Mirena and severe acne

I am 31 yrs. old and have had 2 children. I had the mirena inserted in late August. Since then, I have had light spotting EVERY day and periods about once a week that last for a few hours. It is so annoying. I am a runner and I can't stand the inconsistency and cramping all the time. I also have had severe acne - which I have never experienced before. Until tonight, I thought it was just a mid-life crisis of acne... but now that I have read all your stories, I am convinced that I too, like all of you, am calling tomorrow to get this taken out.
Thank you all for your stories - they have helped me tremendously.
KS

For me having the Mirena removed just last Thursday was the right decision. I was not using it for birth control but as hormone therapy for heavy, crampy periods. I had it inserted in July 2008 and bled every single day for the entire time, I had it removed last week and now I am bleeding very heavily but hopefully that will stop once all those hormones are out of my body.
While on Mirena I lost all sex drive, I became severely anemic and with that fatigued terribly, and moody, crying at nothing and screaming at my kids or husband for stupid reasons, I felt bloated and gassy and didn't have those problems before.
I am 42 years old and I hate my heavy bleeding in fact I want a hysterectomy, but not sure now what I will do.

For those of you who had the Mirena removed, how long did it take to stop bleeding afterwards? This is draining every last ounce of energy for me and I am taking iron supplements.

What sucks is the cost of this, Even with insurance I ended up paying a lot out of pocket to get this thing and then all the Dr. visits due to bleeding and side affects in the 4 months it was in and now the removal of it. I am wondering if there is any way that we can get a Class action lawsuit against Bayer for this horrible thing they are trying to sell to women.
I know there are some out there who have not suffered all these horrible side effects at least not yet or that they are aware of, but I truly believe that there is nothing good about this IUD and those of us and there are a lot of us who have suffered with this should be reimbursed or compensated for the pain and loss of parts of our lives and expenses with this. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?

I just had mine removed last week, and I am experiencing heavy bleeding with some clots. But I have to say that waiting this out is less stressful than the horrible side affects I had from having it fitted.

I've never had severe acne or terrible cramps during my periods (among other things), but after the insertion, the cramping was bad and it never really went away. I started getting bad breakouts a few weeks after insertion, and it continually got worse. After 5 months, my face is scarred, but is now healing. Within a week of having that thing removed, my face is clearing up and my complexion is brighter.

My theory on this is that having a foreign object deliberately put into your body will cause your immune system to attract the foreign body and forego the obvious and little things like fighting bacteria in the pores of your face and back. (I never had back acne before in my life - just another side affect of Mirena.) Your body does what it's made to do - fight the worst of it. So it tries and tries to get rid of the plastic thing in your uterus not caring if your skin is suffering. I am the furthest thing from a doctor, but it seems to make the best sense to me.

SO HAPPY IT'S GONE!!!

has anyone NOT experienced complications with acne? And for those who have, how bad on a scale of 1-5? (I really should have asked these questions before I got this thing put in...)

OMG! I thought I was losing it. Have had the Mirena since April and have gained weight (an entire dress size) for NO REASON, been foggy, moody, no sex drive, joint pains, cramps, etc.I thought I was alone, Did I mention EXHAUSTED all the time and acne on my face and back-sever enough to get antibiotics from the dermatologist?
I also suffer with PCOS--does anyoen else on the Mirena suffer with PCOS? Would be interested to see how it has affected you. Tried BC pills and after awhile they stopped working then switched to the YAZ--DO NOT GO THERE--the worst Pill ever--so not many options for those of us with PCOS. Just can't wait to go to the DR and get this thing out.

