Mirena Low Sex Drive, Bloated Stomach, Short Temper, O Clock, Rare Complication
Posted over a year ago
I've had my Mirena for about 15 and a half months and I am having it removed today at 2 o'clock. At first I had sharp pains when I would sit down and I felt like the cords were poking me and irritating me. My OB/GYN requires patients to come back one month ... more »
I've had my Mirena for about 15 and a half months and I am having it removed today at 2 o'clock. At first I had sharp pains when I would sit down and I felt like the cords were poking me and irritating me. My OB/GYN requires patients to come back one month after having it put in so he can check it and make sure it is still in place. At this visit he also trimmed the cords although he acted like he didn't believe me when I told him that I could feel them poking me when I sat down and that it hurt. At first I didn't notice any bad side effects, but I did have one good one: my periods stopped, but I still had occasional and sporadic spotting. I didn't think to look for any bad side effects because I got the device under the impression that it had no bad side effects. I thought it only had a rare complication of perforating the uterus, but since mine was in place at the one month check, I didn't think about anymore until I started thinking about having another baby recently. I went online to see if I had to have a doctor remove the Mirena or if I could do it myself, and I found out that it's best done by a professional because bad things can happen and then you'd have to go to the doctor anyway. Plus, I didn't want to hurt my chances of having another baby. While online I discovered this whole world of message boards where women were having a lot of the same problems I'd been having in recent months and they all blamed their Mirenas. Some claimed that their problems had gone away since having it removed. I never thought to link my circumstances to the Mirena, but when I saw how many women are having the exact same problems as me I knew that I needed to go ahead and get mine out ASAP. Here is a list of my side effects, and I've found other women have had them as well with Mirena: weight gain, bloated stomach, depression, short temper with husband and daughter, acne, low sex drive, spotting, cramps, constipation, and back pain. There may be more, but I can't remember them all right now. Some of them may not even be related to the device, but I've read of so many women with Mirena who are having or have had the same issues, so I suspect a link between my problems and Mirena. I hope this helps someone out there looking for answers. God Bless!
Claudia1969 - Hi Mel, thank you for posting your story. I had exactly the same side effects and then some, except for the acne. I hope all went well and that you did get it removed ok. I wish you all the best on your road to recovery. You may experience the side effects will subside, but they may hit you again when you are due for your period. It may take a couple of months before you feel normal again. I'm six weeks post mirena and feeling SO much better. Could I use your story on my Dutch mirena forum? It will be translated and your nickname and this site will be mentioned then. I am currently helping Dutch women getting to know more about what this device can do. Looking forward to your reply,
Kind regards,
Claudia
Sadie47 - I also had a lot of side effects but didn't connect them to the Mirena since it was "safe." I got mine taken out 2 days before you and already feel much better. Hope you are also doing well post-Mirena!
Jis2 - I, too, have had effects of Mirena but never thought of them being caused by this IUD. It was recommended by my Dr. after the birth of my daughter, who will be 3 in April. Before that I had used Ortho Novum 777, then Ortho TriCyclen with no problems. When I started trying to lose the 'baby weight' I would get terrible migraines after working out. They became more frequent and severe. I also have had NO luck keeping any weight off. I've lost a few here and there, but I can't keep it off. I attributed it to being over 35 and having a slower metabolism, but watch what I eat & work out. I also had to start taking Prozac & Anti anxiety meds for my mood swings. I can get very mean for no reason at all and cry at the drop of a hat. My face breaks out regularly, but I thought it was due to stress. About a month ago I got a skin condition all over my body and went to the clinic to see what it was. I was told it was called Pityriasis Rosea - and was told there was no known cause or cure but that it should go away on its own in as few to 2 weeks or as many as 6. It eventually went away, but not without causing me great distress and concern that I was contagious to others and my partner. My lack of libido was also attributed to being too tired and stressed from work. I recently saw a new Dr. about my migraines and PMS and he helped me narrow my symptoms down to the possible cause and said that Mirena could certainly be the cause of my problems. It was only after that appointment that I did any research online and learned about problems other women have experienced. I was sold on Mirena with the idea that I would never have to worry about taking a pill everyday for at least 5 years. If I would have known about the other problems I'd be trading for that mild inconvenience I would have never listened to my MALE Doctor!!! I can't wait to get this thing out of me and start living a normal life again.
Oana - hi ! i have Mirena to ,i put it after the birth of my baby girl ,she is 18 months now .I have almoust the same side effects ,i gain 45 pounds and i can't lose it ,i dont have anny sex apetite,and i am geting mad verry fast ,sometimes i got cramps in my low abdomen ,and my period stoped complectly .i cant waith to take it of .
Sorry for my speling ,my english is not that good.
Apatterson - I have had mirena for 18 months now. I've been experiencing the same side effects like the bloaded belly, cramps, mood swings with my husband and children, the weight gain, depression, lack of sexual interest, tiredness. I have never experienced any of this before. Especially before using mirena. This was my first birth control, so I can't compare it to any other. Also, I was a very motivated person and always on the go. But now it seems that I'm in this slump mentally and physically. I had no idea that it may have been the mirena causing these side effects. I just thought that mirena may have been a great way to not get pregnant for a very long time. Especially in my situation, having to babies one year apart. I am going to make an appointment asap. Thank you everyone for your testimonies.
Mrivera74 - I can agree totally as I sit here today in pain trying to find answers. I have cist on my ovaries and horrible pain in my side and back, not to mention all the other side efftects. I am going to the doctor this afternoon.
