Mirena - Dresher,PA

I have had it going on two years. The first year was kind of annoying, because I never knew when to expect my period. But I just had a very light period(Wearing pantliners)about a week ago. This was the first one since January. I really can't say I have had an adverse effects.

I would seriously think about the hormones that you are putting into your body. Since your hubby has had the surgery, it seems pointless to risk harm to your body just so you don't have to be bothered by a period. Any type of hormone (bcp's, Mirena, shots) poses some risk to your health. My mother had breast cancer so I am extremely aware of this. I looked into Mirena and then decided that the constant release of hormones through my uterus is probably not a safe thing for me. I think you just have to weigh your risks and benefits here. Best of luck with your decision.

Hi D.,

What is the purpose of taking the pill or getting a mirena if your husband has a vasectomy?

You will probably be going through Menopause soon and you won't need anything.

I don't understand your reasoning. Just want to know. D.

I don't know a whole lot about Mirena but if your only taking something so you don't get your period every month, the shot is definitely something to think about.

I have had Mirena for about 20 months. On balance, I love it. I REALLY, REALLY don't want to get pregnant again and I am very confident in it for pregnancy protection. Really, short of sterilization, there is nothing better. I also haven't had a period since I got it, though for a lot of women, shorter, lighter periods DO come back after a year or so. But I've had nothing.

There are a couple of downsides. First, the insertion hurt like a, well, insert your own bad word here. I was completely not prepared for that. It was only about 30 seconds, but they were the worst 30 seconds of my life. Now, I had a c-section and had never dilated at all, so maybe that had something do do with it. But I'd ask for a pill to take the next time. Secondly, I gained about 25 pounds within 2 months of having had it put in. Coincidence? Maybe. But I was down to my pre-pregnancy weight at my 6-week checkup, and back up over my delivery weight at his first birthday. And I've had no luck losing the weight. My doctor swears that one doesn't have anything to do with the other, but there are lots of similar stories on line. I don't know what the answer is there, but I just wanted to let you know.

For me, because I am so concerned about getting pregnant again, Mirena is the best answer, at least until we decide to take more permanent measures. But the weight gain (if it is indeed from that) is a big (no pun intended) downside.

Hi D.,

I have not used Mirena, but all forms of birth control for women scare me because of the side effects. A friend of mine was on the pill, and she suffered a blood clot in her brain. She will have to take blood thinners for the rest of her life now. Just please be careful whatever you decide to do.

I was reading about a mom on mamasource that DID use Mirena, and she said she got it three months prior and was bleeding that whole time. Her doctor told her that was normal. So, in the best case scenario, you would only get your period four times a year, but that does not happen with everyone who uses it. Maybe that woman will see your question and respond, so she can give you more info.

Good luck!

L.

I had a Mirena for two years and I loved it.

I read all sorts of horror stories about insertion. When my doctor put it in, 6 weeks after my second child was born, I said, "That's it??" and it was. I sat up too fast and got a little dizzy, but otherwise it was no worse than a pap smear.

I spotted for a while, and my husband could feel the strings for a while, but over time the spotting stopped and I quit getting periods. Also, the strings "soften up" so eventually that isn't a concern either. It took about 2 or 3 months for things to even out.

If you look online you'll find forums for women who have had side effects. Just remember that those of us who didn't have horrible side effects don't generally post about it online! It's only the women who have had problems who take the time to set up forums. There's a real anti-Mirena bias online.

Removal was painless. However, I did bleed like a stuck pig after it was removed. I had terrible clots. The doctor's office said it was normal, but it was annoying. I couldn't leave the house! I tried several things to get it to stop. Finally what worked was drinking red raspberry leaf tea. It's a uterine tonic, and it helped a lot. I would quit drinking it and the bleeding would return, then I'd drink it and the bleeding would stop. I did this several times to be sure that I wasn't imagining a reaction.

I wrote about my experiences on my blog - http://prettybabies.blogspot.com - there's also info on how to contact me there if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Thank you Wendy! I was just going to have this done-not for the bleeding -for all off the other horrible crazy things I go thru. It just seems to get worse after each child. My mood-hunger( I keep a jar of peanut butter by my bed-not kidding)I know when my period is coming because THAT DAY I am crazy mom,neighbor,daughter. Anyone have any advice-besides locking me up!!!!!!

Hi D.,
I have a 3yr old, 18 month old and a 3 month old....YES my hands are tied up. I did not want my tubes tied so I got the Mirena. Everybody is different so my reaction to it may not be what you will experience. I got it in or around July 13 and I was bleeding for 3 weeks. I called my doc office and I was told that it was normal and that i could bleed for a total of 6 weeks. I do have pain from it, a little worst than menstral cramps, I have experienced some nausea to the point were I thought I was pregnant. I thought to get it removed but then what else am I going to do I dont want to take the pill or get my tubes. Hope this will help

I had a mirena put in 6 weeks after the birth of my daughter and had no troubles. I might've had a little spotting/bleeding in the first month, but nothing/clear. Only potential problem is uncomfortableness when having sex, but I don't know if that was because of the mirena or breastfeeding ("dries you up"), or simply my body recovering from having a baby. Otherwise, I love not having to think about bc. Good luck.

Hello,
I have been on Mirena since January. I have mixed feelings about it. Although I dont get a "regular" period, you never know when you may get breakthrough bleeding. Sometimes its just a spot here and there and other times its bleeding for a couple of days. I do however feel like Im constantly on my period.(the bloating, cramps, fatigue, hunger)
Sorry my review is also mixed, but it just depends on how your body reacts to it.
Good Luck.

Hi D.,
I decided to get the Mirena about 1yr ago in August, and it is one of the best things I have done. I have been on almost everything else. I've done pills, very hard to remember to take, I've done the shot every three months, and I have done the patch. Each of them I had different reasons for not liking, the shot was always great, but after I had my second son, for some reason I had alot of spotting, not really a period. So that when I researched the Mirena and my Docotor highly recommended it for me. There is no pain with it, you really don't know that it is there, and my periods have stopped completely. Plus, no weight fluctuations.Also, my doctor said that unlike all other forms of birth control, the Mirena only puts the hormone into your uterus instead of all through your body. I hope this helps.