November 6th
2009
12:19 PM
I had my Mirena inserted in November 08. I immediately started experiencing sever mood swings and I was very angry and mean. I stayed depressed nearly the whole year to the point of feeling suicidal. I had nigh sweats and pains. I also gained almost 25 lbs during 1 year. My Mirena got "lost" in may of 09 and I could not feel the string, I had to have a sonogram to find it. That was really horrible. 4 weeks ago I started having a discharge and severe stabbing pains on the right side of my abdomen. I went to ER to have someone check me out but I left because teh wait was too long. The next morning I went to two doctors to try and locate the IUD and check for issues and they couldn't find the IUD or anything wrong with me. I knew I wasn't imagining the symptoms and I felt like I was going crazy. I finally got in to see my OB and she was able to locate and remove the IUD. The removal was extremely painful. She told me that the IUD was embedded into the back wall of my uterus. Its been exactly 1 week today since I had it removed and I feel 100% better. Almost all of my symptoms are gone. I would not recommend the Mirena to my worst enemy.
-- By atxjet | Reply | Private Message me
November 6th
2009
7:27 AM
I had the Mirena Coil fitted 4 months ago and since then I have suffered 2 infections. I suffer with severe endometriosis and had a liter of blood removed from my last ovarian cyst, which, I've been told is growing back again. I thought this coil was supposed to improve things, but alas, sadly, that's not the case...It feels like I can actually physically feel it inside of my uterus. I am 36 and don't have kids, therefore had to be put under general anesthetic when the damn thing was inserted, had horrific headaches and abdominal pain since and I'm told this is the best protection I have for my condition!?! I don't know what it is that's making my system dislike it so much, scans show it's not displaced, it's just, for some reason, not agreeing with me, maybe I need a little more time to adjust, but it feels like I have an alien device sitting inside of me and it's hurting instead of helping...any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated!!!
-- By _zee_ | Reply | Private Message me
November 3th
2009
9:52 AM
I am amazed to see so many woman going through the same things I am. I really do feel like I have been going crazy with my doctors. Since I have been on the Mirena I have experienced, weight gain, depression, nausea, excessive tiredness, cramps in my uterus and breast tenderness. I also have a hard time sexually. I cant seem to get wet either. Although my sex drive is there I still can get wet. I also have lost hair on my head and have started getting hair on my face. YUK!!!!!!Since I have been on thr Mirena for the past 2 years I have maintained my weight but have lost nothing. I am going to get it taken out really soon, since my husband was nice enough to get a vasectomy. Hopefully these mood swings and tiredness will go away.
-- By dazzednconfused | Reply | Private Message me
October 31th
2009
10:16 PM
The Mirena is now implanted in my uterus and from what I have learned I may not be able to have anymore children. My physician did not let me know that i needed to come back to make sure it was in the right place so I went a year before finding out what was wrong. Sex is no longer an option. I feel pregnant all the time!
-- By cdumbblonde1on1 | Reply | Private Message me
October 30th
2009
1:19 PM
I just want to say how happy I found this site. I'm not alone! I thought I was going crazy or that my body was shutting down completely. I had my mirena put in Sept. 2006 and my body has become something I don't even recognize. I am extremely bloated all the time and it hurts every time I eat and use the bathroom. I keep on thinking maybe I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it doesn't make any sense because the symptoms showed up after I had the Mirena put in. I thought it might be food sensitivities so I got tested and have been trying to cut those foods out but it doesn't seem to be helping. I have tried all sorts of natural remedies but it never seems to go away.
I have gained 40 pounds since I the Mirena put in even though I have never have had weight gain problems before, I eat healthy and I am active. I also have a difficult time concentrating and focusing on anything. I also get dizziness, depression, irritability and mood swings. I also have been experiencing a sharp pulling or stinging in my uterus at times as well as joint pain (especially in my hips, knees) and painful intercourse with bleeding afterwards. My hair is also falling out and I have lost my desire for sex.
I've also noticed a drastic decline in my immune system. I have never been as sick as I have been in the last three years of my life. I seem to always be getting sick. For the first three months after the Mirena was inserted I had frequent bouts of yeast infections, bladder infections and still three years later I have these types of infections frequently. Not only this but I seem to catch everything that is going around when before the Mirena I hardly ever got sick.
Finally after reading the posts on this site I can trace all the changes in my body to when I had my Mirena put in. I am so upset that I have been suffering for 3 yrs with these side effects and it has taken until now for me to figure out that the Mirena doesn't just effect your uterus it effects your WHOLE body. I cant believe I trusted the doctor I went to when I had it put in that said that the hormones would only affect my uterus. NEVER, NEVER USE THIS PRODUCT!! It is coming out as soon as I can have it done! Please ladies if you know what it is like to have it removed let me know.
-- By danealfrancisco | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 27th
2009
2:12 PM
Hi all,
Well I got lucky.
The only doctor at my clinic that deals with IUD's is in on Thursday and can get me in.
Hopefully it won't be an ordeal getting it out or to terrible of side effects once it is out.
I know that getting it in was horrific....felt like he was trying to yank my uterus out when he put the clamp on. The whole procedure almost made me pass out.
For those of you wondering how it is to get it out, I will post once I get home.
Take care everyone.
October 26th
2009
2:34 PM
The first time I got on Mirena was in October of 06 after I had my first son. I don't remember it being painful to get. But I do remember getting a head ache every single day. And I would bleed for weeks at a time. I was moody and unhappy. I had to have it removed because my husband (now eX) cheated on me. So once I had all of that cleared up I decided to get another one. So 4 months ago I went in. Since my uterus had closed all of the way they had to open it back up, I screamed because it hurt so bad and tears were just flowing. I have not had a period in about 4 months and that part is great. But I have gained an extreme amount of weight. I would say 20 lbs with the first one and another 20 since I had the second one put in. I relate ot those of you that say you breakout like a teenager. Its awful. Not only am I fat again but I cant get my skin under control. I am afraid to take it out due to pregnancy, but I don't know what else to do at this point...any of you that have had yours taken out, were you able to loose the weight that it forced you to gain? And did your skin clear up???
-- By ambadamba | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 26th
2009
11:41 AM
I've had Mirena since Jan. 2006. This is what's going on with me.
EXTREMELY bloated all the time, diagnosed as IBS. I’ve tried everything: herbs, teas, diet changes, prescription meds (currently on anti-depressant (for the IBS, not depression) and an anti-spasmatic pill), and non-prescription meds (currently taking beano before every meal and gas-x after the beano has not worked!)
Irritability
Tired all the time
Not motivated to do anything
Forgetful
Loss of concentration, I have the attention span of a 3 year old it seems!
Heart fluttering and dizziness like a panic attack. The doctor actually said it was panic attacks but I honestly don’t feel “panicked” when they happen.
Fluttering in abdomen as if there were a baby in there
Sometimes feel a pulling or stinging sensation in my uterus
Hubby can feel the strings and we think they are irritating his manhood
A lot of these symptoms seem like depression but all praise be to God, I have a wonderful life. I have the greatest husband and kids I could ever ask for. I love our life. I’m not unhappy at all. I didn’t consider that it may be the Mirena until my husband mentioned that he thought the strings were causing the irritation on his penis. I started googling Mirena to see if anyone else had this problem and came up with so many “other” symptoms of Mirena. I thought “WOW!! Maybe THAT’S my problem!” Maybe it’s time to make that appointment to get it out.
