Who has a Mirena?

caitlinsmum

I had my Mirena inserted about 7 months ago. The insertion wasn't fun, but I survived :ohwell: I now very rarely have periods and if I do it is vey light and much less painful than before. I have lost 48 lbs since just before I had it fitted. I won't say it was due to the Mirena, because I have made significant changes to what I eat and the amount I exercise, but I don't think the Mirena slowed my weightloss down either. The only thing I do find a bit odd is that I still get PMS like symptoms (not as severe as before) but then don't get a period - it might even be my imagination ...perhaps I should track it and see if tere is a pattern... :huh:

ales1979

Again, thankyou so much everyone for writing your experiences!

I'm so sorry for those of you that have had awful experiences with this method of contraception and a special thanks goes to you for sharing this with us all. It means a lot and I'm sure will not only help me out in my decision, but also anyone else who has wondered about this bc method.

love to you all
Ales xx

angie_roo

I've had Mirena for four years. Before I ever took birth control I had fairly painful cramps. Nothing to stop me from functioning though. Birth control got rid of those. When I got Mirena, they came back, but more as a sharp stabbing pain and not lasting for very long. Better over all. For me, my period stopped being regular like it was with the pill and became kind of irregular (I was often a week late). I did gain some weight but I'm not sure if it was related to Mirena or changes in my eating habits over all. My period did lighten over a year to the point now where I only need a liner now. That's a nice change!
Because the gyno cut my strings too short, I have to get an ultrasound once a year to make sure everything is properly in place.

Oh I have not given birth and I didn't find Mirena painful to get inserted. I took a couple of extra strength advil beforehand as I read lots of recommendations to do so.

jw17695

I got it today so I'm no help.

jalapenos

I'm on the second round of Mirena. I got one in 2004 then the next on 2009. As far as the insertion, well let me just say that I have had 3 c-sections so my cervix has never been stretched as in a vaginal delivery which makes it a little more painful, but not intolerable. I have had some very light spotting the first couple months but nothing after that. My DH never complains or feels the "fishing" wire but you do need to check that often so you know it's still there and didn't go back into your uterus. Prior to Mirena, I used to have short periods but I had crazy painful cramps. It all stopped! no cramps! yay! I can say that the weight I gained was from poor food choices because I did lose weight before but then the twinkies found me! lol Just my experience. :drinker:

ishtar163

I got a Mirena placed at my 6 week postpartum visit to my midwife after the birth of my third child. I thought it was great for a long time...no period, no worries, no nothing. Unfortunately, I actually WAS having side effects, I just didn't know the were Mirena-related until everything else was ruled out. I was angry ALL the time (and I'm not an angry person ever normally), to the point that I found myself screaming at almost anyone who spoke to me. Additionally, I was growing facial hair and having a lot of trouble losing weight. I didn't connect the dots because I generally GAIN weight on hormonal birth control, and I hadn't this time, so I thought I was sympton-free. I was tipped off when I decided to do some searching about my anger problem because the hubby told me that he didn't want to be around me anymore and I was going to ruin the children. Also, I had been wondering why I had been very careful about my diet and exercise routine (controlled calorie and carb, plus half-marathon training) for over six months and had only lost a net of about ten pounds (normally I lose weight pretty easily). So anyway, I did some scavenging and found that these ARE sometimes side effects of the Mirena, so I had it taken out yesterday, after having it for just short of two years. I had never been fond of hormonal birth control, but everyone had convinced me that it was so great so I tried it. At any rate, I already feel better, and can't wait for my normal hormones to regulate so I can get back to my normal, happy self again.

On a side note, I truly believe that hormones affect everyone differently, so just as everyone has slightly different pregnancy symptoms, so too will everyone have a slightly different experience with a given BC method. Some people have every imaginable issue, and some people have none at all. While it's useful to see what range of experiences people have, it really doesn't mean that you will experience all or any of what anyone else did. Sooo, don't let the bad testimonies dissuade you if you really want it, and don't let the good ones convince you that you couldn't possibly have issues yourself. Whatever you decide, good luck!

ales1979

thank you all so much for your posts!!

I'm gonna give the mirena a go and if it doesn't settle/ I don't like it, then I can always have it removed.

I've not had any children, who else here has had it put in without having any kids and was it more painful than shall we say, having a piercing or a tattoo done? ( have both and didn't really think they were horrendously painful tbh. perhaps only for a few seconds with the piercings)

xx

suzycreamcheese

Ive had various IUD/IUS devices over the last 15 years, excluding the times ive had my children.
With the mirena i found i gained weight on it, but apart from that it was fine. Not nearly as many problems as with most hormonal contraception, which i just cant be doing with.

I now have a copper IUD which i much prefer. I hate artifical hormones. Havent had any bad side effects from it, hasnt affected my periods at all really, and no dulling of moods and depression and libido problems like most hormonal contraception causes to some extent