Did you lose weight after having the Mirena taken out?

Hi, new here but not new to the diet/excercise world. I had my son in July 2010. About a week after he was born, I weighed in at 6 lbs less than I weighed before I got pregnant with him. 5 weeks later I got a mirena put in. I have gain 20 lbs since then, have extreme insomnia as in I rarely go to bed before sun up. Thank god my husband is home in the mornings to watch our son while I sleep. I have had bouts of anxiety and depression. I crave nothing healthy at all which is very unusual for me, especially in the summer. I also am not ever hungry until the late afternoon and then I just eat whatever. I gained the 20 lbs over about 3 months after getting the iud. About 6 months ago I wnet on Atkins hard core and started a three day a week/ 1hr workout program with a workout instructor and after a solid month on both, I didn't lose a single pound. That is unheard of for me, on any diet plan I can typically drop 5 lbs a week for the first month and then I drop back to like 2 lbs a week. After that huge let down and the let down from my midwife telling me over and over to just give it more time not to have my iud removed. I just gave up. I figured screw it, its not coming off, my midwife is pressuring me hard core to keep this thing in, so whatever, guess ill lose weight when I'm ready to get pregnant again. Well, I've not lost or gained a single pound since and I don't work out at all and like I said before, I eat whatever I want once or twice a day and I'm at the highest weight I've ever been which is about 70 lbs higher than the range I hovered at for the majority years. Now I'm fed up and really thinking I'm going to go to planned parenthood and just ask them to take it out and just not go back to my midwife until I'm pregnant again in a few years. She'll forget all about it. So I am thinking that I can expect to atleast have the sleep/anxiety/depression and cramping after sex which I never have because that drive has been shot too, poor husband, cleared up and maybe lose the 20 lbs I've been storing since I got it. I don't mind working at the other 50 lbs, that's easy as long as it is actually coming off. Its when your working your butt off and not a damn thing happens that's hard. Working out and eating right is so easy when your seeing results, you start to crave that burn because of the results and I used to crave things like chicken salad and watermellon like it was going out of style, now its just non breaded hot wings, whole milk, and chicken strips with ranch/barbique sauce. I once went a year eating nothing but caeser salad followed by a year of avocado chicken salad. Now the thought of salad just is not appetizing at all.

Anyway, anyone have issues like this that were cleared up by removing the IUD?

Replies

alfiedn

I know it's annoying to have to take a pill every day and every woman's body is different but the studies that have been done over the synthetic progesterones over the past years are consistant in continuing to show the trend that I just described to you. I always did best on Lo Estrin. Its the lowest doses of combination estrogen and progesterone available at this time as far as I know but still works for birth control. Just a thought if you don't tolerate a lot of hormones very well.

I just wanted to mention. All your info is great! However, there is another pill that has an even lower dose of hormone that Lo Estrin called Lo Loestrin. It is still effective as a birth control. This is what I am currently trying, but just started it 3 days ago. I've had terrible times on pills before and have tried most method of non-hormonal birth control including the copper IUD (a story for another time). I'm really hoping that this one works for me and my irregular periods.

tekhipee

I lost 7 lbs in 20 days after getting my mirena removed on 06/06/13. No changes in lifestyle, exercise or diet. hmmmm

Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Been sick ever since I got it in 2010.

Starting to diet more/exercise more this week to see if I can actually lose weight with putting some effort into it. The effort seemed pointless before.

mrsclifton10

Ive had the mirena since may of 2009. i noticed a little weight gain when i got it put in, but i had tried the depo shot first and gain like 15# from that but with the mirena i didnt notice enough to get it taken out. however in the past bout yr and half ive gained 20# and im having a really tough time getting it off. idk if it would be from the mirena since i had it in for so long before gaining weight. but also didnt have periods on mirena until i gained that weight and now i do have small periods but i wonder if thats related.

BTW: pmsing sucks on mirena, glad im not the only one experiencing that!!!!

