Did you lose weight after having the Mirena taken out?

Hi everyone,

I'm chiming in. I have similar problems as some of you, and I just had my Mirena out today and replaced with a copper IUD. I'm going to be tracking my progress on my MFP blog, as I do not know what to expect or how I will feel now that this has been removed. Some background:

Date Mirena in: April 2009 (4 years almost)

Symptoms: Prior to Mirena I lost 100 lbs thanks to diet and exercise. It took me a while to lose the weight because I was working slow and steady, with no plans to put any weight back on. My goal was to join the Army once I had lost weight. Fast forward, I joined the Army (yay me!) and right after basic training went and had the Mirena put in. I couldn't afford birth control before the Army. Despite increased activity (I love fitness) and mostly continual efforts at a healthy diet, I have gained 50 lbs since I joined the Army. I didn't attribute this to Mirena at first, but now I think it may play a significant role in my weight gain.

I'll be tracking other symptoms as well as my weight loss on my blog, if anyone is interested to see how things go (for me) sort of on a day-to-day basis. I'm hoping my ability to lose weight will return and I'll get back down to my 100lb weight loss!

So confusing... I just read all of the EXACT same symptoms on a Paragard review site, all caused by copper toxicity. I have a Mirena- never thought much about everything going on with my moods and lack of libido. I just attributed it to my thyroid (I have hashimoto's) and the fact that my husband's a jerk.

Hi,
I'm so glad I found this thread. I'm also one of the unlucky ones. At first I thought I was doing something wrong. My father in law passed away in Dec 2010 and I decided I was going to start losing weight for my own health. I didn't change anything about my eating habit but did start walking 2 miles to the town, spent an hour there and 2 miles back home. After about 5 months I was so proud of myself for losing 30 pounds. Then I decided to get the mirena as I'm not ready for kids and got it in on May 19th 2011. After 2 months I gained 10 pounds and started to get depressed. Have had it in nearly 2 years now and I've had horrible mood swings, I feel depressed all the time, always spotting or bleeding heavy, Sex drive mostly gone (I'm only 22 and I had a very high Sex drive before this, sorry for it being too much information), and I feel just as crampy as when I was on my regular cycle. I had enough of it just before Christmas and was so excited to get it out on January 9th, only they could not remove the coil as the cord went missing. So now I have had the ultrasound to see if it's in place, which it is, and wait for the follow up appointment and then wait for an available appointment at the hospital so I'll need general anesthetic. I have never been so disappointed in my life when she said that she couldn't remove it. I really do wish I had never had it in. Then again it is one of the most effective contraceptives other than the side affects for some of us.

Before the mirena: 145 pounds
Current gain: 55 pounds

I have had mirena for about 3 years. During my first year I lost almost 15 pounds in the first 3 months, but I now attribute that to a medication that the doctor had put me on. Once I stopped that medication I jumped back up a little more than 15 lbs. The following year I gained about another 10-15lbs which I complained to my doctor about at my annual visit. She claimed that it was only muscle gain due to my husband and I doing Insanity.....ummm no! This year I am about 20lbs heavier than at this time last year. I work out regularly and have improved my already not bad eating habits. Even with these changes, adding more exercise/ hiring a personal trainer, and tracking all my meals and having her review them I cannot lose any weight. I called my doctor's nurse and she said there was NO way possible that mirena was causing this. She suggested that I get my thyroid checked. Well, the results came back today and my thyroid is completely normal! I am having mirena removed on Wednesday. I have evaluated everything...everything leads back to when the real weight gain started which was 5 months after having mirena inserted. Up until then I never had significant weight gain and the few pounds I might put on were easily lost with change in exercise. It is very frustrating to be dismissed by your health care provider because something isn't a side effect. I guess the believe if it is listed as occurring in <5% of patients then it is impossible. I cannot wait to have mirena removed! I would love to hear if anyone has lost weight since removal.

I am happy for those of you who are thrilled with its effects but this is how Mirena has affected me.

I am a long time registered nurse and got the Mirena for birth control about 3 years ago. This is my fault because I should have researched this device beforehand; if I had, i would not have had it put in. Within a few months, I went from having a very high libido my entire adult life to wanting to put an ice pick between my husband's eyes if he wanted to snuggle. The change left me baffled and I didn't even think about the mirena as a possible culprit. As I am in my late 40's, I thought maybe it was menopause. Over the year after the iud was put in, I gained 40-50 pounds. Repeatedly I went on the South beach diet which had worked for me in the past, but there was never any effect at all. I have even become a vegan and still no weight loss (whereas my husband has lost about 40 pounds in the last 2 months that we began this.) I started going to the gym 5-6 days a week and doing 45 cardio and doing weight training to build some muscle mass to burn more fat-to no avail. Recently I sat down and took tally of my symptoms which were an untouchable weight gain, abdominal bloating with protuberance (which I had never had in my life), muscle aches, back pain, headaches, constant fatigue, lack of joy or emotion, inability to conentrate or think clearly. Due to the mental issues, i started fearing that I was getting depressed, but honestly did not feel depressed and had so much to be thrilled about- my life is better than it ever has been.

