For the Ladies - Mirena?

raras1615

I had a Mirena put in in Jan 2010. I loved not having to think about birth control but that's about all I liked about it. It really made me pretty crazy- my husband can attest to this. I also gained about 30lbs on it, now I do realize that really the food I ate put those pounds on but I had a very hard time controling my appetite and felt like I was PMSing about 3 weeks out of the month. I started have very light periods about 20 days apart. I also felt so bloated almost to the point where I felt pregnant a few times. I finally had it taken out in December 2011. I feel so much better, now of course the weight did not come flying off (like I had hoped) but I feel more like myself. I can eat the right amount of calories and I feel like working out more often.

QueenJayJay

I did post before I read your last post, which I totally agree with. But your earlier posts strongly imply (and maybe you didn't mean to) that those of us saying we gained on Mirena just aren't working hard enough or being honest. If that's not what you meant, I apologize.

That is absolutely not what I meant. I meant that I (me, myself, and I) used LOTS of excuses before I've gotten to the point where I am. I have struggled very hard to get to where I ignore other factors, because that's just what I've figured out that I have to do, through trial and error. I was simply saying that because I've had to condition myself to this mindset in order to lose and keep it off, if my mirena had caused plateau, etc. I probably wouldn't have realized it.

grobbygru

A friend of mine gained weight while on Mirena, but it was in the form of a baby. Twice. Clearly that was not the proper form of BC for her. (Either that or her doc had inserted it wrong) I don't think she gained any weight from it prior to that little mishap, though, if that helps any.

THAT would be the worst kind of weight anyone could gain!!! Thanks for the warning - not that I use mine for that - but good to know it's a possibility - as was one of my friends tubal ligations!!!!!

I've heard several people say that if you have a normal heavy period (spotting is normal) to go have it checked, because it probably came out.

Cheers - I actually did go and get it checked on Friday anyways as it was exactly a month and that is when she said she wanted to check all was ok with it. Altho heavy (and slightly more painful) it wasn't as heavy as a natural one or one on the mini pill. This is the only reason I am on it (heavy periods) - that is the only reason I have been on any BC since I have been 14 - so I wouldn't expect mine to go away completely st8 up. Just hoping like mad.
I won't ever be needing it for BC anyways - so no real problems. Good to keep in mind though.

Thanks again

timkdodson

FYI my wife has Mirena... and during the time she has had it she has lost about 50lbs... so its not impossible to lose on Mirena. In other news, it has worked really good for us. She doesn't have a regular period anymore, which she likes. Haven't noticed any other side effects other than when she had to have it changed (she has had it for like 5 years) she was REALLY sore and spotting after having it taken out and the new one put in. Overall we give it an 8/10 for birth control!

EvelynForsyth

Thank you for your honest responses, i have been having a look on other forums and only seem to end up with horror stories about deep depression, crashed cars and massive boobs! (i appreciate not necessarily a horror story for everyone!)
It has been nice to read about how it has affected you, i know it affects people differently but i feel much more comfortable about getting it fitted and just seeing how i go with it after reading this thread.
I don't think i gained weight with the depo, i had an unhealthy lifestyle then and would have gained anyway but i do think it is difficult for me to keep weight off, i lost weight after last christmas, 24lbs to be exact, and stopped exercising during the summer and gained 14lbs of those back despite not changing my eating habits. I am looking forward to trying something different and putting my theory to the test.

badgerbadger1

As I said I am a nurse, but also used to be a birth control counsellor at a women's clinic.

To be fair, it is possible for some people to gain on mirena. It may not be the only factor, but clearly it is possible and therefore not our place to judge someone elses's experience. Like anything Mirena is very much a YMMV (your mileage may vary) product.

It IS possible to still have your period on mirena. There is no guarantee that you will stop your periods. I never lost my period, although it was significantly lighter. It is important that you check your strings regularly and if you can't feel them use a back up method until your doctor can confirm it is still in place. The most common time for your body to expel the IUD would be in the first three months, however ALWAYS check your strings at least monthly. If you're not comfortable checking your strings, get used to it or find another method of birth control, because it is that important.

I did have severe acne on it. Mine was cystic in nature and painful. I did not have serious problems with acne in the past. Sure enough, now 4 months after removal, my face is almost completely clear, and I don't get cystic acne anymore.

