-stress as much as possible, took OTC pain meds when it was all too much to bear- and yet for both of us, our symptoms continued.

Then, in July, my husband and I decided to begin trying for a baby. I made my appointment to have the IUD removed (which was a painless process), and it was only then that I began to research the Mirena IUD online. My former ob/gyn had moved, and my new one seemed ill-informed about what to expect once the IUD was removed. I wanted to know how soon I could conceive, and she knew very little about the process- heck, she didn't even know what the hormone was called that she had given me to jump-start my period (it was progestin, by the way- a very common prescription that my paramedic husband knew quite a bit about, but the ob/gyn didn't even know the name of!).

Once I got online and found this site (among many others), I finally began to put two and two together. I am now firmly convinced that my symptoms were directly related to the Mirena IUD. Again, different women are affected in different ways, but I know that for me- nothing good came of messing with Mother Nature like that.

Now that I've had the IUD out for about four months, I feel like a different human being. I did experience the "Mirena Crash," but once that passed, I almost immediately began losing weight, my abdomen was no longer blown up like a balloon, my energy level and sex drive increased, my back pain is now gone, and I haven't had a migraine or UTI since.

I've since switched ob/gyns, but I now have a healthy distrust of anything medically new and experimental. I will never have the Mirena inserted again, and I will definitely research anything and everything regarding my body. Ladies, listen to your bodies- mine was screaming at me loud and clear for over three years, and even though I knew that something was very wrong, I didn't listen. I'm just happy that I "accidentally" figured it out. (Oh, and my friend will be having her IUD removed later this week. She and I now call ourselves the "sister skeptics!")

I have had palpitations, racing heart, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea since I had the IUD inserted over a week ago - Ive been through a whole heap of tests and they have all came back fine. Im wondering if Im reacting to the hormone in it?? as I haven't taken the pill before either. If the symptoms don't go away Im having it removed but I think the most frustrating thing is being told they don't know whats wrong with you and you thinking it's all in your head :( I am post baby but I was feeling well before the Mirena - not so well since...

I had Mirena since Sept 2008. All I felt was a slight cramp when it was put in and a minor ache for a few hours afterward. I had some spotting for about 4 days after it and then nothing. Periods got lighter each month but the spotting got longer and longer.

I stumbled across this sight a few days ago when I was wondering if the Mirena could cause weight gain. After reading everyone's experience with it, everything started to come together. I got it 3 months after my daughter was born. I had gained 80 pounds while pregnant and lost 40 within 3 months. I then had that damn IUD put in. I gained it all back. I haven't been able to lose anything after gaining it all back. I have trouble just trying to maintain my weight. This is what I've experienced so far: weight gain, facial hair, cramping, sharp abdominal pains, joint pain, constant exhaustion, mood swings, bloating, tingling sensations, headaches/migraines, 15 days of spotting each month, constant hunger, no sex drive... I've had blood work, tests on my stomach and abdomen, iron infusions... All my doctor was telling me to do is change my diet and exercise when I went about the exhaustion. I've done that and gained 3 more pounds!

It's scheduled to come out December 4th. That day can't come fast enough for me!

Some of this may be TMI for some, but I believe in not pulling the punches:

I had mine inserted 12/07 when my youngest was 8 weeks old. I had the para-guard (no hormone) previously and loved it, I didn't take into account how poorly I have done with hormonal BC in the past (2 pregnancy's on the pill, 30lbs weight gain in 6 weeks of the patch, constant 'morning sickness' with the shot, etc) all I heard was no more periods....

After doing the HGC diet (as a last resort) I am finally down to the weight I was 2 days before my dd was born. At my peak I was 20lbs more. I want to get pregnant again next spring, but I have at least 35 lbs to loose before even considering it.

I bleed 2-3 weeks out of the month- too light for even the lightest tampons, but still no fun. I have actually developed raw spots from wearing a pad ALL THE TIME since I never know when the bleeding will start.