Magnoliasnwinter - I had mine out in 3 weeks ago. Was told to take four ibuprofen for insertion. Ha! The doctor said it wouldn't hardly hurt at all. I believed because the doctor was a she. I was in so much pain they had to give me a cramp shot in the buttocks. My husband drove me home while I laid back in the seat because the pain was too great to sit up. I came home and immediately laid down. I woke up a couple hours later counting the clock until I could take more ibuprofen. (only 800mg every 8 hours). Since I have indeed had lighter bleeding but with severe pain just above and to the left of the groin area. One day it was so bad I was doubled over at work for two hours in pain still trying to work. I found some level of relief through taking store brand pepcid and while that did relieve much of the pressure I still am left with burning, gnawing, and nearly unbearable cramps at least 3 days a week. This evening I found what appears to be a discharge. Not sure what that is yet but it smelled like death was inside me. I have never had an infection in all my years. The smell has now subsided but I am left with the question, what the heck was it?!"
Anyway I will post again.
I will pray for us all.
God bless.
Frederiquerattue - Hi , I had my Mirena put in 2 years ago. The first month was horrible(Severe abdominal pains) but the Doctor told me to be patient and that all be worth it. So I stuck with it....mood swings, yes, feeling tired, yes, feeling depressed, yes, no sex drive, yes... the only advantage has been to have no periods. A week ago, I started to have a very bad middle back and the pain came right in the middle of my abdomen just under the left ribs. I went to the osteopath but that didn't help. I went to my GP today, and she checked that the Mirena was still in place. She said it is. Her diagnosis is that my stomach is producing too much acid which is causing the pain. However I really feel like somthing is pressing on some of my organs. Has anyone experience this before? Thanks for your help and for all your testimonies. Frederique
Keshad79 - I wasn't sure if sex could effect your insert of the MIRENA...but i have since, started bleeding off and on, had migrains to die for, and lost weight: due to nausiousness. I wish I could eat and not feel nausious. I have had small blood clots also...not sure how long it should take tilll the symptoms lesson. Some input would be great!
Camiodum - Wow im not crazy after all! first I gotta tell you that i have had the mirena in for 14 months and been feeling awful for 14 months. now im having some realy bad side effects. it feels like two baloons inside me are filling up with air,and are ready to pop. along with all the other side effects that ive been reading about it seems as though i can finaly know where they are comming from. my husband sayd a prayer for my well being, and immedietly got an answer. he told me that as soon as he was done with his prayer, the first thing that came to mind to both his and my suprize was the mirena iud! and that I should get it taken out right away. he told me to pray about it also. i did and got the same answer. I love the power of prayer! so i made myself an appointment right away. Im not really a computer lover but this morning i thought i should look up side effects of the mirena, and wow, i find this. thankyou so much to you women who have taken the time to inform the rest of us who are in serch of related problems. We are all daghters of a king, our Father in heaven loves us and wants the best for his princesses. please before you think about birth controll, pray about it first. I love you ladies. I wish the best for you all, and may God bless you.
Gabate - WoW I have also had the Mirena in for about 17 days now. I also have really bad cramps in my abdomen and also my back. When I sit down it actually hurts sometimes. I also in the last week have accumulated a ton of ACNE on my face. I am in my 40's and it I find it disturbing. After reading all the posting on the web site now don't think I am going crazy. I feel like I have an alien inside of my body and need to get rid of it. I also have an extremely big appetite, and also have gained weight. I call my new belly a bubble, it just sticks out like a budda. I have been on the Depo shot for the last 4 years ( A GODSEND) and have never had my period. Since the Mirena I have spotted for the last 17 days. Also there is a smell that grosses me out. I definitely need to get this thing out. I PERSONALLY CAN'T STAND IT. I'm glad I stumbled upon this, so I know I am not the only one out there
Mandizi - Reading these message boards scared the hell out of me before I went in to get my Mirena, but I'm glad I kept in mind that birth control affects everyone differently and the people who are most likely to post are the people who have had problems. As of my second day with it, I haven't got much experience, but I can at least attest that the insertion was not very painful. I've had worse menstrual cramps, honestly. Also, I expected to gush blood, but have had almost no bleeding since the procedure. BC pills make some people feel awful, Depo destroys other people, condoms rip my own skin to shreds, personally - there are all kinds of effects. Mirena is relatively low dose and may or may not work for you. It's always taking a chance. My doctor said she had very few complaints from the people who she's given it to, besides for the irregularity of periods or spotting. For most of us, that's not much discomfort compared to being unwillingly pregnant.
Zebmazzy - I have had my mirena for about 4 months. I have had acne, decreased sex drive, mood swings, and odor. I have also had some dizzy episodes, nausea and actually fainted one time. After speaking with a friend at work who also had the mirena, she stated that she had a horrible odor with the device as well. SHe had it removed, a new one placed and had the same effects. She had it taken out and the odor went away immediately. I am scheduled to have mine out tomorrow. I am curious if anyone else has had dizziness or fainting. This is definitely a new thing for me. It may not be related to the Mirena, but I know my other symptoms are (decreased libido, acne, etc.). Doctors all think your crazy. Just curious what everyone thinks.
Thanks!
Kelia2408 - Thank you for letting me know the discomforts that you had with the Mirena, because I was suppose to go and get mine done in three weeks from now, and now I'm changing my mind I just want go to that appointment that I have. Another thing what happened after you got it removed? Curious!!!
Cg44749 - thank you for this ad mirena was ruing my life. i had everthing you can think of headaches, blues, cramps, and hating life very much. even my marriage was going down cause i fought too much w/ my hubby,i got it removed today. i feel great about having it out. now i hope its not too late to save my marriage.