Anyone who suffers with severe depression should reconsider the value of a hormonal birth control method. The "local" hormones still make it into your system and could upset your balance if you struggle with this.

Mirena is NOT recommended for anyone who is not in a long term monogamous relationship. That is due to the fact that your increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease is much greater.

If you don't do well on the pill or on mirena, then depo is a really poor choice of birth control and I would suggest you look at an alternative method.

EvelynForsyth

Overall we give it an 8/10 for birth control!

:laugh:

Stacyanne324

I have had Mirena for about a year and a half and love it. I did gain about 20 pounds since having it put in but it was due to eating and drinking too much and not Mirena. Since joining MFP in November I have already taken 11 pounds back off and without too much tremendous effort. I love Mirena.

QueenJayJay

This is the only reason I am on it (heavy periods) - that is the only reason I have been on any BC since I have been 14 - so I wouldn't expect mine to go away completely st8 up. Just hoping like mad.

MFP is a SMALL world! I have PCOS and have dealt with the SAME thing! At 14, I had to go on BC because I literally had a 365 day period. It never stopped. The pills controlled it until I wanted to get pregnant. After my first child, I got the mirena. I had my first period after getting it, but now I just have spotting. Here's hoping the same happens for you!

gabbingfilly

My best friend had Mirena and not only did she gain a LOT of weight, but her horomones got all out of whack and she acted "crazy" compared to her normal self. Little things would set her off and she's definitely not the type. Once she had it taken out, she said it almost felt like instant relief. She is going to get the Nuva-ring here soon.

walkwithme1

Bump

rml_16

Thank you for your honest responses, i have been having a look on other forums and only seem to end up with horror stories about deep depression, crashed cars and massive boobs!

Yikes!

Honestly, other than the weight issue (for me), I have loved it. It cost me a $25 copay, so it's $5 a year where the pill was $10 a month. I don't have to think about it. My doc is very proactive about making sure it's in place so no accidents. My "periods" are light spotting every once in a while that don't even require a tampon and I'm not depressed or crazy or anything.

If those things were going on, I'd have it out. But I'm hoping some serious weight training might help the weight issue. If not, I guess I'm just screwed. I wish they'd just take my uterus out. I don't need it anymore. lol

just4peachy

I didn't have any issues with weight gain or acne like some of the previous posters but, I did get pregnant about 20 months after having it inserted. Pregnancy was not viable and I ended up having surgery for total sterilization.

karenwill2

It was terrible! Horrible. I had all the negative side effects. No thank you!

woodmetal

LOL I have had the Mirena for three years now! Love it! did not gain weight- that was a new man and being lazy and sloppy portion control!! I did spot for a while but have not had a period in a long time! I had a huge increase in my sex drive and would never have any other form of birth control! I did take the pill and several other methods this has been like a dream come true! insert and forget!!

ninpiggy

I'm much more concerned about acne than weight gain. I already have hormonal cystic acne so I have been too afraid to get the Mirena for fear that it will become much worse. Sucks having acne.

emy10284

i had Mirena for over 2 years i was so afraid to have it put in becasue someone told me it was so painful .... yeah ...no .. barely felt anything . i didn't gain at all and once i started to actively try to lose wight i did awesome . i stopped having periods about about a month or two after. the only reason i dont still have it is i sustained a injury which caused it dislodge and am currently going to get another form of BC . all in all i loved it but everyone is different

grobbygru

I had mine in for the full five years. I just got it taken out in October. Due to complications with my insurance not covering most of the procedure I had to opt for the pill. I miss Mirena badly. I had no side effects other than light or missed periods. No weight gain, no headaches, etc. I do know a couple people who had PID who had complications with it. If you have multiple sex partners there's a good chance you'll get infections easily. I had no problems with mine what so ever. Best birth control on the market if you ask me. As soon as the health care section on birth control goes into effect in 2013 I'm having mine reinserted.

How much does it cost wherever you are? I had to pay 33 bucks for the actual mirena and that was it - 4 appointments with Dr - all at no cost. Couldn't be happier with that aspect also. No buying the pill every 4 months for $33 a pop!!!

badgerbadger1

I didn't have any issues with weight gain or acne like some of the previous posters but, I did get pregnant about 20 months after having it inserted. Pregnancy was not viable and I ended up having surgery for total sterilization.