And, best of all, I hate sex. I have always had a great sex drive (I'm 29 with four kids) but now if my husband even looks like he's thinking about it I snap at him. When I finally give in (maybe once a month!) it hurts horribly for days- two main types: even with copious amounts of lube I am still dry enough that I feel swollen and bruised. On top of that I cramp for a full day - Feels like I've been punched in the stomach repeatedly. And then the bleeding starts.

Also some (relatively mild) acne, constant, but manageable (never a problem before). Including some in the groin area that end up as boils when on a stretch mark. I had never attributed it to my IUD until reading these posts, but had never had them previously.

The only reason I've had it this long is we lost our insurance shortly after the baby was born (DH laid off after 10 years in construction) I am calling my doctor on Monday to find out how much it will cost to have it removed!

I would ( and have) recommend IUD's to all my friends, but if any have ever had a problem with any hormones- para guard it is!!

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 had my Mirena inserted in November 08. I immediately started experiencing sever mood swings and I was very angry and mean. I stayed depressed nearly the whole year to the point of feeling suicidal. I had nigh sweats and pains. I also gained almost 25 lbs during 1 year. My Mirena got "lost" in may of 09 and I could not feel the string, I had to have a sonogram to find it. That was really horrible. 4 weeks ago I started having a discharge and severe stabbing pains on the right side of my abdomen. I went to ER to have someone check me out but I left because teh wait was too long. The next morning I went to two doctors to try and locate the IUD and check for issues and they couldn't find the IUD or anything wrong with me. I knew I wasn't imagining the symptoms and I felt like I was going crazy. I finally got in to see my OB and she was able to locate and remove the IUD. The removal was extremely painful. She told me that the IUD was embedded into the back wall of my uterus. Its been exactly 1 week today since I had it removed and I feel 100% better. Almost all of my symptoms are gone. I would not recommend the Mirena to my worst enemy.

i just stumbled on this site, SO i like to share my experience. I had the Mirena placed in Oct 08 and took it out recently Oct 09 so exactly a year within, that year: I was having the ose Headaches ever (i expressed this to my doctor but almost immediately he was dismissive on the idea that it was related to the IUD. I insisted it was because of it.. I also wasn't able to lose any weight, and had moody side effect. I now realized it wasn;t just me. There should be a more testing when producing a product such as this. I am just wondering is there going to be a time (soon) where there will be a recall on this product or are they going to keep this on the market until someone gets really ill or are they waiting for someone to die?.. Geez I am now going to do this the natural way. (calculate my periods and be vigilant as to when i am ovulating) these birth control assist with one thing and mess up 10

I had the Mirena put in October of 06 and had it removed in October of 08. During the time that I had it, I didn't get a period, which I expected but I was really hormonal. It was like I would get angry or upset for no apparent reason. It was ruining my relationship, and I would also get terrible headaches, no sex drive, and I started getting cysts in the groin area. The doctor told me it had nothing to do with the Mirena, but I believe it did. Since I had it removed I don't get so bent out of shape so easily, no more headaches, but I do still get the cysts, but just prior to my period every month. Also, we have been trying to get pregnant again and it just isn't happening. I never had a problem with my first two kids, and now I just cant seem to make it happen. I would not recommend that horrible IUD for anyone. It caused nothing but problems for me.

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!

I am 26 years old and have 3 and 1/2 month old son. i recently had mirena inserted and will be having it removed first thing tomorrow when i call the doctors office. i have ready numerous blogs and have a hair loss problem as well. I know that after u birth a child u loose hair as well as when its cold out as the air changes and may cause ur hair to be more dry and break etc. That is not the case here, my hair line on both sides is thinning as well as the front top part of my hair line.when i wash my hair it comes out way to easily and not the normal shedding when u wash and scrub ur hair. I have very long, thick thick hair so it took a few weeks to notice, but i know this is not normal.The first thing u can do is go to the fda website and find ur region complaint line number and call and report it. they take this serious, as they called me back a few minutes after i left my info with the young lady on the phone. if it is not reported to them they don't know to pull the product. it is even posted on the mirena web page to report any side affects u feel are not normal, or something along those lines. drug reps are surely not going to tell ur doctor this is more common then the 5% the info on the web page says. If u do not know medical terms or what u are looking for, ur likely not to see it and its not listed in "common" side affects like it needs to be. Please help by calling the fda in ur area so that this can be further looked into. i have only had the iud for 7 weeks and already notice this and caught it. I have read a ton of post on other pages and feel so bad that so many people did not catch it for awhile. Like most said, they thought age or an imbalance in their body was the causing factor. if i find more info i will post, hope this helps, and if u have any info for me please send it-