FrankieB127

***UPDATE***
I had my Mirena taken out a week ago today and I'm so glad I did. Here's a rundown of what has happened since I had the Mirena removed:

Periods: I pretty much never stopped getting my period after I had Mirena inserted. I was getting two true periods a month and spotting every day in between. Some days the spotting was light enough that I just needed a pantyliner, other days I needed something more absorbent. The day after I got my Mirena removed I began an extremely heavy period that lasted for about 4-5 days but now, 7 days later, I have zero period and zero spotting for the first time in almost 4 months.

Hair loss: I started losing my hair like crazy after getting Mirena. I still "shed" quite a bit not like I was a week ago. I can actually put my hair up in a ponytail without losing 20-30 hairs like before.

Mood swings/depression: I just didn't feel like myself when I was on Mirena. The thing I disliked the most was the fact that my patience level was always at 0. I was getting p***ed at my kids for the smallest things. I felt better the day after I had Mirena taken and, 7 days later, I truly feel like myself again.

Bloating: GONE. The day after I had my Mirena removed, I felt like someone had released a pressure valve (probably related to the heavy period I got after having the Mirena removed). My stomach has gone waaaay down since having the Mirena removed; my husband even made a comment last night that my stomach has suddenly gotten a lot flatter!

Weight: I've lost 2.5 lbs since last week, all while exercising the same amount and eating the same way I've been the ENTIRE TIME I had Mirena. My weight loss stopped for about a month or two after having it installed and then started creeping back up. Very discouraging. I know fitness isn't all about the number on the scale but I'm very, very happy to see that number go down!!

I have a friend who's been on Mirena for about 5-6 years and she absolutely loves it. I think everyone reacts differently to hormones that are in birth control and the most important thing I took away from this was to trust yourself-- my doctor spent a good 5-10 minutes trying to talk me out of getting it removed and insisted that everything I was experiencing was normal postpartum symptoms, but my gut (no pun intended) told me otherwise. He gave me a prescription for Lo Loestrin, which I haven't filled yet.....not sure if I will.

soozyreed

I'm so glad to read all these stories. I have a 2 year old and after 12 months had lost the 3 stone I'd put on and an extra half a stone which took me to BMi of 26 so still a bit to go. When my ds was 2 I decided to give the coil a go to help stop periods. After 3 months I'd gained 10 pounds was bloated beyond belief, felt pregnant again. I'd been doing 3 gym classes a week eating well and still gaining. I had it removed yesterday am sooooooo glad. It didnt hurt, had no cramps. Am just hoping I can lose my weight now. X

vickyb5277

Had the Mirena put in in August 2008 for heavy periods so due to have it out next month after the 5yrs, however, I've been doing loads of research for the last few weeks as I was going to have it replaced at the same time but you're all talking about me!! Lol

Won't go into detail & bore you all but I decided to have it removed, THIS MORNING

My Dr couldn't fit me in for 2 weeks so went to my local family planning clinic & hey presto, it's out. Got some slight bleeding & a few period pains but I actually feel better strangely enough. Maybe it's just physiological haha

Let's hope I start to see some improvement with my weight loss & depression soon

megathinn

I had my Mirena put in 3 months ago. I had repeated cysts on my ovarys, I gained 20 pounds and I was moody and had a bell like I was pregnant. I finally couldn't take it anymore and removed it myself. I immediately felt better and wanted to have sex. I know it's crazy but I don't feel as bloated either and I removed it an hour ago. I defiantly don't recommend mirena. So glad I have that ****headIm out of me!

mariahk35

I had mine taken out because I noticed I put on weight after getting it put in. No weight came off after it came out. Well at least not until now that I am dieting and exercising

itoshiibaka

I don't personally like any of these hormonal birth controls. They affect so much more than just your fertility, and there's SO much more research that needs to be done on first and second generation impacts before I would consider them a "safe" alternative, even if they don't kill you. At least an external birth control doesn't affect you while you're not having sex.

