Do You Trust the Mirena IUC?

Updated on September 10, 2008
S.H. asks from Fishers, IN
21 answers

I have had the Mirena IUC for almost 14 months. I don't have any problems with it except for the fact that I don't know if I trust how well it works. I have heard it is possible to pregnant with one, but it really hit home when someone I know got pregnant with the Mirena IUC. I have 3 children now (5,2 and 1), and my husband and I THINK we would like another precious bundle of joy down the road. However, we have enough on our plates right now, and another baby would REALLY be tough financially, physically, and emotionally. I go to the doctor in a couple of weeks for my yearly exam, and I would love to hear what other women like and trust for birth control.

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So What Happened?

Hi ladies, thanks for all your advise and input. I have decided to stick with the Mirena IUC since it has worked for me so far. I guess I just get a little concerned sometimes because with the Mirena IUC you only have light spotting from time to time so there is nothing ever telling me I'm not pregnant (like a legit period). I was really shocked to learn that an IUD is considered more effective than a tubal. After getting scared from hearing my friend got pregnant with the Mirena IUC, it was a sigh of relief to hear how well it works for all of you ladies. Thanks a million!

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M.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

I've had the Mirena for the past 4 1/2 years and LOVE IT! I've never had any trouble at all with it and can't imagine an easier form of BC for me. My sister has also had the Mirena for the past 2 1/2 years without any troubles. I can only speak from the experience I've had, but I have found no reason not to trust the Mirena. I have three children ages 13, 7, and 4 with no plans to have any more. The Mirena has been a lifesaver to me while waiting for my husband to be ready to get a vasectomy!

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N.Y.

answers from Cleveland on

I had my IUD for 4 1/2 years and I loved it. I went with an IUD instead of tubal ligation after my third pregnancy for health reasons. But I was very pleased with my Mirena. If not for insurance reasons I would have gotten another put in.

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M.F.

answers from Cincinnati on

I have the Mirena and love it!!! My son is 6 and I got it after he was born...had it removed after a few years and got pregnant with my daughter who is almost 3 now. I got it again shortly after she was born and still have it! :)

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M.V.

answers from Cleveland on

I've had the Mirena IUC since July of 2005 and I totally trust it. I VERY EASILY get pregnant (LOL) and there hasn't been an issue in all the time I've had it in place. It offers more protection than even tubal ligation, so I'm not sure how anyone could get pregnant, short of something happening and it coming out...

Anyway, I trust it and am confident in it's abilities to keep me from getting pregnant.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

It's possible to get pregnant with ANY form of b/c (that's the whole fight behind abstinance-only programs). From what I have read it is pretty good, about the same as the pill.

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L.A.

answers from Columbus on

I have had the Mirena for 4 years now. I intend to replace it next year since 5 years is the limit. It has worked fine for me and some other women I know as well.

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C.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

I have been using mirena for the past year and I love it. One of my good friends is a rep. You have less of a chance of getting pregnant on it compaired to any other birth control pill. Good luck in what you decide.

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J.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

Sounds like you have no side effects so I wouldn't worry. I had a Mirena IUD (Uteran Device) I thought it was going to be cake. Since I didn't have my son naturally it was the worse feeling getting the IUD. I had several symptoms, something wasn't right. I went back to the Dr over and over. They would do internal ultrasounds and say see there it is it is fine. After months of severe pain my famiy doctor did a cat scan to see if maybe I had Kidney stones. Come to find out my IUD shifted and punctured my uterus. I was told to go to my obgyn and have it removed immediately. I had to be put out since the string was gone. It was the worse experience and most expensive one! My sister in law had an IUD and upon insertion it punctured her uterus. But then she went and had another one and doesn't seem to have any problems at all. Best wishes to you but I think you are fine if you don't have any problems.

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C.C.

answers from Cleveland on

I had it and it was painful at first and I had to have it removed. My son's father ended up cheating on me and started dating someone else and my current gyno. at the time failed to tell me about the risk of STD's. My other gyno told me that if you got an STD with it in you can absess and be in big trouble so she removed it for me. I now have a great guy and can't get pregnant-go figure.
So my personal experience wasn't all that great with it but I think it would be good for someone in a committed relationship. I haven't heard anything of people getting pregnant on it-but hey now I can't without anything :-(
C.

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S.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have had the Mirena for 3 years now and love it. My doctor says it's the most effective birth control available, at 99.9%. I used to get worried because I don't have periods anymore, I'd be worried I was pregnant. But, I've gotten used to that and truly do trust it. I recently asked my doctor about whether I should be concerned that it "wears off" as you approach the 5 year mark. She said that this same product is used in Europe for 10 years! The US only approves it for 5 otherwise it would be good for 10.