I got my Mirena in about 20 months ago and almost immediately my life started going downhill. I got moody, depressed, started gaining weight, my skin broke out in TERRIBLE cystic acne. Then I started having trouble sleeping at night, and was waking up EXHAUSTED every morning. etc etc. At first I blamed job stress. Then poor eating habits. Then poor skincare products, my new apartment...everything but the IUD.

I have Type 1 Diabetes, so I see an endocrinologist regularly and when I went in yesterday to show him this new BALD SPOT on the top of my head, and talk about my random weight gain, despite joining weight watchers and exercising every single day, he started asking me questions and determined that that IUD needed to come OUT. He said if the hormones were affecting my body enough to cause acne, and increase my insulin dose (I went from 10 units a day to 20...a HUGE increase!) then it was most certainly affecting my hormones enough to cause weight gain, hair loss, etc. It even explained why I suddenly needed to get waxed every three weeks instead of every six.

Unfortunately all the literature indicates that removal comes with terrible bleeding, clots, and cramps. I'm going on vacation in less than one month and I'm super bummed that I have to keep it in until I get back from vacation but I'm not going to the most civilized region so I don't want to risk the kinds of horror stories I've been reading while abroad.

I had the Mirena put in on 8-26-2009. The day it was put in I started bleeding and have not stopped. Some days it is very heavy some day very light. I have gained about 10lbs since it was put in I feel depressed all the time, back hurts and my head hurts ALL the time. The last few days I have started having bad pains in my side. I keep telling myself "I am sure it has nothing to do with the IUD" But know I am not so sure. Now that I have read everyone post I really am thinking that all of this is being caused by my IUD.

I took lisinopril for 2 months and throughout experienced dizziness and dray cough. Towards the end of the two months I noticed a small itchy rash on my neck. Then I had mirena IUD inserted, immediately my whole body including the head was covered by an itchy rash, have bumps all over my body. Doctor immediately removed the IUD, stopped lisinopril (I was telling her to stop lisinopril before - did not help), and i am still suffering. My fingers are swollen so difficult to type. I am 48 years old and my bp is back. i am taking HCL (water pill for BP) Monday going to see an allergist/immunologist. I am positive the lisinopril and mirena caused these symptoms. I was told it will take a while for this to go off. I had mirena for 7 days and see what a mess. both drugs have given this together. Until then absolute misery!

Hi all,
Well I got lucky.
The only doctor at my clinic that deals with IUD's is in on Thursday and can get me in.
Hopefully it won't be an ordeal getting it out or to terrible of side effects once it is out.
I know that getting it in was horrific....felt like he was trying to yank my uterus out when he put the clamp on. The whole procedure almost made me pass out.
For those of you wondering how it is to get it out, I will post once I get home.
Take care everyone.

I was just wondering....those of you that mentioned fluttering in your belly while taking Mirena......
I have the fluttering and then sometimes I can actually see my belly bump up, just like when I was pregnant and was being kicked. My question - has anyone else noticed that?