-- By thatwhitemuslimgirl | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
October 23th
2009
8:00 PM
I've had my Mirena out for nearly 2 weeks now, after 15 months of living with the side effects. I've posted before about fatigue, crankiness & irritability, low-grade depression, weight gain, poor sleep, headaches, etc -- same old story as everyone else -- that came on gradually over the months. I'm still SO grateful to this website for making it clear to me that this wasn't just typical exhaustion due to having 2 little kids (now 3yrs & 16mos) or post-natal depression. Anyway, getting the Mirena removed turned out to be an ordeal in itself -- the strings disappeared and the doctor couldn't see anything with a speculum, so I had to wait 3 weeks to get an ultrasound and it turned out to be in the right place (phew!). Then I had to wait nearly 2 months to have a hysteroscopy -- they dilate your cervix and poke a camera up inside your uterus so they can see where the coil is, then they can pull it out. The poking and prodding was a huge drag, uncomfortable but not excruciating. When they actually pulled it out it barely hurt at all. I was a bit sore for a day or two, like mild period pains but nothing serious.
So, here's the update so far: My sex drive came back the very next day after being completely gone for ages! That was such a nice feeling again, to actually want to be with my husband instead of just going along for the sake of the marriage! I haven't felt sick or achey in my joints since it came out either, and the headaches are pretty much gone after being a constant in my life. I'm sleeping easier, and generally feel healthy again -- such a relief! My energy levels are still really really low though; I sure hope they start to come back soon. I think it's going to take awhile since I'd pretty much stopped exercising due to feeling so ill and tired all the time. I'll have to build myself back up through eating better and getting back to the gym, so unfortunately I think the weight-gain and fatigue are going to take longer to 'cure'. But still, I'm so glad to have it out and know that whatever happens to my health now, at least it's not being caused by hormones that just don't belong there.
Hang in there everyone; and don't be afraid of the pain in having it removed.
-- By luluweezie | Reply | Private Message me
October 21th
2009
7:36 AM
I went to my gyno yesterday to have my Mirena removed and she was unable to do so at the time as she could not find the strings. She wants to remove it by Hysteroscopy (a camera). She said that she could have removed it, but did not want to risk hurting my uterus. Has anyone had their Mirena removed by this method? I can not wait to get this thing out...I have been trying to get it out since August and it has only been set back after set back...grrrr.
-- By lisa080508 | Reply | Private Message me
October 20th
2009
6:23 PM
Okay...this is amazing, cause I thought I was crazy but now I know all of us are!!!hahah...I had the Mirena put in in early October. I am perimenopausal and my hubby has a vasectomy. The docs encouraged it to help with my menopausal symptoms, primarily irregular cycles and cramping due to not bleeding - they said that was due to low progesterone and the Mirena would work wonders. I had it put in (very very painful - and this from a woman who gave birth, at home, two separate times with nothing but a midwife and some gentle massaging during the birthings!) and never stopped bleeding. Not once! I have gone through two boxes of tampons and three of pads. I have cramping all the time, and low back ache. I noticed that my bras felt really sore and enlarged (so did hubby) and they grew overnight. I gained three pounds and started crying at the time. The final insult: no sex drive. zippo. none at all. I also have terrible vagina odor which is, I know gross to admit, but a very new thing. I think that there are many women who simply cannot tolerate these hormones. Our bodies know what to do and I am going to brave the change without intervention. I went to see doctor today and, of course, she tried to talk me out of removal. She even had the nerve to say that it was good to have in, to protect my uterus, for eventual Hormone replacement therapy -as if I had ever mentioned that as an option? I looked at her and said, "take it out". Now I don' t know if this is imagination, but I swear the cramps have abated in the past several hours. I am still bleeding but feel hope for its ending. I would not recommend this to anyone and to those out there being told its value in managing menopausal symptoms, move on. It is not worth it - the change is change enough!
-- By laurafresh | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 15th
2009
12:09 PM
I am 29 and had the Mirena put in 6 weeks after having baby #2. I thought it was a great idea and my OB said "NO SIDE EFFECTS". I have been bleeding heavily since it was inserted, cramps, sharp pains in my uterus area, bloating and headaches at night. I don't know if this is their form of birth control, but if your bleeding everyday you can't have sex! I run 3 miles five times a week and was losing weight steadily, until I had the Mirena put in. I watch what I eat obsessively and I am gaining weight! I am emotional all the time and find myself losing my patience with my kids and my husband all the time. I am getting it taken out today! I'll update how it went and the side effects going away. I would rather deal with another pregnancy than go through this. Follow your gut feelings - the Mirena won't work for everyone and obviously there are quite a few of us!
-- By kelliportland | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 11th
2009
6:34 PM
I chose to have the Mirena inserted in August of 2009. I found this site because I have been bleeding for three weeks straight, and the doctors were unavailable to advise me (holiday weekend). I see now that my experience is a side-effect of the IUD. I have also seen a diminished sex drive, fatigue, loss of energy, and constant cramping.
I was very hopeful for the Mirena. Five years without having to worry about birth control, wow! My first complaint is the pain involved with insertion. I was told to eat a big breakfast or early lunch before the procedure, and to take a few advils prior to the appointment. I did - however, I was still not prepared for the process. First, they measure your uterus to make sure that it is the right size, with an instrument similar to the IUD. I was in tears the entire time. I wished someone had told me to bring a friend or my partner with me to hold my hand. It hurt so much! The nurse was as understanding as she could be, but said that once the package has been opened, I would be charged the full amount. I went ahead with the procedure, wondering how I would reschedule during a period and with a busy work week. I was in pain the rest of the day, and felt extremely uncomfortable for a few days after. The pain and bleeding still did not go away, and after a week I made an appointment to check on the IUD's position, if there was any preforation of the uterus; etc. The strings were there, and they just told me that the cramping and spotting is normal. To me, it felt like the doctors tell you the best case scenario, and as you approach more and more of the side-effects, they confirm those as a possibility.
Before the Mirena, I have used DepoProvera, the NuvaRing, and Ortho-Tri Ciclen. I didn't like the weight gain from the Depo, the NuvaRing is somewhat expensive through my insurance, and the traditional birth control bills, like Ortho, are a hassle if you happen to miss a day. I thought that the Mirena was the best solution to my situation.
Be aware. I have been through childbirth, and this was a painful experience for me! I wish I would have read the comments on this site before opting for the Mirena... at least I would have been a more informed & educated consumer.
-- By grovemom2 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 8th
2009
9:53 PM
I had the Mirena inserted when my daughter was 6 weeks old, August 2007. I had no problems (that I THOUGHT were related to it) until end of July this year. I had next to no period up until then and then bled for nearly 3 weeks straight. Went to the doctor who said I had a miscarriage...ok so let's take it out, it obviously doesn't work for me and go back to the pill which I had been on most of my life when I wasn't pregnant with any of my 5 children. After 3 weeks of being on the pill I had it removed on 9/10. No pain at all actually but haven't stopped bleeding since! Went back to the Dr on 9/23, felt my uterus and said seemed fine. No fibroids or polyps that he could feel. Changed my pill Rx and said it should straighten out within the next 2 cycles, if not come back...on 10/5 I went back without an appt and was told by the nurse to double up on my pills to try and stop the bleeding. I scheduled an appt to see the Dr the following am. Had an internal ultrasound done and a biopsy of the lining of my uterus. Results should be back on Tuesday... my Mom & Sister told me to look online about side effects with the Mirena and I found this page. I am comparing many of the things I have been experiencing and now realize perhaps they were ALL related to the IUD. I gained weight (am actually heavier then I was after my daughter was born and I lost all my pregnancy weight within the first month), I had terrible acne, headaches, back & neck pain, constant fatigue, emotional, decreased sex drive. It has been out 4 weeks today and although my acne has improved slightly, I feel like I have been on the brink of the flu since last Saturday, no motivation, pure exhaustion, and emotional roller coaster not to mention the cramping from my biopsy that probably wasn't necessary now I'm thinking and 4 days in a row home from work... I am hoping time will heal the way I feel once the hormones adjust themselves. The pill always helped me more then it ever hurt me. I'm glad I got the Mirena out as soon as I did. Just wish I would have known sooner what it was really doing to me!