This is awful. I'm sorry that you had to go through this

badgerbadger1

I'm much more concerned about acne than weight gain. I already have hormonal cystic acne so I have been too afraid to get the Mirena for fear that it will become much worse. Sucks having acne.

Go with the paraguard/copper or variant. It doesn't have hormones.

grobbygru

A good friend of mine is pregnant and had an IUD. They could not remove it for some reason. The baby is alive and well though. With 3 kids that story scared the crap out of me!!

I would assume that would lead to miscarriage - they can't break the sac and plug in the cervix unless the baby would just come away wouldn't it?

carolthegreat1

This is a question that I've asked my trainer multiple times.. I have had Mirena for about 4 yrs. I lost 60 pounds while I was pregnant.. (was bigger when I conceived); I gained weight back pretty rapidly.

I'm finding it difficult to lose weight now even though i'm clean eating AND exercising at least 5 days a week.

Have there been any reports of weight gain with Mirena and weight loss once removed?

nursestewart

Just a fun tidbit. If you have the paragard IUD (hormone free one) it is good for 10 years in the U.S. but good for 12 years in Europe. Interesting, No ?

hnsaunde

I have had my Mirena since March 2010, and I had some pretty nasty side effects at the beginning, but now I love it. I haven't had a period in months, and once the initial spotting started to clear up it's been great. I didn't notice any weight gain or loss when I got it inserted, but I started losing weight in August of 2010 and I have lost almost 70 pounds since then, so I can't say that it affected/didn't affect my weight loss. I don't think it made it any harder, as I lost the first 50 pounds within 6 months. After that I plateaued for about 3-4 months, and then once I switched up my cardio/strength training routine, the weight started to drop again. In my experience, Mirena didn't really affect anything that I noticed. This is just my experience though, everyone is different.

JustTracyB

I had one when we were between children. Can't say that I gained weight or not as I was obese already and had a very poor diet. It was uncomfortable to insert. I was extra creamy for a couple days, but then did not feel it at all. My periods went from regular to light to non existent. I was a bit *****y, but I can't pin that particularly on the mirena. My husband will say different. Lol.

I was sterilized after my second child to I don't need that type of birth control anymore. I now have very heavy abnormal periods and it's an option my doctor brought up to help that, but at this stage in life, I don't know that I want to deal with the hormone issue. I am afraid that I would gain weight. I am trying to lose and trying to eat fit, but if my appetite is stimulated, I can't guarantee myself that I can control it. the thought of no periods again is very tempting though! I do have other options for my particular issue though.

Good luck with your decision.

QueenJayJay

I'm much more concerned about acne than weight gain. I already have hormonal cystic acne so I have been too afraid to get the Mirena for fear that it will become much worse. Sucks having acne.

So did I...mine cleared up after I got my mirena.

QueenJayJay

double post

hnsaunde

I have had my Mirena since March 2010, and I had some pretty nasty side effects at the beginning, but now I love it. I haven't had a period in months, and once the initial spotting started to clear up it's been great. I didn't notice any weight gain or loss when I got it inserted, but I started losing weight in August of 2010 and I have lost almost 70 pounds since then, so I can't say that it affected/didn't affect my weight loss. I don't think it made it any harder, as I lost the first 50 pounds within 6 months. After that I plateaued for about 3-4 months, and then once I switched up my cardio/strength training routine, the weight started to drop again. In my experience, Mirena didn't really affect anything that I noticed. This is just my experience though, everyone is different.

I should add on here that I haven't had kids, and I almost fainted when the obgyn grabbed the cervix (although he warned me this might happen), and was dizzy afterwards for about 20 minutes. It was not a pleasant experience, but was well worth it.

carolthegreat1

I haven't had a period in almost 3 yrs... at first was spotty, but I haven't had one drop in 3 yrs.. not sure how safe that is, but I LOVE IT!!! No problems with vacations... etc..

walkwithme1

I have had mine since August. It was uncomfortable, felt like bad cramps but not painful to have it put in. I had spotting for about 6 weeks and haven't had a period since. Maybe just 3 or 4 random days of spotting. I haven't had any weight gain and have had absolutely no problems with the hormones. (this one contains progesterone)