Honestly, women are only fertile for a week at most, while men are fertile all the time. I'm not unreasonable, but maybe it's time for men to start going on birth control and to start dealing with the side effects.

alfachuch

I hope I will lose weight after it.
I had mine inserted 5 weeks ago. After 5 days my spotting started and never ended. It goes from light to heavier, and about for 5 days it looked like a real heavy period. But it just never stop. I started to loose hair about a week after having IUD and my weight cripping up. I've already gained 10lbs without any changes in my lifestyle or diet. I feel puffy and bloated, and I feel and look regnant. I had to change my clothes twice as I cannot fit in my old ones.
After reading all these post it just make sense. I want to make an appointment and had it removed. I only had it to reduce heavy periods. I dont know what I will do after, but I cannot tolerate all these side effects, and this never ending period:(

sophsw

Bump to read later as I have one

dizchic77

I had my Mirena in for about 2 years and gained about 40 pounds. I was emotional and had milk supply issues. I wasn't sure if it was the Mirena so I started a healthy diet with exercise 5-6 times a week. My weight barely changed and then it came back on to where it was. After having my thyroid checked I removed my Mirena. Happy to announce with it only out for a week, I've already lost seven pounds and I feel soooo much better.

calamityron

Hi,
My ordeal with the Mirena was severe and I would NEVER again go near it. I too had anxiety/depression attacks and gained about 30lbs after losing around 2st before having it fitted. Mine wasn't fitted for birth control as I have previously been sterilised but was fitted to attempt to stop my heavy bleeding during my TOTM. To cut a long story short, after 2 long years of bleeding CONTINUALLY with no break, mood swings, temper tantrums, massive hair loss to name but a few ailments, I had the thing removed but have managed to maintain what I'd struggled to lose and lost about another stone since. It has been extremely hard to lose weight regardless of how much exercise I do and how good I am with my food. It's the best thing I've ever done, having that thing removed. It ruined 2 years of my life. Now, I have about a stone left to lose and I know now that I will eventually lose it but it will take me longer than I'd hoped.
Good luck. x

calamityron

I bled continually like this for 2 years. Give yourself a limit of how long you will accept it and then take no more. I wish I had. x

AlysonM

I've had my mirena for over 10 years now and am due (overdue) getting it replaced with #3! I've had no problems with weight gain due to the coil at all, that was because of what I have been shovelling into my face for years! The advantage for me is no periods, which has to be THE Best side effect ever! I've never had any side effects, pain or the bloating and cramping that others seem to have had. I've had no problem losing weight in the past at all with having the mirena and I don't foresee any problems this time either .. other than myself and my will power. :-)

This - Mirena (with hormones) is no problem for me either. The Doctor was ultra careful with insertion (wore two sets of gloves and kept everything very sterile) there was no pain with insertion, periods stopped, I have no cramping and have lost about 35 pounds since middle of Sept. 2012. NO pain, no acne, no insomnia. Will power is a different story... I'd be a lot closer to my goals if I could get an injection of that along with the hormones!

Alisa_d7

Been great reading about all these experiences. I wouldn't say I hate Mirena as I loved it for being my security blanket, but since I got it in 6 months ago, I started experiencing comodonal acne (have always had great skin), mood swings, severe cramping before my period, and hair thinning (well, I HOPE that's from mirena, not just a sign of my gradual aging process!), not to mention, since I've fixed up my diet and exercise a month ago, the weight is being really stubborn and coming off a lot slower than it ever has in the past. I've also noticed my stomach is continually bloated, which is odd when I'm watching my diet.

Soooo...in a moment of resolve tonight, I took it out myself. I'm excited/scared to see what happens over the next few days as I've read about the dreaded "Mirena crash", but I'm pretty positive that after that *hopefully* subsides, that I'll be all "me" again.

