Mirena and weight

kat201415
kat201415 Posts: 8
in Getting Started
I have had mirena in for over 2 years now. Haven't had a period or spotting at all since I got it. A few months after it was put in my weight started flying up. I gained 70 pounds within a year even though I was active and ate exactly what I should have been. I started to lose any kind of an appetite within the first few months. I set alarms so I wouldn't forget to eat and logged everything. Never ate more than 2,000cal a day and fast food has never been an option. I was later diagnosed as insulin resistant and pre-diabetic. My thyroid levels were on the low end and still are. I have lost a lot of hair because of it. I'm building muscle like crazy, but the fat stays. My GP is totally baffled by this.

I truly feel the mirena is the problem and everything is connected to it. I have to get blood drawn again soon for my yearly. Is the anyone else who has gone through this as well? Did you drop the extra weight in the months following removal of the IUD? If you JUST had it removed, it wouldn't be relevant to you yet. I mean people who have been off it for more than 2-3 months

Replies

  • SharonNehring
    SharonNehring Posts: 535 Member
    Rapid weight gain and insulin resistance sounds like you may have PCOS. I gained 80 lbs in 2 yrs when PCOS caused my hormones to go wonky.

    I've had a Mirena for 6 yrs and have had no weight gain with it, so I can't really help much there.
  • kat201415
    kat201415 Posts: 8
    I was already checked out for that, unfortunately! :(
    It didn't start until shortly after getting the IUD. Beforehand I was EXTREMELY fit and had spent 6 years powerlifting and doing endurance running. I'm trying to build myself back up to that and have been since I was cleared post partum. I work with horses regularly and training to be a paramedic. Also starting to focus training for rappelling, so you can imagine what I do daily just for exercise. My log doesn't cover it all
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    I had this problem with the shot. My doctor swore I didn't gain weight from it, but after every shot *BAM* five pounds gained (total 25). I stopped all hormonal birth control after that. Lucky my hubby has had a vasectomy.

    I think there is another thread about Mirena going on in a different board. :flowerforyou:
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Mirena itself does not cause weight gain...I was on it for 7 years and lost most of my weight while using it. I had mine removed in September of 2013 due to non weight related issues...I started her in June, weight loss in January of 2013...I have lost almost 25lbs since it's removal...but I lost 25lbs before it's removal...

    The hormones are centralized in your uterus not through out your body...so as not to "screw" with your system as much as other BC options.

    Logging everything is good but did you weigh your solids and measure your liquids...

    As for building muscle how are you measuring that? Because if 2000 is a deficet you aren't building muscle...

    But on the other hand if you are eating more than you think...you could be building muscle and adding in fat with your calories.
  • coachbeccac
    coachbeccac Posts: 1
    Oh but Mirena CAN cause systemic issues, it is not supposed to but plenty of people have depression or other mood issues, weight gain, libido loss, all that good stuff that can happen from any other hormonal BC method. It just depends on you. It was a nice theory that it would not be absorbed or affect you outside the uterus but it does not bear out. The depressing thing is when doctors don't believe it because they aren't used to seeing it- so they don't want to take it out even w/ problems.

    Cheers-
  • GammaKathy
    GammaKathy Posts: 14 Member
    The Mirena does have progesterone but NOT at a level that should effect your intestinal tract like pregnancy or oral birth control. It is designed to have a local effect on the lining of the uterus WITHOUT the side effects of increasing the circulating level. You actually said the magic phrase. "I'm trying to build myself back up to that and have been since I was cleared post partum." It would be interesting to know if you wear some type of activity monitor such as Body Bug or FitBit, etc.... Often when we are caring for kids and busy with life, we are active and feel tired but are not actually raising the heart-rate sufficiently to speed up metabolism. I am speaking from 2 different view points. First the clinical ( Ambulatory women's healthcare certified nurse for over 20 years and OB nurse before that.) and also from the point of someone who became overweight while "chasing kids" (2 generations) as well as working, etc.... I was fully convinced that I was getting plenty of activity until I started wearing an accurate monitor. The other aspect for me is that I have to measure or weigh and log ALL of my food. Since making those changes I have had much better progress in improving my health. I'm assuming your GP has not only evaluated for PCOS, but also for Thyroid dysfunction and has checked actual hormone levels.

