Mirena and stress

Okay so I am 27 and I had my mirena put in Jan/Feb 07. It was the most painful procedure of my life. I mean tears and all. I have never had kids so i was a little worried about that because they advertise this for women who have had children but, my doctor said its fine for me. At the time, I was not married, highly sexual active and didn't want any unexpected pregnancies. I had been on Depo on and off since I was 17 and was worried about the Calcium bone loss and weight gain from that so I decided to switch. Any who, I normally had very bad cramps with my period but, with the Mirena they were 10 times worse for like 2 months. I was told that it was normal, of course (What would I know) Time goes on everything seemed normal. My cramping lessened, bleeding lessened, but, i still had my breast tenderness and moodiness and my sex drive seemed normal. However, at this time I wasn't as sexually active. From the beginning I had very sharp stabbing pains mainly in the left side of my pelvis.

I married my sexy wonderful husband in Dec 08 and since about May my sex drive has just died and I am irritable 90% of the time. Now, I am a newly wed, and moved to a new location so I thought all of this was completely due to all of that stress and it might be. However, if its not and it just took took 1yr or so for my body for adjust to the hormones and this is the outcome then I can't continue to get irritated at my husband every time he wants a hug. I just always feel so tense and I WANT TO HAVE SEX AGAIN and be sweet and happy without having to be on percocet. So, i am thinking that i am going to get it removed and maybe try the YAZ thing.

i have had mirana since july28 2004. i never had any problem with it i though it was a god'sent UNTIL NOW!! over the last 2 years i have had irregular bleeding,odd pain among other things. the bleeding started normal and but now it is very very dark clots and pain OMG it feels like i am being stabbed all the time. i have been to the doctors over and over and over .. they say it is not a side effect it is all in my head. well let me tell you i am a nurse and i know my body like you all do and something is wrong. i am due for it 2b changed and i want it out. i am so afraid of PID or sepsis. i have weird chalky discharge sometimes. and i have been tested for anything and everything under the sun STD wise so i know the pain and all the problems are from this. i have no energy and i am "sad" most of the time. i do not handle stress the way i used to .. my husband says i have changed. not for the bad per say just different. we have 2 children and thought this would be perfect but we were so wrong. good luck to you all... i know lots of women who have it and are fine. but the ones with a problem with it oh man do we ever have a problem...

I had Mirena inserted one week ago and there was some minimal cramping directly after the insertion but I have had nothing ever since and I am hoping it remains that way. I am so sorry to hear of all the negative side effects that Mirena is causing some women but I am interested in hearing some of the more positive feedback.

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.

Why do I think I landed here, I have been having very bad mood swings mostly relating to anger and dissatisfaction in everything and everybody. Put the mirena in April 2008, braved it out for 4 months with the
1. spotting and all the time kept thinking that my
2. fatigue and no interest in everything was due the stress of having 2 kids, work and the pregnancy weight that I have to shed.
3. I am hungry always (maybe since I am breast feeding the baby)
I had a copper IUD between my first and second son,
4. I don't remember how that was ( am I in a mental fog?). must have been better than this one. I never wanted anything hormonal. I don't want pills. Dont even know why I went with this then. I know the doctor convinced me saying it has very little hormonal effects

Yesterday, I just lost myself over a silly issue, now I feel I am going to lose my wonderful relationships with people. My 3 yr old asks me If I am not angry any more uh!!!. Why cant I call the doctor to get it removed when I doubt it could be the IUD.
5.I am lazy( another symptom).

Do I have to wait a little longer or take it out and maybe get my self back.?
(What a question to an obvious answer)
Confused!!! lazy!!

OMG... After reading everyone's stories... I know I am not alone. Mirena was placed on April 24th, 2008. IThe only reason I got Mirena is because I felt pressured into doing so. I have recently miscarried and was a little afraid to try and conceive again. I have two small kids already. I informed the doctor that I really may only need the birth control for a year or so and the doctor still insisted on this bull**** device. Insertion was horrible, they tell you to cough as if it will ease the pain. I have been having horrible pain that seems to be in my right ovary. The pain seems to be very sporatic and when it hits its just like a previous poster said ... LIGHTINING! I have large clots during and after my period. Not to mention when I am on my period I have the loudest odor ever. This is so not cool. I have an appointment to have it removed August 21st. I cannot wait any longer. As I am typing I am in so much pain. I have been under so much stress since I have had this thing put in. I am irritable, overly emotional, bitchy, and I have no sex drive. My husband is becoming extremely concerned at this point. Ladies... please beware. I really think I may have long term issues from this piece of crap. I will let you all know about the removal process.

