A question for the ladies...

ahertel0214
ahertel0214 Posts: 244 Member
edited September 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone tried the Merena? (birth control)

Replies

  • ahertel0214
    ahertel0214 Posts: 244 Member
    Has anyone tried the Merena? (birth control)
  • hmmmm
    hmmmm Posts: 607 Member
    I wanted to but right now I don't have health insurance until next year. I read a lot about it though, it seems like a good idea for me. I don't know if you have kids or not but it recommends not doing it until you have had at least one child (although I don't know why that is). I want something long term but not irreversible (just in case we ever did decide we wanted another)
  • nicole0177
    nicole0177 Posts: 377
    no i use loestrin 24 and i really like it!!
  • ahertel0214
    ahertel0214 Posts: 244 Member
    We have a 4 year old daughter. I also had the Merena implanted in December. Just want to see what others think. I've never been a big fan of birth control because it makes me a bit kooky at times.

    I like the Merena but I'm starting to wonder if it has anything to do with my recent weight gain. For years, no matter what I ate my body wouldn't move above 160... now all the sudden I've gone from 153 to 170 in about 10 weeks... it's a bit alarming and making me VERY frustrated.

    As for why they're only available if you've had a child... it is implanted directly into your uterus and your uterus must be 6-7 cm deep. They actually measure. I'm assuming that much space is necessary for it to stay in place. I'm also assuming that the typical uterus isn't that big until it's been the home to a baby. Only guessing.
  • mydogmesa2
    mydogmesa2 Posts: 205 Member
    I have an IUD but its Paraguard. The non hormonal one because the hormones give me terrible headaches. Ive had it for about six months and Its wonderful. It didnt change my cycle, you cant tell its there at all and the best part is its good for 10 years (Mirena is 5 years) And you dont have to worry about mood swings and all that from the hormones. And its 99% effective. I recommend it over the mirena. I would ask the doc about the differences before you make a decision because if you dont like the hormones or such, most insurance companies wont pay to get it taken out for atleast six months. Only because they want you to really "give it a chance" Good Luck.:wink:


    oops too late. :laugh: I though you wanted advice lol Oh well. To the other readers then!:laugh:
  • nicole0177
    nicole0177 Posts: 377
    o is merena that birth control that you can put in you and its stops you from getting pregnant for 5 years?
  • laurajoyk
    laurajoyk Posts: 305
    Is Merena the same kind of thing as the 3 year implant. Thats what I have.
  • mydogmesa2
    mydogmesa2 Posts: 205 Member
    Is Merena the same kind of thing as the 3 year implant. Thats what I have.


    Do you have the one in your arm? I heard that it swells up whenever you have sex. Is that true? Maybe it means its working. lol
  • ahertel0214
    ahertel0214 Posts: 244 Member
    Merena is an IUD that must be implanted in your uterus by your doctor.

    It is only available to women who have given birth to at least 1 child.

    It does last 5 years but can be removed sooner and also must be removed by a doctor.
  • nicole0177
    nicole0177 Posts: 377
    well i think that its a good thing if you dont want anymore children at the time. and you can always change ur mind and its less of a pain than taking a pill.
  • buffjess
    buffjess Posts: 382
    I had Mirena for about six months.. It gave me alot of problems so I had it taken out..
  • megalitz
    megalitz Posts: 26 Member
    i had the paraguard IUD for about 4-5 years because i cannot take birth control pills, the hormones made me crazy! i hate them! so i got the non-hormonal IUD and not to scare you, but the insertion was one of the single most painful experiences of my life, and i've had quite a few broken bones, torn ligaments, surgeries, etc. etc. i recently had it removed because the cramping it caused was unbearable and debilitating. i was a heavy bleeder and anemic to begin with, so it wasn't a good idea for me. it caused even more bleeding and even more cramping. however, it is a really good option for a lot of people, and if i hadn't had the issues i did, i would still have it today. the good news is, it didn't hurt nearly as badly to have it removed!

    i'm now on loestrin24 and it's going pretty good. ive been on it for about 5 months now. im not crazy, thank god, but i did gain weight. which is equally as horrible in my opinion. and it just doesnt seem like it will come off until i stop the pill. and obviously that isn't an option. damnit, why is life so difficult for us women?! :)
  • astridfeline
    astridfeline Posts: 1,200 Member
    I got the Mirena IUD last May. The first 3-4 months were a pain w/ irregular bleeding, but after that things calmed down. I love it and have had no problems since.
  • proudmama0118
    proudmama0118 Posts: 433 Member
    I got the Mirena IUD last October. I love it. I do seem to be rather irregular and spot a little sparatically, but to me to not have to worry about all the hassles that come with any of type it is well worth it! I just wish I had done it right after my son was born instead of trying the mini pill. It was very inconvient since it had to be taken the exact same time every day. My choices were rather limited since I was nursing.

    I haven't noticed any weight gain with it, I did gain about 10 lbs the month after but I think that was more due to weaning than anything else.

    Overall I am very happy with it.
  • GIGINATOR
    GIGINATOR Posts: 355 Member
    My OB suggested it for me due to heavy periods, already have two kids and I had my tubes tied so not worried about birth control. after researching and talking to many of my friends at work (I'm an OB nurse) everyone repeatedly said weight gain was a huge issue. So I said NO WAY after I've worked this hard to LOSE it. Anyway, wasn't keen on having something in my body. Just my thoughts....
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