Tellagraham2 - Oh my goodness! The SAME thing happened to me. After having my son last fall, we knew we wanted to wait at least 2-3 years before having another child. My friend had Mirena put in and loved it and highly recommended it. After consulting my doctor, she agreed that it was a great birth control method with hardly any negative side effects. I had it put it 8 weeks postpartum. At that time, I had only 5 more pounds to lose before being at my prepregnancy weight. With my first baby, I lost all of my baby weight plus some. Well, after 10 months of having the IUD in, I was still at the 5 pound mark. I was done breastfeeding, too. My face had been breaking out for months and I have never had an acne problem. I felt bloated all of the time, I had joint pain in my ankles and right knee, I constantly felt gross about myself...fat, bloated, ugly...It was so hard to explain. I had a short temper with my husband, too. I never put two and two together until I finally decided to google "Mirena and weight gain". I was shocked at all of the articles that came up. It was like I was reading my own symptoms! I made an appointment ASAP to have it taken out. My doctor didn't think that the IUD was the problem, but it was taken out none the less. It's been about two weeks and although I still have a little breaking out on my face, I do feel a lot better and not as bloated. Now I'm just deciding what to do about the birth control. I kinda don't want any more hormones in my body but my husband HATES condoms!!! Oh well...I was on bc for 7 years off and on. It's his turn:)
Ceb - Hi. I got the mirena inserted almost two months ago. I took my new obgyns' word when she said there were very little side effects; boy, I really should I done some research on my own. For the first three weeks, no problem. since that time, my life has totally been disrupted. I have gone from a sometimes overly optimistic person and workaholic to sad, depressed, having almost no energy, tired all the time (even though I get more sleep now than ever), bloated, severe mood swings (as described by my boyfriend), foul discharge, and almost no desire for sex. I wanted sex almost every day prior to this, and I swear, the thought of having sex now makes me want to puke. i have an appointment tomorrow, and I am going to have this thing removed. oh yeah, right now i feel like i want to faint. I don't know what I am going to do about birth control from now on, but I cannot go any longer with this. this is the first time that I have ever blogged for anything (if this is what you call what I am doing :)), but I felt that anyone considering having the mirena inserted should be aware. not everyone may have the same reactions, but I know that mine are due to the mirena. God bless you all.
Jenna28 - Yep, it's the Mirena! My husband just said to me the other day that I've seemed to have NO sex drive for years now and realizing he was right, I decided to look up the side effects (because I knew it was ME,not HIM).I got this IUD almost 3 years ago. I am heavier now than I was a few months after having my baby. I lost almost all of the baby weight then got the IUD and I'm now about 20lbs overweight. While I certainly had a healthy sexual appetite before, it's just not there anymore. I have or have had just about all of the symptoms I'm reading about here; abdominal pain,back pain,short tempered with my husband and son,weight gain,no sex drive,low self-esteem and depression. I will have this thing taken out immediately but don't know what to do for a new B.C method! Any ideas??? My husband refuses to have a visectomy (and we don't want more babies), I have a history of cancer and therefore have been told I can't take certain b.c such as orthotrycyclin and doesn't ALL b.c have crazy side effects anyway? I don't want to take anything that causes this or that or makes me just not myself. Is there anything out there that doesn't? Is my only option having my tubes tied??? And why do women have their tubes tied (a very painful surgery) when their husbands can have a simple 30 min. non-surgical procedure? WHY is it ALL up to the women????
Georgel - OMG I am so thankful that there are others like me.My mirena has been out for 1 month and i feel so much better. I was experiencing migraines, back pains, and bad cramps although my period had stopped for a few months. After the 4th month and not having a period for 2 months I began to bleed heavy and I had blood clots from Hell, the only thing the doctor said was I need to give the Mirena time to adjust to my system. Well 2 weeks later and 3 doctors appointments I had to have emergency surgery to have the Mirena removed my bill by the way with health insurance was $4,000. I do not recommend anyone going through the same pains that I went through with this device.
Jenny29 - I just had the Mirena removed today. I had the Mirena inserted 6 weeks after giving birth. I had it in for 6 1/2 months. A month and a half ago, I started having clear discharge with blood mixed but no smell. The leaking started keeping me up at night. I just assumed it was my period happening on the Mirena, but it didn't really make sense as I am still breast feeding. After I made my way through a box of pads I realized that it seemed unusual for this to still be happening 3 weeks later. The clear discharge changed to green still with blood. Now I was really concerned. My paps came back fine and I also got an ultrasound and was checked for any random std (which didn't make sense since I just had a baby and have been checked for everything). Anyway, better safe than sorry. All the tests came back negative. Yes, like everyone else, my sex drive has been null and have gone through a bit of melancholy which I summed up to possibly what happens after having a baby. Needless to say, since having it removed this afternoon, although I have a bit of blood there is no more clear discharge already! I feel like I did the right thing for my body. Hopefully I don't get pregnant any time soon though!
Anna323 - Hi everyone! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for taking the time to write.
I have had the Mirena in for bout 3 years now and didnt even think that any of these symptoms were from the IUD. I'm really shocked!