Hi all, I have had the Mirena since May of 08. I had twins in Feb of this year and was given the little plastic ring for birth control. That gave me TERRIBLE migraines. i hardly ever even have headaches let alone migraines. It was impossible to take care of twin infants along w/migraine pain. I really shouldn't be on estrogen anyway because of a clotting problem in my family. So my doctor recommended the Mirena. I wanted it anyway because I can't remember to take pills now, (I'm a little busy.) Since I had it put in I have been losing my hair in unbelievable amounts which my doctor attributed to my just having twins. My depression and anxiety meds are NOT working anymore. My fourth and fifth toes on my right foot are completely numb and stiff, almost like I have arthritis or something. I have NO interest in having sex w/my husband. But after taking care of twins, who does?? Just kidding. I am not very happy with this IUD, but have decided the alternative (being pregnant) is not a better option at this time. So, for now I will continue to be a bitchy, balding, arthritic, celbate mother of two. Good luck to everyone else

I had mine put in last August(07). Everything went fine and I have had no discomfort what so ever,Now I do have the small cramps letting me know when my period should start but its not a big deal. I got mine put in because of heavy periods. I have 3 kids and my tubes have been tied since 02. Periods are OBSOLETE and couldn't be happier,however,there is a small side effect I have had for about 6 months now. Very, Very low libido, I am talking once a month if my husband is lucky. I have been blaming it on stress of a 5 & 7 year old.The low libido isn't bothering me a bit but it is causing problems for my husband.Other than that,I think the Mirena is great!!

I'm very curious to read all these side effects! I have some strange symptoms going on and it only occurred to me after weeks of them that they may be caused by the Mirena IUD. Apart from constant annoying spotting and a bit of a dull ache in the pelvis now and then, I thought I had no other symptoms but I can see that my fuzziness in the head, low grade anxiety and stress that I've been feeling lately may be related. I've also been ravenous and am putting on weight but can't seem to stop eating junk. My energy levels are low and I have body aches and fatigue and find it hard to work out. But has anyone had achy joints in the hands and feet? .....tight tendons in the ankles & archilles and sore bones in the feet.......a feeling like swelling/tightness in the joints in the hands? I thought I was getting arthritis but maybe it's related to the IUD. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks

I AM HORRIFIED AFTER READING ALL OF THESE! JUST TODAY SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT MY EXCESSIVE HAIR LOSS IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE IUD. I CAME HOME AND GOOGLED IT AND LANDED ON THIS SITE. I SERIOUSLY HAIR NOTICEABLE BALD SPOTS NOW. MY HAIR COMES OUT IN HAND FULLS ALL THE TIME ALL DAY. SHOWERS ARE A NIGHTMARE. THE SITE IN THE DRAIN IS NAUSEATING. WHEN I PULL MY HAIR BACK IT LOOKS LIKE I HAVE RECEDING HAIR LINE AND YOU CAN SEE MY SCALP THROUGH WHAT HAIR I HAVE LEFT. I HAD EXTREMELY THICK DULL HAIR BEFORE. I IGNORED THE OTHER SYMPTOMS AND FOCUSED ON THE HAIR LOSS THINKING IT WAS RELATED TO POST PARTUM AND STRESS.....LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE THIS IUD THEY CALL MIRENA MAKING ME BALD. I AM CALLING MY OBGYN ON MONDAY.

This website has been a blessing for me - a person who seemed to feel crazy for all the symptoms I was having. I had mirena put in place in March 2008 after the birth of my second child in December. I was so excited that I didn't have to worry about birth control - I could focus on taking care of my family and work, etc. I couldn't have been more wrong about it. All was fine at first until April of 08 (two months later). I started to notice a red, bumpy rash on the trunk of my body. It progressively got worse with each passing day. It began to look like hives on my legs (behind my knees) and then on the inside of my arms. It has gone all over my back and finally to my face last night. I looked at the mirena website and it said to call your doctor if you had a rash with hives. So I did and they assured me that mirena WAS NOT systemic and couldn't be the problem. They maintained that it was probably an outside source. Instead they offered an anti-depressant. I needed something to help with what I was going through, so I started on Lexapro. That has been the only positive thing that has kept me from falling apart. What's the use in calling them if they don't listen to you? I have finally decided to have the mirena taken out in two days. I am so ready to get back to feeling normal. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there with similar side effects with the rash. If someone would have told me that this was a possibility, I would never have signed up for this!!!!!!
I will post again once I have it out and give an update!!

