Mirena and moods

I had my daughter Oct 07 and got the Mirena in Nov 07, and other than light cramping I had no issues but three months in I still had weight I just could not get rid of from my pregnancy, my hair was literally just shedding horribly.
I have always had a nice thick head of hair and it was all over the bathroom floor most of the time. I had no cycle pretty much and I wasn't complaining about that at all. However, my moods were darn near psychotic.

Well Oct 31st 08, I had the Mirena removed and viola, I am down 12 pounds, my hair is still shedding terribly and my cycle is didn't come back until December and it was like I was hemorrhaging and I didn't care as long as I was getting back to normal, well January 09, I had a somewhat normal cycle and after a normal time period, I started back spotting again this week

I thought the Mirena was the best thing of me because I had no intentions of having another child and I just turned 35 so I was using it to bide my time until the doctors will willingly agree for me to get my tubes tied, but I think the Mirena sucks and they should tell the truth on what the issues are with this thing.

My mother actually stumbled across this site and encouraged me to look into a possible connection between my severe joint pain and the Mirena IUD. I had the IUD inserted in July of 2007. For a few months following I experienced breakthrough bleeding but that did eventually end. I suffered from some mild bouts of depression and would completely fly off the handle at my two children. Always linked it to stress. My sex drive became nil. But no other real problems to complain of. But this past Nov (2008), I started having pain in my wrists and hands. I type all day so I assumed carpel tunnel. Then we began a kitchen remodel. After one particularly tough day of demolition, moving and climbing up and down stairs, I became really stiff and sore. Of course I didn't think much of it until a week later when the pain was getting worse, not better. After a few more weeks, the joint pain became so severe that I could not get up and down off the couch, off the toilet, out of the car, without wincing in pain. I felt 90 years old! My doctor had prescribed Naproxen (which wasn't helping at all) and gave me a course of Prednisone. The Prednisone made me feel like a million dollars. Problem is, you can't stay on it. That's when we found this site. I immediately called my OB/GYN and had the IUD removed 2 days later. Of course, doc didn't believe this could be the issue (Surprise, Surprise!). Once the course of Prednisone was over, the joint pain gradually came back, albeit not as bad as the first time. RA and Lupus panels were negative, no thyroid disorder, no diabetes. Going to see a Rheumatologist next month so we'll see. I can mention that I already see a difference in my moods. I feel more patient with my children lately and that alone was worth having the stupid IUD out.

The Mirena has actually increased my sex drive a lot. I cant get enough. My only problem has been I vomit every time I eat. No matter what it is I cant keep it down. It was placed a month ago and at first it was alright, but just recently I find my face in the toilet bowl. Well I guess my moods could be a little better also so my boyfriend says but the worse side affect is the vomiting. Anyone have any suggestions

I can't believe this!! I was searching the internet to see if there were any side effects from the mirena as one gets closer to the end of the Mirena life and I came across this site. I'm so blown away. I am getting my Mirena taken out in a week because it's been 5 years that I've had it in and I NEVER realized all the problems I've been having in my life was because of the IUD!! This whole time I thought it was just me and I was going crazy. So looking back on the last five years it's all making sense to me! Not only was the pain so unbearable getting it in, but the pain in my abdomen was so bad for 2 weeks straight, and no let up with the pain, that I almost passed out from it. My horrible boyfriend at the time told me suck it up. I said a prayer one night praying for the pain to go away and that if wasn't gone by the morning I was going to go get it taken out! I woke the next day and the pain was gone. But this wasn't the end. I developed depression ( I thought it might have been because of the crazy relationship I was in) which I'm STILL prescribed for and I also severe anxiety attacks,which I NEVER had before in my life! dizziness, lower backaches, crying fits, extreme fatigue and copious amount of hair loss, right around my hairline. I used to have lustrious hair which I had to have two hairties in to hold it up, now I can use a tiny little jaw clip to hold it all up!!. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was because of the Mirena. I thought how great it was that I got it put in and didn't have to worry about it for another 5 years, since I have a terrible time taking regular contraceptive pills ait the same time every day. My memory has definitely been affected and another symptom I never thought would be possible is the weight gain. A year ago I was diagnosed to be Pre-Diabetic and have had to change my diet and exercise. You think I would have lost the weight, NO, quite the opposite I have actually gained more weight. I have little to NO sex drive and I USED to have a very high sex drive. Now this is all making sense to me. I really wish I had found this site sooner! Like 5 years ago!!! So thank god I am getting this thing taken out of me next week. I am opting to get a diaphragm fitted and getting all these harmonies out of my system, maybe I'll go back to being my old self! (tears in eyes as I am typing this!!! ) All these years....who would've known. I am still in shock!!!!!