The reason that I had this done was because every pill that I took made my hair fall out terribly!! So, my friend told me about the Mirena and it sounded like a dream come true because she didnt get her period and she didnt have to take the pill everyday.. Well the first time I tried to get it inserted, it was very painful (I get panic attacks by the way) I shook so bad that the doctor told me she could poke my uterus and I would have to have immediate surgery and that they couldnt give me anything for the pain except for advil. So I decided not to get it. Well, my hair was continuing to fall out and I went to see another Doctor for a second opinion and she told me about the Mirena as well. I told her about the last situation and she said that she would give me two valume to calm me nerves, so I went ahead and did it. Didnt hurt that time ha ha! The first month I experienced cysts on my ovary the size of a tangerine, VERY PAINFUL BY THE WAY! went to the doctors and they gave me birth control (which I was trying to avoid in the first place) to get rid of the cysts and a nice $800.00 bill in the mail after the Mirena costs me almost $450.00... EHHHH!!! I dont really have any serious problems anymore besides a little weight gain... but that might have to do with my eating and lack of exercising habits... i did start to break out on my face but that didnt start till almost a year ago. Thank God for Pro Active!! And mood swings... Hmm.. Might be because of a lot of personal issues I have. I have noticed that I cant remember stuff that happened yesterday but thats probably hereditary.. thanks dad! But other than that everythings fine... I guess it just takes a while. I'm just a little concerened about what to do for birth control when I have it removed... I cant win
Kpeters33 - Has anyone had pain with sex? or can your partner feel it in there? I have been having migrains back pain, severe cramps, and during sex, it kinda feels like when I was pregnant and hurt. My husband felt the strings sticking out last night and am wondering if i should be worried. thanks
Mallorym - are those the only side effects you had? And what would you reccomend for someone who cant get the monthly shot or forgets the pill???
Lisa20062004 - I got mine mirena about 1 month ago maybe less and i have the cramping like i want to start bleeding and i do see that i am bleeding before and after intercourse. Is there aomething wrong I'm about to find out
Dmwalls - i had the mirena put in on april 22,2008. he told me that i would have a little cramping and that it would sibside later, it didnt. for the longest i had spontaneous cramping, breakthrough bleeding and more cramping.i went to the doctor in sept. to have it removed he told me to wait two months,i waited three. when he finally removed it i was bleeding for a week with havy clots and bright red blood they say the mirena is safe its really not.
Catherine1 - Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!! I have been thinking I have been going crazy... I had the Mirena inserted in July of this year and I had to stay at my OB's office for almost 2 hours after having it put in because I almost passed out in his office and he was afraid to let me drive home. Oh and the side affects they dont tell you about are horrible bleeding after sex every time. Random bleeding I had 4 weeks where I bleed straight through it never stopped. I also have been told that it is just my body getting used to it. I also have had Back pain, Major Headaches, Severe Depression, Acid reflux, and just feeling crapy and not wanting to leave the house. I attributed all of this to the recent loss of my mother and stress. but after reading all of your expirences I now know I am not crazy.. Thank you all for posting! I am getting this thing out of me before anything else happens.
Lillmoki - HI! I just wanted to state some of the positives on this subject. It is SO true that some women have horrible side effects. But for me, this wasn't the case. I have had my Mirena for about a year now, and I love it! I did have a few initial side effects. I cramped for about an hour after it was inserted, but ibuprofen took away the pain. I didn't have a period for about 10 months. Then I had a period on and off for about a month, and now I am back to not having one. But those are the only side effects I have experienced. I still have a sex drive, it doesn't hurt for me to have sex, I don't have any more acne than what I used to, and I am actually still losing my baby weight at a steady rate and I haven't experienced any kind of depression either. I have nothing but good things to say. I believe all of you completely that your side effects are happening. But for me, Mirena has been a Godsend. I don't have to take a daily pill, and I don't have to worry about getting pregnant for 5 years. So there are success stories out there too. You just have to do what is right for your body. Everyone is different, and it just so happened that Mirena has worked great for me. Thanks for listening and God bless!
Hol566 - For me, I had Mirena put in and about three months later had the worst itching and swelling on the outside of my vulva. I thought for sure I had a yeast problem but all the lab tests came back negative. My doctor acted like it was all in my head but gave in to my requests for meds for this. The cream she gave me did NOTHING. It was so bad that I would have to run to the bathroom to scratch when out in public. I swear I wanted to just start scratching it right there. This was the worst thing that could happen to anyone and my doctor acted like it was all in my head!! I even tried tons of homeopathic remedies like diluted grapefruit seed extract right on the area. The pain from this felt better than the itching although I don't think it was really safe that I did it! I started taking diflucan once a week and this was the only thing that worked. I was having horrible mood swings also. I mean horrible! I thought it might be Mirena but wasn't sure.
There were positive side effects too. I slept better than I ever had in my entire life with the Mirena in! Where as in the past I never orgasmed from sex I was now doing so within the first 2 minutes consistently! This alone was enough to make me LOVE Mirena. I wasn't sure if it was the Mirena or "in my head" and didn't want to ask my doctor b/c I didn't want it to stop. Another great effect is that I used to have horrible leg pains and cramps and bloating with every period and this virtually disappeared. The leg pains used to wake me up at night even when I wasn't menstrating! My periods still came and I still had irregular and frequent bleeding even after one year with the Mirena. I've always had irregular bleeding though.
After having it for one year, the mood swings were so bad that it was effecting my marriage. I started seeing a homeopath who said my adrenals were significnatly low and that yeast was high. I started taking some homeopathic meds that worked pretty good...enough to allow me to fix things in my marriage but not enough to make me "normal" again. I had horrible self esteem which had never been this bad of an issue before. About four months later I got an inflamation infection from the Mirena and my doctor said she was pulling it no matter what. Now it is out.
Now I have horrible leg pains again. I'm not sleeping well. I'm still a mess with mood swings and I started taking an antidepressant. The antidepressant has been a Godsend. I thought I was crazy at first and was so upset about having to take something to make me feel normal. But now I feel so good that I just do not care and I love taking it. I've lost 10 pounds. I do have horrible PMS and bloating, cramping and all that used to be here with my periods. I notice that this was SO MUCH better on the Mirena. I'm not sleeping well. That makes me want to get the Mirena back and just stay on the antidepressants. I'm not sure what to do which is why I started reading these posts.
