IUD = weight gain, or is that just an excuse?

I had a contraceptive implant put in about 3 months ago and have noticed myself balloon 2 sizes. My stomach looks distended and pregnant and my face is totally bloated. I am tired all the time, low esteem and energy. I have come back to MFP but am terrified to weigh myself but I know that I have put on at least 1 1/2 stones in the past few months. I don't dress to impress any more, I "cover myself up". I'm thinking of having the implant removed but im not sure if its definitely the cause of my extreme weight gain. I wasn't aware that I was eating or drinking more than usual, but then again I wasn't paying attention.

Has anyone else with a type of IUD had this problem? Did you notice a difference when it was removed? Im getting really down about this.......
«13

Replies

  • Smuterella
    Smuterella Posts: 1,623 Member
    I ballooned 14 lbs in two weeks after having been the same weight for years. I had it taken out 6 months ago but the weight still isn't coming off.
  • slimmerchick
    slimmerchick Posts: 189 Member
    Which one do you have? I am due to have one next month and don't like the sound of this much!
  • Mine was a mix of both - it did bloat me significantly but it also increased my appetite which I fed! I was unhappy on it and so had it taken out. The weight will not fall off it will be extremely hard work. It might be worth weighing yourself, controlling portions and what you take into your body first before jumping to the conclusion that it is the IUD.

    Good luck :smile:
  • Mine is the Nexplanon arm implant. Not everyone puts on weight, but a percentage does and I am at the stage that I would literally remove it myself I hate it so much, but I have to wait another week to have it removed.
  • Ninhydrin
    Ninhydrin Posts: 18 Member
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.
  • iNkedFiTmama
    iNkedFiTmama Posts: 277 Member
    Depends on the iud. Paraguard is non hormonal i had it for a year thoug and i hated it.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    ^This.

    They work in two very different ways. The implant that you have is circulating hormones through your entire system while IUDs tend to only work locally in the uterus.
  • SpecialSundae
    SpecialSundae Posts: 795 Member
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    This.
  • LCFulmer
    LCFulmer Posts: 183 Member
    I'm on my 2nd Copper T IUD (they can stay in for up to 10 yrs) and I've never had any problems with weight in addition they are hormone free.
  • slimmerchick
    slimmerchick Posts: 189 Member
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    ^This.

    They work in two very different ways. The implant that you have is circulating hormones through your entire system while IUDs tend to only work locally in the uterus.

    Good news for me then - I am getting the mirena :-) (still a bit scared though!)
  • Ninhydrin
    Ninhydrin Posts: 18 Member
    Also important to note that if you are on birth control pills and switching to an IUD, then even a hormonal IUD is going to be a lower hormone dose and have less averse effect on your body. The hormones are localised to the uterus and the dosage is much, much lower.

    The mirena is amazing. It can be very painful to insert but if you have a good doctor that shouldn't be a problem. I have a very light period which I expect will eventually go away. I've had it for only a few months and am so pleased with it!

    I have a few friends who are also on the mirena, none of whom have suffered any side effects, and certainly not battling with weight gain as a result of having it inserted.
  • floppybackend
    floppybackend Posts: 52 Member
    I have a minera coil best thing I've done in ages - no changes in weight and its a perfect solution. I was told that if you can tolerate the pill then the coil would be fine.
  • MzTanya77
    MzTanya77 Posts: 79 Member
    I had a Mirena IUD and I did gain weight and feel bloated. I had it for a year, but I only gained maybe 5 lbs and all symptoms subsided once it was removed.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I've had the Mirena for just over a year (I started here August 29th, I had it placed on September 4th). No weight gain, I was able to lose all that I have with it in!

    My side-effect : My periods were horrible. 2 weeks minimum and I was becoming anaemic during my cycle. I do believe, though, things are finally sorting themselves out, as the last 2 cycles have been relatively normal.
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    I've had the copper for ~9 months, no weight gain.
  • kbolton322
    kbolton322 Posts: 358 Member
    I have the Mirena. I Love it... its been four years since I got in and I'm getting another one next year when this one comes out... the first few months I still cramped when it was time for my monthly but no bleeding... I didn't gain weight due to it... I already had most of the weight from my daughter who I had given birth to 8 weeks before I had my Mirena was put in...
  • icyeyes317
    icyeyes317 Posts: 226 Member
    I've had this Mirena for 3.5 years. This is my third. I've been researching the Mirena/weight gain correlation, but have not found a concrete study that proves or disproves it. I highly doubt my personal weight struggle is linked, more likely that it is because of a nerve issue I have.

    If you are already having weight issues, you may want to re-think the birth control you have. There are plenty of other options to try. The side effect of most of them, though, is weight gain. =(
  • I have Nexplanon and have been finding it almost impossible to lose weight (I've actually put on over 10kg since it's been put in).

    I've recently rejoined MFP and started a new regime despite walking over 10km a day and eating a low carb diet.
    I have been tested for underactive thyroid and various other issues, all negative.
    My GP has suggested I have the implant removed to see if it helps.

    Good luck!
  • roflysst2
    roflysst2 Posts: 5 Member
    I've got the mirena coil, I did gain weight at first but that was my own fault and nothing to do with the coil.

    I had the copper one at first which was horrible, I got very anemic and weak, constantly bloated and in pain. Then I changed to the mirena and it's been brilliant, I bloat a bit more than usual but nothing major. (I've had the mirena for about 1.5 years now)

    *Warning* It is painful going in. I passed out while mine was put in which shocked the doctor and nurse lol :P
  • God I am such an idiot! Sorry, I had an IUD before and it was fine. Just had a Duh moment sorry guys. But still does it have the same side effects?
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    ^This.