Laurap413

I have read multiple horror stories about this device. I, too, have one. Although, am going to be having it removed in a few hours. I had no problem with mine until last summer. By then, I had had it for 2 years. I lost 15lbs. But seemed to have to work for it extremely hard. I worked so hard to get into a bikini for a trip to Aruba this past October. Well since October, I've gained 35lbs!! I started with a personal trainer and he couldn't even figure out why I wasn't losing the weight. I have always been less then 140. This all made me feel awful. I hope getting this out helps my efforts of losing weight.

mozra

I've had mirena since October 2011. I got it to manage endometriosis symptoms and I loved it to start with. No more heavy painful periods! However, I've gained about 30lbs with no changes to diet or exercise levels, I get dizzy spells and, worst of all, am totally exhausted all the time. All my blood tests come back normal and there is nothing that can explain the sheer exhaustion and weight gain. I am so bloated I look like I'm pregnant! That's when I started reading about the problems some women have with mirena. I've no idea if mirena has caused my problems, but so many other women report exactly the same experience, it can't be coincidence. Anyway, I got mine out today and will keep you posted.....I even measured my belly to see if it changes

ostrichagain

I had a Mirena for two months. I reacted very badly to the hormones. My hair fell out in clumps, I was an emotional wreck and I didn't EVER stop bleeding, in fact I would occasionally have break-through bleeding that no pad or tampon that has been made could handle. I even fainted once. I had it inserted after a Molar pregnancy and my Dr. was convinced I had cancer. So we removed the IUD and my symptoms went away and I lost 10 lbs in a week. I didn't have cancer. Scarred the hell out of me.

My sister has one and loves it, no problems.

patmarshall

Had Mirena removed 2 weeks ago. For seven months I watched the scale go up no matter how I tried to stabilized my weight with diet & exercise. I'm 45 and so the Mirena was to manage perimenopausal symptoms. What I got instead was a body transformed back into what I used to look like @ 5 months pregnant. I've lost 5 lbs, 10 to go. Thank goodness this is coming off finally. I really recommend taking macca (most health food stores carry it). This supplement helps to regularize hormonal levels and I don't care if it's a placebo effect, I feel like my old self again!

melodyfrommars

i'm having mine taken out tomorrow. after finally making the connection between mirena and my severe depression/anxiety i could hardly wait another second to have it out of me. but unfortunately the doctor couldnt find it, and after some ultrasounds, attempt number two is tomorrow. fingers crossed. i hope it helps with the continual bloating and the weight gain too. i will keep you updated as to how the weight loss goes post mirena! i have spent hours reading the testimonies and horror stories from other women with issues related to hormonal IUDs. if there is even a chance that it is making my depression worse, it HAS to go. i am hopeful!!!

teresamwhite

I've had Mirena for five years (getting ready to swap it out for a new one in a few months. i've gained 40lbs in that time, but I changed jobs and wasn't so active and this kitchen has heavy foods available 24/7...I don't think the Mirena is the cause of my weight gain. i have noticed an increase in oily skin/breakouts and a gradual decrease in sex drive.

That said, I still love skipping my period (even though I still get PMS migraines), and i love having a reliable birth control that I don't have to think about.