I'm really not sure right now if I want to get pregnant again. I am a working (traveling) mother. I keep going back and forth on the issue. My daughter is about to turn three but I'm not sure I could handle another and continue to travel all the time. I'd love to hear from someone with similar experiences.
Daliana - OMGGGGG! I CANT BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ. I REALLY THOUGHT THAT I WAS CRAZII ABOUT ALL MOOD CHANGES. I EXPERIENCED THAT ALOT. IM CURRENTLY HURT BECAUSE MY HUSBAND THINK THAT IM CRAZI.... THAT I COME HOME EVERY DAY JUST TO FIGHT WITH HIM.. I HAVE MIRENA FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS. SO IMAGINE 3 YRS WITH MY MOODINESS.. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT ALL THIS TROUBLE WITH MY HUSBAND IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE BLUES. ITS WAS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT THAT I WAS CRAZI AND THAT I NEED IT TO ASK FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP. IT WAS NOT EASY FOR ME TO DEAL WITH MY PROBLEM EVERYDAY.. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE MIRENA OUT AND GET PREGNANT. IM 22 YEARS OLD AND I KNEW ALL DIS TIME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG BUT I COULDNT FIND A RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. DO I STILL NEED TO TAKE SOME KIND OF DEPRESSION PILL? I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.PLS REPLY BACK WITH ANY ADVICE!!! THANK YOU... LYNETTE
DLM816@YAHOO.COM
Lauri - I looked up Mirena side effects because I haven't had a libido in months now (I've had this IUD for a little over a year). I breast fed for 13 months, and chalked it up to that. That was 5 months ago, and I still haven't gotten any desire back. I was a once to twice-a-day gal, now...nothing. My husband is very loving and works hard to get me aroused. We always have to use lubricant, and it truly doesn't feel as good as it used to. After reading other comments and complaints about additional side effects, I felt relieved. I too have been moody (I just told my husband that maybe I need to be on medication...I've always been moody, but not to this extreme). I have weight gain too, but that one is all my fault. I did have issues on the pill, which is why I was psyched for the mirena. I figured with such a small dose of progesterone, what side effects could I possibly have? My sister and neighbor love theirs, and have no complaints. I am toying with getting mine out, but worry about contraception. Glad to know I'm not alone.
Zyggie - I had my Mirena removed today after 20 months. I didn't realise until recently that everything I've been experiencing has likely been Mirena related. My doctor discounted the possibility that Mirena has caused my horrible mood issues...but I believe otherwise. He tried to convince me that it's because I'm almost 40 and lots of women start with PMS then. Well...I used to have PMS, but NOTHING like this. And he had no explanation of why I feel it all the time! I've only come to "put it all together" after reading other posts like the ones here. First I thought my thyroid might be an issue...but that came back normal. My hair was awful...brittle, dry, breaking. I have curly hair and it was straight and frizzy. I have diabetes and have been more insulin resistant than ever. I have ZERO sex drive. I gained weight and when I try and lose weight seem to lose and regain the same six pounds over and over again. My daughter is 2 years, 2 months and I weigh more now than I did at my 6 week post partum check up. I have numbness in one of my hands. I'm exhausted ALL the time even though I get about 8 hours of sleep a night. I'm incredibly moody and feel depressed despite being happy with my life. I know there's more...I thought I was pregnant MANY times during the 20 months. I even thought I felt a baby kicking several times and thought I was losing my mind!! I just never put it all together. SO...we made the decision to say farewell to Mirena and will pursue my soon to be husband getting a vasectomy. My doctor tried to convince me that it'd likely not change things for me...but i guess time will tell.
Keylolo - I understand your side effects so much. I have had mine in for 10 months and I want it out NOW!!! My worst side effect is ACNE and it's bad, I look like a different person and everyone notices it. I keep calling the doctor and they keep trying to talk me out of it or stall me from making the decision to remove it. I called the Bayer Company to complain about the Acne and Weight gain but they insist that it can't be the Mirena and I told them BS... because I never had Acne before this and I never had the urge to eat all day. I want a refund because I paid $600 out of pocket for this and thought it would be a good way to save money over 5 yrs and but I'm willing to just lose the money if it means my face will clear up and I lose some weight. I wouldn't recommend this Birth Control at all. I have found 3 other women in which they had the same or worse side effects of the Mirena and they were all given the run around when they wanted to remove it earlier than the 5 year mark. Please if anyone has any other side effects or the same, write about it and lets find a way to get it thru to the Company.
Tanya12 - I have had Mirena for a little over a year. I'm having the same side effects: Headaches, weight gain, smelly clear discharge, and extreme moodiness. My periods are very irregular. I spotted heavily for almost 6 months. Then I had a week long period every other month. Then it regulated for a couple months. In December I was 2 weeks late and when it came, it came with avengance. I had acne, weight gain, and severe moodiness. I'm lucky my husband stuck around. I was losing weight very slowly when I was breastfeeding. I wasn't dieting, but I was carefully monitoring my diet. I stopped nursing in August and I have gained 23 pounds since. It's horrible. I feel terrible about myself. I tries 4 different antidepresants, but side effects for them weren't worth it. Lexapro made me sleepy, Wellbutrin cause migraines, Zoloft made me more irritable, and prozac wreaked even more havoc on my sex drive. I am having this thing taken out Monday.