I have had mine in now for 21 days and have have been bleeding for over 17days now each time I think it is going to stop here we go again. I phoned the doctors and spoke to the nurse and she said this was normal and it will get better. The moods are horrendous and I honestly don't know how much more myself an hubby can take

Wow is this some interesting reading!

I got my Mirena put in place in Oct, 2007 - 2 months after the birth of my 3rd child. I was breastfeeding and had not yet had a period so I never had the excessive bleeding that most experience and up to very recently I thought it was great.

I've had so many of the symptoms people are describing on here but did not attribute to the Mirena. My husband is the one who has told me repeatedly over the last few months that I need to go see my doctor because he feels like it is related "to that thing!" His position is from one of seeing my moods, irritability, and anger. Of course my mood and irritability has resulted in me basically telling him to shut up and that he doesn't know what he's talking about!!! Well, I'm eating crow now!

My symptoms are extreme back pain - and like a few others who have mentioned they thought it was their mattress - that is me! I was out shopping for new mattresses and complaining about it to everyone who would listen! I've been having lots of stomach cramping and pain. I also have the cloudy thinking or foggy brain. But I think the worst is the moods and irritability. I was ready to find a therapist and get some anti depressants or something b/c it just is continuing to get worse and then I found this site. I think what I need is to get this thing out!!!

I did call my doctor office and talked to a nurse who told me I should have had symptoms before now if I was going to and that the hormone stays in one spot and doesn't go systemic. Whatever. Not based on the research I've found!

y husband has been telling me that I need to go see my doctor

I had my 2nd child in June '08 and had Mirena placed on 8-8-08 with no discomfort or problems of any kind. I had already heard great things about it from two co-workers who LOVE theirs. This past weekend I finally started poking around on the computer because of my husband's constant complaints of the "whiskers" poking the head of his penis when we have sex. Lo and behold, I find this page and am BLOWN AWAY. I felt so relieved. I have never been one to have headaches, nausea, back pain or low sex drive. I had been attributing those things to a combination of being significantly overweight, having two babies under the age of 19 months and being on Prednisone (for rheumatoid arthritis). I also have been experiencing a lot of fatigue, night sweats/hot flashes, weight gain, swollen breasts, dizziness, swollen hands/feet, and crazy mood swings. I know that all of these symptoms can probably be explained away as being due to the prednisone, my weight, my life right now (two babies and working full-time) and any number of other things, but there are so many women who have Mirena who are reporting the EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. I can't just be a coincidence. So anyway, I went to my doc today to have it removed and he, of course, told me that he doesn't believe that any of my symptoms are due to Mirena. I had it removed anyway, but he did tell me something I didn't know: the tiny amount of hormone is delivered locally, as opposed to oral contraceptives' systemic delivery in a larger amount. Go figure. In any case, I am disappointed and have mixed feelings, but I cannot wait to see if my sex drive returns and my lower back pain subsides. I also want control of my moods, weight and breasts again! We discussed the Essure, but I'm just not sure I'm ready to put something foreign in my body again right now. I don't want anymore kids (I'm 40 and have two already), but the options for 98%+ are limited. Everything seems to have a drawback. Oh well. I'll just be glad to see if the symptoms were related to Mirena. If not, I'll get it put back in.

I thought I was going crazy. I have pretty much the same problems as everybody else. The pain that shoots down my legs that sometimes make it hard to walk. I now have really bad back pain that I first chalked up to a bad mattress but now I'm not so sure. I have always had migraines but I now have SUPER MIGRAINES!! I have about 4 or 5 a week that leave me in so much pain I can hardly stand it and no amount of drugs work to ease the pain. I now have to see a neurologist for the migraines because my PCP doesn't know what else to do for me. Nobody including my OBGYN told me that if you already get migraines that this might make them worse and maybe I shouldn't use it. I'm on the verge of being alone because of my massive wild mood swings. I feel more depressed than ever and can't lift the black cloud that I feel is always around me. I have no energy or sex drive and my 2 kids want to live with grandma because mommy is CRAZY!! I think it is time to have this taken out and hope my life returns to normal.

