Q for ladies

I have a Mirena and one of the reported side effects is weight gain. I've lost 42 pounds so far. CI<CO is king.

Not really, it actually has regulated my hormones and improved my mood. Definitely talk to your doctor with your concerns. When I was 20 something I took some birth control that made me nauseous and had to switch.

I will say this. Last year, I started feeling like complete crap. Ton of issues with anxiety, depression, binging, COMPLETE lack of motivation to do anything (which is odd for me because I am VERY Type A). All I wanted to do was sleep. I'd sleep until 15 minutes before I needed to leave for work, and then come home and crash on the couch. I gained almost 40 lbs over the period of 6 months. Finally after trying multiple anti-depressants and anxiety pills and being tested for diabetes, thyroid issues, iron, and various genetic mutations, I realized that this all started around the same time I had my Mirena put in. Doctor said that it couldn't POSSIBLY be the Mirena. I told her TAKE IT OUT!!! Four months later, I'm back to two workouts a day, cleaning the entire house, I'm down almost 20lbs, no issues with binging, and I can actually stay up past 9:00 at night.

So while the Mirena itself didn't cause me to gain the weight, it caused all of the issues that led up to the weight gain. I will NEVER use hormonal birth control again.

sweetpea813 wrote: »

I was on hormonal birth control for years. I changed to Paragard IUD in November and immediately lost about 3 pounds but my stress and anxiety disappeared also. The hormones messed with my mood and I was always on edge a week before my period.

I read that the Paraguard increases bleeding during periods and cramping, which is one reason why I haven't really looked into it. Has that been your experience?

Raynne413 wrote: »

sweetpea813 wrote: »

I was on hormonal birth control for years. I changed to Paragard IUD in November and immediately lost about 3 pounds but my stress and anxiety disappeared also. The hormones messed with my mood and I was always on edge a week before my period.

I read that the Paraguard increases bleeding during periods and cramping, which is one reason why I haven't really looked into it. Has that been your experience?

For me it did at first, for a couple months. Now it's back to normal. It was worth it for me because I don't ever want to be pregnant again. Since they wouldn't rip out my reproductive organs like I wanted this was the next big thing.

I read that the Paraguard increases bleeding during periods and cramping, which is one reason why I haven't really looked into it. Has that been your experience?[/quote]

I have heavier bleeding but not cramping. I don't mind the heavier bleeding because all of those crappy emotions are gone from the hormonal birth control. I exercise quite a bit so maybe that's why I don't have much cramping but when I don't exercise, I have more cramps.

Switch BC, different women DO gain weight from different birth control. I used Depo for years maintaining a 135lb weight but then tried the arm implant and shot up to 175lbs I felt like I was starving to death 24/7 it was hormonal. When I went back to Depo I started a weightloss plan to drop that and am now about 10lbs away. It's harder to lose than pack on so witch if you're worried.

Raynne413 wrote: »

I will say this. Last year, I started feeling like complete crap. Ton of issues with anxiety, depression, binging, COMPLETE lack of motivation to do anything (which is odd for me because I am VERY Type A). All I wanted to do was sleep. I'd sleep until 15 minutes before I needed to leave for work, and then come home and crash on the couch. I gained almost 40 lbs over the period of 6 months. Finally after trying multiple anti-depressants and anxiety pills and being tested for diabetes, thyroid issues, iron, and various genetic mutations, I realized that this all started around the same time I had my Mirena put in. Doctor said that it couldn't POSSIBLY be the Mirena. I told her TAKE IT OUT!!! Four months later, I'm back to two workouts a day, cleaning the entire house, I'm down almost 20lbs, no issues with binging, and I can actually stay up past 9:00 at night.

So while the Mirena itself didn't cause me to gain the weight, it caused all of the issues that led up to the weight gain. I will NEVER use hormonal birth control again.

I also had major problems with the Mirena; it triggered my auto-immune disease that was in remission, I was in terrible pain with all my joints and muscles, exhausted, weak, poor memory/foggy thinking, night sweats, intolerant to temperature changes and strong smells (perfume etc), tingling hands, headaches, generalised pain, dry mouth/eyes, skin problems, sleep disorders, tinnitus, eating problems (mainly not wanting to eat). I was intolerant of medicines. I was also depressed and seriously contemplating suicide - to a point of actually planning it.

My mother pointed out to me that the problems I was experiencing all started within a couple of weeks of having the Mirena fitted. Once I realised that she was right, I researched my symptoms and found that they were due to the Mirena (silicone poisoning) and I removed it immediately, three months after it was fitted.

My doctor also said that it couldn't possibly be due to the Mirena. However, most of my symptoms stopped with the removal of it. I felt better almost instantly from many of the symptoms although the auto-immune issue continues to be a bit problematic. Interestingly enough, my auto-immune consultant said that they were aware that the Mirena can cause issues but cannot advise women of this as there's no evidence-based research to support this advice.

I would urge anyone considering having the Mirena fitted to do their research very carefully - there are thousands of women complaining about it and although i realise that it's all anecdoctal and not researched in the scientific sense, it means something.

It's all so annoying as I'd been put on a medication that meant I had to avoid getting pregnant and I'd actually asked to be sterilised. My doctor recommended the Mirena as a better option - less invasive and my periods would hopefully cease. Guess what - I'm now seeing a gynaecologist about sterilisation later this month. I'll never use a hormonal birth control again (my doctor tried to convince me to have the implant or depo - ha, no chance).

But, as to the original question, I didn't actually gain any weight with it but I didn't lose any either. So maybe I did gain? Who knows. It held up my weight loss for a while; if I hadn't had it then I believe that I'd probably be at goal weight now. But never mind, it'll come right in the end

Birth control doesn't directly affect your weight. What it affects is hormones, appetite, energy, etc. which then contribute to weight gain. Talk to your doctor if you are having these issues and they may be able to prescribe something on top of the birth control you're on to balance you out, so to speak.

I'm a year in on my second nexplanon (4 years total) and love it. I have not noticed any increase in appetite or water retention, it does not make me feel sluggish, and it doesn't create any type of mood swings. I heard many horror stories but got it anyway and am so glad I took the chance.

I also had a horrible experience with mirena. With in a month of getting it I had gained 10lbs, felt puffy, horrible acne and spotted nonstop. I felt like I had no control of my body. After 3 months and 15lbs I had it removed and went on yaz. I would go up and down 5lbs but couldn't ever really lose it. Now I'm a month off the pill and BC period ( hubby finally got a vasectomy) and feel amazing!! I'm working hard and only down 4lbs but feel like I'm back in control. I really do believe hormones affect us big time.