Cjsmommi - OMG!! Its very relieving to see these posts! I seriously thought i was going insane!! i've had mine for about a year and it hasnt been pleasent! when i first got it last april i blead for 3 months straight maybe more! i've been having major mood swings and depression..something i've never had b4 and i think i'm too young to have it! but my acne came full blown with periods every other month...but the crazy part was i had cramps like a day or 2 every week since i got it! along with that my breast would burn so bad it the inside of them. my focus has been shot! and i would also be bloated for a few days straight!! I dont kno if this birthcontrol was worth it...it has been very unpredictable and i dont like it. I'm glad to see the real truth from real ppl instead of doctors!! this made me make up about gettin it out! thank u sooo much and it'll get better! good luck every one!
Amyhilton - Wow!!! So good to know that I'm not going CRAZY!!! I look like I'm 6 mths pregnant, and my baby is 8 months old! I weigh more now than I ever have in my life, including being 9 mths pregnant! I look bloated. I generally don't lose the baby weight until I am done nursing, but all I'm doing is gaining! I have crazy PMS symptoms. I have never had bad PMS like this at all. I haven't broken out in acne since middle school, or had cravings like I'm having and I feel like I'm going crazy. I have a short temper over the simplest things. I have had back pain, but until reading your testimonials I hadn't considered the Mirena. I have never used birth control before now, and I'd only ever heard good things about Mirena. I also feel tired all the time, and very unmotivated to do things I normally enjoy. I appreciate your messages, I feel like I know what I should do now!
Tally - I wish I read this site earlier ,I had my mirena just today and my concern is ,does iud effective breast feeding i mean redusing the milk ? how long is ok to have entercourse after had iud ?
Kym25mc - OMG!! I have had mirena for two years, I am having weight gain, bloated stomach, depression, short temper, low sex drive, spotting, cramps, constipation, and back pain, My stomach looks like I am 5 months pregnate and have ppl askin me if im pregnate too.
After reading all of yours, and knowin now I am not crazy, I am getting this out of me ASAP!
Is there any birth control that is safe to use anymore??
I have used it all, froms pills, ring and depo, And I have had bad experences with them all.
I am clueless of what to do now?
Kym25mc - Also I have had migrains badly, My knees been crackin, and my mother told me it might be arthritis?? But I am only 25 years old, I have been having back problems, joint pains, I am tired all the time, I have had a cist on my ovaries, But went away, but i have not had it checked so I dont know if I have another, Im having cramps..
I am relived now that I know that Im not crazy.. My husband was thought it was him, and that I dont love him anymore.. That hurt me bad..
I want this thing out!!
Mum23 - WOW i am in shock!! I have had the Mirena in for 6mths and in the first 3mnths every time my childern would sit on my lap and knock my belly i would bleed. If i were to have a big night i would bleed. I too could feel it poking me and get pains. I went to the doctors about 2 weeks ago and he looked at me like i was crazy. I had scans to find it and have it removed but now they are telling me it has fallen out. I thouhgt it was just my doctors that were useless but this page has helped me out. I am going to the doctors 2moro so they can have another look for it. I am very depressed and pick fights with my hubby as well and i dont seem to be handling my children well anymore. Does any1 know of any cases where it has fallen out??? Is it possible?
Jcandierenee - I have gone through everything that everyone else is talking about. Acne, cramps, bloating, weight gain, and mood swings/depression, and about two days ago I started having the worse pains (not cramps but sharp pains) and it made me sick to my stomach and I threw up. I then decided to check it and it was starting to come out. I could feel it so I just pulled it out the rest of the way. I cramped a little afterwards but I felt much better. I called my Ob yesterday and told her what had happened and I decided to get on the pill just until I can figure out what to do because I cant afford to put another one in not that I even want too now. Anyone had the same problems with it falling out too?
Misskittykat - Thanks for the insight everyone. The doctor wants me to get mirena for hormonial imbalance. I am glad that I have been doing my research. I will not hold my breath that I could be one of the lucky ones who will be problem free with an iud. I have tried other forms of birth control and they did not help my irregular menstrual cycle which has gotten even more irregular since I had my son, the never ending heavy bleeding for weeks at a time and the clotting (huge chunks). Some doctors already look at me like I am crazy, a freak of nature and I won't require added help from the complications that mirena may create in my life. With my luck this may just push me over the edge for someone who has been fighting depression, anxiety and panic attacks and the swift changes in my mood. Added to all of that I am hypertensive for my very young age. I do not need any more interuptions in my busy life that I am trying to keep on track with my life's plan. I will have to put my trust in god, a little counting and condoms so as to avoid any unplanned pregnancies.
Thank you all ladies for your insightful insights.
Bmelements - I have to say I have been having all the same problems, and I also havent had a period in almost eight weeks, test after test has come back negitive but my systems make my body feel like its pregnant. I'm totally calling my doctor tomorrow and having to removed.
Bmelements - The other thing I hav noticed is I want to have intercourse with my husband but I'll tell you when it comes time I just cant seem to muster up. I swear I have a high tolorance for pain but let me tell you, I haven't felt that crappy after getting a procedure done in a long time. I really had to come home and take a nap and some muscle relaxers, is it me or did you feel like you were dialating not by choice. I'm tired of feeling like I lost my best friend and he's here with me all the time, go figure. I also have notice that acne I never thought that it could be a side affect but there you go,. So a message to most women, all body are diffrent, but yet were the same. It seems to me that if many women feel like crap all the time then something must be done to look further into the Mirena. Oh and by the way I woke up tonight at 12:00 am because of the wonderful cramps I have been blessed with. I am actually hoping I start a period. It would be welcome now.