littleladyliberty

I wanted to share my expierence with the mirena . To sum it up the worst years of my life. Initially I had it for a year prior to the planned pregnancy of my son with absolutly no major side effects other than weight gain of 5 pounds towards the end of the year. i was pregnant a few weeks after the removal, that part was great. Then I had it put in 8weeks after my son was born. For a year the only problem I had was painful sex. To be specific sharp pain on my right ovary in certain positions. Then when my son was 1 I started with massive mood swings and was diagnosed with bipolar 2. I am not convinced that is an accurate diagnosis because my binge drinking episodes was a major part in my behavior but not necessarily my mood swings. Needless to say I have spent the last two years in therapy and take meds and almost separated from my husband who is the love of my life. I started having horrible migraines about the same time for which I have explored a lot of treatment for. Nothing has stopped them. After a year and a half of having the mirena I had a horrible ruptured ovarian cyst which caused a liter of fluid to cause me 1 week off work due to the unbearable pain followed by lingering pain for 2months I managed the pain with Ibuprofen around the clock and heavier pain pills at night when I didn't have to drive or be alone with my kids. My mom and friends asked if I would consider taking my Mirena out. I point blank asked the ER, my primary care doc and a OB specialist if the Mirena causes the cysts and the answer all the same. No it cannot. Okay so then comes the weight gain. I have been a fitness fanatic for the past 6 years great muscle tone, stamina and with healthy eating habits. I became exhasted. The weight just started packing on. My cravings for sweets was worse than when i was pregnant. I was in a fog mentally couldn't get excited about anything and my short term memory loss was embarrassing. I went to my physc doc to increase my meds thinking I was getting worse somehow all on my own accord. I gained 20 pounds in 3months. My husband has been amazing through it all. He would tell me I was irresistible. How could that be true I looked dumpy swollen and pregnant. My self confidence and sex drive plumited. I decided to join a boot camp. I had an initial body composition evaluation done. I was at an all time high...32% body fat. I changed my diet to 900calories a day and hard core body torturing heavy exercise 6days a week. After 6weeks I lost 7 pounds... Yep only 7. But 19 inches lost. I joined a second round of boot camp but only got through 3 weeks before I got Mononucleosis. I was twice as exhausted as before for 2 months, then got strep throat. To be clear I don't attribute the mono or strep s causes of the Mirena but I know I would not have pushed myself so hard to the point of immune weakness if I hadn't been through all the weight gain and loss of self confidence. I started thinking I had an immune disease thyroid problem or God knows what. I had multiple doctors evaluate my blood screenings....the works. At the same time I was fearful my ovarian cyst ruptures would continue and asked a friend for a local OBGYN referral because I was unhappy with the others. I went to the new OB who is my saving grace. Within 5mins of my initial consultation she told me that the ovarian cysts were caused by the Mirena. Then the conversation continues with her explaining that the depression mood swings and migraines too were caused by the mirena. She was astonished that no doctors would attribute my symptoms to the mirena with all the specialists & physciatrist I have seen. 3 weeks later I had it removed. I agree with the previous posts that hours after having it removed I felt relief. I feel like myself again, clear headed, comical, fun loving. It is so FRUSTATING how much time I have wasted feeling trapped in a body that clearly was not that of a 28year old. It has been less than 3 days since I had it removed. I stumbled upon this thread because I am looking for a timeline of when I would feel completely normal but so far I haven't seen too many posts on that particular question of mine. I'm just thankful I didn't give up insisting something was not right and I am 100% positive it is all because of this horrible devise. If you want one think twice. If u have one and wonder if u are alone in your nightmare you are not. If you have no problems fantastic. I wish it were the same for me because the idea of the Mirena is great, no pills, no period...too good to be true? Yes!

kimmouser

Wow wow and wow! I stumbled across this feed after I googled "how to lose weight fast and easily after having 2 kids".
I had the mirena put in about 2 years ago and my symptoms are soo completely the same as so many of you out there...I had no idea it was all being caused by this device. I have put on a lot of weight, and no matter what I do (slimshakes, diet pills, lite and easy, upping my exercise regime) I just cannot shift the weight. I feel fat and frumpy and constantly bloated. In addition, I too have had to go on medication for depression/anxiety and had to see a counsellor to help me through. No sex drive, low self esteem, memory loss, unable to focus, mood swings, and a general lack of energy and motivation to live my life.....all I want to do is just be a couch potato/sleep. I have continued to have my periods, which is unlike others. I haven't had issues with acne or insomnia though. I did have some cramping early on but that soon settled down.
Soo after reading all your comments, discussing it with my husband, and close friend (who also told me when I talked to her about it today she did tell me she definitely noticed the change in me about 2 months after I had it put in, but didn't know how to talk to me about it), I have made an appointment to go and get this deviced removed from my body! Next Tuesday! I cant wait to see the difference it makes.
The problem I now face though, is what other method of birth control will I use? My husband says he would consider looking into a vasectomy if we find that removing this device makes a huge difference to my well being. This same friend of mine also has the mirena (we actually had them put in the same week by the same doctor), and she has had absolutely no issues and just loves it.
So I have come to the conclusion that this device will work great for some and not for others. Everybody is different in the way they handle the hormones released by this device.
So I guess, my advice to those out there that are considering getting it, I would say to get it and try it to see if it works for you, but say give it 6-12 months to really monitor the side affects. If it works, great, if not, get it taken out....I guess its like anything...trial and error.

