Mirena/IUD - Longview,TX

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

I'm one of the lucky ones, and I guess statistically, most people are, who after insertion, had several months of erratic periods and spotting, and then "poof!" No period for months... Very few side effects for me, and certainly none now. Had it for 2 years. The pill used to make me sick, sick, and this has been a welcomed change. Did I mention that I love it? :)

EXTREMELY painful to have put in. Cramping for weeks afterward. Irregular bleeding for months (I have had mine for 7 months and am still waiting for the no-period thing to start) Bad PMS and acne (my previous birth control took care of those things). Nice that you don't have to worry about birth control for 5 years is the only good thing I have to say about it as of right now.

I loved it at first. Until I started putting two and two together and realized that some problems I was having were due to the Mirena. I had bad acne (on my face, chest, and back), joint pain, deep pelvic pain, terrible PMS (even though I had no period), and reoccurring painful ovarian cysts. Also, my sex drive was non-existent. I got it removed after two years and my symptoms cleared within two months. Also., I have to admit that the whole not having a period thing was quite nerve-wracking, and I though on at least two different occasions that I was pregnant with this thing inserted. Hope this helps!

I had nausea, bad acne, cramps, bleed for almost the entire 5 months I had it in, miscarried, gained like 10 extra lbs, and had many other problems that subsided shortly after I had it removed. I HATED IT! I have heard great things about the copper iud thingy and actually talked to my doctor about it she is sending me more info. All I can say is good luck if you get it!

It made me aggressive and I gained over 15lbs. After I had it removed, I felt much happier and stopped gaining weight (still have to lose it, though). It did take away my periods to the point where I dripped a bit for a day or two once a month, but nothing compared to what my regular periods are, so from that perspective, it was pretty good. And I didn't get pregnant, so it did it's job. I just wish it didn't make me so grouchy and angry. Seriously, I was yelling at my kids for no reason and I couldn't figure out why I was putting on so much weight. I guess I'm one of the VERY few that the hormones affect this way...Lucky me!

I had one, loved it at first. But shortly after it got it intercourse became uncomfortable. Then I couldnt feel the strings (you have to check them every month), I began having pain. I went back to the dr for a check and they couldnt find the strings also. I have to have it surgically removed a week later b/c the dr was unable to remove it after 3 tries in the office. It was free to put it in but cost me a forture to have it removed.But I have had 3 friends that have had great success with theirs. Good Luck and I hope yours works for you.

**Updated: Rachel thanks for the link, right now we are using condoms too and I am looking for natural methods to postpone baby #3 until next year, I would get the copper IUD again but it's not worth it to have inserted just to take it out in a year***

I agree with the copper IUD, no hormones and it works great. I had it for years and took it out to conceive baby#2 we conceived within 6 months with no problem. My periods lasted one or two days longer (instead of 2 days it lasted for 3 or 4 days) but was completely worth it being hormone free.

hi i have a IUD paraguard i have had it for over two years, and no problems. the paraguard has no hormones like the mirena does and last for 10 years.

I love mine.

The only side effects I have is that I DON'T have any of the beneficial side effects that I had on the pill. For example I do get PMS and my skin is worse right before my period - but that is about the same as when I am not on anything.
My periods are very light and I don't have any more cramps, so that is great.
Everyone is different, but it works for me.

I loved it!! I had it for 3 1/2 years and it was great. After the first year or so I had only very light spotting, didn't even have to use tampons or pads. The only "downside" I would say, and this is only my theory not a proven fact, is the fact that I got pregnant with twins after having removed so that we could have "one more"!! I think that my body went into overdrive afterwards and just started releasing lots of eggs, but I don't know...and I got a bonus baby out of the deal!! My sister had the paraguard and had lots of problems with it and ended up having it removed, but she has been plagued with female problems since hitting puberty.

I could feel mine the whole 11 months I had it in. It was very annoying and uncomfortable with sex. For me it did not work, but like you said some people have no issues with it at all. I didn't have weight gain or any of the other issues some women have. Oh and I didn't bleed when I had it put in and I never bled the whole 11 months it was in which was nice but not worth what I felt.

I love mine! I have very little to no period!

I have one, it is my second, when the last one expired I had a new one inserted.
My PMS symptoms are close to pregnancy symptoms sometimes, but having to not worry about birthcontrol and NO period are an easy trade off.
I love it.

I absolutely LOVE mine-I've had it over 2 years, periods are next to nothing at all. Only downside is that I am starting to get some PMS-really didnt have it before. but its not every month-I just get really moody. My husband said he could feel it during intercourse for the first year-my OB said it would soften up (the string I guess) after a while and it did.

I don't have one, have never used anything other than condoms maybe a couple of times and Natural Family Planning since my husband and I were married 7 years ago. We do have three little ones, but none of them were surprises. Might be something to consider if you're still thinking of your options. check out www.familyplanning.net (Family of the Americas) for a teacher near you or to order materials to learn on your own. There are other options for variations on the NFP method, but this was the most effective for me. Best wishes whatever you decide!

My sister got mirena a couple years ago and has had no trouble at all and no period. She didn't get the cramps afterward, either.
I got the mirena in March and had MAJOR cramping for 2-3 weeks after...and a LOT of spotting. It was on and off so I NEVER knew when I'd start bleeding. I kept it in and now I occasionally spot and get little cramps but I love the protection and haven't had any major difficulties.
My friend, however, only had hers for about a month before getting it taken out. She was getting HORRIBLE cramps and back pain.
So I guess it really just all depends on how your body reacts!