IT IS GOOD TO KNOW I'M NOT ALONE, LIKE ALL OF YOU I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY AND SO DID EVERYONE AROUND ME. I'VE HAD MY IUC SINCE JUNE 3, 2008 AND I'M GETTING IT REMOVED IN 2 DAYS, AFTER SEEING THIS SITE. I GOT ON THIS SITE LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE MOODS SWINGS AND DISCOVERED ALL MY OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT WERE EVEN LINKED TO ONE THING LET ALONE MIRENA WERE THE SAME PROBLEMS I READ OVER AND OVER ON THIS SITE PLUS A FEW THAT WEREN'T ON HERE. I'VE BEEN HAVING PAINS IN MY FINGERS, TOES, AND BREASTS LIKE I'M BEING JABBED WITH NEEDLES, JOINT PAIN SO BAD I WOULD FREEZE UP, NAUSEA, FELT LIKE I WAS PREG. TOOK 3 TESTS ALL NEG., HEADACHES, SINUS TROUBLE, NERVOUSNESS SO BAD I FELT LIKE I WAS SHAKING ON THE INSIDE OUT, PELVIC PAIN, BACK PAIN, ITCHY SKIN AND MY SCALP ITCHES SO BAD I'VE HAD MY HUSBAND CHECK ME FOR LICE SEVERAL TIMES, IT'S HARD TO BREATH AT TIMES, HAIR LOSS, PAIN DURING SEX, AND NO DESIRE FOR SEX AT ALL. THE MOOD SWINGS ARE THE WORSE, I WAKE UP P-ED OFF BEFORE I EVEN OPEN MY EYES, I HAVE NO PATIENCE AT ALL, I DON'T CARE TO TALK TO ANYONE, I TREAT MY HUSBAND LIKE I HATE HIM. I HAVE A 17 MONTH OLD AND A 4 MONTH OLD THAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE FOR 15 YRS., 10 YRS. OF NOTHING AND 7 MISCARRIAGES AND EVER SINCE I GOT MARENA I HAVE FOUND IT HARDER AND HARDER TO DEAL WITH THEM. BEFORE I GOT THE IUC MY YOUNGEST ONE CRIED ALMOST 24/7 AND I HAD NO PROBLEM DEALING WITH IT NOW SHE HARDLY EVER CRIES AND I GET FRUSTRATED THE MOMENT SHE STARTS. I HATE FEELING THIS WAY, I FEEL LIKE A TERRIBLE MOTHER, WIFE, DAUGHTER, AND FRIEND. I CAN'T WAITE TO HAVE IT REMOVED.

I cant thank you all enough THANK YOU. I am 45, have 4 older children and have had the mirena for twelve months. the nurse who encouraged me to have the mirena and fitted it told me to ignore the booklet , that side effects were very rare as the drugs don't go into your blood stream. I cant believe i fell for that, i mean it doesn't make sense. since having it in i haven't stopped bleeding bits,im covered in a rash that the doc says is a viral infection, i have incredible mood swings, joint pains, cramps, depression which i have been taking st johns wort for, shakes,headaches,dermatitis on my hands, forgetfulness, crying, numb hands and feet,weak ankles that tend to just go all of a sudden which makes me feel really stupid. Blurry vision and feeling a inner hotness behind my eyes,some mornings i feel like ive got a hangover even though i don't drink. As for sex forget it i mean why would my hubby want me!! and its the last thing i feel like. I cant believe hes put up with me and my nasty moods. Ive been married for 24 years. I never thought that all these systems were due to the mirena, until i looked it up and stumbled onto this site, i must of read all of the posts, and look twice a day to see if there are any new ones.I have had to wait 2 weeks to get an appointment to have it taken out, but thank god i had it taken out this morning. I couldn't believe how easy, quick and painless it was, maybe i was lucky that the strings were easily found. I feel sooo relieved to finally have it out and only feel slightly crampy. I cant wait to get back to normal. This is the fist time i have ever posted anything on the internet so please forgive me if my typing isnt up tp scratch, its taken half an hour to write this. I feel i have a lot to make up for with my family and my very lovely hubby and hope that these systems go quickly. I will let you know and please keep up the posts i need the encouragement, and im sure others do too.!!

In June 07 I rushed into having the coil fitted, having had a double rollover with two beautiful babies successively, only 13 months apart. No 2 baby had his first birthday end-Mar 08 and as I was no longer breastfeeding I suppose I began to stop making "new baby" excuses for my moods, brain fog, lower back pain, extreme fatigue, irritability if not getting a nap in the day even though had good 8 hrs sleep on night and weight gain (dress size).

Over the last few months I have gone on to experience severe PMS symptoms (which I didn't have prior to coil), clearly a build up within the body for not being able to bleed regularly. These included crying spells (for no reason), feeling very flat/exhausted almost like "out of body" old woman (I'm 33) and feeling bloated/pregnant - they would last roughly two weeks and then I would get a day's bleed which explained the cause. I even took a pregnancy test although it was negative. For me the final straw has been the onset of migraines (a year on) lasting several days and just being constant.

Having two energetic toddlers and little family support, I simply didn't have the luxury of continuing with these symptoms and could no longer tolerate the thing inside me. Luckily, my hubbie agreed and so had coil removed on Friday (total of 14 months) . Already, 2 days on, the bloating and brain fog have eased off. The migraines are still present but am assuming it will take a while for body to sort itself out. I'm so looking forward to feeling like "me" again with and getting fruity with the hubbie.

Additionally, have had nose bleeds over last few months and a yeast infection - not sure if these are linked in!