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 had my mirena inserted in November 05 after the birth of my 3rd child, i have never suffered depression or anxiety in my life and have always been a very patient person...... until around the time i had this thing inserted into me. For the last two years i have been moody, grumpy, angry, irritable, depressed and borderline insane, not everyday, but when it starts it hangs around for at least a week at a time. i have thought for the last 2 and a half years that i was just a stressed out mum that couldn't deal with having 3 children.... well not anymore, i never really made the connection with the mirena until i started looking into the side effects last night and came upon this website. I thought the night sweats and hot flushes were premature menopause (I'm 32) and that the migraines were just stress, and the joint pain was arthritis, and the nausea and sore breasts meant that i might be pregnant ( i have taken about 8 home tests in the last 2 years). i thought that the extreme tiredness and extreme fatigue meant that i was anemic, so i take extra iron and am careful to eat well. My husband is miserable, i am a pain to live with, my kids yell at each other because i yell at them it's a never ending cycle...

last night we decided that i would have in removed, i am booked in on the 3rd of June and can't wait to get it out of me. I don't care if i don't lose weight i just want to feel happy again and not feel so bloody exhausted all the time! and gee it would be nice to actually feel like having sex again!!

Been a couple days since removal and it's funny I have noticed my skin clearing already and my appetite is a bit better. Yesterday I was a little depressed- well maybe more than a little- after reading about post removal crashes some women have experienced and generally upset about my decision to get the thing in the first place but I was also really tired and stayed in most of the day. The stress I was under in the past couple weeks wondering and worrying about what was wrong with me really took a toll on me. Plus I'm due for a period. I got a good night's sleep. Wasn't sure what to expect when I woke up this morning. So far so good. Going to try to get back to my normal routine. I think that will make a huge difference.
Oh, also bought some evening primrose oil and B6. Anyone doing the same? Or have any other ideas?

I got mine out yesterday and feel so relieved. I know I may not be back to my old self right away but it's a step in the right direction. They had a bit of a difficult time finding the strings but it was far less painful coming out than going in. Not bleeding terribly. It's like a light period with a bit of clotting.
Right now I'm just exhausted from all the stress and worry over it. Have no appetite.
How did those of you that had it removed help get back to normal? How long did it take to notice?

I got mine out yesterday and feel so relieved. I know I may not be back to my old self right away but it's a step in the right direction. They had a bit of a difficult time finding the strings but it was far less painful coming out than going in. Not bleeding terribly. It's like a light period with a bit of clotting.
Right now I'm just exhausted from all the stress and worry over it. Have no appetite.
How did those of you that had it removed help get back to normal? How long did it take to notice?

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.

Oh yes...I was so depressed. My mood was so awful! I have 2 little girls and I feel so bad when I yell at them the sex drive? don't even talk about it !!!!!!!...I start working . My hubby thinks It could the home stress. I thought all these feelings will go away! I feel good for a couple of days. I wanted to convinced myself that it was the home stress, But nooooooooooo ! I think I need to seek for help!
And I think I found it in Jesus name!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all for your comments.
I will keep you posted

I have had my Mirena for almost a year now. I have not had a child and got the iuc because my blood pressure was high and this was a better alternative then the pill i was on. But not I have acne like i have never had before! I don't even know how I got to this sight I go online to look at how much proactive would cost because I break out every month right before i spot for a few days and it take my skin three weeks to clear up, just in time for me to break out again it sucks. I see that a lot of you have had a low sex drive, which I have experienced also, and just brushed it off as stress, or whatever other reason, but now am beginning to wonder if it is my Mirena. these are pretty much the only side effects I have, but the acne is driving me crazy!!!! I still have somewhat of a period. I never really know what to expect one month i might not have one at all the next month i might spot for a day or two, then stop for a day, then spot again for a few days. It kind of sucks because its not enough to use a tampon and its on and off for about a week and a half. I don't know what to do, right now I am really missing my ortho tricyclin!

Many strange things have been happening to me for the last year and a half, that I did not ever experience before. I just turned 38 years old. I am now suspecting these are side effects from the MIRENA. I want to get opinions about what I'm experiencing and what happens when it's removed.

