Mirena IUD and Weight Gain

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Replies

  • running_free_1984
    running_free_1984 Posts: 115 Member
    I went for the old fashioned copper coil. I'd rather have a period than all those extra hormones. It weirds me out... I have lost weight since coming off the progesterone only pill
  • Ibleedlipstick
    Ibleedlipstick Posts: 33 Member
    I've lost almost 30lbs with my Mirena! I lovelovelovelove it. The only downside is the insertion pain (I'm two years in and I'm dreading having it removed and replaced at the five year mark.) I used to have wicked terrible periods that other forms of birth control didn't help, and my Mirena has greatly improved my quality of life.

    Some birth control methods work better for some than others! It is so frustrating to hear people say that it is the worst birth control ever when the reality is that it was the worst birth control method *for that person.* Mirena may not work for you. Ortho didn't work for me. It doesn't mean that it was a bad pill, it just wasn't right for my body and my hormones.
  • r_33
    r_33 Posts: 1
    So this is not really pertaining to weight gain and mirena, but i've noticed that since i've had mirena inserted i haven't been able to orgasm. I'm wondering if its because of mirena or if any of you ladies are experienceing this as wel.
    Or maybe my partner just isn't getting the job done lol what are your opinions?
  • nikki6_2002
    nikki6_2002 Posts: 31 Member
    So many comments!!!

    I am on my third Mirena and though I have put some weight on this past year I cant attribute it to the Mirena, I have been less active and eating too much. I love the Mirena!!!!! I had my first Mirena for 4 years and was slim and never gained weight. I also have serveral friends with the Mirena who are slim and have no problems.

    Because the progesterone on the Mirena is locally acting, only a negligible amount enters the blood stream, it is supposed to be very unlikely to cause any sytemic issues like the pill or implant and I tend to agree.
  • I gained 50 pounds in one year after getting the Mirena IUD. I went from being 127 to 177 and now am up to 185! This is ridiculous! I keep talking to my primary care doctor, endocrinologist, and the OBGYN doc but no one will listen to me or believe me. It took me almost a year to get used to all the hormonal side effects from it and I still feel like crap. Horrible PMS and my breasts hurting for months at a time is not great either. I originally got it because I was so anemic for so long from heavy bleeding. So great, I don't have a period very often any more, but Im a miserable depressed blob. Its NOT worth it!
  • fionarama
    fionarama Posts: 788 Member
    I got a Mirena for the first time last year. I was down to 58 kgs. Then for reasons of work etc I couldn't train for about 3 months, I was good in the first month and then after that started guzzling wine when I came home. Weight piled on. Blamed the Mirena.
    Really struggled for a few months but now I've tweaked diet, sorted exercise and dropped loads of weight and gained muscle. It wasn't the Mirena.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    My experience is weight loss...I am on my 2nd one.

    Only suggestion is don't wait for the full 5 years...I will only go 4 this time as the hormones do decrease and I become a raving loon....and my husband said never again.

    Mind you this time I am cycling (since January) but that is probably due to something else I need to have checked...not the IUD.

    All n all great method of BC. As well my doctor told me that if you are going to use a hormonal method this one is the best...as the hormones are not travelling throughout our entire system to get where they are needed so ...
  • I HAVE BEEN ON THE MIRENA IUD FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS HAVENT HAD A PERIOD FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS AND EVERY SINCE I GOT ON THE MIRENA IUD AFTER MY FIRST BORN BY C-SECTION I HAVE GAINED 30LBS AND CAN'T SEEM TO SHED IT OFF
  • nessierie
    nessierie Posts: 1 Member
    I have had Mirena for a little over a year. I have gained 20lbs, and have never been overweight before. I am eating healthily and exercising regularly and I have only gained weight. And it's not muscle.

    I also have had cysts that develop and rupture, mood swings, acne, and NO sex drive.