I have had the Mirena in for about 5 months now and I feel terrible. I am having awful mood swings that are just getting worse. The moods swings are ripping my marriage apart. I am always tired and get nasty cramps around my period and sometimes when it is not even time for my period. I feel like my weight level has gone up. I have excessive water weight gain and my sex drive has dropped completely. I would not recommended this to anyone.

Hello!
I've had the Mirena since October 2007. I've had all three of my kids close together, and they were all c-sections. My OBGYN HIGHLY recommended i wait at least 2 years to get pregnant again, if we were to have anymore children. At first my experience with Mirena went OK, but its only recently i've been experiencing some of the same symptoms as other women on this site. I've been having more and more anxiety issues, my hair is coming out at a steady rate, none existent sex drive, and lately it feels as if i have morning sickness! (I know i'm not pregnant, but i wake up and i feel sick.) I'm trying to lose weight, but i seems to hit a point where i can't LOSE ANYTHING. I've been watching what i eat, taking walks, going to the gym when i can. Trust me, with my three kids, THAT IS exercise. When i have my monthly cycles, it seems as if they last FOREVER! They're not really heavy, but they seems to last for up to 2 weeks! Anyway, my moods can turn at the drop of a hat, and it seems like i'm yelling at my kids A LOT. My husband pointed it out, and i feel guilty! I have an appt. tomorrow with my doctor to get it taken out. I'm not the best with the pill, but if taking this IUD out means these side effects going away, then i'm all for it.
So i'm hoping everything will lighten up after tomorrow!!!

I've had mirena in me for almost 3 months.and am now realizing where my constant back and knee pain is coming from. When I went in, I asked my doctor for the copper IUD w. no hormones, my sister has it and has had no problems, and he immediately recommended the Mirena. He said he had concerns with the copper IUD w heavy bleeding and that Mirena was safe. It felt forceful, I wonder what kind of kickback these doctors are getting for inserting it. I also had very heavy bleeding for the first 10 dys and nothing since. I feel bloated occasionally and definitely can relate to the watery discharge, I though i peed my pants:) I also feel confused often.
I am currently breastfeeding and feel bad for not doing my research before having this inserted. I'm going to supplement until this thing is out. Good luck everyone. I'm glad there's a way we can educate each other on these things, since it seems our doctors aren't. thanks.

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!!!

Had Mirena put in 10/2007. I had mild side effects cramping, bleeding etc.. they went away and everything was okay for a couple months. Recently, I started having issues, I haven't had my period for 2.5 months which is okay, except that I feel like I still have an 'emotional' period, and I constantly feel bloated. Mostly the problem is I keep getting yeast infections, and have an odor that won't go away no matter what I do. I have slight skin irritation- which I NEVER had before. My husband also thinks it has affected my moods drastically, made me depressed. I am thinking about having it taken out but don't want to give up having reliable birth control- plus my period is gone and I don't have cramps anymore!

I've had my Mirena in for about a month now, and honestly, it hasn't given me any problems. Of course I had cramps in the first week, and spotting for the first 3 months or whatever...but I can truly say that I love this birth control, and I hope not to get the negative side effects like most of these women. If you are considering the Mirena for birth control, talk with your doctor. If you have problems, talk with your doctor...if you're pissed off because you feel like you wasted your money, maybe you should take a second to think about it...neither you nor your doctor can look into a crystal ball to find out how something will effect you. But please, if you are considering the Mirena, don't decide against it because what a bunch of middle-aged women (with less than healthy reproductive systems) said. I'm 20 years old, and this IUD is a blessing.

Hi again all! Well, just to refresh...had my mirena in for just over 10 months and out now for 6 weeks...This past Tuesday I started my period, on time, and it was normal, I had NO cramps (which I usually do) and I finished yesterday!!! I did have a break out of acne (which is normal), I haven't lost any weight yet (although I think at 35 it is just harder to lose, I wish it was as easy as it was to put on with this darn thing!) My moods are much better, I am not as exhausted (I am a single Mom, with a house and a job) I can actually go a whole day without a nap!!!! I guess what I want to let you all know is it seems that at some point, at our own personal rate, we will become our "normal" selves again. Now, if I could just lose these 10 lbs!!!! Keep thinking positive!!!

Well, going on 5 weeks Mirena removal and really starting to feel more myself. Yesterday I started my first regular schedule period and it was almost 28 days since my last, so this is a good sign. I don't have any odd bleeding (heavy; clots; etc) and actually, aside from the normal week before breakouts and day or two before sore breasts, it's all good! My moods are better and less aches and pains. Since my last post of (uncomfortable intercourse etc) I don't know if the other things have changed yet, I will find out when I am over my period. And of course, I will post the changes or lack of changes. Good luck to the rest : )

I got the Mirena about 7 or 8 months ago. My Dr had a really hard time with insertion the point of having to dispose of the first Mirena. She asked me if anyone had ever told me my uterus was tilted back and to the left. Ummm no. Periods every two weeks, with major sharp, burning pain on my left side at waist level. When I feel the pain, the bleeding follows shortly. My husband says I am moodier than normal and has been telling me I should get it removed. Anyone got a ballpark figure on getting ones tubes tied? I took birth control pills for 20 years and then found out I have a blood clotting disorder and can't take them anymore. I do not want to be 40 and pregnant, but I feel like my choices are dwindling to nothing. I have always had headaches so I wouldn't notice that, but the moods are worse and I am snappy at people. I think I will call tomorrow and make an appt to have this taken out.......