Finally, I stumbled across info on adverse side effects of Mirena and realized that everything started happening after I had this put in. I realized that it had to come out which made me feel sick because having it put in was the most pain I had ever felt. I vomited from the pain of its insertion and nearly passed out afterward. I asked my cousin who had hers out because ot its side effects and she said that you only felt a ripping pain when it came out but it was over quickly and didnt linger like the insertion pain did.

I had the Mirena taken out 3 days ago. It felt like a cramp, that was all, thank Goodness. This morning I got up to a heavy period but I don't mind at all. I am thrilled that my body is getting back to normal. it always bothered me that there were no periods with Mirena because one--what if I had gotten pregnant but didnt realize it? and two- I have always felt that menstruation was the female body's way of cleansing and resetting and I really didn't like that fact that that wasn't happening. It just felt completely unnatural to me.

I realized this morning that I was smiling and in a good mood and that my thoughts are clearing up. i just feel more "normal". I am anxious to see if I start losing weight now as I am still eating vegan and going to the gym.

I know that there are lawsuits out regarding the side effects. I have no grounds or desire for litigation but I was speaking to an attorney at a firm that is pursuing these claims. I told her to specifically ask about relationship break ups, divorces and partners having unprecdented affairs because the drastic aversion to sex that some women develop can be a real relationship breaker. There may be loss of consortium claims involved. My husband and I are as firmly committed as ever, but we had some very serious (and hurtful) fights over my aversion. My husband is big and strong and gorgeous. It's sad that he was so hurt and felt so rejected and I could not help it, and oddly enough--I felt numb about it and uncaring. That was just part of the loss of emotion I was feeling, I am sure. I showed him other threads talking about its libido effects and made an appointment to have it removed and we will repair any damage this has done, but some couples may not have discovered this in time.

I definitely learned my lesson. No more hormones or medications for me. If i wanted more children, I would get a non hormone iud that won't mess with your chemical composition. But now, I thinki it is time for one of us to get fixed!

Hi. Thank goodness I found this thread. I already had a hunch that my Mirena was causing weight gain but when I went to see my practice nurse she told me it was impossible. She also told me that the acne (I'm 51!) and the spots on my groin were not due to the Mirena. When I produced the insertion guide, which stated all these and more as side effects, she told me that I 'shouldn't have that' and asked me to leave.

I got it removed last Thursday and I am determined to lose the weight I have put on, approx 30lb, probably more. And all around my tummy - I looked continuously pregnant. I am also menopausal, so I understand that I might not see as fast a weight loss as someone younger, but I'm giving this my best shot now. I'm so relieved that the hormones are receding now and I will soon be back to normal. I never really liked the idea if it in any case, but persevered for nearly 3 years with it.

Good luck to everyone else, please let me know how you all get on.

Hi. Thank goodness I found this thread. I already had a hunch that my Mirena was causing weight gain but when I went to see my practice nurse she told me it was impossible. She also told me that the acne (I'm 51!) and the spots on my groin were not due to the Mirena. When I produced the insertion guide, which stated all these and more as side effects, she told me that I 'shouldn't have that' and asked me to leave.

I got it removed last Thursday and I am determined to lose the weight I have put on, approx 30lb, probably more. And all around my tummy - I looked continuously pregnant. I am also menopausal, so I understand that I might not see as fast a weight loss as someone younger, but I'm giving this my best shot now. I'm so relieved that the hormones are receding now and I will soon be back to normal. I never really liked the idea if it in any case, but persevered for nearly 3 years with it.

Good luck to everyone else, please let me know how you all get on.

I got terrible acne from the implant and I still have it after having it removed 4 months ago.
I will say that it is slowly but surely clearing up but you will need a prescripted cream for it and even after removal, it will not instantly go away.

My advice to anyone considering the implant - RUN AS FAR AWAY FROM IT AS POSSIBLE!

I am having mine taken out next Tuesday. Finally called and scheduled the appointment.

I was never above 140 unless I was pregnant. After I had my second child in May 2008, I was on the pill for about a year before decided to give the Mirena a shot.

At the time, June 2009, I was almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight, weighed in at 127 at the appointment to get the IUD.

First few months were an adjustment, I bled a lot but now never/very rarely have a period at all.

BUT I gained 30 pounds by the end of 2009. THIRTY POUNDS. This was over a year after I had my son so had nothing to do with Pregnancy. I've been dieting, trying to lose the weight, nada. I've pretty much plateau'd at 155-160. I am constantly bloated. I've had severe mood swings and depression. For a long time I did not connect it with the Mirena but I really think that is what has caused it. I also have almost NO libido. I can "get into it" once started but I have no desire. And it is not an issue of not being attracted to my husband as you could put the sexiest man on Earth in bed with me and I would have no desire. Before the Mirena I did have a sex drive.

Fingers crossed that getting this thing removed helps! It is good to know that I'm not the only one though.

That said --- as with any hormone treatment, it wildly varies by person as your body produces hormones on it's own and some will produce more than others and have different side effects. So as much as I hate it for me, it could be great for the next person.

I'm having my Mirena removed this coming Thursday.