-- By dwyrick | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 7th
2009
6:03 PM
I had Mirena inserted in Feb of 2009, and bled for just over 3 months after the insertion. I have still gotten my period every month just like normal (7 days of using super-plus protection), AND the mood swings are UNBEARABLE!!!! I get sharp knife-like shooting pains in my lower uterus and can't get rid of an ongoing UTI since having it inserted. I paid for it out of my pocket as I was on maternity leave when I got it, so I'm not wanting to "waste" the money, but I'm seriously thinking about getting it removed. I've been on the verge of a mental breakdown and I've ALWAYS been able to cope with ANYTHING!!! Not sure what's going on, but have some good ideas it has A LOT to do with this IUD...
-- By donohue26 | Reply | Private Message me
October 7th
2009
5:25 PM
I had my Mirena in for a little over a year and had if removed on August 18th 2009. I suffered from most of the side effects that are listed on Mirena's website. I have also noticed, that between the time I got the IUD inserted til now, they have included many more side effects on their website. Good for them. However, I just read something on their site that I wanted to point out to all of you ladies using or thinking about using this form of BC. Here is the link if you want to read what all they have to say. I am just glad they are putting more and more side effects on their site to inform women.
******
What if I become pregnant while using Mirena?
Unfortunately, no birth control method, not even tying your tubes, is 100% perfect. If you do get pregnant while using a birth control method, there can be risks to you and your baby. Here we talk about the risks of getting pregnant while Mirena is still in place.
About 2 in 1000 women using Mirena for one year may become pregnant. One risk of getting pregnant using Mirena is called ectopic pregnancy, when the pregnancy is not in the uterus. It may occur in the fallopian tubes. Signs of ectopic pregnancy may include unusual bleeding or abdominal pain. Ectopic pregnancy is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention and often surgery. Ectopic pregnancy can cause internal bleeding, infertility and even death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you think that you're pregnant.
There are also risks if you get pregnant while using Mirena and the pregnancy is in the uterus. Severe infection, miscarriage, premature delivery and even death can occur with pregnancies that continue with an intrauterine device (IUD). Because of this, your healthcare provider may try to remove Mirena, even though removing it may cause a miscarriage. If Mirena cannot be removed, talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of continuing the pregnancy.
-- By lila116242 | Reply | Private Message me
October 6th
2009
2:24 PM
everyone has their own opinion about mirena but i am here to assure you all that your not crazy. Im currently 19 years old and had mirena inserted October of 2008. Its been about a year and im going nuts. For a long time i had no answers to all of the crazy side effects. I didn't want to believe it was this wonderful easy convenient birth control. Im a college student and i just didn't want any unplanned babies. well its made my life worse. I smoke cigarettes so my doctor told me this was the best option and so i was all for it. Slowly but surely i started losing hair i didn't notice for awhile because my hair was thick in full well i can wrap a standard pony tail four frekin times around my pony. Its about half of my usual hair now. NOT ONLY is it falling out but its very dry and splitting all it does is tangle. Im very healthy young and i take vitamins daily to try and slow this process but it does no good. Since February of 2008 ive been having these terrible episodes were i get worked up for no reason. Ill be sitting in class and all of a sudden i feel like ive run a marathon. My heart races my palms sweat and a tremble. I get so freked out i have to leave class because i fell like im going to die. The worst anxiety attacks and i have to control my breathing or they just last longer. My face is so oily and so is my hair. I usually only washed my hair every other day so i don't strip the natural oils out but now its become a everyday thing which just contributes to more hair lose. I use to break out only around my period now i don't go a day without acne. Im even getting it in my scalp and back. If I don't eat on a schedule i feel like im going to pass out i get severely hungry and weak. I have pains in my uterus and ovaries sometimes and though they don't last long they are painful. I never feel like i want to have sex ever and if i do theres no telling when its going to hurt. Im very dissatisfied with mirena i loved it at first but not enough to go bald. ITS MADE MY LIFE SO STRESSFUL I FEEL BALD AND UGLY AND THAT LEADS TO DEPRESSION.
LOWER BACK PAIN
STOMACH PAIN
NO SEX DRIVE
ACNE AND OILY SKIN
DAMN NEAR BALD
PAIN IN UTERUS/DURING SEX/ANYTIME
EXTREME ANXIETY
DEPRESSION
October 3th
2009
9:27 AM
HI, i have had my coil for almost four years. I had it inserted in October 2005, 4 months after my first son was born. it wasn't really painful but felt a bit weird like someone was opening an umbrella inside my uterus. Anyway since then (the past 2 years in particular) i have had crazy moon swings, my breasts are almost always tender, i have a really offensive discharge(which is awful) no libido! my poor husband. i never really had this problem before having the coil. i am quite depressed, cry spontaneously, am irritable and have little patience. when im due on i have really bad lower back pain, stabbing pains in my sides, nausea, bloating, and constipation. but the most recent one is acne! i don't get spots( maybe one when im on but not one every day!) they are mostly on and around my jaw and chin. i feel like a kid again, im 28! my confidence has suffered and i have put on about a stone in the last 6 months. i also get almost constant stomach pains, mostly just under my diaphragm and get heartburn with most foods i eat. i have very light and irregular periods but always get all the pre-period symptoms. the most awful ones are the acne and bad odor. has anyone else experienced bed odor? i also feel tired all the time and just want to sit and do nothing. i don't feel productive at all and have lost my desire to be productive. I am going to see my doctor this week so hopefully she will be able to shed some light on everything. i really want to get it taken out but am scared that i might fall pregnant again. i have one beautiful son but don't really want anymore children. should i put up with all these symptoms? anyway, will let you know how my appointment goes. take care and thanks for making me feel better and not so alone!
-- By jocherry777 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 1th
2009
12:37 PM
Hi Everyone!
I too am thankful for having found this site. I had Mirena inserted back in April of this year. Can I tell you the pain was worse than child birth! I have 3 children and had NO drugs during child birth, so my pain threshold is high.It was so painful that after the long insertion time I almost passed out. Two weeks after having it inserted, I was riding in the car with my husband and had such bad cramping that I had to use my breathing from childbirth class! I had bleeding all the time. Not heavy, but annoying. I also felt like someone is up in my uterus pinching me hard it hurts so bad. my breasts are huge, my stomach is bloated (just in time for summer and the bikini...not) I have cramps, I feel depressed, nothing interests me anymore, I cant laugh with my kids,I am moody all the time and generally felt like crap. I made an appt. with gyno to have ultasound done to make sure it was in place correctly. It was. the OB told me I could have all these symptoms for up to a year! No way am I dealing with this for a year. I tried to hold out for a while longer and some of the symptoms have subsided a bit. The bleeding is less often, but I still get very bad pains. I have now also developed very bad back pain. It is located lower back/hips,and will sometimes travel into the front of my thigh. I thought it was due to a car accident, but having gone to a chiropractor and been fixed from the accident, it is still there. I thought it was in my head, but having read all the posts I feel pretty sure it is because of this Mirena IUD.
I made an appt. with my OB and I am having the darn thing removed!! I am glad I read these posts girls, as I was still not sure if I should leave it in for a while longer to see if things improve more. But I had to ask myself a question. Is it worth it? feeling bad physically ALL the time and sad?. the answer was simple. NO. It is coming out and I hope it wont be long before I feel like my old self again!
Best of luck to you all.
September 29th
2009
12:15 PM
I want to thank all of your ladies posting your Mirena side affects. I am 15 and just had my daughter August 3rd, after her c-section i contracted staph in my uterus, which gave me sepsis and pneumonia, which they said they have never seem before and recommended i get an IUD to prevent having any more children for at least 2 years. After reading about the risk of uterine perforation, i found this site, I cannot believe the number of side effects you can have from the IUD!! I am just shocked.
I want to thank all your ladies, I am calling the OB and canceling the Mirena order and just sticking with good, old birth control.