Thanks everyone for posting on this site. I am a 22 year old mother of two. I had the mirena put in a couple months after my son was born in august of '07. My mother has been telling me she felt like the mirena was the cause of all my "issues" for the past few months. I thought the mirena would be perfect for me seeing as how I didn't remember to take the pill like I was suppose to. The only con I had heard from other women was that it hurt when the mirena was inserted. I felt no pain when the doc inserted it; cramping was minimal the following weeks so I thought I had it made. However.....
Slowly but surely most of the side effects you ladies have complained of began. I've had arthritis and back problems for years but NEVER the kind of scrutinizing pain I have felt since I got the mirena. My hands hurt me so badly I have a hard time feeding my son his baby food and fixing my little girls hair. My back gives out often, especially when I'm picking up or holding one of my children. I lost weight really well after my son was born but since the mirena I have gained 30lbs and am still gaining. I, like so many others, exercise and am a very active mom as well. I don't eat a whole lot but thought my eating must have been the problem so I tried dieting (a low fat diet, the same one I always used to get down to whatever weight I wanted to reach). Unfortunately nothing I do seems to work. The weight won't come off. Talk about repulsion. I don't even want to think about sex; and I have always been one who wanted my husband both emotionally and physically, but not lately. I have a lot of fluid which adds to the number I see on the scale. I stay bloated. My hair is falling out so bad the drains in our showers stay clogged. I have had more migraines the last few months than I have had in my life. My mind is so fuzzy, I can't seem to think a lot of the time. I stay sooooo tired. My moods are all over the place. The nausea I have had the last couple of months makes me feel pregnant again. All of our side effects are listed in the mirena info pamphlet we get from the doc when it's inserted. It's ludicrous that any doc would say that the mirena ISN'T the cause of these symptoms. The next time a doc tells you mirena can't cause these side effects PUT THAT PAMPHLET IN HIS FACE AND ASK HIM IF HE CAN READ!!!! The pamphlet does say that only 5% of women have these side effects, but, HELLO, someones in that 5%. I told my mother for the longest time the mirena was doing me no harm and that her concerns were nothing. Then I found this site and now owe my mother an apology. Mirena is a good choice for some women but not for others. Thank you ladies for all of your input. God Bless you all. I'll be praying God's hand is upon you all.

I posted on this site a few weeks ago after the first try my dr. had at getting my IUD taken out. It didn't work for my doctor as the IUD strings were misplaced, so they ordered an ultra sound, which turned up normal. So then I had to go to an actual OBGYN to try to retrieve it. This also failed! They couldn't find the dang thing! So I had surgery today to remove Mirena. The surgery went absolutely fine, but really I didn't feel it should have had to come to that! They don't tell women this when they get Mirena placed. So, that's my story. I'm just relieved it's over and it's out! I hope to lose some weight after this, and am also hoping for smoother moods and less acne! Thanks all for your stories!!!

For all of you interested in life after post-removal: It's now been 4 weeks since removal. On day 22, I began a normal 5 day period. Not too heavy, not too many side effects like with the Mirena. I could definitely tell a difference in my body and it's symptoms. I've lost about 10 lbs now and am working my way up to 10 more. My relationships are much better, I'm much more at ease, life at home with my girls and husband are much more peaceful as I'm not swinging by the rafter with my moods. I've lost about 10 lbs now and am working my way up to 10 more.Will check in again in a few weeks.

SO HAPPY to have found this forum. I had been having ALL of the symptoms already mentioned here, except that I actually lost weight(maybe from the stress the damned little demon was putting me through). Anyway I had been searching various health sites about all this stuff, and just on a whim decided to google mirena side effects because I did not remember there being very much listed in the brochure or much mentioned by my obgyn, but because I was so foggy headed all the time, thought I may have forgotten something....well as you all know, none of this was brought to our attention prior to insertion and I actually googled Mirena b4 having it put in, and never found any info like this. That was in May 07...so I got mine out April 9th, 08 started my period 4 days later, and still fluctuating between heavy down pours and spotting after 6 days. ?'s for anyone who had theres out....how long b4 you saw improvements on problems....especially acne, moodiness and my worst thing has been excruciating joint and back pain every day....but I want to know about any of the symptoms and how long b4 they got better. Hang in there girls and give yourselves a big pat on the back for dealing with this mess and having the courage to make your voices heard. Thank-you for listening.