I've noticed that I'm not losing weight since starting with exercise and diet modification. I had previously lost 5 pounds without knowing it from cutting out soda and fast food, but that's it. So I'm thinking that my body thinks it's pregnant and won't let itself continue to lose weight. I think I gained like a LOT of weight from the Mirena, but I can't be sure because there have been so many other factors working at the same time.

I will provide updates after it's out.

To everyone who has had their's for 5 years and loved it, I am soooo happy for you! Everyone's body is different and if you are not having side effects then Mirena is a great option for you and I'm jealous! I don't think no one should have the opportunity to have one, but I do think they need to warn women about the side effects that are popping up and close monitor women at their OBGYN appointments.

To those who love it and have had it for less than 2 year, BEWARE!!!! I bled for 10 years straight prior to getting my Mirena and so after I got it and my periods stopped I thought it was a God send! But after 2 years my period came back! Very light bleeding but very intense pain. I recently found out that I was ovulating on Mirena and getting large ovarian cysts that were super painful when they burst. I ran a fever and had nausea and vomiting and digestive distress every month for at least 2 weeks. They would press on my bladder and make me have to pee like a pregnant 90 year old. Also, over the past year even though my diet has gotten healthier I cannot stop piling on weight. I stopped eating all processed foods, cut out sugar, even went raw vegan and continued to gain. I did a full cycle of P90X and gained 5 pounds. I have developed acne and started growing hair in places I never had before. I am always bloated and can gain 15 pounds of water weight over night!! I've been frustrated and depressed and didn't attribute it to Mirena till recently. I actually have an OBGYN who agrees that it could very well be the cause and removed it Monday.!

WARNING! I was told Mirena crash was not real by the nurse. She was wrong! The next day I was oddly miserable and uncomfortable and didn't want to leave my house...I didn't even want my boyfriend to look at me! It was soooo strange!!! I got my period yesterday and I tell you it is the least painful period I have had in a year! I'm not throwing up or running a fever! I'm not bloated and I've already lost 6 pounds.

I will say that I was always hot and since I got my Mirena out, i am always freezing!!! Has anyone else experienced this? My boyfriends says when I was hot my hands and feet were always cold... not that I feel like I'm freezing, my skin is always warm. I can't help but think this has something to do with circulation. Has anyone heard of Mirena messing wth circulation?

When I got pregnant with my son I was 204, when he was born I was 228. I got the Mirena at my 6 week post partum in April 2012.. I didn't gain super fast, in July I was 232. I was watching what I ate and exercising and by October I was in the 240s and in December I was at my highest of 249.8 and freaked out and went hardcore on the weight loss mission. I'm back down to 232 now but I've NEVER had this much trouble losing weight. And the fact that I have to work hard to not gain, tells me something's not right. I'm losing weight, so I can live with that. What I can't handle is the low sex drive. I use to literally attack my fiance and AS SOON as I got the Mirena in I didn't want to be touched at all. I still cringe sometimes when he tries to be close, but he knows it's the IUD and not HIM. He wants me to get it out even if I have to resort to a tubal. I feel done having kids but he wants one more, so I don't feel right doing that until we are both on the same page. But I don't know what else to get. Depo is DEFT a bad choice for me, it is the same effect. I'm also afraid of gaining these 18 lbs back if I change to something else. And I have very sensitive skin, so the copper IUD may not work for me either....

I thought that would post here to let all those of you who asked about weight loss after Mirena what happened to me. I gained a lot of weight while I had my Mirena (it had a lot of good points like light periods!) but I gained 30+lb, mostly around my stomach area and hips. During the time I had it in I had no changes in diet or exercise or lifestyle. Mine came out about a month ago.

Combined with MFP, some light exercise and removal of my Mirena I have lost 4 inches from my tummy area, 2 from my hips and 2 from my underbust. I know I have lost at least 6lb in the first 3 weeks, but I'm only weighing myselfevery month so it will be more soon. All this has happened in 1 month. Within a week of having the Mirena removed my stomach had 'deflated' and was more solid. I can't be sure but I think that must have been water retention.

I am 51 and perimenopausal, so weight loss is not easy, but in all these circumstances I have managed, in just a month after the removal, to make a start on losing all this weight, so it is possible. I also have had no severe headaches since it was removed and the acne under my chin has healed.

Everyone is different, and I know some women are more than happy with Mirena, but if you are suffering with weight gain and other symptoms like I was I hope this post gives you some hope that it can go back to 'normal' soon after removal.

I am so happy to know that I am not crazy. I have had Mirena in for three years and I am making my appointment to have it removed. I gained 20 pounds within the first year, my skin is also breaking out. My skin has never looked so bad! For a while now I have been thinking it was due to Mirena. I will post my skin and weight changes after I have it removed.

bump, had one installed Jan 2013 and I haven't lost any weight since. Never though it could the Mirena

I have had the mirena for almost 5 yrs now. I get it out in August. When I first got on it, I thought I was going to have to have it removed because I had horrible cramps. That lasted for the first couple years. The last three I haven't had them. I don't think I gained weight from it. I did have a regular period which I didn't like because I was previously getting shots of depo provera and didn't have one the couple years I was on that