I am 25 years old. I had my Mirena put in in February of 2008 after my daughter was born. This was my third child and I chose this birth control because I was told it was the best choice aside from having my tubes tied which I wasn't ready to do. I have had it a little over a year and half now and had quit having a period. About 2 1/2 months ago I had a very heavy period that lasted about 3 weeks. When it quit I thought it was just my body trying to tell me it needed flushed out. Well a week later I had another 2 week long period. I made an appointment with my doctor and they couldn't find the IUD. They said it had shifted so they ordered an ultrasound to locate it. I am still waiting on those results but am most likely going to have it taken out regardless. I didn't have a single problem with it until recently. My husband and I are thinking about having another baby and I am not going back on this medicine after we do. I will get my tubes tied because I am not dealing with this again. My dr said that if the IUD isn't the cause of the bleeding it is something else and most likely the IUD caused that problem as well. Thank goodness I found this site because I thought I was the only one having this problem as well. Good luck to all and I will update as soon as I hear about the location and results of the ultrasound.

Hi again
After reading thru some more posts I will add that I have also had cramps so severe that I fell to the floor. I would curl up in a ball trying not to cry until it finally passed.
I don't care what the doctors say, these are more than a passing, rare side effect. There are to many of us complaining about the same issues.
I have to many things going on that I am still probably forgetting some of them.
There is absolutely no need for all of us women to be suffering.
If I had know about these side effects I would have NEVER had the IUD put in.

Thank the Lord that I found this site.
I was up until 2 AM last night searching for answers.
My doctors insist that there is nothing wrong with me. I was starting to think that I was crazy.
I am 33 and had my Mirena put in in May 2008 after having my fourth child. I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of doctors before deciding that this was the right birth control for me. Not once did I run across any of the side effects that I have in all of my previous research.
Since then I have had headaches, nausea, bloating, gas, back pain, fatigue (severe now), moodiness, tingling in my arms, hands, legs and feet, weight gain, and now this strange sensation of fluttering in my belly.
I have taken a dozen pregnancy tests over the last few months. I could swear that I am pregnant. Of course they have all come out negative.
I want to get this out of me NOW. I wish that I could do it myself. The doctor that does the IUD's at my clinic only comes in a few days a month. I wonder how long I am going to have to wait until I can get it removed ? !!!
To be honest I would rather have baby number 5 instead of dealing with all of these side effects any longer. Even my husband agrees.
Thank you all so much for being honest and getting your stories out in the open.
If I hadn't of found this site, I would have kept on trudging along with this dang IUD in and being miserable.
I am all for a lawsuit against Mirena. Women need to be aware of these possible side effects.
I am going to call the clinic first thing Monday morning to setup an appointment for removal. I will try to post as things move forward.
Once again thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being so honest. I wish you all the best of the luck.

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 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.

Okay...this is amazing, cause I thought I was crazy but now I know all of us are!!!hahah...I had the Mirena put in in early October. I am perimenopausal and my hubby has a vasectomy. The docs encouraged it to help with my menopausal symptoms, primarily irregular cycles and cramping due to not bleeding - they said that was due to low progesterone and the Mirena would work wonders. I had it put in (very very painful - and this from a woman who gave birth, at home, two separate times with nothing but a midwife and some gentle massaging during the birthings!) and never stopped bleeding. Not once! I have gone through two boxes of tampons and three of pads. I have cramping all the time, and low back ache. I noticed that my bras felt really sore and enlarged (so did hubby) and they grew overnight. I gained three pounds and started crying at the time. The final insult: no sex drive. zippo. none at all. I also have terrible vagina odor which is, I know gross to admit, but a very new thing. I think that there are many women who simply cannot tolerate these hormones. Our bodies know what to do and I am going to brave the change without intervention. I went to see doctor today and, of course, she tried to talk me out of removal. She even had the nerve to say that it was good to have in, to protect my uterus, for eventual Hormone replacement therapy -as if I had ever mentioned that as an option? I looked at her and said, "take it out". Now I don' t know if this is imagination, but I swear the cramps have abated in the past several hours. I am still bleeding but feel hope for its ending. I would not recommend this to anyone and to those out there being told its value in managing menopausal symptoms, move on. It is not worth it - the change is change enough!

