Mirena/IUD problems

Nickih85
Nickih85 Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello! I need some advice! After getting Mirena inserted in April of this year, I have found it IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight! In the beginning of the year, I started out at 165 lbs. Mainly due to my own eating habits and being burned out on dieting, my weight rose to about 180 by the time I had Mirena inserted. I don't feel like it caused me to gain weight (I'm still at 180-ish), but now that I'm serious and back on track with my fitness, the pounds won't come off. I know that I am able lose weight because I lost nearly 50 lbs before falling off the wagon a bit this year, and I know how to lose weight properly. Yet for the past 3 months, I've been eating healthy, limiting myself to a 1200 calorie/day diet, and working out 3 or 4 times a week, but since the Mirena was inserted, my weight holds steady at 181 lbs every single time I step on the scale. EVERY TIME! FOR THREE MONTHS! It's as though all my efforts are worthless. I never had any issues like this before Mirena.

After doing some research and finding that this isn't uncommon with Mirena, I'm considering having it removed and using Paragard instead. It seems that with other women, the ability to lose weight normally returned after removing Mirena. And maybe Paragard would be a better option for me since it's non-hormonal.

But here's my huge concern. I'm scared that with Paragard, I still won't be able to lose weight. Is the inability to lose weight just the nature of all IUDs? Or is it the hormone in Mirena that's the problem?

So, have any of you had similar experiences? If so, did you change to a non-hormonal IUD? And what was the result? Did you regain your ability to lose weight?

And for those who have only used Paragard, do you have any issues losing weight? I don't want to change out one problem for the exact same problem. Thanks so much for the advice! I really appreciate it!

Replies

  • jsmith2377
    jsmith2377 Posts: 208 Member
    i can't do Mirena because the hormones seriously play with my system (horrible acne, weight gain). So, I had Paragard put in at the end of July. I've lost 12 pounds since then. I haven't been trying very hard either.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Your doctor would probably be a better source of information.
  • Graceious1
    Graceious1 Posts: 716 Member
    I had a Mirena fitted in May and I am happily losing weight and toning up. My body shape has changed and it hasn't affected me at all. I have lost 7lb since coming on here at the end of August.
  • lroberts5
    lroberts5 Posts: 26
    I've never had Mirena, but I had Paragard put in 2 mo ago and it's like nothing is even there. I've seen no difference in my ability to lose weight than before. I am loving the Paragard. Good luck in whatever you choose.
  • T34418l3angel
    T34418l3angel Posts: 474 Member
    I'm on my fifth year of mirena and am scheduled to change it out and get a new one next week. I haven't had any negative side effects. but since it does have an affect on your hormones I think everyone reacts different. I say discuss this with your doctor and see what they think.
  • gabriellejayde
    gabriellejayde Posts: 607 Member
    I've had the mirena for a few years and not having trouble losing weight at all. I've lost 29lbs in around 9 or 10 weeks.
  • tuffwen
    tuffwen Posts: 1
    Be honest with your intake of food. Nibbling can mess you up. I found that bananas have to be cut from my diet. The last time I stopped losing I was eating too much cheese. Also, remember liqour can have an adverse affect on your weight loss.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    I would rule out other problems with your doctor before having your Mirena removed.

    Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are not typical side effects of Mirena and eating at such a large deficit should at least partially offset that.

    So, if you're stuck, I would do 2 things, 1. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment to rule out other causes such as thyroid issues. Print off recent diary entries to bring with. 2. Get a food scale and weigh everything you eat. It's very possible to be under-estimating your food intake without even knowing it.

    ETA: I've had Mirena for almost 4 years and have not had any difficulty losing weight with it.
  • LisaGirlfriend
    LisaGirlfriend Posts: 493 Member
    I've had the Mirena for 3 years and lost 28 pounds when I first got it no problem. I don't think it's the Mirena.

    Have you thought that maybe you're restricting your calories too much and have slowed your metabolism down? That's what happened to me eating 1200 calories a day and working out like a crazy woman! I've since found the 'eat more to lose weight' forum on this site and it is changing my life. I'd check there first before getting your birth control removed. Use the search function above and read away...
  • Nickih85
    Nickih85 Posts: 8
    I've got an appointment with the doctor in mid-November to check this issue out. I agree that it would be a good idea to do some tests and rule out any other issues such as hypothyroidism or other hormonal imbalances. Yet, it just seems like an unlikely coincidence that I developed a separate, unrelated issue at the same time I had the Mirena inserted.

    It's just frustrating and disheartening to see all my efforts yield no results, especially since I lost 50 lbs doing exactly what I'm doing now before this problem arose, whatever the problem may be.
  • Nickih85
    Nickih85 Posts: 8
    That's good advice :) While I do believe that in 3 months something should have happened, instead of maintaining a status quo, being better at logging and weighing everything I eat may help to shed some light on this issue. Thanks!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Mirena caused a 25-pound (by the time it was done) weight gain for me and it would NOT come off. Within two weeks of having it out, I was losing again.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    An FYI to those who insist Mirena won't cause this problem because it didn't happen to YOU, the Mirena website lists weight gain as a side effect for a small percentage of users.

