Mirena and weight loss

If you hit search and type in "Mirena" I am sure you will find a lot of other women who feel it has inhibited their weight loss. I, personally, never had that issue and have had the Mirena for about 8 years.

I've had Mirena for almost 7 years now and honetly, it's not different for me than any other birth control. Really as long as I eat what I'm supposed to and exercise, I can control my weight.

I had the Mirena for 5 years to control my period (as they won't sterilise me). They were the worst 5 years of my life but I had to lose weight to get it removed. It took me 3 years of diet and exercise to lose 2 stone, had the nightmare removed and I lost 6 stone in 6 months following the exact same plan. I would rather have the issues I had before (which I do) than EVER have another one.

This coming Feb I will have had my Mirena in for 5 years (and will be having it replaced as per the instructions to replace every 5 years).

In the last 5 years; I lost 52lbs with weight watchers; had emergency surgery (unrelated to the Mirena) and gained 40lbs of it back; joined MFP in July and have lost 27lbs. The Mirena has had absolutely no effect on my weight loss (or gain). I DO however, love not having periods!

I have the Mirena and also have had weightloss. I don't know if its affecting my numbers or not- but I am losing.

If it has slowed down my loss, thats fine with me. The horror that my cycle caused me in pain and aggravation, its been worth it to me.

I had mine placed in July and have had no issues what-so-ever. I had no issues with birth control either. The IUD is the best thing I have ever had to be honest. Way more reliable then the oral birth control.

Yes me, I have been very active most of my adult life I used to do thai boxing have done insanity and I go on my treadmill a few times a week, I had my coil in Jan last year and put on at least two stone! it is water retention due to hormones and the way your body deals with the hormones Google it and you will see loads and loads of women have the same issues, I am going to have it taken out and have the copper coil back in. Don't let anyone tell you any different ie your eating to much or not working out enough it is your coil! I have loved not having a period and I love my curves/boobs but just don't feel comfy in my own skin if you understand me! xx

I got my IUD in 2010 after losing 100 pounds. Which I maintained with no issues. It's coming out next year and I may finally be in perimenopause so I probably won't replace it but if I'm still ovulating, I will. I love having no menses!

Raclex wrote: »

Urgh. Hated Mirena. From day 1. Do loads of research before you decide to have it put in place Mine was removed within 10 days. It definitely affects hormones therefore, could affect your eating habits. Seriously. Research it.

I totally agree. Have they finally stopped saying there are "no systemic hormone effects" at least? I remember getting mine put in. Within 10 days, my bra size had gone up, I was bloated, migraines, acne, and irritable beyond belief. Not systemic my *kitten*!

No issues with Mirena for me, but I still get longish menses and cramping regularly too, which others don't get. I am happy enough with it, no babies. No more babies for me.

No problems with Mirena for me. I think it's the best decision I made for BC. I haven't had a period since it was inserted. The only spotting I've had was the first couple of days after being put in (which apparently just about everyone gets).

As far as weight loss goes:

yellow mark is the day mirena was put in.
blue mark is the day I started a new workout plan.


That being said, it's not for everyone and some people do have pretty bad side effects with it (although I'm sure that can be said for all methods of BC).

edit: Oh, and although I don't have a period, I still seem to bloat a bit around the week where I would have it.

Myrmilt wrote: »

No issues with Mirena for me, but I still get longish menses and cramping regularly too, which others don't get. I am happy enough with it, no babies. No more babies for me.

Same thing goes for me. Now real issues except I still get a period which I was hopin wouldn't happen. I'm no good with the pills so it definetly took the stress out of sex. Nothing worst than waiting on a period...

jenmardo wrote: »

The Mirena works on the ovaries to inhibit ovulation and stimulation of the lining of the uterus. They cannot reproduce or prove in any clinical trial that it causes weight gain. Any evidence of weight gain is anecdotal, and not based on scientific method.

I agree I looked at the clinical trials and studies a while back and based on what I saw the last clinical trial pre selling included 96000 women...and based on my understanding of clinical trials "any abnormal side effect" must be reported to the trial, that being said it doesn't mean that the actual drug caused the side effect.

Now in the Mirena trials they were not on calorie controlled diets and only about 4300 women reported weight gain (note again no calorie control) so that is less than 5% of the women report weight gain and it did go on to say it was on average aout 7lbs.

And just like any other birth control method that or ingested, injected or inserted there are hormones that difference with Mirena is that they are localized to the uterus and therefore do not flow through our entire bodies before it reaches where it is needed.

Any weight gain while on any BC can be attributed to the following:

Water retention and/or increased appetite.

The water retention will account for up to about 10lbs the rest..."increased appetite" is what is causing the weight gain.

@sabine_stroehm you know it's the hormones that inhibits the ovulation just like in any other form of BC which all lists the same side effects (pretty much) as Mirena. Those hormones can cause other issues but they do not cause our bodies to produce fat from nothing nor do they cause our bodies to hold onto fat in a calorie deficit.

I have had the same issue with Mirena (this time). I previously had it after I had my son and it was great!!! My periods stopped and I only gained maybe 5 pounds. I had it taken out after 5 years and then I got pregnant with my daughter maybe 3 months after! Then I figured since it went so great the first time I would get it again....horrible mistake! This time my face is constantly broke out, I have gained 20 pounds and I work out 5 times a week. Mood swings are horrible and although I am not depressed it is hard pressed to get me out of bed. I am so exhausted that if I do not have a nap throughout the day my eyes and head hurt. I have never felt like this before and it all started when I had the 2nd Mirena put in. For the first couple of months I just assumed that these symptoms would disappear..boy was I wrong. I am just wondering why it affected me different the second time???

I've had Mirena for 3-4 years now. Completely happy with it--had breakthrough bleeding the first week or so, but haven't had a period since then. No bloating. No PMS. No weight gain.