I had the symptoms for a week of a UTI after having my IUD for four months, I have no children. I had noticed a lack in my sex drive, but thought I could just get through that. Then I started with this awful burning feeling, not being able to urinate, and lower back pain. Oh of course my new relationship and I'm getting a UTI. Well the test came back negative. Well what else could be wrong because I know I'm not crazy and I should listen to my body. So I got on this site and read some of the responses by other women to the IUD. I read them, and went to my Dr. telling her that I need this out, tomorrow. She told me my symptoms weren't related to the IUD, and I probably had bladder issues, and how I also wouldn't regain my sex drive. I didn't think these reactions and symptoms would just start after four months I thought I was totally in the clear. I know the "everyone is different" phrase is applicable to every medication but I know that the words that I read on this page made me realize I had too much in common with other peoples feelings about my symptoms for it to be anything other than the IUD. I got it removed this morning, and already feel a weight lifted.

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.

My name is Amanda, I'm 21 yrs old, engaged and having some problems:
I had mirena put in December, 2008 and had a horrible first night. My cramps were terrible for at least 5 hrs. After that I had no problems other than really odd cycles (on for 10 days, off for 3 months, on for 4 days, etc)
I hadn't thought my other problems were due to this iud but now think otherwise and am seriously wanting it removed. I've been very irritable, bloated, exhausted, can't sleep at all at night until 6 am then finally sleep till 1 pm... I have absolutely NO SEX DRIVE (odd because my fiancé were very happy with our sex lives , now it's maybe once if that).
My fiancé says this is a very good form of B.C. Because we never have sex... Hahaha. I don't have any cramps but do get unusual headaches (right temple, extremely sharp pain) ...
If i knew for sure that these symptoms weren't from mirena, I'd keep it... But now am going to get it removed and get back on the shot...
Let me know if anyone has anything to help me out with the sex drive thing!!!

Does it hurt to get mirena removed?

Will my sex drive return?????
I'm only 21 and am getting married in sept 2010 (hopefully ... Haha) ...
Thanks, A.

I am 30 and had the Mirena put in after my 3rd child. It was fine at first but then a few weeks after I had it put in my period started and it continued for about 7 weeks and they are still abnormal. Years ago I was on the Depo shot, and I am noticing many of the same symptoms with this IUD that I had with the shot. I am so bloated and uncomfortable. I have gained about 15 pounds in a matter of a few weeks and exercising doesn't seem to be helping at all. I have also been having more headaches and migraines than normal. I am definitely going to get mine taken out!

Hello Ladies,
I have had my Mirena in for about three weeks now and have had severe migraines since it was place. My doctor prescribed Migraine medication to resolve the issue and as soon as the medication wears off BAM it’s back again not to mention the heart palpitations I been having as well. I never have had any of these issues before in my life. I called the Dr to have it removed and his nurse went on about how wonderful this IUD is and the expense in which mu insurance company paid for. I explained, that I don’t care what the cost is or was and I cannot function with this headaches and taking medication to mask the problem is not the solution either… This morning I couldn’t even get out of bed because of the pain my husband picked up the phone and called the Dr Office he said either remove the IUD or I’m taking her to the emergency room… Hmmmmmmm….. Low and behold it came out this morning and I’m feeling better already.. Ladies, listen to your bodies and if something doesn’t sit well with you on this IUD then I suggest having it removed. For the bloggers on here that say it’s a God send that’s wonderful and I hope you continue to well with it for those of suffering each and every day it has not been a God send for us. I have to also say I wonder if these bloggers saying it wonderful are from Dr’s offices or the pharmaceutical company itself. Just a thought!!!!!