    Just because it didn't happen TO YOU doesn't mean it doesn't happen to other women.
  • Nickih85
    Nickih85 Posts: 8
    It seems like those who have replied have had pretty diverse experiences with Mirena. Everyone's advice to rule out other causes is definitely appreciated, and I'll be doing that. This is all just so baffling to me since I've never had problems losing weight in the past, once I put forth the effort. I just gotta figure this out!
  • FitnessPalWorks
    FitnessPalWorks Posts: 1,128 Member
    Hello! I need some advice! After getting Mirena inserted in April of this year, I have found it IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight! In the beginning of the year, I started out at 165 lbs. Mainly due to my own eating habits and being burned out on dieting, my weight rose to about 180 by the time I had Mirena inserted. I don't feel like it caused me to gain weight (I'm still at 180-ish), but now that I'm serious and back on track with my fitness, the pounds won't come off. I know that I am able lose weight because I lost nearly 50 lbs before falling off the wagon a bit this year, and I know how to lose weight properly. Yet for the past 3 months, I've been eating healthy, limiting myself to a 1200 calorie/day diet, and working out 3 or 4 times a week, but since the Mirena was inserted, my weight holds steady at 181 lbs every single time I step on the scale. EVERY TIME! FOR THREE MONTHS! It's as though all my efforts are worthless. I never had any issues like this before Mirena.

    After doing some research and finding that this isn't uncommon with Mirena, I'm considering having it removed and using Paragard instead. It seems that with other women, the ability to lose weight normally returned after removing Mirena. And maybe Paragard would be a better option for me since it's non-hormonal.

    But here's my huge concern. I'm scared that with Paragard, I still won't be able to lose weight. Is the inability to lose weight just the nature of all IUDs? Or is it the hormone in Mirena that's the problem?

    So, have any of you had similar experiences? If so, did you change to a non-hormonal IUD? And what was the result? Did you regain your ability to lose weight?

    And for those who have only used Paragard, do you have any issues losing weight? I don't want to change out one problem for the exact same problem. Thanks so much for the advice! I really appreciate it!


    Mirena is Satan wrapped in a cute plastic device. Get that thing out of you. Do a search on "Mirena Complaints"... there used to be a site that had THOUSANDS of women that had posted their problems. For me it caused acne that I NEVER had before, SEVERE fatigue and muscle fatigue, you name it. It was awful.

    Within 24 hours of having that horrible thing removed, I began to feel better. It was near instantaneous... but it did take my body several months to return to "normal"....
  • redheaddee
    redheaddee Posts: 2,005 Member
    Praguard has no homones, which is why I chose it and I LOVELOVELOVE it!!! I feel like I am myself for the first time since being on birth control...20 years (sheesh)
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Praguard has no homones, which is why I chose it and I LOVELOVELOVE it!!! I feel like I am myself for the first time since being on birth control...20 years (sheesh)

    The problem with Paraguard is it makes periods heavier, especially if you're prone (I am) to heavy periods to begin with. It isn't an option for everyone. It's why I chose Mirena.

    But I'm done having babies, so on Friday they're tying the tubes and doing an endometrial ablation to deal with the heavy periods. Until then, I'm on the pill again.
  • m_shuman
    m_shuman Posts: 179
    I have mirena and I have lost 20 Lbs since last November. I also was eating 1200 calories and hit a plateau. I increased my calorie intake and I am losing again.
  • ce_newjourney
    ce_newjourney Posts: 3
    Mirena is the worst thing that ever happened to me. I was in probably the best shape of my life when I decided to try it. With or without working out and keeping my regular diet of no more than 1,200 calories, I put on weight consistently ( about a pound a week) for the 6 months I had it, I went from 137-140 to 165. In addition, my mood swings were just horrendous and my sex life became no existent. I had no desire to have it. I got it out, quickly lost 12 pounds but the rest has been very slow and hard to lose. It'd probably help if I could work out as much as I used to, but I can tell my body is not responding like it used to.

    Definitely a before and after Mirena, and not for the best.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    I looked into the complaints about Mirena after I bled for three months straight and had horrid mood swings. However, giving it a chance, now I'm 9-10 months in with absolutely no side-effects and I've lost over 30lbs since then too.

    I'd talk with your OB/GYN about it and see what they can suggest.
  • Graceious1
    Graceious1 Posts: 716 Member
    If whatever you are doing isn't working do something else. It may be that your body needs a different type of challenge.
  • heykaraoke
    heykaraoke Posts: 191 Member
    I agree that your doctor would be the best source for answers to your questions.