    My friends have it and love it. It all just depends on the person. I'm having mine removed.
  • quickfeet101
    quickfeet101 Posts: 8 Member
    I read all the threads related to this topic before I had my Mirena removed (at the 5 year mark). I had gained weight in spite of exercise and was having alot of trouble losing the weight. I did have a quick loss of 10 pounds after switching to Paragard. The rest (20lbs) is still there. It's been about 6 months since the switch.
  • I just had the Mirena put in last week. Had it put in day 3 of my period & it was a bad one. Period stopped asap, I have been a bit more irritated with some back pain. I am not active & sit at a desk. I am 45, 5'9 & 225. I want to loose 50lbs. I will keep you posted.
  • I am in the same boat as you. I had Mirena IUD in about a year. I started off at 117 lbs and NOW i am 137 and can't get myself down at all. My eating is horrible I haven't been able to stick to a healthy diet, I am so frustrated, I want to know if anyone is having any success with Mirena and is able to lose weight and get control of their diet. I never feel full, I am carb crazy and I just over eat like crazy. Someone please tell me I will be able to get back to 117 lbs and be happy again. I hate the way I look now.
  • AllAboutThatTreble
    AllAboutThatTreble Posts: 156 Member
    This is anecdotal, but I think it helps. I got the Depo to tie me over until my scheduled Nexplanon insertion. I was on the pill, but my blood pressure increased (thankfully, after coming off of estrogen my blood pressure went back down to normal), so my doctor recommended progesterone only.

    The first month after Depo, I gained ~10 pounds. But not because of Depo itself, but because my eating was HORRIBLE. I had a voracious appetite. Once I realized that my appetite increase was most likely due to the shot, I pulled in the reigns and haven't gained weight since, and I'm now on Nexplanon, which can also cause weight gain, but I haven't had any. Of course all women are different, but there shouldn't be that many outliers.

    When I discussed the weight gain with my doc, she said it's most likely due to increased appetite, exactly what I suspected.

    So I guess you can argue that the weight gain is because of the BC, but it can be controlled if you're conscious about what you're eating and how much you're eating.

    The weight doesn't magically appear. Think about it, how can you just put on 20 pounds if you're actually eating within limits and exercising as usual?

    Watch your appetite, that's likely what's causing the weight gain.
  • JennafurC
    JennafurC Posts: 65 Member
    I'm having issues myself and the mirena is the only thing in my life that has changed. I got my 2nd one put in in March'ish of this year. I was 132 pounds after losing 78 and maintaining that loss for over 2 years. In July of this year I started noticing a change in my body and now, as of today, I have gained 13+ pounds and its certainly not muscle, That is a LOT of weight over the course of only 4 months. My chest has gotten bigger and my breasts hurt often. When I look up these symptoms online I find page after page of women experiencing the same exact things as me. Nothing at all in my eating or exercise has changed so I can't imagine that I've gained a phantom 13 pounds for no reason. I just have a very hard time believing that the mirena weight gain is a myth and just an excuse for gains, at least in my situation. As I said, nothing else at all in my life has changed, except for the mirena implant. I'm meeting with my doctor in 2 weeks to discuss this with her.
  • I'm a trainer and professional dancer, and I got the Mirena for the first time in April. I have experienced weight gain, tender breasts, nausea, irregular spotting, mood swings... All sorts of stuff. I love the fact that it's free from "user error", meaning I don't have to remember to do or take anything for my husband and I to not get pregnant. But that's all I love. If my cycle was regular I'd definitely use Natural Family Planning.
  • kittenful
    kittenful Posts: 318 Member
    I got Mirena 6 months after I had my daughter. I had lost all but 15 lbs of my baby weight to that point (yay for breast feeding and good genes!). Less than 2 months later, I had the IUD removed. I had gained 35 lbs within that time. I know it was Mirena that cuased my weight gain, since I hadn't changed my diet or anything else in my life. I carried that extra weight for 4 & 1/2 years. As of this week (over 6 months of hard work and eating MUCH better) I have finally reached my pre-pregnancy weight again.