The most profound thing is the feeling of being in a mental bubble. Even though I'm aware of it and I try to be alert, I feel cloudy minded and can't even rely on myself to remember things or commit to things because I never know how I will feel when I wake up each day. Some days are okay while others are completely LOST because I may have struggled to sleep the night before, sweating and soaking my pillow case and waking up with a rapid heart beat, panicking for no apparent reason right out of sleeping. Or, I'm irritable due to discomfort which takes several forms like these:
- major moodiness, like feeling totally peaceful one minute and then something small triggers me and I'm angry for hours, later realizing that I was overreacting
- visibly shaking hands, especially when I drink just 1/2 cup coffee.
- increased oily skin and acne on face, back, shoulders and even in ears, along with thinning hair around face
- fatigue and stiffness in the morning, so it takes me forever to get out of bed
- off and on fatigue that has me uncontrollably dozing off during the day
- bloated tummy (visible), gas and menstrual cramps in no predicable pattern, but I never go more than a week without these things
- strange libido, one day I wouldn't care if I ever had sex again, the next night wake up horny as heck at 2 am
- ears ringing, jaw pain, mystery pains in back and joints regularly

All along I've been assuming these odd things were stress and age related but the more I think about it, there's just too many things, and these things don't necessarily represent the stress of a typical stay at home mom.
Sure, I have had stress and anxiety in the past, but they could always be connected to something large going on in my life. Now, the anxiety and moodiness hit unpredictably and indiscriminately, it seems. For a long time now I feel like I'm a total mess physically and mentally, even more so because I realize something is wrong
I am pretty sure as of right now that I should get this removed. If the symptoms go away I'll then know what caused them in the first place.
I am wondering what happens upon removal, will it also be a roller coaster of physical and mental anguish???????? How long will it last?

I am 35 yrs old. My son was born 7/2/6 I got the Mirena inserted on 8/31/06. Right after I had my son. My body doesn't react well to the birth control pill and did not want to get pregnant. My Gyn said there is a slow release of hormone so I wouldn't even notice any changes. My period was off but I just had my son. In March I went to my primary and she put me on Zoloft since I was experiencing anxiety, a constant flush, and insomnia (kinda feel like your going crazy at certain times of day). I never had these before giving birth (and its not the stress of my son). They did blood work it came back fine. I took yoga, acupuncture and Zoloft, nothing is working 18 months later I went to my primary office and seen a nurse practitioner and she said take the Mirena out-she herself had certain side effects that I had. My Gyn says that is not the cause, it could be the Zoloft. How confusing is all this. I am really considering having it removed soon. I want to feel myself again. I'm sure my husband does too. Anyone with info. on after the Mirena is removed and how I might feel would be helpful. At least I have idea what might lie ahead even though every one is different.I am so glad I found this site. Ladies take care of yourselves. There will be happiness again.

After reading many of your experiences, I feel the urge to tell my story. I got my Mirena put in back in June 2007. My doctor had been encouraging me to try Mirena because I was having such problems with my periods while on the pill and I had tried different types and brands and nothing seemed to be helping me. So, finally after about 2 years of her telling me to try it, I did. Since I have not had children, she said I needed to have it put in while on my period so that my cervix was more open. I called her on the first day of my next period and got it put in. It was very painful to be inserted, and the horrible cramps lasted about 48 hours, but then went away. My period also got worse during that time, but then completely stopped two days later. I didn't get my period again until two weeks ago, which stunned to me. My doctor had said that I may have spotting the first couple months, but then that would stop and I would no longer get my period. Since it has been 6 months since I've had it, I thought it was very odd for me to suddenly be getting my period again. Along with the actual menstruation, I got the cramps, headache, bloating and everything else wonderful that comes along with a full blown period. I only had menstruation for 3 days (the shortest period of my life) but the cramps have continued constantly for the last 2 weeks. I decided I should look up the side effects of Mirena to make sure it wasn't abnormal. I got the same information from their website as I did from the pamphlet I'm sure we all got from our doctor - saying that only a very small percent of woman have any side effects at all. So, I thought I was making things up. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized all the things that have changed for me since I got it put in. That's when I stumbled across this site and found I'm not the only one and I'm not imagining all these things! I gained 30 lbs in the first 3 months - I blamed it on stress because we had just put our house on the market, however I had never in my life gained THAT much weight in such a short period of time. I am now over 200 lbs and I'm only 5'3". I have been desperately trying to take the weight off, but it won't budge and I'm only continuing to gain more. It is getting to the point where my weight is starting to cause other health concerns. Also, I have not had a single good night of sleep since I've had Mirena. I again blamed it on stress (but to be honest, I've lived through much more stressful times in my life without the tremendous weight gain and insomnia). After several weeks of trying OTC sleep aids, I went to my doctor and she gave me a 10 day supply of Ambien. The first 2-3 nights it helped, but then that also stopped working and I was back to sleepless nights. I found there is an herbal supplement that helps me sleep, but it only works for a few hours at a time, which obviously is better than nothing. I have also had cramps on and off throughout the last 6 months, sometimes they are very sharp stabbing pains that make me buckle over in two. I have also realized that I may be having depression - I don't feel suicidal, but I get very down very easily and stay that way for much longer than I ever have. I have actually had such horrible down days that I've called my husband at work crying and begged him to come home. I have never in my life done that until Mirena. I'm sure that I have more symptoms, but I have been able to persuade myself that they are "normal" or explained them away otherwise. I think that Mirena and the OBGYNs must be in cahoots. I was not warned about any of these problems - I was only given the small pamphlet and told it was so wonderful. I think there are a lot of other women out there experiencing all these side effects but their doctors are telling them it's normal or blaming it on something else. And they aren't realizing it is Mirena that is causing all these problems! I have an appointment for next Tuesday to get mine taken out and I cannot wait! I am finally going to be able to sleep again!

