Mirena and testosterone levels

I had the Mirena IUD inserted on April 7th after 13 yrs of being on the pill, the last 3 of which was continuous use and only 4 periods a year. I had been dealing with chronic daily headaches since Aug 2007 and had finally found a wonderful headache specialist that of instead of prescribing more and ore meds and upping doses did lots of bloodwork and tests and found that my hormone levels were messed up, specifically I had nonexistent testosterone levels caused by all the estrogen in my pill. So he took me off the bcp and I choose the IUD thinking that that would be the best birth control since I am married with 2 kids, but sure that my family is not done yet, but not ready for that 3rd child just yet.I wanted the paraguard because I was hesitant of the progestin in the Mirena, as it is the same in the Levlite bcp and had caused me to have severe anger mood swings about 9 yrs and I had to go off of it, but the gyn that I had been seeing had gone on a leave of absence so I consulted with her partner and was told that yes, this would be the best IUD for me because of my history of anemia and that side effects of the Mirena would be localized and I would not experience any mood swings or headaches. So against my better judgement I went with it.
The insertion went fine, had some bad cramping for about 4 hrs later, spotted about 3 days. Then cramped on and off for about 2 weeks. During this time frame I was actually HEADACHE FREE!!! For the 1st time in almost 2 years. Going off the bcp had worked, you cannot imagine my excitement and my whole families, they thought I was going to be me again! Then I started getting mood swings, yelling at them for no reason, getting angry and knowing that what I was doing was wrong and way out in left field but I couldn't stop---- it was reminiscent of my Levlite experience and my hubby freaked out. Said it had to be the IUD. I wasn't sure, but thought maybe so. Then I started getting acne on my chin and jaw and had never in my life, even as a teenager had acne. I also gained 6 lbs. I then started my period, VERY light spotting that lasted 20 days and with came a migraine!! A migraine that won't go away. It started April 26th and I still have it today! I knew then that it was the Mirena. By that time I had found my old gyn-instead of going on leave of absence as they had told her patients, she had actually left to start her own practice, but of course confidentiality agreements wouldn't let her say anything. Luckily I work in a hospital and ran into her in labor in delivery, so I made an appt with her on May 11th for my pap and to have my iud checked and while I was there I told her every side effect I was having and she totally agreed that it was the Mirena and she said that in more than half of women the Mirena hormone is localized, but the rest it causes a full body systemic reaction and I was one of the lucky ones!! She said with my history of migraines and my history with the Levlite that I should have have NEVER, EVER have been advised to get the Mirena. She said to go ahead and do the pap and then reschedule to have it removed since she was busy that day and needed to get to the hospital. So I rescheduled and had it removed on May 20th- 6 weeks, 1 day after having it put in. I am so glad it is gone. The cramping is gone, I am not having mood swings, no new acne flare-ups just trying to deal with getting rid of the ones I had! The headache I still have, but I think it is because my period started 2 days after removal....28 day cycle like clockwork! Maybe when my period ends, the headache will go away. Unless I just have to wait for the Mirena to completely clear out of my system?? Anybody know how long that can take??? Those 2 weeks that were headache free were a godsend and I can't wait till it happens again! In my opinion the Mirena is HELL! For those of you that have gone through similar issues I am sorry and glad that you can understand what I have gone through. For those of you who have one and have had no side effects, you have no idea how lucky you are!!!

I got it placed in about a month ago and since that time I almost stated immediately with cramps, then headaches, oily skin and acne (like I was 12), instantly mad with hot flashes, started to get a little facial hair and the worst thing of all about week 3 I noticed all my hair was starting to fall out. OMG OMG so I called the GYN and of course everyone said, "oh no it's not the mirena". I am telling you, i was fine before that damn thing was inserted and it was only a month ago. I swear I feel like they just sewed a penis on me and I am slowly turning into an angry man! Oh also the bleeding never stopped during my 1 month deal and it just went from red and heave to brown and smelly and back to red and sorta heavy. very unrealiable periods. The men in our lives can deal with the blood every once in awhile but heck I cant blame by guy, heck i don't even wanna have sex with me! I just got it removed on Friday and I am hoping that I start to grow my hair back (not grow hair on my back - ha) I also hope my headache (both tension and migraine like) stop. I hope to god that my immediate anger level stops (I was NEVER like that). I also asked my dr. to test my testosterone levels to see if that damn thing is messing with our testosterone levels cuz I would swear that I was turning into a man or someone was putting steroids in my kool-aid. Also, my blood pressure is now high so anyway.... long story short is IF you DON'T have to get one of these things don't. I had to get mine because my uterus lining is thick and they wanted to reduce my changes of getting uterine CA - now what they hell am i gonna do. I wish to $#%^ I would known all these side effects. Now I just have to decide what to do now.

I've posted several times before, but it ahs been a while since I've updated on here. So a recap: Almost 33, have 3 kids(ages 13,11,and 7) Had insert on 12/27/07 after having used depo for many years with no major side effects...issues continually worsened over next few months. Had removal early May, 2008. Several issues cleared up within the first few weeks after removal, such as the joint pain, swelling, heartburn. Brain fog and moodiness became much better. Libido returned gradually as well. But I still have had no success in losing the weight gained over the last 6 months. Still 30 pounds heavier thatn was at insertion...increased workouts, decreased caloric intake, only lost 4 pounds in almost 3 months. Family doc even put me on meds to help with the weight loss, and they had opposite effect...I actually was hungry all the time and felt completely stoned! Acne still unrelieved to the point that I know have an appointment for a 2nd dermatologist as my first one ran out of options for me! Completely unable to clear up my face. Family doc wants to put me on antidepressants, but I don't' think that's the answer. Plus after all the problems I've had...don't trust a whole lot of meds anymore...especially ones that are known for reducing your libido! (Plus after all this and to STILL be overweight with acne...he'd be pretty depressed too!) Bloodwork all came back fine...actually a "Picture of perfect health!" The only thing he did say was that my testosterone level, although in normal range, was at the high end of normal. However, as I'm still young 30's, no one tested my hormone levels before...so I don't know what is normal for me. Will be talking to him about using an anti-androgen, like aldactone, to see if that will help. Not using any form of hormonal birth control any longer. As old-fashioned as it is...I now use a diaphragm and spermicide...and I'm actually pretty happy with it. I'm happy for all those ladies who had a flat belly again within a few weeks, and their faces cleared up almost instantly...but I must admit I'm jealous. I wish it was that easy for me. Good luck to all of you. Will post again in the future.