I have had mirena for about three months... I noticed a difference in my left leg the first week I had it.. it feel weird and sometimes as if its numb.
I also have experienced very bad acne out of nowhere... now I am 20 and I have not had acne like this,..... I am sitting here right now with severe acne cream all over my face back and shoulders... I am thinking about leaving it on over night... I am just glad that its worse on my back so people don't stare at my face. anyhow besides that I have had a light period since two days after it being in. and maybe went one week all together with out one.
well I would love to have my mirena removed but there is another thing.
I had put in 8 weeks after giving birth because I started bleeding very dangerously . I was giving a an iv to stop the bleeding the first time it happened it worked for a week with the pills I had been giving to take at home also. then I started bleeding again and I went back they gave me the iv and the pills well i stopped and a few days later I had mirena put in and started bleeding but very light. I was just happy that i was not bleeding to where i thought I was going to die again. so now I am suffering from really bad scne and mood swings pain in my leg and I feel like I have no energy.
yes I said no energy I just hope I feel 20 again soon,.... I am going to have it removed and see what happens .

Wow, I am amazed guys. As far as not really having a period, I love it. but, just recently I have started questioning my Mirena. I have been complaining about being totally and completely exhausted. I have to get my 2 older kids off to school and lay back down for more rest. I just cannot seem to "catch up" on sleep. Everyone says, oh its because you have 5 kids, but the more I think about it, it has come on since I have had the Mirena. The biggest problem has been that my husband and I are on the verge of divorce because I have absolutely NO sex drive. I could care less if I ever had it again. I am only 30 years old, I should be in my prime shouldn't I? I have started counseling to try to save my marriage, and while I think there are some other issues too, I truly believe since I have had the Mirena, it has taken my sex drive from little to none. I cannot stress "NONE" enough. Unlike many of you others my husband is not as patient. I think I need to make a phone call to my GYN. Oh yeah, I have had severe acne since I have gotten it as well.

I got my Mirena in a few months ago, on a second attempt. I've never had a child, so there was some difficulty in opening my cervix enough to push it in, so I had to go back with my period for another insertion, which was painful, but not terrible. The first two weeks were great. I had no cramping at all, and some spotting, but even that was mostly just when I used the bathroom, and not when I was up and walking around.
The first complaint I had was that my boyfriend could feel the string. It wasn't even just an awareness that it was there, but severe pain that hit him every time he bumped it. We stopped having sex.
Then, I started being a complete bitch. I have a history of clinical depression, and have been treated and it hasn't been an issue for a few years, but I know depression, and this is not it. I've also been stressed out. This is not it. This is like my worst PMS ever, multiplied by ten, constant, and increasing every day. I'm a teacher, and I've been finding myself yelling at my kids when the do the littlest thing wrong. I've screamed at my mother when she's trying to be helpful, and I've hung up on my boyfriend when I was pissed at him for no reason. I have NEVER experienced such irritability, and I have NEVER treated the people I love with such disrespect. I'm worried that if this keeps happening, it will ruin my life.
I've also gained significant weight. I have always been a slim woman, and now my clothes don't fit. If anything, I have been more active and eating less calories since I've had my Mirena inserted. And wrestling my pants on in the morning doesn't exactly help the irritability.
Then, one morning, I woke up with INTENSE throbbing pain in my lower abdomen. I was about to get myself to the hospital when it stopped. The next day, I felt for my string. Gone. The next day, it was back. The next day, gone. I went to see my doctor, and after much poking and prodding, she was unable to find the string, gave me a pregnancy test (like I'd been having sex...) and scheduled me for an ultrasound. Since then, I've experienced awful cramps. My doctor thinks the intense pain was an ovarian cyst bursting (which makes sense with my medical history), and the cramping caused by that made the Mirena shift up, which then caused more cramps as it resettled into a new place. She insists that the ultrasound will likely show everything is fine, and that it won't be a big deal until five years from now, when they have to figure out some way to remove the Mirena without it's string, ie dilating my cervix and using clamps to pull it out.
I have asked to have my Mirena removed on several occasions, and my doctor insists that it will get better, and I just have to tough it out. I know that I cannot continue to experience this irritability or pain, and I do not want to see if the weight continues to pack on. On Tuesday I have my ultrasound, and then an appointment with a different doctor to tell me the results and have it removed.
I was on these boards before my insertion, and shortly after, and thought all these side effects were crap, and that the posters were just the 1 out of 10 women who don't recommend the Mirena to their friends. I was sure that it wouldn't happen to me, but boy was I wrong. I believe the statistics the Mirena website gives are completely flawed, and I would NEVER recommend this to a friend, or even an enemy.

