Mirena Birth Control - Long Beach,CA

I've had mine for 8 months now (had it put in as soon as possible after baby was born!). After insertion, I had to go back and have the wires trimmed and bent up b/c hubby was feeling them, but now no probs at all.

I didn't want the hassle of remembering pills and it took too long for depo to leave my body, so that's why I opted for Mirena.

However, I do know 2 ladies who got pregnant with it, so even though I know it's more effective than other methods, but I still get nervous about that (and am happy with 1x/month spotting to let me know I'm not!)

Hi R.,
I had mirena for 3 years. I would have to say overall I'm thrillled with it. The insertion was a nightmare!! I can't even tell you how bad it Hurt! I almost passed out! I've also heard stories of it not hurting at all so I think it just depends. As far as hormones and being moody or depressed. I don't really think it really caused any of that, but who knows? Maybe it caused some moodiness but I was on it for 3 years so who's to say it wasn't just me?
Anyway, my last 2 tests to determine if I would get it again were - how bad did it hurt taking it out? It was an incredible amount of pain putting it in and if taking it out was going to be anything like that! It turned out not to hurt one bit. I didn't even realize it was out! Then the final test and perhaps the most important - how quickly did my fertility return? I had a cycle and then ovulated right away and was pregnant my 2nd cycle! I am now 8 weeks pregnant! :)
My doctor asked me at my first appt about what method of birth control I might think about for after my baby and I quickly said Mirena.
So obviously some people have great succes with it while others have bad experiences, however mine was almost 100% good. Best of luck!!

It was a little more painful than I expected to have Mirena put in. Just felt like cramps for a day or so. I also had spotting for about 3 weeks after. Once all that was over, it has been great and I have had no problems!

i am a mother of 3 boys. Very fertile, but since i have been on this birth control since 2005 i havent gotten pregnant like i have on other birth control. I havent had my period since ive inserted it. i have slight cramping monthly but no period. I recommend it to everyone who asks because i love it and would go back on it. But as always consult with you dr.

I had one for a very short time and i had side-effects like migranes and body aches, etc. OB told me that it's not possible that mirena would cause this, but i got it out and everything felt better.
what i know is that mirena has copper AND hormones in it. some say that it's the horomones that could cause these side-effects. there is a IUD that doesn't have any hormones but just copper and it's of a different name, not mirena.
do your research on both and good luck

Hi R.,

I am sure there have been many women who have had positive results with Mirena. I am not one of them. After I finished nursing my daughter, I had Mirena inserted. Although the insertion is not supposed to be painful, it was painful for me.

After three months of light spotting my periods disappeared. I was told this was not unusual for Mirena and did not worry about it. However after about a year and a half into it, I started feeling out of sorts. I was moody and lathargic. I felt outside of myself if that makes sense. I had absolutely no energy and would sit for hours doing nothing. Sometimes I felt like a raw nerve and that I was going to jump out of my skin. My husband and kids had no idea what was going on and neither did I.

When I went to the doctor she told me that there was no way Mirena could cause this. She said I had to be depressed and prescribed an antidepressant. The pills only intensified my symptoms. I stopped taking them. Three days later I had a period. After my period I was my old self again. What a relief, my body just needed to have a cycle. Because I was feeling back to normal and because it hurt me to have Mirena implanted I did not remove it. Dumb, I know.

A few months later I started experiencing the same symptoms again. This time I immediately went to the doctor to have it removed. Since I have been off of it (years now) I have not had those symptoms. Even though this happened twice and the first time my period had regulated me, the doctor still maintained that it could not be Mirena. I believe whole heartedly it was.

My system is still kind of messed up. And, I was like clockwork before Mirena. Also since my experience I have met and talked with several others who had similar experiences with the jumping out of the skin feeling and extreme tiredness.

Take it for what you will. I know there are many out there who swear by it. You are right to get all the info before hand.

Good luck

C.

Some people definitely have side effects because it's hormonal. I use the hormone free paraguard which is basically the same as the mirena, but it has no hormones (the copper does the job of the hormones) and it lasts 10 years. It's just as effective and it allows me to cycle normally which I believe to be healthier than interfering with what your body needs to do. It's also immediately reversible, whereas with the mirena you have to wait for the hormones to exit your body and allow your body time start cycling again.

Just my 2 cents. Me and hormonal birth control do NOT get along AT ALL.

I have been on Mirena for 3 years (I have 2 boys also). I love it. Insertion was slightly painful but they had trouble getting it in for me. It only was painful during insertion which was fairly short. I had spotting for a couple months and I am period free which is great. I read alot of things before I had it inserted- you have to realize it is the people who have problems who usually are the ones who respond. I took my chances that that is a smaller percentage than the ones who like it. I'm so happy with it. My dr's office did not cover the cost but I found out that there was another office that did so I was able to get it covered under ins. check around if they tell you they don't cover it.
good luck

I've had mine for 4 years (after 2 boys as well). I love it. No side effects, no periods whatsoever - which is the BEST!!! However, I have 3 friends who have had it removed early - one for constant spotting, one for discomfort and one for a localized rash. So I am one of the lucky ones. But I couldn't ask for anything better. I say if your insurance pays for it, go for it and give it a try! My insurance doesn't cover it anymore, but I think at the 5 year mark when I have to get it removed, I may pay for another with my own money!

I've had Mirena inserted in April of 07 and love it. Like the others have said, insertion felt like a contraction for me. I spotted for about 2-3 months and then little to nothing. While I was breastfeeding I didn't have a peroid. Unlike some of the other lucky women, I do have a period now, but it's super light. And just like the pill, you don't have to wait for the hormones to leave your body to get pregnant again when you have it removed. Lots of ladies will tell you they got pg right away, so don't count on it lasting. It delivers a small amount of hormone right where it's needed. Once it's gone, it's all you.

R.,
I've had the IUD for about 2 years now, and its great. The initial insertion is painful, more painful for some. I did cramp really bad afterward, which your doctor should explain to you but it goes away. I would say all in all out of all the birth controls I've tried this is the best, the safest and would totally recommend. God Bless.

D.

Yes I was on it and it was wonderful. I had no side effects at all.