    *Edit to add - I lost 10 lbs before I had started on MFP, so my ticker won't exactly add up to my numbers. ^_^
  • CTCMom2009
    CTCMom2009 Posts: 263 Member
    I've had my Mirena since March 2010 and I'm almost 35 lbs less than I was when I had it put in. I have been consciously working on losing weight since then obviously, or I wouldn't be on MFP, but it hasn't hindered my progress. The only thing hindering my progress was ME - not eating well consistently and working out consistently. When my time is up with this Mirena, I plan on getting another one.
  • Trissyboo
    Trissyboo Posts: 69 Member
    Honestly I think it depends on your body. I have a Mirena IUD. This is my first one and I had it inserted in April of this year. Like others I spotted but after that it has been fantastic. I was at my heaviest when I had it inserted and since then I have lost 33lbs. Believe me when I say I asked all of the questions I could before I got it inserted because I did not want to gain anymore weight or put anything in my body that would cause me to gain weight. Needless to say I have not gained weight, I have lost weight and I have been able to keep it off. I enjoy the freedom that Mirena provides in regards to not taking pills everyday. However, your weightloss is ultimately up to you. With good food choices, tracking, and plenty of exercise you can maintain your weight or lose even if you have the Mirena..
  • I've had it in for a little over a year. I had quickly gained 13 lbs and it's held steady, despite limiting my calories. I also started getting acne within one month of getting it (at age 30, for the first time ever), and have had a constant stream of acne on my chin since then. I have also noticed a non-existent libido. I talked to my OB/GYN about it. She said that about 5-10% of people who get Mirena have a hormone imbalance from it. This can cause all of those things. I'll be getting it out very soon. So, while most people won't have issues, some will. Those who do, may have a myriad of problems.
  • libstr
    libstr Posts: 36 Member
    I am menopausal and had a mirena inserted 6 weeks ago... I have put on over 3kg since then.... mostly around my tummy, i have noted my breasts are rather sore too like when i used to have my period.
    I exersize a lot, and havent changed my diet so Im putting this weight gain down to the mirena. Im seeing my gyn tomorrow and hope that she is going to tell me that im not imagining this weight gain and that it will settle and i will loose it.
    Im living in false hope!
  • I am 45, no kids and got the Mirena on 12/19/2013. I have noticed I put on a solid 5-7 pounds. However, I am not going to immediately blame the IUD as there were the holidays, lack of working out and eating pretty crapy. I have my 6 week follow up next week and have decided to really focus on eating healthy, appetite control and exercise for the next 6 weeks, if I continue to gain weight, I am going to have it taken out. I do feel bloated and breast are tender every now and again but I still want to wait it out and keep it if I can. I have REALLY heavy periods that put me out for about a day and a half, I would really like to not have that anymore! I'll keep you posted.
  • I noticed this as well. I had it inserted 9/13 and with conjunction of this and being on anti-depressant/ Psychotic medication until November 2013. After I had done the inital withdrawl from the medication I realized I gained 9 pounds in such a short time. it could take an extra while longer for me to get the weight off since that kind of medication stays in your system for several months afterwards, but i noticed just this month that I can no longer work out as intense as i used to.

    ill push through the workout in hopes that i will see a difference and eating quite healthy. However, I dont notice a difference in my shape and have yo-yoed 3 pounds of loss/gain this month. I also notice the unusal amount of bloat and excess fat in my midriff along with severe thinning of hair and tender breasts.

    I am going to give it another month as I am doing an intense month of training/workouts for a competition at my workplace. If i really dont see a budge after that I will be most definitely be weighing the pros and cons of this IUD.

    Has anyone successfully lost weight on this and how long did it take to see results?
  • hmrey76
    hmrey76 Posts: 945 Member
    got one 5 yrs ago....put on 10lb in that first month, but got it off once I cut calories. Dr said it wasn't due to the IUD...i don't believe her. BUT It is fantastic and in my opinion, was worth it. I am getting it replaced next month with a new one.
  • got one 5 yrs ago....put on 10lb in that first month, but got it off once I cut calories. Dr said it wasn't due to the IUD...i don't believe her. BUT It is fantastic and in my opinion, was worth it. I am getting it replaced next month with a new one.

    I know, I really think it is worth it, and I have read in some posts that the weight will come off in time once your body adjusts to the difference between a Pill with both hormones compared to this one which centrally emits progesterone. I am really hoping this is true! Not having results and working this hard is killing me! I feel like alot of it is fluid retention in my belly and face.
  • This isn't so much a weight gain question--I'm at my goal weight, can afford to gain a bit while I wait for things to even out. But can people tell me more about depression, loss of sex drive, and acne as side effects?