I had the MIRENA IUD inserted on January 11th, 2008. 10 weeks after my sons’ birth. It is now February 18th I have went over a full month of consistent bleeding. After 13 days of non-stop bleeding, no breaks in between, called the doctor just to get advised to take ibuprofen for menstrual cramps. That was not of my concern, how long was I to be bleeding for, however was. Never got an answer, and now the cramping too are of big concern. Just yesterday, while I was at Wal-Mart, I had cramps so bad they stopped me dead in my tracks. I have never, never ever had a menstrual cycle longer than 3 days and cramps so bad I couldn't go to work. Just over these past two weeks my skin has become so horrible, I do not get acne ladies, and I now have acne all over my back, chest, arms and patches on my face. Also, in odd places, who gets acne behind their neck and ears? I don't know, do you? I had breast tenderness for about 1 to 2 weeks; still have dizziness every other day. I have 2 kids, had an epidural with both and had no issues with lower back pain. Think I do now? Well, of course I do! Funny thing too, I didn't know that mood swings were a side effect, and my boyfriend says to me the other day, "you have been real mean for like the past month!" The only thing I can say that has not been a problem is my sex drive. Even though I have been bleeding for over a month I have had some very, very light days. This IUD has not interfered with my interest in sex. I actually want it more now than ever... but that’s probably because I am so in love with the man that gave me the two loves of my life!!!! And not the MIRENA IUD... lol!!!

I had my Mirena inserted in July 2007, exactly 1 month after my second child was born. I had it removed today, thank god! I had discomfort putting it in and horrible cramps. I bled heavily for a month straight afterward and haven't had a day in 7 months without some blood or thick discharge leaving my body. And I am talking THICK disgusting discharge. I have had severe acne flare ups, hair loss (falling out in clumps), severe headaches just about on a daily basis. I have suffered from anxiety and depression before but now it is 5 times as bad. Put back on Xanax which I used to take as needed which would be about 1 or twice a month to reaching for it 1 to 2 times a day! Most recently I have had leg, arm and back pain. Irregular heartbeat, very dehydrated. Absolutely unbearable mood swings from anger to sadness on a drop of a dime. I have never had suicidal thoughts or though about death but find myself in panic everyday thinking I am dying and I'm only 28! I could barely walk up the stairs without being utterly and completely out of breath. I did not do any research on this before I got it and I really wish I did. Thank god for all of you writing your experiences so I don't feel like a nut. My doctor said today oh I rarely ever have anyone with a problem. You should really get an EKG to make sure you don't have a heart problem...WHAT? Since I had it removed this morning I literally have more energy. It may sound crazy and it may be in my head but I feel better already. I couldn't even function before I was so tired. PLEASE LADIES DO NOT GET THIS....IT'S HORRIBLE!

I've posted on this site once before when I first had my Mirena fitted back in March 2007 (after the 2nd attempt of having it fitted). Like everyone else I have endless side effects to this, none of which my doctor doesn't think this is the cause, severe acne on my chin jaw line and forehead which itches, severe cramps and stabbing pains in my right side, tiredness, mood swings, always hungry, periods from hell, Joint pains, sickness, and illness ever since I've had it, you name it I've had it with this horrible coil. Well 2 weeks ago I decided that I've given it long enough and it was obvious that it wasn't for me so I went to the doctors to get it removed, she wouldn't take it out though as it was only 6 days ago that I had sex last so advised that I come back again 2 weeks later, well today was the day for me and you know what its like you get all prepared for it, and guess what, the doctor couldn't find the threads, she didn't even trim them at the 6 week check, so now I've got to wait for an appointment to have a scan to find out wear abouts it is !!! Just my luck, I've had nothing but problems since I've had this stupid thing.. so what happens after the scan I don't know.. Has this happened to anyone else??