    I really do empathize with you on the frustration you must be feeling. Keep trying and you WILL find the answer for you.
  • OwlsInTheAttic
    OwlsInTheAttic Posts: 9 Member
    I had that happen too. I had it in for about 1-1.5 years and everything was fine (except my menses stopped too). Then all of a sudden I gained 50+ pounds in less than 6 months. I didn't even realize it until I went to try on my Halloween costume from the year before, and it wasn't even remotely close to fitting. I hadn't changed anything about my diet or my activity level in that past 6 months. I started working out even more (I had already been going to the gym regularly) and logging calories, but the weight wasn't coming off at all. When I had it removed all the doctors swore up and down that my weight couldn't possibly have been affected by mirena. About 6 months after it was out, the weight started slowly coming off. Even my bf swears that it was the mirena. He knew what I was doing and eating before and after it was out, and he doesn't think there's any other reason I should have gained weight like that. I've always been sensitive to BC, and I only got it in the first place because I was assured that it wouldn't affect me in any negative way. Trust me, you're not the only one that's had this issue. The good news is that it isn't permanent.
  • medicablasto
    medicablasto Posts: 37 Member
    Hi! I´m a OB/GYN so I can tell you Mirena has efect only in the endometrium wich means the hormone only acts locally. You mention other problems that sounds like policystic ovarie síndrome wich include; insuline resistant,or diabetes, obesity and signs of virilization like facial hair or male distribution of the pubic hair. So I recommend you visit your OBY/GYN to make sure everything is in order.
  • karmac0matic
    karmac0matic Posts: 285
    Hi! I´m a OB/GYN so I can tell you Mirena has efect only in the endometrium wich means the hormone only acts locally. You mention other problems that sounds like policystic ovarie síndrome wich include; insuline resistant,or diabetes, obesity and signs of virilization like facial hair or male distribution of the pubic hair. So I recommend you visit your OBY/GYN to make sure everything is in order.

    Sounds like she's already gotten other things checked. Just because it claims not to do that doesn't mean it doesn't. I was put on an antidepressant that was designed specifically to not make you gain weight yet I gained about 8 pounds in the first few months on it. So, sometimes there are special cases

    And it's also apparent that other people have had this issue with Mirena as well not just OP. Just because you're an OB/GYN and are told it won't happen doesn't mean that it doesn't.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Hi! I´m a OB/GYN so I can tell you Mirena has efect only in the endometrium wich means the hormone only acts locally. You mention other problems that sounds like policystic ovarie síndrome wich include; insuline resistant,or diabetes, obesity and signs of virilization like facial hair or male distribution of the pubic hair. So I recommend you visit your OBY/GYN to make sure everything is in order.

    Sounds like she's already gotten other things checked. Just because it claims not to do that doesn't mean it doesn't. I was put on an antidepressant that was designed specifically to not make you gain weight yet I gained about 8 pounds in the first few months on it. So, sometimes there are special cases

    And it's also apparent that other people have had this issue with Mirena as well not just OP. Just because you're an OB/GYN and are told it won't happen doesn't mean that it doesn't.

    OP is seeing a GP not a specialist...GPs are not equipped for most things

    and
    I was later diagnosed as insulin resistant and pre-diabetic. My thyroid levels were on the low end and still are
    is what came out of being checked.

    Medication does not cause fat to form on your body, that is virtually impossible...esp a device that is plastic...

    Increased calories do...science barring that under 10lbs would/could be water retention.
  • LiftAndBalance
    LiftAndBalance Posts: 960 Member
    My thyroid levels were on the low end and still are

    Any form of hormonal contraceptives can mess with your thyroid though. If you're lucky, your body will "recover" (mine did after about six months) but I also have friends whose bodies didn't. Of course, the Mirena doesn't have to be the reason but since switching to non-hormonal contraceptives can't do any harm, it's worth a shot in my opinion.
  • kat201415
    kat201415 Posts: 8
    I'm on my phone, so I'm not going to quote anyone. To answer some questions:
    I see a nutritionist, ob/gyn, general practitioner and a dermatologist. I have annuals scheduled for both the GP and GYN in June and July respectively. GP is going to do a full thyroid panel, A1C (blood sugar has been stable in recent months) and now she's finally going to run other hormone testing. My GP is licensed to practice GYN and has a couple decades of experience. The nutritionist, GP and GYN do communicate with each other. The GP checks body fat with calipers. I keep a diary with direct measurements head to toe. I measure once a month and do a weigh in. I keep track of heart rate during runs with a monitor as well as checking it manually once in awhile to make sure the monitor is correct.