I_Will_End_You

The problem I now face though, is what other method of birth control will I use? My husband says he would consider looking into a vasectomy if we find that removing this device makes a huge difference to my well being.

Try a copper IUD. It's like the Mirena, minus the hormones. The copper kills the sperm.

Cp731

The problem I now face though, is what other method of birth control will I use? My husband says he would consider looking into a vasectomy if we find that removing this device makes a huge difference to my well being.

Try a copper IUD. It's like the Mirena, minus the hormones. The copper kills the sperm.

Its also Horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible as far as cramping is concerned. I had a terrible reaction to the copper.

These woman that say they gained weight and got acne, sleep disturbances, decreased sex drive did not get that from Mirena.

SMH Its a local hormone.

PPL DO NOT GAIN WEIGHT FROM Birth Control. They gain weight from not having Portion Control/Too many calories

kimmouser

oh ok I will talk to my GP about this when I have to go and get a new referral to my gyno next week....thanks

EmilyEmpowered

The problem I now face though, is what other method of birth control will I use? My husband says he would consider looking into a vasectomy if we find that removing this device makes a huge difference to my well being.

Try a copper IUD. It's like the Mirena, minus the hormones. The copper kills the sperm.

Its also Horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible as far as cramping is concerned. I had a terrible reaction to the copper.

These woman that say they gained weight and got acne, sleep disturbances, decreased sex drive did not get that from Mirena.

SMH Its a local hormone.

PPL DO NOT GAIN WEIGHT FROM Birth Control. They gain weight from not having Portion Control/Too many calories

I agree about the weight gain, I have lost 120 pounds while i had my mirena, I dont think it is the device specifcially that causes weihgt gain.

However, for some people hormones DO make them depressed, anxious, get acne, cause decreased sex drive (although my decrease is due to the fact that any time of intercourse at this point, 3 years in with Mirena, cause too much pain to bear. Having mine out next week.) etc. and THOSE things can lead to weight gain. Yes, it does cause those things. birth control pills/shots/what have you can cause the same issues for people, which is why there are different birth controls with different combinations and levels of hormones- some are to 'help' or prevent breakouts, some to decrease a heavy flow, etc. (This is my understanding, my dr and I went round and round before I chose the Mirena 3 years ago.)

kimmouser

I beg to differ re your comments that the mirena does not cause these symptoms......On the leaflet it actually does list all these things as potential side affects! Its just that some people may or may not get them. My close friend said that she noticed a big change in me about 2 months after having it put in....in a very negative way.
I honestly believe and respect that this device will work for some and not others....everybody is different.
Time will tell when I get mine taken out next week to see the changes it makes to overall happiness, wellbeing and weight.

littleladyliberty

PPL DO NOT GAIN WEIGHT FROM Birth Control. They gain weight from not having Portion Control/Too many calories

If you were to read the side effects of the mirena you might be surprised to find that weight gain is listed. Also I agree that portion control is a factor. Many of the expirrences these wemon are having, myself included reports that diet and exercise did not help with the weight like before the devise was inserted. PPL react differently to medications etc. howerever the trend here is weight gain has been a major concern re the mirena