    I've had Mirena for over a year now. I didn't gain any weight, and I joined mfp over the summer and have not had trouble losing weight. I think the hormones will affect everyone differently.
  • Loro1981
    Loro1981 Posts: 1
    I'm interested to read everyone's responses to this. As somone has already said - mirena contains hormones, so it will be different for everyone. I had it put in, not as a form of birth control, but to try & stop the bleeding I'd had contantly for the 2 yrs following the birth of my last child.
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 12mths after having my last child, then 12 mths after that (when my son was nearly 2) I had the mirena put in (to try & stop the bleeding, as oral meds weren't working). I still bled for 18mths after that, but I haven't been able to lose weight since. In fact, if I weigh myself at the same time each day (I know that's not meant to be 'right' but my Dr suggested it 'for interests sake'), I can have a difference of up to 8kg from one day to the next.... Might be time to go & have a better look at the Mirena side effects I think. Because it eventually stopped the bleeding, THAT outweighed (pardon the pun) everything else at that point in time!!
  • wildcelticrose
    wildcelticrose Posts: 40 Member

    But I'm done having babies, so on Friday they're tying the tubes and doing an endometrial ablation to deal with the heavy periods. Until then, I'm on the pill again.

    Yes! THIS!

    I realize this isn't for everyone (ie; those who want to have children) but for me at, 50 the ablation and tubal ligation have been the best things I ever did for myself.

    Hormones are tricky tricky things...
  • Nickih85
    Nickih85 Posts: 8
    The problem with Paraguard is it makes periods heavier, especially if you're prone (I am) to heavy periods to begin with. It isn't an option for everyone. It's why I chose Mirena.

    But I'm done having babies, so on Friday they're tying the tubes and doing an endometrial ablation to deal with the heavy periods. Until then, I'm on the pill again.

    I certainly haven't decided yet to switch to a different IUD since I'd like to rule out other causes first. (Though it does seem like a strange coincidence that I stopped being able to lose weight almost immediately after getting Mirena with progesterone.....) But if I do choose to remove Mirena and get Paragard, I'd much rather deal with heavier periods that this weight issue! For me, it would be so much easier dealing with having mega-periods once a month than being discouraged every time I look in the mirror.
  • amanda_ataraxia
    amanda_ataraxia Posts: 400 Member
    Mirena has a bad reputation, but it is a very popular form of birth control. You are bound to hear negatives.

    I have had mine since July 2010 and I have had no issues. I have lost 35lbs since March. And I have lost all 50lbs that you see in my ticker with it in.
  • _SASX_
    _SASX_ Posts: 255 Member
    I've had my IUD since 2007. I'm almost due to get my Mirena replaced and have lost 90 pounds in the last 3 years. It can be done, but it's different for everyone. Good luck with your decision. I'd talk to the doctor about it.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    The problem with Paraguard is it makes periods heavier, especially if you're prone (I am) to heavy periods to begin with. It isn't an option for everyone. It's why I chose Mirena.

    But I'm done having babies, so on Friday they're tying the tubes and doing an endometrial ablation to deal with the heavy periods. Until then, I'm on the pill again.

    I certainly haven't decided yet to switch to a different IUD since I'd like to rule out other causes first. (Though it does seem like a strange coincidence that I stopped being able to lose weight almost immediately after getting Mirena with progesterone.....) But if I do choose to remove Mirena and get Paragard, I'd much rather deal with heavier periods that this weight issue! For me, it would be so much easier dealing with having mega-periods once a month than being discouraged every time I look in the mirror.

    The problem is that it's not a heavy period once a month. If your body reacts badly to it, you basically don't stop bleeding for weeks and months at a time. Obviously, it's something to discuss with your doctor, though.

    I like the pill. I only went off of it in the first place because I started having two-week-long periods that were getting heavier and heavier for some reason. But so far that problem hasn't presented after getting the Mirena out. Other than that, the pill was never an issue for me. No weight issues (I gained while on it, but definitely not because of it and there was no problem losing that weight).

    My Mirena story is that I got it in August 2009. The month after, I gained 5 pounds out of nowhere. I did start dieting again and was able to lose, though much more slowly than previous attempts. Then I stopped losing, gained 10 pounds and plateaued. I stayed at that weight for months, no matter what I tried. Then I gained another 10 and couldn't lose it. Just before I had it out last month, I had gained or maintained every week for two straight months, adding another 6 pounds to my total. Then I got it out and the gains stopped and two weeks off of it, I dropped 3 pounds.

    I haven't been very diligent about trying to lose since then, but my weight has not gone up, at least. I can definitely feel a difference in my body.
  • momie0205
    momie0205 Posts: 232
    I am so glad I am not the only one. I have heard great things and bad things about this and I think everyone is different. I have had the mirena for 3 years and been absolutely miserable. My only pro for it is I have not had anymore kids. I go on November 1 and am talking to my dr about all my issues and seeing if it is related to the mirena and then seeing my options.

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