September 27th
2009
3:17 PM
cannot believe how many stories I have read about mirena and hair loss etc..etc.. etc.. I have experienced many of the side effects that everyone is mentioning.. I actually feel I could live with most of them if it weren't for the hair loss. I have had ( copying from other post.. ridiculous right?)Tired all the time ~ Depression ~ Hungry all the time ~ leg cramps ~ HAIR LOSS TO THE POINT OF BALDING IN SEVERAL AREAS ~ oily skin and bad breakouts ~ Mood swings (huge...yelling fits at my husband and the kids) ~ fluttering in uterus~Sore breasts.. I have medium thick hair that is about 10 inches. I noticed a bald spot in June and now have discovered 4-5 others starting. I just had the iud removed today and my OB pretty much tried to convince me that there is no way that the IUD is causing my issues. I have never had any of these issues before. I got the Mirena on 4/30 of 08 and noticed slowly but surely all of the side effects mentioned. My OB told me that the progesterone could not be causing my issues because it is such a small dosage that it would be comparable to spitting in the ocean as far as the amount that is in my blood stream. She said because I am black and 35 that I may have an autoimmune disorder and that I should stop reading blogs. I told her that all of my research wasn't from a blog and that ALOPECIA is a side effect just not mentioned in my pamphlet that I can find. I understand what she is saying and that she is the one that is the dr. but nobody knows my body better than I do.. I am in it!! I have !never had any problems and have been healthy my entire life. There is no history of autoimmune disease in my family. I am going to my primary care doctor.. to have some blood tests done. I think that the mirena has caused an autoimmune response in my body.. it may not necessarily be the progesterone..although I don't rule it out no matter what she says . the progesterone is synthetic and has an androgynous like activity that is similar to testosterone the main thing that causes male pattern baldness. also Mirena is made out of Silicone.. perhaps those of us that are having hair loss are having it due to our body trying to fight off the foreign invader of the IUD itself. I was going to go and have the Paragard inserted.. because i was thinking it may just be the progesterone.. nope... I read that many women are complaining of ACNE and HAIRLOSS even with that because its made out of copper. So with that being said.. not sure what to do.. may have to go back on Yasmin.. didn't seem to have any problems with that.. I really just don't want to risk putting another hormone in my body.. We all need to get together and look into a class action suit because I am tired of being made to feel crazy by doctors.. sometimes what seems to not be possible is .. especially when there are so many women having the same problem. Feel free to e-mail me re: a class action suit.. if they took depo off Mirena needs to come of too. It seems like it has really screwed a lot of peoples system up.. Hopefully I won't find out I know have a thyroid problem etc.. etc..
-- By tmills | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
September 26th
2009
8:06 AM
Btwn, ladies - what is it called when you no longer get your period and your progesterone levels ( in your bloodstream) are low ( because your body no longer circulates progesterone as it it generated locally in your uterus. ) ? Let me tell you it's called MENOPAUSE! I think a lot of what we have experienced are symptoms of a very abrupt menopause.
-- By mylala | Reply | Private Message me
September 25th
2009
12:36 AM
cannot believe how many stories I have read about mirena and hair loss etc..etc.. etc.. I have experienced many of the side effects that everyone is mentioning.. I actually feel I could live with most of them if it weren't for the hair loss. I have had ( copying from other post.. ridiculous right?)Tired all the time
~ Depression
~ Hungry all the time
~ leg cramps
~ HAIR LOSS TO THE POINT OF BALDING IN SEVERAL AREAS
~ oily skin and bad breakouts
~ Mood swings (huge...yelling fits at my husband and the kids)
~ fluttering in uterus
~Sore breasts..
I have medium thick hair that is about 10 inches. I noticed a bald spot in June and now have discovered 4-5 others starting. I just had the iud removed today and my OB pretty much tried to convince me that there is no way that the IUD is causing my issues. I have never had any of these issues before. I got the Mirena on 4/30 of 08 and noticed slowly but surely all of the side effects mentioned. My OB told me that the progesterone could not be causing my issues because it is such a small dosage that it would be comparable to spitting in the ocean as far as the amount that is in my blood stream. She said because I am black and 35 that I may have an autoimmune disorder and that I should stop reading blogs. I told her that all of my research wasn't from a blog and that ALOPECIA is a side effect just not mentioned in my pamphlet that I can find. I understand what she is saying and that she is the one that is the doctor, but nobody knows my body better than I do.. I am in it!! I have never had any problems and have been healthy my entire life. There is no history of autoimmune disease in my family. I am going to my primary care doctor.. to have some blood tests done. I think that the mirena has caused an autoimmune response in my body.. it may not necessarily be the progesterone..although I don't rule it out no matter what she says . the progesterone is synthetic and has an androgynous like activity that is similar to testosterone the main thing that causes male pattern baldness. also Mirena is made out of Silicone.. perhaps those of us that are having hair loss are having it due to our body trying to fight off the foreign invader of the IUD itself. I was going to go and have the Paragard inserted.. because i was thinking it may just be the progesterone.. nope... I read that many women are complaining of ACNE and HAIRLOSS even with that because its made out of copper. So with that being said.. not sure what to do.. may have to go back on Yasmin.. didn't seem to have any problems with that.. I really just don't want to risk putting another hormone in my body.. We all need to get together and look into a class action suit because I am tired of being made to feel crazy by doctors.. sometimes what seems to not be possible is .. especially when there are so many women having the same problem. Feel free to e-mail me re: a class action suit.. if they took depo off Mirena needs to come of too. It seems like it has really screwed a lot of peoples system up.. Hopefully I won't find out I know have a thyroid problem etc.. etc.. ******e-mail me with Mirena in the subject line!!
-- By tmills | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 24th
2009
9:09 AM
Got the Mirena out yesterday...nearly instant relief of the bloated stomach, foggy head, constant headache. I slept like a baby for the first time in 2 years, I feel clear headed and HAPPY today. Had some cramping after she took it out and spotted for a few hours. It had started to embed itself in my uterus and when she removed it the pain I've been experiencing for the past 2 weeks was immediately GONE. Of course she attempted to give me a million ways to fix all my side effects without taking the "plastic nightmare" out of me but I was firm and told her that it was coming out if I had to take it out myself. Started the patch same day, still anticipating some bleeding but so far nothing to speak of aside from feeling immense relief. I had acne (horrible cystic acne on my back) hair falling out in handfuls, bloated, couldn't lose 5lbs even though I eat clean and work out 6 days a week, bacterial vaginosis several times, foggy head, mood swings like never before, my blood pressure was beginning to raise, stomach and back pains, i could go on for days. I do want to point out that had you asked me 1 1/2 years into having the Mirena if I was happy with it I would have said absolutely, I had no period and no side effects until having it for almost 2 years!
-- By byebyemirena09 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 16th
2009
10:28 PM
I've been hearing my wife make comments about having a lot of these symptoms these last 5-6 months after having it put in last November. Both of us had discussed her new gradually acquired symptoms as needing to change our eating habits and start living healthier. Dropped the coffee and alcohol, Increased the vitamins.....all to no avail. It went from there straight to marriage counseling and me thinking that I married a freaking lunatic. She gained no weight but rather became more aggressive and snappy over nothing and everything. Emotional up swings with the seldom down. Anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea, periodic 'fluttering' feeling in her uterus and for the first time in 4 years I heard her complain of severe cramping to the point I became very concerned medically speaking. Whelp, we got into it this morning over absolutely nothing and again ten minutes later she found herself emotional, crying and apologetic. That was when she knew something wasn't right and luckily thought to check for possible side effects her birth control. (Mirena) This CRAP is coming out tomorrow! What a freaking NIGHTMARE for not only the love of my life but for me! These side effects are REAL and should be dealt with with REAL concern. I wish you ladies the best of luck in any decision that you may choose.
