IUS MIRENA COIL - WEIGHT GAIN

CherryIceGlitter

Ladies,

I want to know if any of you have or have had the IUS Mirena Coil fitted and if so has it made you gain weight OR do you beleiv this is making it difficult for you to lose weight?

As I have no need for any contraception I am considering in having mine removed as I truly believe this has been the cause of my initial weight gain.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

Nikki

emaggied

I've got one - put on a stone and a half. But, whether that's because I was living a chaotic life with three kids under four, or because of the coil, dunno.

But, there are a number of women at our school gate who are SURE they put on weight and were unable to lose it until they got the wee bit of barbed wire out...

Am getting mine out next month. If I don't immediately lose a stone and a half I shall be rather cross!

Will be interested to see what others find, the science says there isn't a weight gain side effect - but my *kitten* says otherwise.

Laoch_Cailin

I had this put in a while ago, I didn't find any problems with the weight side of it, haven't gained any weight, but have had loads of break through bleeding and my hormones lately have been all over the place. Anyone feeling this way?!

traceycm1

Will be interested to see what others find, the science says there isn't a weight gain side effect - but my *kitten* says otherwise.

The 20 pounds of flab I'm carrying in my stomach say otherwise too!

MamaVeronicaWorksOut

I don't have my Mirena any more, however when I *DID* have it, my side effects were:

Heavier periods
Longer periods
Ridiculous amount of acne
Abdominal pain
Constantly feeling bloated
**Unable to lose weight!

I had been active prior to getting the Mirena, and did my hardest to stay active after it was placed. I was not AS active as before, but not horrible, either. I wasn't able to shed any weight. And after about a year, I did start gaining weight. (But that's also when laziness kicked in..)

My Mirena was place in July 2008, and I had it removed in October 2010.

mixedfeelings

I'm not fully sure of the differences between the two but I've had a IUD Mirena coil inserted to help with my heavy menstruation.

I've not noticed any weight gain but at first my periods were still all over the shop although they seem to have calmed down a bit although can still be quite heavy, I've had it for seven months so hopefully things will calm down soon. I'm still getting mid cycle cramps though and similar cramps from exercising.

No weight gain though, or if there was it would have been quite insignificant.


ETA - The weight loss shown on my ticker has been lost since having it inserted, I had it back in October and I started tracking my diet and weight this January.

OneLostSock

I had gotten to target weight with slimming world. Stayed at target for a year and was continuing with classes. Then i had it fitted. and then things got worse - the gain was slight but 2 stone later, i finally gave up SW, had it removed and now fighting to get to target again - and blimmin heck, it is harder second time around!!

sarafil

Generally speaking, the Mirena does not make you gain weight. What makes you gain weight with Mirena is that progesterone can stimulate appetitie, so women eat more....therefore causing weight gain. So if you are careful about what you are eating, it should be fine. Irregular bleeding is a very common side effect with Mirena, and it can last for several months. It is a side effect that a lot of women just have to get through, but once you do, periods generally get very light, and for a lot of women, disappear all together.

CherryIceGlitter

Hi all,

Thanks a million for the response. I have decided that at least whilst I am single and have no need for any kind of contraception I am going to go ahead and have it removed.

I must stress that as well as the weight gain I have become tired, my iron levels are low and my PMT is off the wall.. I swear I am borderline bipolar and thats not even said in jest!

I shall keep you all updated with how it goes over the next few months.

Still interested to hear other ladies experiences with this also xxx

dc_smile2002

I had Mirena for one year. During that year I gained 18 pounds,had terrible mood swings, felt bloated all the time. After have Mirena removed my husband said "My wife is back". I was happpieeer, the mood swings were gone and I am finally starting to lose weight (SLOWLY). I higly recomend getting rid of that thing.

emaggied

Ah, mood swings...

I saw my GP afer my husband had been secretly tracking my cazy behaviour to prove to me that there was a pattern to it (and not just that he was an *kitten* and it was All His Fault) Must admit, was quite embarrassed, I had no idea until he showed me the chart, I genuinely thought it was All His Fault.

GP stuck me on low dose fluoxetine (prozac) for three months, and winhin a fortnight I noticed a difference. I still have mood swings, but not as bad - I no longer think about smothering my husband in the night because it is All His Fault.

I now take it for the two weeks up to my period and off the other two weeks. Which was fine, until my periods went a bit skewy 6 months ago and there's now no pattern to them.
I

I'vehad the coil for nearly 4 years, and it's been good in that I haven't fallen pregnant and haven't had to think about contraception. So, I wouldn't put anyone else off having one - but I'm not replacing it.