Casey04lynn - Thank you so much everyone, like the rest of you, I thought I was going crazy too. I just assumed I was a hormonal mess after having a baby. I had Mirena put in Dec 2008, 6 weeks after having a baby. I have since gone back for 2 check-ups, initially I just had the spotting & discharge. Now, it's severe abdominal/pelvic pain, migrane headaches, gummy discharge with odor, joint pain, acne, no sex drive (pain with sex), weight gain....sadly I could keep going on. I snap at my older child & husband, I'm sure they are fed up with me, my husband tells me that I am depressed. I'm snapping and more stressed at work. I just left a message for my dr this morning to discuss all these issues with her and to make an appointment to have it taken out. My sister & several others gave me their opinion on Mirena, they all love it and have no side effects. So I agree that there are success stories out there, it's just not for everyone. Like any medication, some get the side effects. I was so excited to get Mirena too, sounded like a dream come true : )
Leena - Wow, I am absolutelly shocked to hear about so many side effects. I have my Mirena since fall of 2006, but I never thought of linking my depressed mood, fatigue, and inability to lose weiht despite healthy eating and workout to this IUD... I had very light periods and was happy with that, as well as with reliability of thi BC method. As I am chidfree, I thought it is in fact far better than steilization. The ony disadvantage I saw was an extreme pain during insertion. So thought to re-install it under anesthesia.
I made an appointment with GYN this Friday, and I am going to discuss my options with him. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.
Miteca - I have had so mamy problems that I was unaware of them being related to Mirena until yesterday. I am having mine removed today because I can not handle not being me any longer...
Here is my list of symptoms:
INSOMNIA
SHORT TEMPER WITH HUSBAND AND KIDS
CRYING CONSTANTLY
VOMITING AND NAUSEA
WEIRD FOOD CRAVINGS
GAINED 20 POUNDS EVEN THOUGH ON DIET AND ALLI PILLS
BLOATING
PAIN AND PRESSURE IN ABDOMEN
I ALSO COULD FEEL THE CORDS AND IT FELT LIKE MIRENA WAS SLIPPING IN THE BEGINNING
DIZZYNESS
BLURRED VISION
NOT BEING MYSELF
DEPRESSION
UNBEARABLE HEADACHES
I hope this helps anyone who thinks that Mirena is a great option for birth control
Lovblaque - Umm... Hello everyone i am a mirena patient and i have had it for about 14 months now and i got it like right after my son was orn at my 6 wk checkup. i reserched mirena sideffects because i wanted to see what was causing, what the doctors describe as, good bacteria gone bad. a couple of months ago i had this horrbile odor and when i went to my obgyn AND family doctor they said that my good bacteria had produced to much making it a bad becteria which caused a stinky stinky smell. But i was convinced that it had to be more. Ive only been with one person and i know hes only been with me but to be sure i got an std screen and it came beack negative. so the doc gave me a cream and the smell went away for about a week THEN CAME BACK!!!!! SO i went to another doc an she gave me a pill which seemed to work but for some reason i am convinced it was from my iud. it hasnt come back but i am so scared that it will. it is one of the most horrbile smells inthe world. Has anyone else expirenced this? Also i never thought that any of my typical mood swings, depression, headaches, loss of motivation, and loss of sex drive could come from my iud...But after reading these notes and seeing that everyone is expirencing what i am going thru right now makes me wonder if my mirena is the cause of all of my problems. I still gt my periods but right before it comes like the week before man i am the worst person to be around i flip at the drop of a dime and after my period i am stuck trying to repair the damage i caused to my family and loved ones. It is weird all i want to do is be normal not depressed, very much motivated and happy... Is it because of my IUD or do i need professional help? PLEASE WRITE BACK
Jenn31 - Ive had my marina for about a year and a half .I have had the aches and pains in my joints headaches major lack of sex drive my face brakes out im extremly tired and lots of mood swings.When i went to my doctor with these problems he tested me for lupus witch has come back negetive. i have been going crazy trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I decided to check out the side affects of mirena Thank god for this site. Like so many others i dont feel crazy and alone anymore!!!!!! I have an appointment monday to hopefully return to my old self. Cant wait!!!!!!!
2535239 - Oh thank God I found this site. I have had the Mirena for almost 4 years and the first 2 were good, I was moody and emotional and I just thought it was all part of post partum, since I did get the Mirena put in just 2 months after I had my son. Well in the past 4 months I have had this horrible smell and a discharge that is clear but I can smell it even when I am jsut sitting down. and my periods were like normal once a month to no every other week and I am spotting and the color is like a salmon coral color kinda pinkish orange and the smell is just foul. My moods...oh goodness! I love my hubby for sticking with me all this time..I am like a one woman circus. I get upset and my feelings hurt really quick then I laugh at myself while crying sometimes. I have been through depression and I have not gone through that before Mirena. My wieght is starting to gain now becuase of my abnormal hormones and period. I get super hungry right before my period and eat a lot (which i did not do before this thing) and considering I am getting my period ever other week, well that's a lot of eating. And constipation is not helping any. My hair falls out like crazy i am really surprised I still even have hair! Also my sex drive has went down hill. I was ok with it being an every day thing and now when it's down to having a good time I am like eh, I guess we can get this over with. The sad thing is that I see all this and I never thought to link it to the IUD till recently. I know post partum could not be this long and my periods were never this horrible before this...to top it all off all this on and off period caused me to have a cyst that caused me to have 3 sonograms in the last month. I have an appointment to get this taken out next month and ready to get back to my old self! Now, I just need to find a new birth control...condoms are a no no at home and if I even say the word vasecomy I will get laughed at. Not ready for a baby at least not with this economy so, any ideas on a contraceptive that will not effect my hormones as much as this did.
Judien - Same concerns, however, I have had ablation and it did not work. Went on BC and my blood pressure went through the roof. I just want a hysterectomy... i think it is the hormones that are f-ing up my system, but I can't live with clots, constant periods, and cramps that make me do lamaze breathing.