-- By mrseaton713 | Reply | Private Message me
September 16th
2009
5:50 PM
I had mirena put in in Oct 08. My symptoms are: dizziness, sweating, nausea, (these symptoms can be mild and brief (seconds); or last a few minutes. I had severe dizziness in May and June of 2009. I also get acne on my shoulders, neck, face, and my T zone is very oily (especially my forehead). I am using good acne products to try to combat this problem, but I continue to have a problem. Some of my acne is like welts and I even have this going on on my scalp. I wrecked my car in December 2008. At that time I was very foggy headed. I blamed the foggy headedness on being stressed and overworked. I am 40 years old. My children are 10 and 13, therefore I know my symptoms are not post pregnancy. Today, I questioned if I wasn't going through early menopause. My doctor said this mirena would be wonderful and that after six months I would not have a period anymore. I have a period every two weeks. My periods are very light, but I still have them every two weeks, and they last for two weeks. I have been wondering if my body will adjust, and if I will eventually get to this heavenly place of now periods and bliss?
-- By libby2009 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 15th
2009
6:32 AM
Oh Mirena..... how i wanted you to work so badly.... But alas, you have failed me.
I got the Mirena IUD inserted in February of 2009. The insertion was terribly painful, but my doctor had warned of that since I haven't had any children and I would have a smaller uterus than women who had. The pain and nausea caused by the insertion went away within 8-12 hours. For the first three months, it did everything it was supposed to do: normal periods, no weight gain, no (new) mood swings, effective contraception... Beginning on day 1 of the fourth month, things went crazy. I have had 10 periods in 6 months, some lasting about 8 days and starting again 7-8 days later. I had a two day long migraine (I've never had one before this). I have been unbelievably moody, have experienced an extremely decreased sex-drive, bloating, exhaustion, the list goes on.
So when I couldn't take it anymore, I went to the doctor and the strings were no where to be found. Then I went for an ultrasound and sure enough, the Mirena had relocated itself between my cervix and rectum........... Not to mention, there's a 4.5cm cyst on one of my ovaries. The next step is a laparoscopy (procedure where the enter through the belly button) to retrieve the Mirena and check out the cyst.
I thought Mirena was going to be such a dream, but it's turned out to be a nightmare. I never had any adverse side effects from the pill in the 6 years I used it prior to Mirena and now I wish I had never switched. I know people that it's worked for without trouble, but unfortunately I was not that lucky. Like most of you, I had researched more than I felt necessary and read all the negative side effects others experienced, I just hoped that wouldn't happen to me. I'm not telling anyone not to get it, I would just advise that you don't switch to Mirena if you have something that is working properly. It's simply not worth it (financially, physically or emotionally).
-- By cp17 | Reply | Private Message me
September 15th
2009
3:04 AM
hi there! i'm 21 yrs old and i got my iud 2 months after i gave birth to my 2nd child ]. i've gained 12lbs since i've gotten it put in...and i've tried everything to get it off with no luck. i have been so emotional since it was put in. i get really angry at the smallest things. i've had really bad pains from cysts for 2yrs now. also my uterus swells up like i'm pregnant almost every day...i cant even wear my normal clothes when it happens. also i have such bad uteran cramps that i feel like i'm in labor!! i have no periods in 2 yrs, and i get nauseated as badly as i did when i was pregnant. my dr says that the mirena doesn't cause these problems, well, i disagree bc i never had problems such as these until i got the mirena inserted. i asked another doctor about it and she told me that if its giving me all these problems, that i can just remove it myself...that it wouldn't hurt anything as long as my hands were clean. so 2 days ago i pulled it out in my bathroom. it didnt hurt at all(cramped like 10 or so min afterwards, but not bad), it didn't bleed or anything. and i am so happy to report that i haven't been emotional, nauseated, bloated/swollen or had cramps or pains since i took it out! :):):):)
-- By tonys_bunny | Reply | Private Message me
September 13th
2009
10:35 PM
Hi, I am 51 years old and 10 days ago had a Mirena fitted as I have been having very heavy period bleeding for the 3 months. I was tossing up between an ablation (burning of the uterus lining) or having the Mirena. As my Aunt was thrilled with her Mirena I thought it would be a safe choice and it wouldn't be as traumatic on the body. I have had continual lower back and pelvic pain. I was quite scared last Friday that I rang the Specialist. I spoke to the nurse as the Doctor was away and she arranged a Pelvic Ultrasound. The technician told me that the Mirena was in the right place and everything seemed fine but every time they were scanning my left side I was in terrible pain. I haven't heard from the Specialist yet (will ring them shortly). The back/pelvic pain is so sharp at times that I can't move. I've just rang the Specialist and will see them tomorrow morning, fingers crossed this can be sorted out.
-- By stressed2themax | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 4th
2009
2:30 PM
So I went to see a CNM today about getting my mirena removed, and she couldn't do it! The strings are hidden inside of my cervix and she couldn't get them swabbed down enough to bring them out so she could grab them. She poked and prodded me down there for almost an hour before giving up. I had to go have an u/s to see if the mirena is still where it should be, because she is worried about the possibility of it being embedded into my uterus. I haven't heard back from her yet on the results. If it's still in place, then I have to make another appointment for a week or two from now to see if within my cycle things will shift enough for her to be able to get the strings to come out.
I am very upset about all this. I just wanted to have it out today and be done with it. Now it's an issue. My husband is a soldier and can't just take a day off when need be. I scheduled the appointment today specifically around his schedule. Now we have to try and schedule another one and it's an hour drive both ways. I'm crampy and sore from all the poking around in my cervix and I'm still stuck with this damn MIRENA! "Easily reversible birth control" my butt!
September 4th
2009
2:45 AM
I am SUPER glad that I've stumbled upon this site!! I just got my Mirena in today and let me tell you, it cramps like crazy!! I don't like the fact that I feel sick and bloated.. I feel like I just want to lie down and take a pain pill and not get back up for a week! (Not to mention that I had an interview after I got the darn thing in! ) They said it wasn't supposed to be so bad because my uterus was still in that post pregnancy state. ( My son is 2 months now! ) But I beg to differ.. I am not too sure on the rest of the things though.. If I see displease I think I will definitely consider taking it out because I am not one for constant problems and pains.. When my OBGYN put it in, she said it was kind of low, but it wasn't fixed right then and there.. (I don't really feel too hot about that..) But I am due for a check up in two weeks with ultrasound.. I think if they've got to take it out and try again, I'm going to just say - forget it!
-- By 09mommy | Reply | Private Message me
September 3th
2009
5:18 AM
I have had the Mirena IUD in since September of 2004 (after the birth of my second son). It is due to come out today. I am looking forward to this so very much. After having the IUD put in, my periods stopped completely. I have not had a period for five years. Yesterday I started bleeding, I guess due to the fact that the IUD is expired. I have also had some severe nausea (not sure if this is due to the IUD). I was doing really well before I had the IUD put in. I was not an angry, sad, or depressed person. However, I did notice that after the IUD was inserted I started to feel really down and out. I began to experience anxiety and was diagnosed with clinical depression. I have battled this for five years now and it has been really tough. I have tried different anti-depressants and just can't seem to get a hold on it. I asked more than one doctor if the Mirena IUD could contribute to depression and all of them told me NO. I am not convinced. Although I have had other personal issues to deal with, I really feel like the IUD has had a major impact on me. I kept the IUD in and delt with all of this because I have two children and I am not looking to have more anytime soon. I may not have more children altogether....I am currently in school and looking at maybe a degree in Nursing. I did not need to be pregnant while trying to finish school. However, the more I have thought about it, I too wish I would have researched this little device a little better and found out more information. Our bodies, as women, were created to have a menstrual cycle each month to naturally cleanse the vagina and uterus. By having the IUD, and my period stopping completely, I interrupted this natural cycle (which helps to cleans my body). This can't be a good thing. I would advise anyone who is considering this as a birth control method to talk to your doctor and ask MANY, MANY questions. Get a second, or third, or fourth opinion if you have to. All of our bodies are different and what doesn't work for one may work for another. Just get the facts, be careful and good luck to everyone else out there.