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S.S.

answers from Cleveland on

S.,
After having twin girls two years ago, we decided that we too were not in an emotional/physcial/financial place to be surprised with more kids in the near future. I had the Implanon device inserted into my bicep just over a year ago. I love the fact that this is one of the most effective forms of b.c. and I am not likely to get pregnant for up to three years (and no more forgetting pills). The only downside is that my periods are extremely irregular (every couple weeks). I figure that I'd rather buy feminine supplies than diapers though, and deal with it. Insertion didn't hurt, and I don't even know its there. Our insurance covered most of the cost too.

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K.M.

answers from Dayton on

Hi S.! I am actually 9 months pregnant with my 2nd child, but after I have this one I'm "pretty sure" that's it!!! I have opted to go with an IUC called ParaGard - my doctor highly recommends it. ParaGard gives you 10-year protection & like Mirena can be removed at any time. ParaGard is hormone-free and more than 99% effective. My doctor says it can be inserted at my six-week post partum checkup in his office - so no surgery either!

I have the brochure here in front of me - if you want more information you can go to www.paragard.com or call 1-877-ParaGard.

Good luck with whatever choice you make!!!

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A.C.

answers from Bloomington on

My husband is a newly practicing OB/GYN. When we talked to my doctor about birth control after our son was born two years ago, my hubby suggested the Mirena. I'm so glad we went that route. I took the pill for several years before I got pregnant and had the usual side effects at the beginning (nausea, spotting, etc). It worked for me, but it didn't take long for the effects of the pill to wear off after I stopped it to get pregnant! In fact, I was pregnant pretty much within a month of stopping contraception, which means if I had ever forgotten the pill, we could have had an "oops" pregnancy. My hubby thought Mirena was a good contraceptive choice and thought I was a good candidate for it. My doctor agreed and, though I had some cramping with insertion, I haven't had any other side effects since, and not a single period, either. I think I would have forgotten the pill each morning if I had stuck with it because I was so forgetful as a new mommy at first. Remember that no form of contraception except abstinence is 100% effective. There is always the risk of pregnancy with each one. If you have a lot of concern about your particular situation, maybe you should speak to your doctor about it. Good luck!

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J.E.

answers from Columbus on

I use the Nuvaring. I was horrible about taking the pill on time. You insert it once a month, keep it in for three weeksl, and then remove for one week in order to have a period. It's worked for me so far, and it has less hormones than the pill, so fewer side effects (moodiness, bloating, etc.).

I'm considering an IUD after we have another child, and my husband insists that he's getting a "bag of peas" (surgery) after our next child.

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C.G.

answers from South Bend on

I have had one since July of 2004 and I love it. I have had absolutely no problems with it. Didn't like the pill- made me gain weight and I was moody with the pill. With the Mirena I have had no side effects.

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M.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I cirrently have and IUD in place also. I have tried multiple types of BC in the past including The depo shot and tons of different pills. Last Feb I delivered twin girls that were conceived while on Ovcon (pill). I went with the IUD because my OB/GYN (whom I have a great relationship with and trust completely) said it was the best choice for me. Althought pills sre listed as 99% effective, that does NOT take into account other variables that may affect that percentage (such as antibiotics to list just one). The IUD is TRULY 99% EFFECTIVE. As a matter of fact I was told that it was just as effective as having a tubal ligation done. As others have said, abstinance is the ONLY way you can be 100% sure. The IUD is the best protection out there. And yes, as another has mentioned, it does not prevent against STD's. There are possible side effects (as with ANY foreign thing in our bodies).

My advice is if it works well for you to continue with it. People will have a hundred stories for you about other contraceptives and about IUD pregnancies, but only you and your Doc can decide what's best for YOU.

good luck :)

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K.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have had it for 5 years. It is time to be replaced/removed, but I have never had any problems. I ALWAYS had problems with the pill. I have 3 to prove it! I tried Mirena after the 3rd, and it has worked like a charm. I seemed to spot alot the first year, but after that I have very light periods if any. It is wonderful!

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B.A.

answers from Toledo on

I Love it, i've had it for 3 years now and no problems at all! I'm pretty sure it's 99.9% effective and even with the pill or condoms you have a chance of pregnancy. I would definetly stick with it.

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M.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

S.,

I had the Mirena IUC for four years before meeting my husband (who has had a vasectomy). I absolutely loved it. The only discomfort for me was the insertion but I didn't feel it when it was removed. PLUS...very few, very light periods. I highly recommend it!

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J.S.

answers from Terre Haute on

Hi S..
I use the Depo Shot. I get it every 3 months, and it hasn't failed on me once. The thing is with the depo shot is, is that some times it can put a hamper on your cycle. And when you do start back up or what not..(I haven't had mine for 2 1/2yrs. but I have been getting my shot regular)..can cause it to go all wacko. The good side of not having the period, is that I don't have to worry about buying pads/tampons. :) Good Luck!

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K.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi S.,

I've heard great things and terrible side effects. Sounds like you are fine if you haven't gotten preggo after 14 months.
I got paraguard IUD - the copper one - and have a 2 y/o a 1 y/o and big and pregnant with my third who is due in November!!!

So, the IUD didn't work for me, the copper one.....

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