What to do instead though? Though, it turns out, behaving like a lunatic one week a month is quite effective contraception...!

jeanette3181

Just found this post, recently had coil fitted for heavy and irregular periods, noticed on forums that people have gained weight when coil was fitted. I needed to lose weight any way and so far been doing fitness pal for 50 days and so far has lost 11 pounds! Not sure if it would be easier or quicker to lose the weight if I didn't have the coil though, periods are still very irregular getting quite a bit of abdominal pain too but no way as heavy. They did find that I had an ovarian cyst before they put the coil in so awaiting on results of another scan to see if it is still there! Hoping things will settle down a bit more though.

fittiephd

I don't have the coil.. but I have the Mirena IUD, and I did gain weight after I got it, but it's hard to tell if it was because of the IUD or just that time in my life I was barely sleeping (was pledging a sorority), eating mostly takeout food, and also was around the age that every woman in my family has started to gain weight (I think that's when our metabolisms slow down as we hit age 20/21). AND I was drinking a lot... and not working out or caring about what I ate. So I really don't think it was the IUD's fault.

More importantly, since I've tried to eat healthy and exercise, I have had absolutely no trouble losing weight.

ETA: I have had no other side effects from my IUD and even better, I don't have a period while I'm on it! I do still have a week where I hve cravings/am more sensitive, but no menstruating. So it's literally the best thing I've ever done. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my IUD

ilikepandasyay

Haven't really noticed any weight gain. Hard time losing but I think that's a bunch of other factors and not mirena.

This is the best BC I've ever been on. Had it nearly three years, only had spotting and periods for a few months after insertion. Now I get a day of super light spotting every few months.

aairs1

I have had my mirena IUD for about 3 months. So far I love that I am not having a period, just a little spotting when I first had it placed. I am having trouble losing weight though. I am not sure if it is from the IUD or if it's something else. I just had my son 4 months ago so maybe it's just from having a baby.

HurricaneElaine

I had the Mirena in for longer than the usual span of 5 years - it was probably a little over six.... It diminished my extremely painful monthlies to nothing, and the one ovarian cyst they detected just dissipated. I think the lingering effects are making my 'ease' into menopause a bit smoother. I haven't had hot flashes or mood swings.

martinederry

Hi ladies since having the mirena fitted
I've have gained weight approx 1 stone .
I feel bloated & my breasts are like I'm 6 months pregnant .
I have disturbed sleep , mood swings and feel quite low .
I'm so glad I found this forum as I thought it was just me.
I'm going to have it removed as soon as I can !!!

chooriyah

I've had one for three years and have had no problem at all - I love it. I wish I had got it 10 years ago.

Sorry to hear others are having problems ):

chellebublz

I don't buy that the only reason you gain weight is because the hormones stimulate your appetite. I gained 20 pounds after it was inserted on a healthy diet and exercise. I have since lost 18 of them, but it is harder than it ever was before to lose weight, a huge struggle! And it killed my sex drive. I am thinking about having it removed but there is really no hormone free alternative. So I need to keep it in until I decide if I'm ready for a tubal.

hezmummy

Hi all, Im not a user of this site but have signed up just to offer some help, as your posts helped me decide to have the mirena coil removed 3 days ago. My background is...I am 32 and had coil put in 4 yrs ago after birth of my 2nd child. In honesty, I've loved it...I had no side effects, and didn't really notice a problem with losing weight for the first few years...I'm really quite active, watch what I eat (to a point!) and am fairly slim build. However the last year and a half I've really been struggling to maintain weight rather than lose....and when I say struggle....I've been eating 1500 calories or less a few days a week, living a VERY active life with at least one fairly intensive exercise session a week...and yet my weight has remained static or threatened to rise. it has never even occurred to me that mirena would have anything to do with it. However I've been thinking... right I have to get this sorted and lose a few pounds, so I started 30 day shred...have been doing it properly and eating well for 2 weeks, and NOTHING...weight exactly the same. I laughed out loud when I weighed myself on Tuesday, its just ridiculous. Anyway, don't know what made me Google mirena but I saw all the posts and thought I bet there's something in that, and was due to have it out anyway, so had it done on Thursday.

So get this, and remember that I have weighed 11st 2 for 1 + years....Friday morning 10 st 12. This morning 10 st 10.

Im guessing its water retention or something, well actually I have no idea at all, other than that I feel exactly the same as I did 3 days ago, no period yet, no other symptoms. And like I say, I loved the coil. But my word, I am gobsmacked as to the time and effort I have spent trying to lose weight, when I'm guessing my body just wouldn't let me when the coil was in.

Good luck all of the rest of you, and hope u figure out what's best for you...well aware one size doesn't fit all.

Godbless x

Sabine_Stroehm

I gained. BECAUSE OF THE MIRENA. I know this.
I had it removed.
Best decision I ever made.
I don't believe it affects everyone the same, and I don't believe for a moment that the hormones stay "localized".

Sabine_Stroehm

Hi ladies since having the mirena fitted
I've have gained weight approx 1 stone .
I feel bloated & my breasts are like I'm 6 months pregnant .
I have disturbed sleep , mood swings and feel quite low .
I'm so glad I found this forum as I thought it was just me.
I'm going to have it removed as soon as I can !!!