-faithprincess7
August 31th
2009
11:04 PM
I've had my Mirena in for a year now, and slowly over the past 6 months or so I've developed the same symptoms as everyone else on this site, except that my hair hasn't started falling out yet. My strings vanished last week which is why I started researching to see if it could "fall inside" me, since I'm positive it hasn't fallen out. Now that I see the list of symptoms, I'm ***SO*** grateful to all of you for sharing your stories, like everyone else I just thought I was slowly going crazy and turning into a whiny, hypochondriac b**ch! My husband is so relieved as well, to think that he might possibly get his wife back some day.
So the question I have is: how long does it take for all this craziness to end and for your body to get back to normal after you have it removed?
I expect I'll probably have to have surgery because it'd likely floating around in my uterus (or worse, but hopefully not) -- I have quite a bit of discomfort when I bend over or pick up my kids so I'm pretty sure it's still in there somewhere! My appointment is tomorrow, so I'm confident it'll get taken care of pretty quickly. And I'm thrilled to know that it will be out of me soon and I can start getting my hormones back in balance. But I'd love it if some of you can share your stories about recovery, just so I'll know what to expect.
Thanks, and good luck to all of us!
-- By luluweezie | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 30th
2009
11:40 PM
I've had my mirena for almost 3 years. I decided to get one when my last child was 6 months old, in Oct. of 2006. My CNM assured me that it was a good choice for me, even though I was breastfeeding. For the past year, I have not been able to find the strings. I read that sometimes they can soften up and curl around the cervix, but they are NOT there. I imagine they must have moved up into my cervix or uterus. This scares me a lot. Along with that, I have had many side effects, and I've noticed they have gotten worse as of late....
-Hair loss, oily hair, dandruff, weight gain, oily skin/break outs (I stopped having breakouts once I hit my early 20's and I am 29 years old with pimples again). Terrible mood swings, nausea (as of late), fluttering/spasms in my uterus (as of late), heavy breasts (as of late). I'm actually thinking about taking a preg. test tomorrow to make sure I'm not preggo, that is how bad my symptoms are right now. I have not had a period in so long, I'm not even sure when the last time was.
I'm going in a few days to see about having the mirena removed. I'm very nervous because I don't even know if it's still where it should be. As far as BC is concerned, it's great, because I can't remember to take a pill, but it isn't worth all the other things that come with this IUD. It's mindless BC but it's also worrisome for my own health BC! At this point, I'm thinking about getting rid of hormonal BC all together and using a diaphragm and practicing Fertility Awareness. I'd rather take my chances with something that is not going to make me crazy, sick, or put me at the possibility of major surgery/loss of my womanly parts.
-- By culinarycutie09 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 29th
2009
7:14 PM
I am a 24 yr old mother of two, and my family is incredibly fertile, so I hav to be on BC. I had mirena put in last Friday at my six week postpartum appt. It was highly uncomfortable going in ( I am very sensitive though), and when I sat up I immediately asked the Doc if I was supposed to feel it in there. He said there was no way, and that should go away. I started spotting and continued to do so for two days, until I started bleeding HEAVY on the third day. My lower stomach and back have been killing me ever since. I have even resorted to taking my leftover pain pills from delivery! My sex drive dropped off immediately (very unlike me) and for the first time in my life I was really having "depression" symptoms. I am normally such a happy person. Needless to say I had it removed a week later (yesterday) and my libido returned that day, and I am my happy self again. I am still bleeding very heavy however, my uterus and back still ache and last night the pain was shooting all the way down my legs, so bad I couldn't sleep. I have some kind of nerve sensitivity disorder ( I feel things other people never feel). So I should have known better than to have some foreign object shoved inside my uterus. I couldn't be happier that it is out, and I cannot wait be back to "normal" again. I am happy for all the women it works for, but it sure seems like this is a big pain for a lot of women. I wish I had done my research first! BC pills it is for me!
-- By kimmie514 | Reply | Private Message me
August 28th
2009
12:03 AM
i got my mirena IUD in last year, Ive been getting a lot of the side affects like headache,mood swings,depression,weight gain,hair lost,nausea,really bad sharp pains,insomnia,and really heavy periods and, i couldn't feel the string...so yesterday i went to the hospital with the sharp pain and they did a CT on me.....get this, they told me that the IUD is in the pelvis,however, it is outside of the uterus and adjacent to the sigmoid colon and, a low density lesion in the adnexal region probably representing an ovarian cyst which has ruptured!!!! so they sent me home with some pain killers and told me to call the doctor that put it in......ohh yeah and I forgot to tell you they said i need to have surgery to remove it.(how nice!!!) GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY
-- By yvonnem83 | Reply | Private Message me
August 22th
2009
2:47 AM
I am 22 years old and I have never had any children. I do not understand what made the doctor think that this horrible device would fit in my uterus. When I had the Simply Mirena inserted in March 2008, I almost passed out, (since he inserted it wrong once, he had to pull it out right after and do it again). I think of myself as a pretty strong person, but I literally cried out, and I almost fainted while paying my co-pay at the receptionist's desk. My husband had to come pick me up from the doctor's office because I couldn't even walk to my car, but I wish that was the worst of it.
Within one month, I started feeling VERY depressed so my doctor put me on Effexor XR (which started a whole bunch of other problems), but now that I have been off of the Efffexor for a while and I am noticing problems that I had been blaming on the Effexor.
Here are some of my symptoms...
- Weight Gain
- Feeling tired, weak, and depressed.
(To the point that I will sleep for 18 hours if givin the opportunity.)
- Chronicly Dry skin
- Constipation and Diarrhea
(I haven't had a normal BM since I had it inserted.)
- Memory problems
- Cannot concentrate
- ABSOLUTELY NO SEX DRIVE!
(And when I do have it, It hurts for days afterwards.)
- Lower back pain
- Stabbing pains in the uterus
- No menstrual cycle
(I would spot for the first few months, but now it is completely gone.)
- Massive mood swings
- Nausea
Well of course my doctor thought for sure that this was my thyroid, so (without medical insurance), I went and got all my blood work done thinking that I would finally have an answer to my health issues... NOPE!
I received the results today and found out that my thyroid was perfectly fine, no anemia, good blood counts... Nothing.
Now not to say that I am not happy that my thyroid is okay, but I just wanted an explanation for all of this. SO my doctor sends me to see my NEW Ob-Gyn, to have this "Thing" aka Simply Mirena, taken out of my body. After reading all of the problems that the other women have been having, I am CERTAIN that this is the cause of all of these problems.
I would like to thank all of you for opening my eyes to something that was so obvious. I have an appointment to have mine removed next Friday (I'm not as brave as some of you ladies to take it out myself). I will keep you all posted on my progress.
-- By chugpow21 | Reply | Private Message me
August 17th
2009
11:59 PM
Hello, I had the Mirena inserted in May 2008 and have just had it removed, August 2009. I do not have any children and was 25 at the time insertion. It was a terribly painful experience. The doctor gave me multiple pain shots inside of my uterus, tremendous cramping, bleeding, etc. and, when she was cutting the strings, accidentally snipped the inside of my vagina. Needless to say, the thought of going through that experience alone was enough to deter me from wanting to have the Mirena removed.
Over the next year, I went through a significant lifestyle change (SF to LA). I attributed many of the symptoms associated with hormones to this shift: weight gain, depression, anxiety, aggression, fatigue, joint pain. I always had some cramping pressure in my uterus and my periods became cramping events that took me out for a few days each month.
In the spring of 2009, I became concerned that these experiences were not just a change in environment. In addition to the Mirena, I have a congenital autoimmune thyroid condition (currently hypo), that I monitor 2-4x a year. I took multiple tests and started exercising and adjusting my diet in an attempt to balance things out. Regardless of the exercise and diet changes, I kept on putting on weight. I have suffered from the flux's of thyroid my entire life, but was flustered by my inability to effect any positive change.