I had Mirena inserted about a year and half ago. For the first year I didn't have any problems with it and thought it was wonderful. But a few months ago i started to get severe pains in my legs that would last about a week and then go away. this happened about once a month and the pain just kept getting worse. i've also experienced lower abdominal pains especially after having sex. severe acne on my back, chest, and face has been another issue even though i have never had a problem with acne before. my greatest concern is the pain in my legs. it hurts so bad sometimes that it is hard to walk or even put pants on because my skin hurts to the touch. this last episode i had, the pain radiated from my groin area all the way down to the bottom of my feet so it hurt everytime i took a step. its hard to describe the pain. it almost feels like cramping but not quite. there is some numbness and sharp pains that shoot throughout my legs and throbbing pains too. has anyone ever had this problem and then had it go away only for it to return a month later?

just wondered, has anyone else experienced severe chest pains which MIGHT be a side effect of the mirena? I have been having these for a while and they have gotten worse. I never connected the pains with anything til I was looking at the side effects the other day.....its a bit scary! at first i had hoped they would go away but now i think it might be more serious.
Think I will get this taken out asap, having experienced other side effects, like severe acne and mood swings....lucky that I've just broken up with my boyfriend and don't have to worry about contraception!

i posted most of my side effects a few days ago...weight gain, severe acne, joint pain, abdom swelling, headaches, inability to lose weight, long bleeding,aggression/depression, etc. I've scheduled my appt to have Mirena removed next week. Does anyone know how long it takes for all the "side effects" to go away? I'd appreciate your input. thanks.

I had the Mirena put in in March of 2007, shortly after my 6 week post partum check up. I have always had terrible side effects from bc pills and I am allergic to latex (....condoms,etc), besides I'm married and it's so weird and inconvenient for a married couple, with 3 children and LITTLE time for sex to use condoms!! With all this in mind, my obgyn convinced me to consider this product. I did my homework as instructed and all research came back with the same answers: NO DOCUMENTED side effects. My biggest concerns were weight gain/mood, aggression. I was assured this would not happen to me again. The insertion was super easy; didn't feel a thing, then a few days later it felt as though I was in labor all over again and this lasted for about a week. I continued to bleed for approx 5 months, and since i have had to wear a panty liner everyday for discharge/spotting. After reading this website, I've come to realize that all the "strange" things happening to me are apparently not so strange/rare: the terrible headaches, leg cramps, SEVERE acne that scars (everyday of the month, currently using proactiv for that, but not helping one bit! and i've never had a zit before in my life), I'm 27 and feel as though i have the joints of an 85 year-old...my knees and hips ache 24-7. Yes, the mood swings are there too. My poor husband and children....i'm happy one sec, then biting off heads the next. I have also had severe constipation, having to do regular enemas to have bm's. Worst of all, after busting my butt to lose 25lbs of baby wgt 3 wks after giving birth, I started gaining it back 3 weeks later after having Mirena inserted. I have gained approx 38 lbs since the end of March. I have completely changed my diet to..sugar busters, 1200 calories a day, exercise 5 days a week,excessive amount of fiber and water, and i'm even taking ephedra/hoodia pills 3x a day. I can honesly say I have not lost 1 pound, not 1. We are not sure if we want anymore children, but if so not for a few years, but I cannot endure the suffering anymore, and neither can my family. please reconsider having the Mirena put in your body! So many women post complaints, why is there NO documented side effects with this device with the manufacturer and physicians who recommend it?????