Haileynjackie - I am 23 with 2 kids.... Mirena seemed like the right thing for me.. I definatly don't want anymore kids.. So I had mine placed at the End of april 2009...The procedure was short but painful..actually brought tears to my eyes. Later on that day I cramped sooo bad. I have had soo many problems with this stupid thing, I have not stopped bleeding since i had this put in and its almost June... I was in the hospital 3 weeks ago because of how heavy i was bleeding, i was literally soaking a super tampon AND a super pad in 15 minutes....They ran a bunch of tests in the ER and came to the conclusion that i had a thickened endyometrial lining....so i figure that it didn't have ne thing to do with this, in the meantime i have the WORST mood swings..I am so angry and any littel thing sets me off.. i no longer have any patience... at my last check up i insisted it be taken out but my doctor is convinced that if i give it more time that i will be happy with it... I have gained weight, My hair is fallin out like crazy...i seriously am developing a bald spot in the front of my head on the left and right sides... I havge been in so much pain... at times i am doubled over.. I went to the er again yesterday cause i couldnt bear the pain in my abdomin anymore....All the could do was give me medicine for "pain management" I just want this out...and i no longer have insurence...l dont know what to do.....
0223 - I had it put in on 11/2007 I had to go for a check up two weeks later,and everything was fine.Later in 12/2007 my husband said that he could feel it so I called the doctor and had it shorten.Then 5 days later I was put into the hospital with low blood pressure and a high fever. I stayed in the hospital for two months.I got septic shock and all my organ was shutting down.I have a hard time cooping with what happen to me.I have scars from where the fluid was oozing out of my skin.When it woke up again in 01/22/08 i did not known what happen to me.My life has changed alot since this happen.
Jentay88 - Granted everyone reacts differently to different antibiotics and medications due to sensitivities in our bodies but this is my own personal experience with the Mirena IUD and I would never ever recommend it to anyone. I had my daughter in January 2009 and had the Mirena put in in April and I was never told about possible side effects to expect or even to go in six weeks after to have it checked out... medical malpractice on my obgyn's part but at least she is no longer practicing. That July I got my very first kidney infection, worst pain I have had in my entire life, even worse than child birth. I went to the ER and they found a 5mm ovarian cyst. I realize that ovarian cysts are extremely common especially after having a child so I honestly didn't think too much about it but the following month when I had my period I was fine until the week after and then I was in so much pain, it felt like someone stabbing me in my left ovary. The pain would last for 2-3 days and continued to happen every week after my periods. I also developed low blood sugar "attacks" as I like to call them because they weren't constant but would happen mostly during my period and I would get extremely clammy, sweaty, and ill to the point where I would end up throwing up if I didn't lie down immediately. I would have these attacks 3-5 times a day for at least 2 weeks every month. Then in December I developed eczema which I have never had a problem with before, after going to the health food store and getting a liver cleanser and changing all body products to all organic non fragrance the "eczema" went away. As soon as I finished the liver cleanse I broke out with a severe allergic rash all over my neck, chest, and on both of my arms. It was extremely ichy and it was so inflammed that it hurt, resulting in me not being able to sleep. Aside from these reactions, I was extremely moody and depressed, and I have never had problems with either of these things before and I felt that when i would get irritated that I couldn't even control it or get my self to calm down. I also had a very hard time losing the weight after my daughter; I had lost most of it before I got the IUD except for about 15 pounds and I swear once I got the IUD it didn't matter how well I ate or how much I excercised I would never lose the weight. I also had extremely bad migraines and vision problems ( depth perception changes). And towards the end I had blood pressure that would spike high and then go back to normal constantly for no reason and I had heart palpitations constantly. I stressed myself out searching for what could have been causing these things and nothing made sense until I decided to do some research on the Mirena and every single one of symptoms matched up. Granted my experience is very rare but if i would have know that I could have even possibly had these things happen then I would have never gotten it. I immediately got it removed after making that discovery and am feeling so much better but I am still have some side effects as my body is getting adjusted and back to normal. Funny thing, I lost 12 pounds the week that I got it taken out and I did nothing different than I had while I had it in. Ladies I hope everyone can effectively get over this ridiculous birthcontrol and can inform and help other ladies who have experienced these same things. Something I found out during my research, the guy who made the mirena IUD made a birthcontrol that was banned from the US in 1996 for causing sterility in many of it's users and they experienced side effects years after stopping the birthcontrol. He was also part of the population control in Sweden.... kind of scary.
Coakley05 - I have a Mirena and I'm seriously considering having it removed. I have some problems recently just like you and also recieved some bad blood work that my hormone levels are seriously off.
Staci6952 - I've had Mirena for Four years now and started having problems withen the last four months or so. It had Started with a bladder infection took the antibidics for that went back to the doctor for another check up and now a bacterial infection! That wa s over three months ago, two bladder infections ago, and one bacterial infection ago! Again i go back this Wednesday for another bladder infection and to get this thing removed! The doctor wasnt sure what was causing all of the problems all he could say was "it's just more common in some then others" well im 25 years old and nver had any problems like this.Needless to say I ended up doin my own research and of course go to the FDA website side effects for mirena and sure enough can also cause bladder infections, bactiral infection, yeast infection but of course do the put this info in their commercials and ads for Mirena? of course not. You know its bad when your nurse asks you why you are gettin your Miren a takin out before it is time, you give her the reasons for and and what does she says back to you? "Wow thank God that someone finally does some research on that Mirena, it is dangerous I had to get it taken out myself." On top of all that consistant bladder and bacterial infections can also cause cervical cancer. I get to go back to get my cancer cell levels checked in 4 months yay me! :/
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