I didn't associate the Mirena to these challenges until I began to do research on the internet. I believe that an IUD may aggravate thyroid and autoimmune symptoms (foreign object in the body). I also think that it is compounding my weight gain tendencies. After a three week late period, terrible joint pain, extreme bloating, cramping, and blister like acne, I went to the doctor today and he removed the IUD without any question. (This is NOT the same doctor who inserted the device). He was extremely supportive and sympathetic. I simply told him that I did not feel well and he suggested the Mirena's removal and did it IMMEDIATELY.
Unlike the insertion, removal was a breeze and I was amazed that my uterus instantly felt relieved. My body has been relaxing since then...a little sporadic cramping, a bit of a headache and nausea, but nothing significant. Emotionally, I feel much more grounded (though I'm sure this will shift ...as always!). For birth control, I am going to be taking Yaz for now, starting immediately. He recommended not having sex for a few days and using a secondary BC method for a month.
I am going to start cleansing my body through increasing my water intake and sweating (exercise and sauna). I am also going to see a homeopathic specialist next week to help with the hormonal shifts. I will check back in and share my Mirena removal experience. Take care, and listen to your body.
-- By cdceaser | Reply | Private Message me
August 17th
2009
10:47 PM
Mirena is a horrible thing to have inserted inside of your precious uterus! I just had it removed today after 6 months, and I am so much better just in the first few hours! I have to say the constant fatigue hasn't even budged, I am hoping I feel better soon. I constantly had pain in my lower abdomen ever since it was put in. I kept calling the doctor and they said that it would go away, and it did for short periods, then it would return! God forbid I have sex because I would be sitting there in pain for the whole night and next morning, more then normal. I actually got used to the constant pain I was having so to the point that I feel like I just was given a new uterus! I have been eating so healthy lately and my weight hasn't even budged, which I thought was from my body changing after having a baby! I am so happy to find out that isn't true! I am only 22 and I don't deserve to be in pain every *** day!!! I can't tell you how bad I think the Mirena was for my body and I won't be surprised if there is a class action law suit coming soon! I only hope it didn't puncture something! It sure felt like it. When I went to the doctor she tried telling me that the pain was me ovulating!!! HELLO I have a child!!! I have ovulated and it didn't hurt like this!!! Also when I first had it inserted I almost lost my milk for my 2 mo. old!!! I worked and worked to keep it---heads up! IF YOU FEEL LIKE THIS FOREIGN THING IN YOUR BODY HURTS AND IT SHOULDN'T BE THERE, REMOVE IT SOMETHING IS PROBABLY WRONG!!! DON'T LET YOUR DR TELL YOU IT'S NORMAL! 6 MOS LATER AND MY PAIN DIDN'T GO AWAY!
-- By hatemirena1234 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 17th
2009
4:47 PM
I got Mirena inserted in Oct 2007. A few months after getting the IUD put in, I started experiencing a lot of different things, such as, depression, weight gain, sinus infections, fatigue, back pain, headaches, severe bloating, changes in bowel movements, cramping, high blood pressure, lower back pain, decreased sex drive and so on... I went to the doctor because I had never had all of these things happen to me before. I never thought or realized it could be Mirena. My primary doctor told me my Thyroid was out of whack, and I've been on thyroid medicine for over a year now, and my levels are fine, but I keep gaining weight for no reason, and I am tired all of the time. I recently started having severe cramping and pelvic pain and went to by OBGYN.. I saw the NP and she didn't seem too concerned, and I insisted that they give me a pelvic ultrasound because I thought maybe I some ovarian cysts, as I have had in the past since I got this stupid IUD! They did the ultrasound and discovered that the IUD was quite a bit lower in the Uterus than it should be, and it was puncturing the muscle... not sure if it is a muscle or the actual uterus or what... I just had the ultrasound 3 days ago, on a Friday, and my doctor's office is suppose to be calling me today or tomorrow to let me know what's going on. I know that this IUD is coming out of my body for sure!!! I have been online now and read all the stories about other people's side effects with Mirena, and it is exactly the same for me! It is ruining my life basically! I have had it in for almost 2 years now, and I can't tell you how many times I've went to the doctor for multiple things, not realizing that it was the IUD causes all these problems!!! I would NEVER in a million years recommend Mirena IUD to anyone!!!
-- By ninjakelroi | Reply | Private Message me
August 17th
2009
12:26 PM
))REMOVED IN APRIL 09, STILL HAVING SYMPTOMS, ANYONE ELSE PLEASE CONTACT ME..I THINK I'M GOING CRAZY(((((
To spare everyone of a very long read of the SAME symptoms as everyone on here, I will list:
Dec08 inserted
PAIN PAIN PAIN CONSTANT PAIN
BLEEDING
Cramping so bad I had to stay in bed
Insist something is wrong
Dr. says all this is "normal"
April 09 Removed
PAIN CONTINUED CONSTANTLY
Dr. Says all this is "normal" be on you way
May 09 switched to new Gyn
US revealed retroverted uterus ( I knew previously)
Cyst on rt. ovarie
A small amount of fluid in cul de sac ( Dr. states that the mirena perforated my uterus & now the fluid is sitting there)
Given 2 antibiotics & a pain reliever (did nothing)
June 09 Went back to new Gyn
States that " I don't know what to do, I have never had a patient with these problems, you may want to get a 2nd opinion."
August 09 (now)
Continue to have same daily, continuous pain & pressure in uterus & rectum area.
Sometimes feels like a bowel issue as well?????? Some sort of connection here.
Pressure, heaviness down into my upper legs & knees feel swollen
Sharp knife like pains in breasts
Nausea that wakes me from sleep
Tearful, sad, becoming depressed, feel like Dr.'s think I'm crazy!
Spending money we do not have on$50 copays and GETTING NO CLOSER TO THE ANSWER!
WHEN WILL THIS STOP??????????????????????????????
Contacted Mirena, they just jotted down notes & said hope you feel better.
Blood work some white blood cells, but nothing major.
I eat Advil like PEZ candy, if a friend can give med a pain med I get a days relief then it's just right back the next day. I don't dare ask for meds from Dr.'s they already think I'm nuts!
I have wasted so much time with this, I am missing my infant experience life, my 4 yr old needs me as well! My husband can not take another minute watching me in pain & crabby all the time.
Seriously, enough already, I get it, I made a mistake.
Contact mee if you want to chat.... ******
Not doing well .....M.
-- By mirenaruinedmylife | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 15th
2009
6:43 PM
Hi, i'm 24 and i've had my mirena coil fitted now for over a year. I have been experiencing cramps, bleeding, headaches, tiredness, dizziness and aches in my legs but never thought anything of it. Until now when my cramps are severe in my tummy and lower back. I can describe them as a few things, labor pains, severe period pains and also appendicitis pain. its not my appendix, as I had it taken out years ago. I recently went to my GP who advised that I have a pregnancy test just to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, which came back negative. She advised that I should take regular paracetamol for the pain and see how I go. But they don't seem to disappear. I now have the same cramps but now also my bum area as well as my tummy area and lower back when I go to toilet whether for a number 1 or number 2, and it is excruciating which makes me cry. I also recently had intercourse with my partner, and the cramps came back with a vengeance, and i was in so much pain, i almost called an ambulance. I have no idea as to what I think it is until I started writing my symptoms into the internet and came back that it may be my mirena coil. I never thought anything of it at first, but after reading other peoples side effects of the coil i'm beginning to wonder. Some people are saying that the coil had pierced there uterus and infected their ovaries, and they suffered with the same side effects that I am experiencing. I am scared as to what I think it may be, in case my coil has done the same. I have also noticed that i cannot feel my coil strings but at the same time I have not experienced any bleeding. Could anyone give me advice. Thank you N.
-- By natznella | Reply | Private Message me
August 14th
2009
3:19 PM
i had my mirena inserted 2 1/2 years ago after i had my 4th child. I just had surgery to have it removed it had moved and went through my uterus. Very painful, this is after having very horrible eczema and hives all over my hands and feet. I can't use my unless i have gloves on because of the blisters and they are permanently scarred from the eczema which we think was caused from the mirena because i didn't have it until about 2 months ago when i started other symptoms. Then i found out that it had went through my uterus which required laparoscopic surgery to remove and to top it off no health insurance so what i thought was going to be a less expensive birth control just cost me about 30,000.00 including doctor bills!!!!