I have had the mirena for two years and I hadn'd noticed anything major until reading this. I too have had a huge weight gain, I have gained about 25 lbs in 2 years, I am 39 years old and have weighed the same thing since middle school before mirena. I have had severe acne mostly on my forehead and sides of face and back, I had acne in high school but that was a little more than 20 years ago and I just thought it was returning, but didnt know why. I also have had lower back pain and some joint pain. my sex drive isnt that great either but I didnt think about mirena being the cause. I am not going to take it out yet because I dont want to get pregnant and dont know what else to use, I cant take birth control pills and I am allergic to so many things. I have not had any problems that I've noticed with bleeding or painful sex or some of the other things mentioned.

Hi, I have come across many websites after promising my husband of 13 years that I would look into the side effects of my IUD. I had NO idea! I thought it was only me! Reading all of this almost made me cry to know that there might NOT be anything wrong with me and just by removing this IUD that I can get back to a normal life! I have had it for almost 2 years, and the last year has been an emotional rollercoaster of all kinds of events! The only good thing that I can say came out of it is that I didn't get pregnant in the last 2 years (have 4 boys already) and I haven't had to deal with a "real" period in about that same amount of time! HOWEVER...I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH OTHER THINGS, THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW EXISTED WITH THE USE OF THIS DEVICE!!! Including, but not limited to, SEVERE fatigue, cramps, SEVERE acne (never even had as a teen!), headaches, SEVERE mood changes and swings (as by the pleas of my husband), loss of of the hair on my head, and regrowth of hair in places women shouldn't have hair, i.e. breasts and chin, vaginal dryness, loss of libido (my poor husband), SEVERE depression and worthlessness, and those are just the ones that I have been able to see myself now. I am sure if they were pointed out to my by a loved one or friend I could probably link that with the IUD also. MEN~ do NOT let or make your wife get this...she could NOT be the same person you thought you knew and it is a rough and rocky ride! WOMEN~ I beg you, do NOT get this, it is horrible! Why take the chance? I have hated myself, my husband, my kids, my extended family and friends and couldn't figure out what was "wrong" with me. I am getting mine out Monday Sept. 24, 2007, and hopefully I can get back to the life I had known before these last 2 years of insanity took over. Good luck all and GOD Bless!

I decided to get Mirena after the birth of my second son. I seemed like such a great idea. I had it put in last Sept. My doctor is very good and warned me about some things that might happen after it was inserted. What I didn't expect was just how bad I bled after getting it. I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but there was a point where I was running to the bathroom every 15 minutes to change. It was horrible, but my doctor assured me that everything was normal and I should see some improvement within the next few months. Including the heavy bleading, I bled for about a month and a half straight. About a month of that was the annoying spotting. Since then, I haven't had a period, which I love...the only thing I love about it. The past year has been rough, but I never associated it with Mirena until now. I was starting to lose my baby weight but now I weigh about 5 lbs more than I did just after giving birth. My stomach looks bigger than my sister's and she's almost 7 months pregnant. I was put on anti depressants, but associated that with post partum depression...now I'm not sure what caused it. My husband and I have been fighting more and we even considered spitting up. I'm just not ME and he has even said it. I have acne like a teenager, weight gain (no matter what I do), very low sex drive, BLOATING, cramps, my memory is pretty much non existent, nausea, horrible sleep pattern which causes extreme tiredness all the time, sore body, constant discharge, and blurred vision. I've actually taken pregnancy tests because I felt worse than when I was pregnant. I've talked to my husband about the Mirena and wanting to get it out, but he's just worried that I'll get pregnant again if I get it out. He doesn't realize how bad I really feel cuz I'm not telling him. We decided that our marriage is worth saving so I'm trying to do my part by not getting mad at him for every little thing and not complaining about how awful I feel. He just started a new job, too, so insurance hasn't started at the new place and his old place of employment has already stopped it through them. I can't pay for a regular doctor's visit without insurance, so I guess I'm stuck with it for now. Sorry for babbling, I just don't have anyone to talk to, so once I start, I just keep going.