    I semi-expelled my paragard (it was buried in the myometrium so they pulled it), and I'm trying to decide whether to put in another or go with a Mirena. My doctor doesn't like that my periods were so long and painful on paragard and wants me to switch, but I'm unsure.

    I have been diagnosed with a mood disorder and I actually noticed once I switched to the Mirena I wasnt so testy, that was just me though. the only thing I would heed warning is that although your periods are not heavy on this ( they are so light I only really need a pantyliner to protect myself) You spot often the first while. I am still spotting but not as bad as i used to so i hope it will be eliminated at some point. If this weight starts to come off, or I see an improvement in my fluid retention, I will be PRO- Mirena,

    Because lets be honest... who doesnt want to worry about taking a pill everyday and having peace of mind. :)
  • jtdlmc
    jtdlmc Posts: 1 Member
    I've had mine in for just over a year and have gained 30 lb. I haven't changed my exercise or eating habits and haven't had a major change in my life. There seems to be more studies being done and realizations are becoming evident that Mirena can cause weight gain in some people. I like all these people that said "if it's more than 2 lbs it is not due to Mirena". Hmmm, lots of scientists on here or just those who take pharmaceutical company's words at face value? I know mine is due to Mirena, I have been the same weight basically since the birth of my second child 12 years ago and pretty much within days of having it inserted I started to see the weight increase - it crept up on a monthly basis until it hit 20 lbs and now it seems to have leveled off. I'm getting it out soon and hope the weight comes off. I got it due to extremely heavy periods lasting 3-4 days from which I was anemic. I know have spotting (panty liners only are needed) for 2+ weeks every month! I'd rather take iron pills and only be bothered with bleeding for 4 days than 14! I also have a strong medicinal discharge quite often and this is 14 months later. It seems Mirena acts differently with each body.
  • ejdp254
    ejdp254 Posts: 342 Member
    I have no idea if having a Mirena cause any weight gain, yes I've definitely put on lots but probably due to more than one reason! Anyway it was due for renewal so I phoned my GP yesterday and now its gone -Dr asked if I'd like to keep it as a memento - NO THANKS And I wont be having another put in as I don't need it right now. It is a brilliant BC method, I've had two in between pregnancies so i'll be interested to see what happens now . Not having any periods for 10 years it's going to be strange having them return, let see if my weight carries on going in the right direction and my moods settle down :smile:
  • cedarblack
    cedarblack Posts: 63 Member
    I have one, in fact I have my second one in now, so have been using a Mirena for the last eight years and it has had no influence on my weight whatsoever.

    The only problem I had was excessive bleeding in the first six weeks or so of having it put in, which was horrid but I absolutely wouldn't be without it now! I don't have periods at all now (I used to have really heavy, really painful ones where I would have to go home from work they were so bad, I was also known to collapse on the street with such bad pain). My hormones also used to be all over the place, I would feel so horribly depressed for two weeks of the month every month, it was awful, I was in a very bad place. All of that has gone now and my quality of life has improved immeasurably.
  • Mrsdawnrazor
    Mrsdawnrazor Posts: 7 Member
    I had one of the first ones fitted in 1997 and I am now on my 4th. Lost all my baby weight with it in, got it removed to have baby no 2 then am on my third since then. I am about 25lb heavier than after baby one but I am 16 years older and a lot less active. If it has made me put on weight, it has been worth it for not having a period for 16 years (except 3 between the first ones removal and getting pregnant again) LOVE IT
  • SamanthaKayShaver
    SamanthaKayShaver Posts: 43 Member
    I've had one for a little over a year now. I didn't notice any weight gain at all.

    My personal experience:

    Pros:
    No noticeable weight gain
    Not having to remember to take a pill everyday
    I could breastfeed with it
    Hormones have balanced out quite a bit
    One time fee for five years of birthcontrol

    Cons:
    Sometimes, my husband hits it during sex (he is bigger so he's manages to always hit something)
    The first couple months, there was quite a bit a discharge. It has all but disappeared except right before my period, though.
    It doesn't help with my acne like the pill did


    Overall, i wouldn't use anything else. I think its amazing!
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