I had the Mirena coil removed a week and a half ago and let me tell you I have had the worst week ever!!
My reasons for getting it removed were the same as most people, very bad mood swings,always snapping at my boyfriend, depression, always bleeding, severe stomach cramps all the time, anxiety, hair loss, low libido and the list goes on... I never had any of this before the mirena.. I never realised the mirena could of been the cause until I decided to google it one day and found thousands of women had the same symptoms, everything then made sense...

I made the appointment to get it removed and immediately started taking Vit B6, Primrose oil and I have ordered 5HTP on the internet cos I cant find it anywhere... day 4 I started getting very bad anxiety and horrible suicidal thoughts, I have always been a happy person and couldnt understand what was happening to me... the whole week at work was a blur and each day was a struggle to get through.. I was continuously crying and I had these horrible thoughts in my mind that wouldnt go away!! it has been a nightmare.. its like they are stuck in my mind and I cant think of anything else but these horrible thoughts! (The weird thing is I had the same thoughts when I had the mirena inserted 2.5 years ago but they werent as bad as now and they eventually went away) I saw my doctor on Thursday morning and explained these problems and she prescribed me valium tablets to take away the anxiety... later that afternoon I had a anxiety attack and landed going back to the doctor because of these horrible suicidal thoughts in my mind... My doctor reffered me to a phyciatrist which I saw yesterday, I have never had to see anyone like this before so it was very scary for me... the shrink I saw said that there was no ways the mirena could be doing this to me.... she gave me more valium for my anxiety and now I have to see a special therapist once a week until these thoughts are cleared from my mind!
I find it very strange that all this started 4 days after my mirena was removed! I know this is all happening because of the mirena, the only thing that is keeping me going is reading everyones posts and knowing that this will go way once my hormones settle, I know im not going crazy even though it feels like I am!!
Every doctor I have spoken to will not agree that the mirena could cause any of these side effects! It makes me so mad that so many women are going through this and the doctors think the Mirena is the best thing since slice bread! How can they have no idea!!??
If anyone is thinking of getting the mirena.. DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Update: Exactly one week post removal and I'm feeling like a new woman, mom, wife, teacher, and friend. I have more energy than I ever expected. The detox/cleanse is working wonders for my appetite and weight and the weight seems to be coming off w/out a lot of extra work. I have enough energy now to get through a whole workout whereas before I struggled. Moods are not so dominant now and the headaches are gone. Besides the small amount of spotting the first few days - nothing. Will continue to update as the weeks go by.......

I am so glad I found this web site. I had Mirena before for three years with no problems at all, I loved it. So after I had my daughter I had another one put in around oct 2007. I thought it was fine and latley I have been feeling as if I was going to start a period and nothing has happened. So I started looking up mirena realated problems and up came this page. I seriouly thought I have been going crazy my biggest issue is my moods. I will have incresdible bursts of rage (wich is not me at all) for no reason at all. Along with the anger Other symptoms I have are, severe fatigue, bloating, cravings, acne, mood swings, dizziness, memory loss, painful intercourse, depression, nausea, weight gain, severe backaches and cramping. I NEVER put all of these things together with merina I thought it was all just my body getting back to normal after having a baby. I am absolutly dumbfounded. It all makes so much sense. I am going to go and get it removed and my husnband is going to get a vasectomy. I know this works for some people but it is good to know I am not alone in this craziness.

I had my daughter Oct 07 and had the Mirena put in Nov 07 and since then I am constantly sweating and well the moods are horrible. I haven't been able to lose any weight. Initially, I thought it was my body just getting back to normal after giving birth but my daughter will be 6 months in two days and I am still experiencing these things. As well as I have a sudden pain on my right side every so often, it is painful enough to stop me in my tracks. I am making an appt with my OB/GYN tomorrow and hopefully she will take me right away, I am going to have to find something else for birth control because this thing isn't worth the side effects.

i experienced all the above mentioned symptoms but in addition did anyone have problems with their vision as a sense of having blurry vision and sensitivity to light?

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

I am 41 yro and have had Mirena for 3 months. Three weeks prior I quit smoking so I have gained a few pound, actually 12. Anyway, I can't seem to lose anything and my stomach looks like I'm pregnant. I called my dr. and was told that weight gain and not being able to lose is not from Mirena. Also I have had thining hair and breakage...Mirena??? My moods are horrible. I have been blaming not smoking but maybe it's actually from Mirena?? Anyway, I so tired of feeling bloated, my clothes don't fit due to my expanded stomach. I am going to contact my dr. again and see about having it removed.

Also, my energy level has been strange. I have so much to do but can't get motivated to do anything or it seems like I'm busy but never accomplishing anything. I usually just don't feel like doing anything, just want to sit and watch TV....not like me.

Thanks for listening.