Given all your symptoms: PLEASE consider getting some bio-identical progesterone for the transition. I suspect you're going to have a CRASH. A hormone crash. If you find that you're insanely depressed, and crying for no reason a few days after removing it: it will get better.

sharonavola

Not sure I agree with what you have said, prior to my mirena being fitted i hovered between 10st 10 and 11, now I have been gaining weight it seems by the week! I am on strict 1200 - 1400 calorie diet I eat very heathly. I go to the gym 5 times a week and also play hockey. Now you may say there are some people that go to the gym to chat I am far from that I work my *kitten* off where I am sweating buckets. I have just had a health check with blood tests so either my thyroid has become underactive or its the coil! I will keep you upto date with what I find out.

mgormangrant

I've the mirena coil in four and half years I've constantly been struggling trying to lose weight. I've put on over one and half stone in that time and despite running five times a week in the last month I have not lost a single ounce. I'm now convinced the coil has slowed down my metabolism and is hindering weight loss . I'm caught between a rock and a hard place because I love the safety if it the lack of periods and the fact that I don't have to remember to take a pill but I really want it out if its affecting weight loss .

carolyn0613

I did ask my GP this question when I had mine redone recently. SHe said that the evidence was that weight gain was not associated with Mirena. She did add though, as someone else has mentioned, that it can change your appetite initially so if you don't watch what you eat you can gain weight.

I've been ok so far, having lost a couple of pounds since then but, as we know, everyone reacts differently. Keep in mind that even if you have been ok first time, you could be affected differently if you get it replaced.

tekhipee

I got the mirena 6 weeks after my son was born in 2010. Within months, I was in a dark dark place. Could have been post partum so I went on zoloft. It helped but made me a zombie. I finally weened myself off a year later. But during that time, the bottom of my feet were painful when standing up from sitting, anxiety, muscle spasms, fatigue etc etc. I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

I was able to lose my the 35 lbs gained while pregnant but sat at 200-204 for the last 3.5 years.

I eat somewhat healthy with exercise (roller derby 2-3x week) but pretty inactive at my desk job and exhausted. Never lost weight. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired that I figured getting the mirena out might make me feel better as I have found that I am very sensitive to medications while trying to find something that makes me feel better.

I don't feel any better but I lost 7 lbs in 20 days without changing my normal routine. (except this last weekend, i did nothing, ate bad, and gained a pound or two or retaining water).

I haven't weight this less in over 4 years. even if its by a couple pounds.


or lets not forget about the mirena stomach pooch. Its defiitely not sticking out/swollen like it used to be.

EvilDave14

I had a coil fitted a week ago to help with heavy periods, so I will see how it goes.

Jenneth79

I had the Mirena IUD inserted in August of 2010, by December I had gained almost 60 lbs and was severely depressed. By the following fall I was put on disability and over the next 2 years gained an additional 80 lbs. Nothing seemed to work, and I mean nothing, but we didn't know that i was having an adverse reaction to the IUD. My doctor, who had been treating me for years, suggests I have it removed and within 90 days I was medication free, had lost 15lbs and felt FANTASTIC. It is not for everyone and while my symptoms are extreme, an inability to lose weight can be correlated to the hormones in mirenna. Most women will not gain weight as a result of hormones in brith control but it doesn't mean you can't. I cannot use any form of contraceptive with a hormone. I respond very poorly, but I would be considered and outlier. If you have noticed a changed I how your body responds while on birth control with hormones I'd suggest looking into alternatives.

superspurs75

I'm so glad I found this have been following the fitness pal for 6 weeks and have been going to the gym and not lost 1 pound! I have the mirena coil to keep my endo at bay. I thought I was going mad not loosing any weight I think I should if lost something by now! But maybe that could be the reason ?

joyfuljoy65

I had one for 18mths about 2 years ago...... til I got such a bad PID that I was hospitalised and had it removed. I had 4 or 5 bad infections with it....... not a single one before or after. So although it helped with the heavy periods (though didnt stop them) I will never have another; my body obviously hated it. And thinking back, yes I did put on a stone at the same time but didn't connect the two.....just thought it was par for the course!

danniclements

Hi Ladies,

I signed up to this after doing some research on the Merina coil and came across all of your posts about the coil and weight gain.

My reason for researching is that I am adamant the coil is largely responsible for my weight gain. I'm 30 years old and I have had 2 types of coil during the last 5 years, the copper and the merina. The copper didn't help my periods in the slightest. I was tested for various conditions due to the problems I was having, but my GP determined that I should have the merina fitted to stop my periods altogether.

This has worked however, since then I've put on almost 2 stone. I struggle to lose weight anyway, but since having either type of coil I have found it very difficult to lose weight. I eat relatively sensibly and I exercise when I can, but despite this my weight has gone up and up.

My symptoms are:
Weight gain
Bad mood swings
Nausea
Tiredness
Acne
Low sex drive and
Abdominal pain/swelling.

Interestingly, this website http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex-and-relationships/medicines/mirena.html states that weight gain is a common symptom of the coil. Mine also slips quite often, causing a lot of pain when it does so.

After reading all of your posts I am more adamant that the coil is responsible for my weight gain. I am getting married in March and, as I only have 5 weeks to go, I doubt I will have it removed before my wedding. I will however get it removed later on that month and I will keep you informed, to prove whether our suspicions are correct!

Thanks for the advice and experiences you have all left, good luck with whatever you decide to do! x