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 am 45 years old. I have had Mirena out for 3 weeks now (had it in for 9 months). At removal I went right back on the BC pill so there was no break in hormone levels. I have never had problems with the pill. I know some of you cannot use them. But for those who say "I just can't remember to take it every day..." consider the alternative of getting this IUD or keeping it inside you. The side effects alone are not worth it. In 3 weeks time that horrible facial/body acne has cleared up, the bloating is gone and my jeans fit much better although I'm not sure I've actually lost weight. A lot of it was just inflammation. The emotional issues just seem to have "vanished". I feel happy again. Imagine that (sarcasm intended). Libido much much better, with no pain or cramping. I started my period for the first time just this week. I thought it would be the period from "hell", getting revenge on my body for not having one for so long. But so far it is fine, and I'm glad it's back to tell the truth! Instead of spotting all the time or who knows when, I'll go back to light periods 3 days a month. Again, it beats the alternative. And a trick to try for taking the pill: put the pack somewhere around your bathroom sink area (away from kids of course) and just take it every morning after you brush your teeth. I mean you never "forget" to brush your teeth in the morning, so take the pill right after you rinse! It never fails. Also, you can tell yourself that if you did have a serious medical condition that required daily medication, insulin, for example, you would be good to your body and make it a priority. As long as the pill doesn't give you any problems, it's 99.9% effective and makes your periods very short and light, but predictable and right on time. No awful surprise breakthrough bleeding. The reliability of it is great. You just have to TAKE it. I'm only writing about the pill because it is the only other option I've tried and it worked well for me. If it's only a matter of inconvenience, try the toothbrush trick. It really works! Hope this helps some of you who are looking for other alternatives. Good luck!!

Girls! I am so glad I am not the only one!!!!
I had Mirena right after I had my second baby (around March 2007) and I had it for 2 1/2 years. I think I was alright for the first few month (but it is hard to tell as I was quite overwhelmed with baby and toddler care). But the past year 1/2 or so It was clear to me that something was not right. I was feeling really intense mood swings, had no patience, felt angry at times, loosing interest in my job and feeling at lost with my life at times and... NO libido whatsoever!
My OB told me over and over that Mirena was not the problem! But it seemed to me that this had to be the answer. My husband did not encourage me to take any other drug to fight my mood swings and he suggested I just take this off. So, I did it... exactly 5 weeks ago! And I am so much better. My libido is back. I have not felt down. I am enjoying my work. I am loving my children and my husband!!! I am so sorry I did not take it out sooner!
Alright now... the hormones are not crossing to the blood stream... But I had NO periods and of course No ovulation! So why is this so surprising to all of those guys that there may indeed be such side effects!!!
So girls! You are not crazy! Give yourself a chance and take this IUD out!
Good luck.

I am getting my Mirena removed tomorrow. I'm tired of waking up and having cramps be the first thing I am aware of and the over-riding feeling of pain and tiredness all day. I have no sex drive (didn't realize it could be the IUD till I read these complaints) and am tired all the time (figured that was from fighting the cramps all day. Thank you for this site and the information about this IUD.

I had Mirena inserted in February 2006. It was not a pleasant experience to have it installed, but I have never regretted the choice. The only downside that I have noticed is that before the IUD I had very short regular periods and now I have two 3 day light periods per month.

Hello Everyone,

I've been doing some research on Mirena IUD side effects, and I'm so glad to come across these testimonials. I had Mirena placed in June of 2008, which hurt badly - something my doctor didn't tell me of until the procedure. Everything was fine most of 2008 but since January 2009 I have been extremely emotional and even was put on anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medication at one point. I have gained over 15 pounds in a year and can not get below a certain weight no matter how hard I try. My weight also fluctuates, which it never has before. I'm constantly gaining/losing 5-10 lbs, on a weekly basis. I have never weighed this much in my life, besides when I was pregnant, and it is really starting to bother me.

I've attributed most of my moods and "hormones" to being a single mom of two toddlers, financial stress, relationship stress with my ex and with my mother. I eat healthy and get exercise a few times a week. I'm definitely thinking removing the IUD would help my situation and make me feel like "me" again.

My question goes to the ladies that have had the Mirena IUD and have had it removed. Have you noticed a considerable difference, and if so, how long does it take for you to notice side effects starting to dissipate?