I had the Mirena inserted January 2007. Thought it would be the best option since I forgot to take the pill. It hurt like CRAZY, I swore and screamed that the other patients in the waiting room looked at me funny when I came out.
In one year I picked up over 20kg's, even though my eating habits and exercise patterns haven't changed. I also became EXTREMELY depressed, my doctor then told me it sounds as though I'm Bipolar. I refused to accept it and just got on with life, towards the end of last year I became addicted to sleeping pills, just to take the edge off my severe mood swings. I started cutting myself, broke up with my boyfriend for no apparent reason etc. I had it removed last week on valentines day and my Gynie put me on Yasmin. Hopefully my moods will start to stabilize now. I asked the gynie who put it in if the Mirena could cause such drastic changes in my body and she said no because apparently the hormones are localized. I believe this is sooooo untrue! If you're pregnant, it's all happening in your womb, yet your whole body goes through a change.
ps, the removal didn't hurt at all! And I'm so happy that the thing is out!

I am so glad to see other people have had extreme mood changes with the Mirena! I was starting to think I had lost my mind. Got mine about 5 months ago and got it out yesterday. I had fits or rage and generally negative about everything. How long until I feel like myself again?!?

I am getting mine removed FRIDAY!! And Friday can't come soon enough. I am kinda bummed tho for having to go back on the pill but I can't hack this ANY LONGER!!! One of my friends works for a GP and I went to him because of some of my side effects. The flu like symptoms minus having the flu (had it for at least 2 to 3 mos now) NO sex drive (causing trouble with my marriage. Hubby is taking it WAY to personal), swelling in my hands, feet, legs, and face. (my face will feel flush and BAM I'm swollen!!) VERY BAD MOOD SWINGS!!! Very Bad isn't the word for it!! There are no words to explain my moods!! ANYHOW..... I sent this to my friend to read and she pulled it up at work. Well the GP said that this isn't a reliable place to go for information on the side effects. "There are NO positive side effects to anything." Which is true BUT he seems to think going to Web MD or some sight like that is more reliable than here. And that this sight shouldn't scare me and he wouldn't urge me to have it removed after reading this. (OH YEAH I forgot to mention joint pain, I have HORRIBLE joint pain in my hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. The worst of it is in my wrists and elbows) Back to what I was saying. To that (this sight not being reliable) I say go to Web MD and post there too! I pray that I can get back to me after this comes out!! I hope it don't take too long either! I MISS the old me and HATE the new me!! But FRIDAY HURRY UP AND GET HERE. And for anyone who has had it removed........ anything I should be repaired for??? Thanks for your time!

I had the Mirena inserted two weeks ago. It was very painful when it was inserted and I also had a few cramps the same day. It was inserted while I was on my period and the bleeding stopped the next day. My husband and I had sex two days after it was inserted and the next day I started bleeding again only it wasnt blood. It was light brown dischage and i dont know what this is but it stopped after a few days. I really didnt think anything else about it until my husband and i had sex again a few days ago and it was so painful i started crying and we had to stop. The very next day I started having the same light brown discharge. This morning I started really bleeding blood and I dont know why this is. Is this normal?

I had my Mirena in for about a year and 9months and eventually went to get it taken out on wednesday- 17th Oct, cos of all the side effects- mostly mood swings and acne that never disappeared, despite being told it would. I have NEVER in my life had a spot on my back or chest until I got this put in. I thought, I have had enough and my boyfriend and I decided to just start using condoms because I have had it with hormonal contraceptives. They just dont agree with me, and many others it would seem. I never really put on weight with it, but my stomach is a lot more bloated than it used to be, unsure if it is cos its making me retain water. Whatevs, I feel fine at the moment, having now had it out, but not hugely different.

my period finished the day before I got it out, so I dont know when I'll be due another. I reckon it'll take a while for my hormones to balance out and get rid of the spots etc. So I'm not expecting a quick recovery. I am currently at Uni in edinburgh studying to be a Herbalist and I may see about taking some herbs to help speed up the process.

One thing before I go, I was really pissed off that the nurse in the family planning clinic more or less dismissed my sympthoms, saying it could'nt cause them. I was in no mod to argue, but bloody hell. They must be covering up for some reason or another, or maybe they just don't realise that it DOES cause side-effects and they are WRITTEN ON THE LEAFLET that you get when you get the thing inserted. D'oh.