-- By melissajb01 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 13th
2009
10:15 PM
Hi, All! I went to the doctor on August 10th and had my Mirena taken out. My strings had retracted up into the uterus and I was VERY worried. It was a breeze.I didn't feel a thing, well maybe a little pressure was all. It didn't take long at all, to remove. I told my doctor that this thing was draining the life out of me. I was ready to hear This is not a side effect or this is not a side effect etc. He told me that Mirena has alot of side effects that are not even listed. My mouth dropped open. Wasn't prepared for that one. I started telling him just a few side effects I've had and the non stop bleeding since DEC 2008. He said he would definitely remove it. After my removal light bleeding the next day. On Sunday it started, I bleed HEAVY HEAVY blood clots and all, until the following Sunday and then it just stopped completely. I'm currently waiting my normal 28days to see if I get my normal period back. As for side effects My back where I could barely stand up. The pain is gone. I can get up and down fine without pain. My hair has stopped falling out by the had fulls. Memory loss is improving. Sex drive coming back. I've just noticed little things that I would complain about not even bring them up. I'm sure over time I'll notice more improvements. I'm so glad to have Mirena Out of my life. Also thankful to have understanding doctor.
Sorry for spelling and sentences.
August 13th
2009
8:51 PM
I had my mirena put in 5 years ago!! It was a horrible experience getting put in, but the pain made the next 4 and 1/2 years worth it (I thought) because i had no horrible side effects but the best part was NO PERIOD. My side effects were weight gain and acne which i never had before. So that was difficult to deal with. But my biggest thing was my mirena was Removed 5-28-09 almost 3 months ago!!, It was a Thursday, my doctor told me to start my BC pills on Sunday, and that i didn't have to wait for my first period, so i started my pills and still have not had one period since i had my Mirena removed. I was on the pill before the Mirena and always had 2-3 days regular periods every month. Ive taken several dollars worth of pregnancy test and all come out negative. If i do not start when i am suppose to next week, i feel i need to get checked out. Both my friends have had theirs removed a few months before me, and the odd thing is, is they both had miscarriages at 5 -6 weeks along. Now im scared to death to find out, maybe i am pregnant, but the tests are not showing it although i have no pregnancy symptoms, or has this damn mirena messed my life up so now i will never be able to have another child??? has any one else not had a period since removal of the mirena and on birth control pills? Any info will help!
-- By dreamn1979 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 11th
2009
11:06 AM
I am 24, I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. After I gave birth to my youngest, I opted for the Mirena thinking it would be the best choice for me. For a few months, things were fine. Then things went downhill in a hurry. I lost every bit of my weight and then some with my first baby, now I can't get the weight off at all. I have migraines all the time and waves of nausea that last all day. I went from having constant periods, then they just stopped. Then I bled for nearly 3 weeks, then nothing again. I have NO sex drive whatsoever and I cry for absolutely no reason. I also did not realize that you can still get pregnant on the Mirena, but the fertilized egg has nowhere to implant. I don't want to have miscarriages every month! I really hoped that I would have a great experience with the Mirena, but I have had nothing but trouble. I am getting it removed on the 17th, and I am so excited, but I am nervous because my uterus is extremely retroflexed, and I hope it comes out easily!!!
-- By reebeemoore | Reply | Private Message me
August 7th
2009
12:40 AM
I had a Mirena inserted in December 2008. The pain of having it inserted was almost unbearable. Three weeks after I got it, I started having severe pain in my right side. I really liked not having periods, so I was in denial that the Mirena could be causing the pain. I had a CAT Scan done and an IVP done, and both came back fine. I had prescription pain killers, but nothing would help this pain in my side. I even went to my OB/GYN, but he said the Mirena couldn't be causing that kind of pain. Finally, in May 2009, I had the Mirena removed. As soon as the doctor took it out, he said that it had been in the wrong spot. Instead of being up in the wider part of my uterus, it was just above my cervix. He said that was definitely what had been causing the pain. As soon as he took it out, I started feeling better, and I haven't had any pain like that since. The pain had been the worst part, but I also gained about 10 pounds and lost quite a bit of hair while I had the Mirena.
-- By staffner | Reply | Private Message me
August 5th
2009
10:47 PM
For reference, I am 23 years old. I got the Mirena IUD put in 1/30/08 and I got it taken out today. For the first several months i bled and cramped a lot. Once that passed, i was doing good and only spotted every once and a while. Well, for the last 3 months i got my period. It was heavy and I cramped a lot. During this time I also started feeling distant from my close friends and family. I felt a horribly weird sensation of a fluttering in my uterus, almost like when you are driving really fast and go over a hill, how your tummy gets that weird feeling. It felt much like that except it was in my uterus and it started happening all the time. I have also gained like 20 pounds. I haven't been able to sleep at night. I was having sharp pains in my ovary areas. I had it removed today after 15 minutes of my dr. stalling almost as if he absolutly did not want to remove it. I just kept repeating myself until he finally called in the nurse to observe. I am not good at paps or anything else that has to do with strangers invading my lady parts to begin with. So i was sorta freaking out in my own little world while he poked and prodded away. He was good about asking me if I was okay and if it hurt, but im not one to go and answer these types of questions when im in that much distress so it's okay if they talk but i don't like talking to them back. I'd rather they just get it done and over with. Well, I felt him tug and after a few good ones he got it out. That was a Horrible feeling! I almost cried! Then he just started talking to the nurse and since he is foreign i have no clue what he was saying to her, WITH the thingy still stuck in me!! I was so worried and this went on for about two minutes.. Then i asked if we were all done and once he took it out I noticed that the IUD was in a container but there was another small container with a bloody chunk in it!!! sorry if tmi...when i asked what it was he said that "a bit of tissue came out with the IUD and they were going to send it to the lab. I could tell he was trying to act like everything was fine but if everything was FINE...why would tissue come out too? I'm in a state of panic right now and don't know quite what to think at this point. I would NEVER suggest anyone getting Mirena. The bad side effects plus the removal are NOT worth it at all. This should be banned! If i would have known what i do now i would never have gotten it to begin with. I am now dreading the "crash" hopefully it isn't as bad to me as others. I am a single mother of a child with disabilities...if i get this "crash" thing, things are get difficult fast. Hopefully I start feeling normal again soon.
-- By neenee_07 | Reply | Private Message me
August 5th
2009
6:52 AM
It has now been almost 3 days since my Mirena was removed, a very liberating feeling!! No bleeding to speak of until now. I went to gym (ran, cycled, weights etc) to return home to find the bleeding has started, only light thank goodness. I also have some mild cramping pain in the region of my uterus. Could be it was too soon after having the Mirena removed to go to gym. Apart from the light bleeding and mild cramps, can't really say I can notice any difference yet. STILL NO REGRETS THOUGH.
I had the Mirena for 2 1/2 years so guess I can't expect my body to go back to normal straight away.
I am on contraception pills (until my husband is scheduled for his vasectomy). Unsure if I should be on any contraception so soon after reading another message.
Please let me know what you think??
-- By pinchesp | Reply | Private Message me
November 20th
2009
11:54 AM
I have had the Mirena in for 5 years and just had it replaced this past June, I myself have a lot of the same side effects, feeling like I could pee my pants at times. I am 48 yrs old. When I had a new one put it, the Dr. had a really hard time due to my uterus/cervix being tilted (which I was not aware of). Has anyone ever had pain in their rectum after a bowel movement, or like right now I have the pain there, very painful. Not sure if it is due to my uterus/cervix tilted, Mirena? I feel tired a lot, moodiness, I thought that was part of the perimenopausal, but reading the other side effects from younger women, it is the same.
-- By bskotzke | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me