Thanks.

I have had Mirena for 1 yr and 5 months. The insertion was not painful that I recall, although I have had 4 kids, so I hear that may make a difference.
I loved this IUD for the first 9 months or so, then started noticing things that I didnt know were attributed to Mirena until I started reading about others experiences. Bleeding and spotting were minimal at first, no biggie.
I stopped having my period at all around 6 months...haven't had a period in a year..and had spotting maybe 3 times total. Since about 9 months into Mirena....I have had cystic acne. (which I didnt know existed until mirena) I had never had a blemish on my BACK in my life! Also on my face, around hairline, and in my ears, on my neck, and hard to get rid of. I have noticed little cyst like nodules in my neck and the back of my head, behind my ears, like swollen lymph nodes but they come and go...never noticed this before. Have had a intermittent mysterious sharp pain in my side, like a side stitch, comes and goes, and feel it during sex. No doctors had a clue about it. I have been very tired lately the last 3 months and I am on a stimulant for ADHD, so I should not be tired! (also why I haven't gained weight like others) But most markedly, I have always had a history of migraines, and had auras about 6 times in my life. Normally I would have 3 migraines a month tops.....then after about a year, I would get them several times a week...NOW I HAVE HAD A HEADACHE for 21 days straight, with only about 4-5 headache free days in there. Severe enough that I am taking painkillers and went to the ER, and they did a CAT scan and so nothing. normal. So. What could it be???
I got fed up this morning...after waking up one more day with kids I cant take care of properly or enjoy.....so I took out my IUD all by myself.
Couldn't leave the house to go somewhere with my head throbbing.
Dont want to pay anyone to remove something that has already cost me so much. Just looked at the diagrams, and found the string, pulled gently and viola! It was pretty darn easy! No pain, no discomfort at all. Not a drop of blood yet after 7 hours. Head still hurts but the relief I feel is great. I know I made the right decision to take it out and I wont use a hormonal BC again. I am looking into Essure now.
It works for some people, sure, but don't forget it worked fine for me for almost a year before I realized what harm it was doing to me.
I cant wait to have my skin back and my body back to normal.
Be wary, but it did its job. But I have read hundreds upon hundreds of negative reactions to this. Class action lawsuits getting ready. So be careful,

I chose to have the Mirena inserted in August of 2009. I found this site because I have been bleeding for three weeks straight, and the doctors were unavailable to advise me (holiday weekend). I see now that my experience is a side-effect of the IUD. I have also seen a diminished sex drive, fatigue, loss of energy, and constant cramping.

I was very hopeful for the Mirena. Five years without having to worry about birth control, wow! My first complaint is the pain involved with insertion. I was told to eat a big breakfast or early lunch before the procedure, and to take a few advils prior to the appointment. I did - however, I was still not prepared for the process. First, they measure your uterus to make sure that it is the right size, with an instrument similar to the IUD. I was in tears the entire time. I wished someone had told me to bring a friend or my partner with me to hold my hand. It hurt so much! The nurse was as understanding as she could be, but said that once the package has been opened, I would be charged the full amount. I went ahead with the procedure, wondering how I would reschedule during a period and with a busy work week. I was in pain the rest of the day, and felt extremely uncomfortable for a few days after. The pain and bleeding still did not go away, and after a week I made an appointment to check on the IUD's position, if there was any preforation of the uterus; etc. The strings were there, and they just told me that the cramping and spotting is normal. To me, it felt like the doctors tell you the best case scenario, and as you approach more and more of the side-effects, they confirm those as a possibility.

Before the Mirena, I have used DepoProvera, the NuvaRing, and Ortho-Tri Ciclen. I didn't like the weight gain from the Depo, the NuvaRing is somewhat expensive through my insurance, and the traditional birth control bills, like Ortho, are a hassle if you happen to miss a day. I thought that the Mirena was the best solution to my situation.

Be aware. I have been through childbirth, and this was a painful experience for me! I wish I would have read the comments on this site before opting for the Mirena... at least I would have been a more informed & educated consumer.