Anyways, I will try and come back and let you know how it goes, how quickly my moods and spots get better, etc and if anyone wants to ask anything, feel free :D

I'm soooo confused! I have just recently started feeling VERY depressed- when I fisrt got it put in, I was fine, no pms or anything. But I've now had it in for about a year and am thinking about having it taken out. My moods and my self confidence are very up and down. One moment I feel great and the next I want to scream and break things and cry. And I often do. I thought I was going mad, but having read these it all makes sense. I had been taking the pill and it made me depressed, so I got the copper coil put in. That caused me to have terrible periods, that were very painful and when I went to the family planning, the doc said that a mirena coil would be better for me and the hormones would not affect me, since the hormone is localised. But I have had bad acne on my face, chest and back and I had never had acne before. If the hormone is that localised, why is it causing the acne?! I keep thinking, maybe its just me being mental and its not the coil making me depressed. But I think thats just cos I feel a bit desperate- what the hell contraceptive can I use that wont make me depressed(no hormones)?? condoms are just rubbish. O and my sex-drive is currently non-existant and my relationship with my boyfriend is going down the drain due to that and the moods. My sex drive used to be healthy. My breasts have also shrunk but are painful. I luckily havent put on weight. I have really bad period pains, that feel like a 'snapping' feeling. If I ever had period pains before, they never felt that way. Its weird!
I don't know what to do. I will get it taken out-its not a financial concern for me since I live in Scotland. But it is stress to find something to stop getting pregnant!

I was up late last night, doing some research on my current birth control method, because I haven’t been able to sleep very well for weeks. I am constantly restless, when I do sleep it is an unfit sleep.

I am irritable, at all times, at best.

I am also having migraines that are now exceeding well into three weeks in length. Then I get one day free of pain, and they are right back again. I can hardly function with them. Granted, at first I thought there could be any number of reasons for my migraines, I have been suffering from them since the young age of twelve, although, I also learned how to treat them within a reasonable amount of time and over the counter methods available for such. But, never, and I must stress this NEVER, for this severe nor long, without any relief from the methods available to me, without having to go to the doctor for some help.

Not to mention, dizziness, nausea, bloating, stomach upset, the constant spotting, and/or bleeding - outside of my normal period window of time, so to speak.

Intercourse is painful, no matter what position, and/or methods I, and my husband try. And, pardon me if this is to much information, simple masturbation is excruciating as well. That was certainly never a problem before.

I cannot in good conscience, blame my mood swings on Mirena, as I am bi-polar to begin with. However, I have noticed the swings of my mood are more erratic, to be certain. Although, do I think that Mirena has something to do with the severity and quickness of fluctuation? Yes, I do. My moods may shift on their own, but they have gotten progressively worse since having the Mirena inserted. And, I do know how to treat my bi-polar for the most part. I am very aware of my body and mental state, in most cases.

The clumps of hair coming out, that was something I just recently read. My husband was teasing me, saying I was going to be bald before he was! Of course, even though he meant it in good nature, I cried, uncontrollably for at least an hour. I feel for those ladies who are suffering from that!

Acne isn't a problem that I have suffered from, but then I was graced with rarely having that problem, even as a teenager.

I do have facial hair growth, that is a new one. It is completely embarrassing to say the least. I can grow a goatee like a pubescent boy! That is certainly not on the warning label!

I think I may have a cyst on my left ovary, maybe a few more on my uterus itself. I am unsure as of yet. I just know I am in pain constantly, be it from one end of my body, or the other. Some days, the pain is so intense, I see flashes of white and nothing more, right before my very eyes.

Ladies, for those considering getting this method of birth control, please, I urge you, DO NOT DO IT. Granted, there are women that it works beautifully for. But the pain and suffering for a "What if," isn't worth the losing your entire means of being a well functioning woman, in your home and society.

For those of you looking for the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Berlex, the manufacturer of Mirena you may wish to contact,

The Law Offices of Kris J. Balekian, P.C.
8330 Meadow Rd., Ste. 104
Dallas, TX 75231
Tel: (214) 828-2800
Fax: (214) 827-9671
Email: kris@kjbattorney.com

Ask for information that she needs. Currently she is still looking for potential clients so that she can take this to court. I honestly do believe that there is something severely wrong with this product.

Had the Mirena fitted April 30th 2007, and its all just dawned on me why my skin has turned awful, I've put on weight, I have no sex drive, and my moods switch from good to bad in seconds. However, am worried Im going to speak to my doctors, and they are just going to say 'Give it a couple more months' I don't want to wait! I want my old skin, weight, sex drive and moods back!
And what is the best alternative contraception? Don't they all have this hormone?

Well my personal experience is that it sucks, and isn't worth it. I had mine inserted last September, and in the beginning I had some heavy periods and cramping, and now that passed a few months ago. But now the cramping is back, very severe off and on, lower backache, and my headaches are back. I have started have a thick brown discharge (sorry, I know too much info), I'm nauseas, light headed, gaining weight, my hairs falling out like crazy, the acne is terrible(never had a problem before), depressed, my moods are insane, one minute I'm on top of the world, and the next I'm yelling and screaming. It's tearing my family up!! I'm definitely going to get it removed. I guess my body is just rejecting it. But remember this is just my personal experience, and everyone's bodies accept and reject things differently.