    I'm divorced with ZERO intentions of dating, so I'm tempted to tell one or the other to take it out to see what happens! I wouldn't say anything if I didn't have reason to believe the problems are related, unfortunately. I'm the only one out of the 6 siblings (to be direct) who has been overweight before 30; and 4 of them sit at computers all day and love junk food. Grr.. My sister and I are the only ones who are active. She's thin as a rail. I used to be, until the last few years. It's extremely frustrating! It's hard to eat more than what I do now because I hurl if I try. I make smoothies if I can't eat, then just slowly drink that. Most of those are just dark greens and veg.

    Medications in any form don't "directly" cause fat gain, but they can have an affect on certain things (such as your thyroid) that would cause it. I highly doubt Mirena works exactly the way they claim. Pharmaceutical companies can be worse than politicians ;)
    I did have Nuva ring before, and did fine on it. I might go back to it if and when I start dating again.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    Strange as it is, I had the Mirena placed when I started here. I lost up until this January when I had it removed and had an ablation.
    I haven't lost anything since.. lol!!
  • m_moxie
    m_moxie Posts: 7 Member
    Hi. Just to chime in here - I had a Mirena for several years (almost 10) before deciding I was ready to have a baby. I'll tell you that I absolutely encountered significant hair loss and loss of thyroid function. During one blood test, I also fell in to the "pre-diabetic" range. I gained weight, but I wasn't as diligent at watching what I ate as it sounds like you were. I found it easy to lose weight if I tried, but even easier to put it back on.

    I talked to my doctor before having it removed and she advised me that there is something about the hormone blend in the Mirena that changes as its potency decreases. She told me that once the hormone levels aren't at full strength, you can start experiencing some of these side effects. I was losing so much hair by the end that my father asked me if I was going bald. I tried Nioxin, Rogaine, and all kinds of OTC treatments. I never even gave the Mirena a second thought since it had probably been in at 3 years at that point. My first Mirena never caused the same problems.

    Once it was out, though... wow. What a difference. I did conceive literally, like, 3 weeks after it came out, so some of this is through that lens. My hair had a chance to fill out as a result of pregnancy hormones stalling the resting phase. I did have a large hair loss postpartum when those hormones caught up with me, but now my hair is wonderful. I did not get the Mirena re-inserted afterward. I decided to go au naturale for a while to see if I could maintain my body a little bit without weird hormones. It's working.

    I also decided to go pretty much Paleo plus dairy. (It works great for me.) I feel better. Like, all around better. I'm not pre-diabetic any more, my thyroid function has increased, my hair filled out, my skin isn't as dry, and I'm losing weight. Honestly, I'd rather deal with the once-a-month visit from Aunt Flo than have all those icky side effects.

    Do I think the Mirena is entirely to blame? No. I do think, however, that the decreasing hormone levels in the device change the way it interacts with the body.

    I'm not sure if my perspective will help or not, but I thought I'd offer it. I hope you start feeling better.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    I have had thyroid problems since I was 11 so that was always there. I have no idea if Mirena has impacted them or not and likely never will, as my condition is autoimmune and can change rapidly.

    I've not experienced negative side effects from Mirena, though the information about diabetes is interesting because I've had my Mirena for almost 4 years and I was just diagnosed with diabetes! I am actually considering having mine taken out this summer but I don't really want to take oral BC pills either. Decisions, decisions.
  • MrsPong
    MrsPong Posts: 580 Member
    I had the Mirena for 2 years my OB said I was the longest he has EVER seen anyone keep in (and we are military) it caused to many issues with everyone he treated. The only thing I enjoyed was the no period. Gained weight, mood swings and so on. I took it out and put in the Paraguard. LOVE IT!!! no issues, except some irregular cycles, but no huge deal. Same concept as Mirena, its a IUD only no hormones.... also lasts longer. For some reason I was never offered or even told about the Paraguard when speaking about IUD's only the Mirena....

    Maybe look into that see if that solves any of your problems. If not, then you know the BC was not the problem. Good luck.
  • dblaacker
    dblaacker Posts: 153 Member
    If you're worried about the hormones in Mirena, you can get the Paragard. It's a copper, hormone-free IUD.
  • gvrbabygirl
    gvrbabygirl Posts: 12 Member
    How old is your little one? Is this issue since you had the baby?
  • kat201415
    kat201415 Posts: 8
    He's over 3 years old now. Issue didn't really start until after he was 1

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