    They work in two very different ways. The implant that you have is circulating hormones through your entire system while IUDs tend to only work locally in the uterus.
  • angiesteele
    angiesteele Posts: 366 Member
    I had Mirena for 6 months and gained 20 lbs. I also had mood swings, depression, dry skin and hair loss. Once i had it removed all my symptoms went away. I do not reccomend them at all anymore.
  • kittenful
    kittenful Posts: 318 Member
    It caused my weight gain. Not an excuse, since I hadn't changed my eating/walking habits. I gained 35 lbs within two months of having it inserted, after steadily losing all of that baby weight in the six months previous.

    I don't see it as being harder to lose, either. I've had my IUD out for 4 years, and I lost all of that excess (and then some!) within the past 6 months with MFP+exercise. It just took me a while to stop feeling sorry for myself and get motivated.
  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    I have the mirena. I'm on my second now and I love it!!

    I mostly have no bleeding whatsoever, only every couple of months for a couple of hours, yes hours! Love it! I have no bloating, no pains and certainly didn't gain weight because of it. I gained weight while having it but that was because I ate too much and moved too little! I also lost weight with it without problems.

    It's uncomfortable to put in and for the rest of the day but not incredibly painful. When I got my first one I went out on the same night and after getting the second one I moved house the same day...
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    God I am such an idiot! Sorry, I had an IUD before and it was fine. Just had a Duh moment sorry guys. But still does it have the same side effects?
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    ^This.

    They work in two very different ways. The implant that you have is circulating hormones through your entire system while IUDs tend to only work locally in the uterus.

    It really doesn't have the same side effects. I'm surprised that you didn't look into this and that your doctor didn't provide you with information prior to having this put in.

    Nexplanon side effects: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-156597-Nexplanon+Sdrm.aspx?drugid=156597&drugname=Nexplanon+Sdrm&pagenumber=6

    Under "Common Side Effects"
    Visible Water Retention
    Weight Gain
    Both of these could cause your rapid weight gain.

    Mirena side effects: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-4300-LEVONORGESTREL-RELEASING+5+YEAR+SYSTEM+-+INTRAUTERINE.aspx?drugid=20420&drugname=Mirena+IU&source=0&pagenumber=6

    ETA: I have had Mirena for 4.5 years now. The only side effect I've really had is that my period went away. I have no issue with that.
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    Mine is the Nexplanon arm implant. Not everyone puts on weight, but a percentage does and I am at the stage that I would literally remove it myself I hate it so much, but I have to wait another week to have it removed.

    Anything with hormones can cause weight gain. I got the Paraguard IUD 3 years ago, which is copper & non-hormonal, and I love it. No side effects other than heavier cramping initially, but that went away too.
  • kitticus15
    kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
    I had the mirena coil and unfortunately am one of the few that suffered badly with side effects, I gained 21lbs in 3 weeks, had to live on 800 calories a day just to maintain weight, had so many anger issues ( I actually could have hurt someone) so had it removed, all symptoms went but am struggling to lose the weight, at least now I can eat more, some of us just can't deal with extra hormones no matter how small the dose
  • SyntonicGarden
    SyntonicGarden Posts: 944 Member
    Apparently some women have no issue with these devices whereas others have horrible experiences. Some women can gain on a generic of one BC pill and lose weight on a different generic for the same brand name pill, even though the active ingredients are the same.


    This thread might be helpful. At last check, there are 300+ posts.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/329675-did-you-lose-weight-after-having-the-mirena-taken-out
  • I did look into it. i had the merina before and it was fine but the dr had great difficulty putting another in and told me that i had to get a procedure done in the hospital to have it reinserted. So i went for the arm implant instead. I knew about the side effects of the merina too and i experienced none of them. I was told that there is a percentage of women experience weight gain with the arm implant, but not all, so the only way to know was to try. Ive been on the website thank you and read up about it long before this. There are possible side effects to anyone of these, im not silly enough to just go to the dr and tell him to give me one!
    God I am such an idiot! Sorry, I had an IUD before and it was fine. Just had a Duh moment sorry guys. But still does it have the same side effects?
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    ^This.

    They work in two very different ways. The implant that you have is circulating hormones through your entire system while IUDs tend to only work locally in the uterus.

    It really doesn't have the same side effects. I'm surprised that you didn't look into this and that your doctor didn't provide you with information prior to having this put in.

    Nexplanon side effects: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-156597-Nexplanon+Sdrm.aspx?drugid=156597&drugname=Nexplanon+Sdrm&pagenumber=6

    Under "Common Side Effects"
    Visible Water Retention
    Weight Gain
    Both of these could cause your rapid weight gain.

    Mirena side effects: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-4300-LEVONORGESTREL-RELEASING+5+YEAR+SYSTEM+-+INTRAUTERINE.aspx?drugid=20420&drugname=Mirena+IU&source=0&pagenumber=6

    ETA: I have had Mirena for 4.5 years now. The only side effect I've really had is that my period went away. I have no issue with that.
  • willrun4bagels
    willrun4bagels Posts: 838 Member
    An arm implant is not an IUD (intra-uterine device). I have a mirena and have suffered no ill effects.

    Same here. Have had Mirena since April 2011 and no effect on my weight. What has had an effect was my own laziness and eating whatever I wanted. Now that I've kicked my a** back into gear since September, I am down over 20 lbs and find that the IUD is not hindering that, or anything else at all. I plan on having another one put in as soon as this one is due to come out. But everyone responds differently to it, so YMMV.
  • I use the Morina. I never had a problem. However, I'd consult your doctor. Has your diet and activity level has changed?