I am glad I found this sight I have had my heart set on getting the Merina at my 6 week appointment ,after the birth of my son but this sight as totally made me change my mind. Thanks for yours comments and time y'all have all saved me a lot of trouble.
Thanks
Amy
mother of a 4 week old

Hello,
My journey with Minera started in September 2005, two months after the birth of my second daughter.

Previous to the insertion of Minera and the birth of my daughter I was under the care of a rheumatologist for chronic knee and foot pain. I was never diagnosed with any specific disease or disorder. When I became pregnant with my daughter in May 2004 all of my pain vanished. I stopped seeing the doctor and had a normal pregnancy.

My pain symptoms started to return shortly after I gave birth and in September 2005 I decided to have Minera put in. I had no problems with the insertion and after bleeding for about 6 weeks my period stopped. I had some cramping here and there but no more period. I felt great!

My pain symptoms worsened over time and I developed more problems. none of which I related to Minera. My problems were:

Terrible joint pain and swelling in my knees
Pain that radiates from my lower back to my feet
Pain in my right ring finger
Stiffness
TMJ
Insomnia
Hair loss
Weight gain
Irritability
Mood swings
Scarring acne
Fatigue
Lack of interest in sex
Swelling in my feet

I started to believe I had something really wrong with me. I did research and found a lot of my symptoms were in sync with Fibromyalgia. I started seeing a new rheumatologist who did tons of blood work and x-rays on me. After all the results came back she said I did not test positive for anything. She diagnosed my with rheumatoid arthritis because I had all the clinical symptoms. She prescribed prednisone and placqunel (sp?) for the arthritis which seems to be helping.

I was on a parenting forum I frequent the other day and I saw a post form a woman complaining about all the side effects of Minera. I did some research and found this site and another
http://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=713
It's like a light bulb went off. All of these things that I have been suffering with seem to be related to the IUD.

So I would like to hear from some of you ladies that have had Minera removed already. Do you feel better? Are your side effects gone?
Also has anyone removed Minera themselves?

I had the Mirena IUD placed after the birth of my 2nd child (2003). I began to experience horrible mood swings prior to the onset of my menstrual cycle approximatly 1 year after it was placed. I have experienced an unbelievable amount of anxiety and depression over the past 2 years. During the past month I have been diagnosed with anxiety/depression disorder, started on lexapro and seeing a psycologist. My friend, who is an OB/GYN, thinks it's the results of the Mirena. I am having it removed. Thanks ladies for helping me realize what's going on. I, too, am a Registered Nurse and passed it off as the stress of the everyday grind. But, this is not me. I am a very high functioning individual.

I got my IUD placed in about april of 07 i have seen than experience crazy skin problems such as ance i've never had a problem with ance and i'm 25 i have very bad mood changes that are unexplainable now that i have reread the side effects of Mirena i now know why all the side effects began around the same time and now i'm figuring out why! I will be getting it removed. Has anyone else experience really bad mood swings i was so ready to get on depression medications now i'm going to get it removed and will take it from there!!! Please let me know if i'm not the only one

I had the mirena put in after my fouth child in December 2004. I continued to have my period like normal for about 6-9 months, then my period stopped. I began to have problems with anxiety, and they seemed to be worse when I was suppose to get my period. I am a registered nurse, and I thought with the stress of working, and four kids I am suppose to have anxiety. As time progressed my anxiety got worse, and I was curious if maybe Mirena was linked. I found in the pamphlet that it may cause mood changes. Well the more I investigated I found I was not the only one experiencing this extreme anxiety. I had my Mirena IUD remove 7/20/07, and right away I could feel the difference. It was like my body knew something foreign was in it and reacted. I also talked with a doctor at the hospital who said because Mirena is inserted in the uterus, the progesterone is absorbed right away. Birth control pills are taking orally and not directly absorbed. Some women may not be able to handle direct absorption of the hormone progesterone. I was one of them. If you have side effects that coinside with the insertion of your Mirena IUD, talk to your doctor, and have it removed.