I'm a nursing mom so my birth control options were limited. I had mine inserted 2 weeks ago which was quite painful. I'm nursing so I haven't had a menstrual cycle. I kept wondering the importance of having it inserted during your cycle. Well I learned that the reason it hurt so much is I had be dilated first. I'm still having cramping and now discharged. A quick culture showed negative results of infection and a vaginal ultra sound that the IUD expelled itself. So why the discharge and cramping is beyond me. I do not recommend this IUD. The experience has been very bad. I'm glad others like and have had a positive outcome.

I've had it in for 7months now and all they did was put me on menopause pills for 2 weeks to stop the bleeding. And if I complained to the them about pain of any kind they said take a couple pain killers. I had a irregular pap which I've never had in my life and they said wait til next year to see if it clears on its own. I don't even think my c-section has healed enough for the iud and they said it was fine I think it was just a scam! I'm still bleeding still in pain and I don't think 23 yr olds should be on menopause pills. Those jerks didn't even tell me what kind of pills they were I found out on my own. I worried that it will only get worst.At time I feel like I might faint.What does one do if the doctors try desperately to find way for you to keep it in?

My name is Stephanie and I had the Mirena IUD inserted in 12/2004, about a year after I had my daughter. I had some cramping in the first few months following it's insertion. My periods slowly lightened over my first year and now I haven't had a period since. I will spot every once in a long while for about a day. I have lite acne problems but nothing that can't be handled with washing my face before I go to bed at night. I didn't not experience any weight gain while using the IUD. I think women forget to change their eating habits after the baby is born. YOUR NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE! I love this contraceptive and plan on using it again. Mood swings maybe but I'm a woman that comes with the territory. Anyway, if you are thinking about using this IUD don't listen to only the complaints, this is a good contraceptive it's just not for everyone but that's with any contraceptive on the market. Be smart research all contraceptives, find what your body can handle.

I had the Mirena inserted when my daughter was 6 weeks old, August 2007. I had no problems (that I THOUGHT were related to it) until end of July this year. I had next to no period up until then and then bled for nearly 3 weeks straight. Went to the doctor who said I had a miscarriage...ok so let's take it out, it obviously doesn't work for me and go back to the pill which I had been on most of my life when I wasn't pregnant with any of my 5 children. After 3 weeks of being on the pill I had it removed on 9/10. No pain at all actually but haven't stopped bleeding since! Went back to the Dr on 9/23, felt my uterus and said seemed fine. No fibroids or polyps that he could feel. Changed my pill Rx and said it should straighten out within the next 2 cycles, if not come back...on 10/5 I went back without an appt and was told by the nurse to double up on my pills to try and stop the bleeding. I scheduled an appt to see the Dr the following am. Had an internal ultrasound done and a biopsy of the lining of my uterus. Results should be back on Tuesday... my Mom & Sister told me to look online about side effects with the Mirena and I found this page. I am comparing many of the things I have been experiencing and now realize perhaps they were ALL related to the IUD. I gained weight (am actually heavier then I was after my daughter was born and I lost all my pregnancy weight within the first month), I had terrible acne, headaches, back & neck pain, constant fatigue, emotional, decreased sex drive. It has been out 4 weeks today and although my acne has improved slightly, I feel like I have been on the brink of the flu since last Saturday, no motivation, pure exhaustion, and emotional roller coaster not to mention the cramping from my biopsy that probably wasn't necessary now I'm thinking and 4 days in a row home from work... I am hoping time will heal the way I feel once the hormones adjust themselves. The pill always helped me more then it ever hurt me. I'm glad I got the Mirena out as soon as I did. Just wish I would have known sooner what it was really doing to me!

I posted this few days ago but 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 doctor and was told that I have a complex cyst. I can not wait until I get this IUD out this month!!! I would just like to know if anyone has gone through the same thing. I had 2 replies the other day but I am still unable to read them. Please private message me at
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