Does Anyone Have Any Experience Using the Mirena IUD?

Updated on October 23, 2010
M.Y. asks from Florham Park, NJ
11 answers

Does anyone have any experience using the Mirena IUD? My doc recommended this IUD when I inquired about something that would help me w/ my PMS mood swings. Does this help w/ PMS? Do you still get periods? TIA

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So What Happened?

Wow!! Thanks ladies for all your input. I've learned alot of things I would have otherwise not known about this particular IUD. I was primarily interested in Mirena for getting rid of my mood swings but it sounds like it might get worse if I try this option. I think I'm going to keep looking. Thanks again for all your useful input.

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L.L.

answers from New York on

I didn't personally use it but a close friend did. She stopped having periods and started having menopause symptoms at age 35. She had another doctor removed the mirena IUD after 5 months or so and went back to the traditional 10 year vaginal ring instead. Hope this helps!

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L.F.

answers from Monroe on

I've had mine for 4 years. The only thing I like about it is that it has done the part about preventing pregnancy, but I have gained around 60 lbs. I'm sluggish, more emotional (moody), no motivation and lack energy. This is not me. I'm definately not going back once I get it out next year.

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J.A.

answers from Sacramento on

I have had a good experience with mine. No weight gain, no mood swings and pretty much no period...spotting every once in a while. I'm sure you will get a wide variety of answers because we are all so different and react to things differently. I have had mine almost 4 years and will get a new one next year. My dr. highly recommended this to me as well and I was a bit skeptical...but am really glad I did it.

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

I HATED my Mirena. Had it for 2 years, put on tons of weight, had bad acne, and actually didn't feel like myself at all. Honestly, I don't recommend it to anyone!

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F.A.

answers from New York on

Hi there
I have a Mirena and I really love it. I did find it helped my PMS a lot. I got it to help with heavy periods, which it did. I had very bad bleeding and it is now much lighter although I still get regular periods. I think a lot of women find their periods stop altogether with it.
I actually didn't know it could help with PMS, so I wasn't looking for this benefit, but I cannot believe how much better I am with the Mirena! I used to get several days of feeling really low and depressed, and my husband and I usually had at least one bad fight during this time! Now I maybe feel slightly moody, but it's very little and so much better than before. Marital harmony has been restored! I really recommend you give the Mirena a try. You can always have it removed if it really doesn't work for you.

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K.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I was just like Meaghan H. I gained 15lbs, broke out and was a moody, angry mess. The first time I had it in for 5 YRS! I lost weight during that 5yrs with an enormous amount of effort (it really did take about whole 5yrs of constant dieting and working out to lose 30lbs, it was a nightmare), and spent a large part of my day yelling at my kids. My doc at the time told me that weight gain and mood swings were NOT a side effect of Mirena. Then, I had that one removed to put in a new one. With that new rush of hormones, I immediately gained 15lbs (even though I was STILL trying to lose weight). When I confronted my doc again, she said "well, maybe, it COULD be because of the Mirena, some women do have those side-effects..." Really wish she'd told me that 5yrs EARLIER instead of flat out denying it. Anyway, I had it removed and feel much happier. Other than that, I actually really liked having almost no periods...

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S.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have had mine for over 2 years. Only problem I had in the beginning was that my husband could feel it sometimes during intercourse and that I did have PMS at times where I never really had it before. My periods have gotten lighter as time has gone one-from 1-2 days in the beginning to basically spotting for 10 minutes now. I love it and have had no other problems.

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J.G.

answers from New York on

I've had my Mirena IUD for 4 months. I was a little crampy for a week, and spotted constantly for over 2 months (just as my GYN had warned). Now it's great. Haven't really had a period. Don't notice any skin problems, mood swings or weight gain (which I did have with the pill many years ago). So, so far so good for me! But we are all different, for sure. Good luck!

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S.S.

answers from San Antonio on

I've had it in for almost 2 years and for the most part I like it. I can't take pills because I forget and I breastfeed, so it was really the only option.

I've done a lot of talking recently though to others and hearing about the weight struggles and mood swings, I am beginning to wonder if it's related to my Mirena, cause I've got those issues too. I'm having a terrible time losing weight even with diet and exercise, seem to go through a roller coaster of mild depression every month and I do definitely get PMS. My period has gone to a spotty, sporadic every 45-60 days kind of thing, but I get bloated, crampy, headaches, etc.

My husband has felt it at times too, which he hates. All in all, it is tremendously convenient and I LOVE that, but I grow more concerned about the side effects the longer it stays in.

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G.B.

answers from Albany on

I've had mine for 5 years now with mixed results. I didn't have mood swings or weight gain, but seemed to have chronic pH balance issues for a couple of years (irritation, bacterial infections), but that seems to have passed. Very scant periods have been nice. My sister's-in-laws both love theirs. A word of caution, or something to ask your Dr. about is the string (I think someone mentioned that it will soften up). I had mine trimmed shortly after it was put in and then it migrated up a little bit. They have tried three times to get it out and can't! Not a big deal as we are done having children and my husband had a vasectomy, so I get to keep it (the alternative being going to the hospital and getting knocked out so they can go retrieve it). You could always try it out, and if it doesn't work out for you, have it removed with no lasting side effects. Good luck!

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L.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I like mine. I've tried both IUDs. On this one I only spot, no periods. I honestly can't tell you if I have PMS because I have no idea where I am in my cycle ever (I spot randomly). My husband doesn't seem to be complaining which was how I knew I was PMSing, a light bulb would go off for him and he'd say "Oh I know why your so moody/sensitive"...So probably, I'd say. It's a pretty mild hormonal dose, I hated taking BC pills.

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