Mirena IUD? - Cleveland,OH

Hi J.:

I have the Mirena IUD and I would love to share my experience with you. It will be 2 years next month since I decided to get the IUD. My experience has been good for the most part with the IUD. It was either try the IUD or my husband wanted to get a vasectomy which I thought was too permanent since I wasn't sure if I was done having children yet. Anyway, the procedure only took about 5 minutes and was very similar to getting a pap smear. I had irregular bleading for about 3 weeks after the insertion (the doctor said it was normal and it was just spotting). At first I was weirded out about having something foreign in my body and couldn't quit thinking about it but that just lasted a few weeks. After that I did get a period about every 6 weeks or so and it would only last a few days and was not very heavy at all. I have endometriosis and has extremely painful and heavy periods prior to the IUD. That lasted for maybe 6 or 7 months and now I pretty much have some signs for getting my period but have rarely bled for over a year which to me is fantastic. One thing I can say since I got the IUD is that I do have extreme Breast Tenderness that lasts for about 7-14 days just prior to when my period is supposed to be. This happens alot and is very painful. I brought it up to my OB/GYN and he said he had never heard anything like that before but would look into it. I did end up surfing the internet for some answers and found that breast tenderness is definitley one of the side effects for the IUD. In addition, I have had numerous bacterial infections since I got the IUD. My OB/GYN said that the IUD has nothing to do with that but I question that as I have never had a Bacterial Infection before and now I get them at least 1 time a month typically in conjunction with the breast tenderness and seem to be on medication constantly for them. So I gave up taking the pill only to have to take an antibiotic allthe time. Anyway, other that that all has been great with the IUD, my lack of period and prior period symptons (cramps, heavy bleading, etc) are non existent and I have not had any weight gain etc. from the IUD. Please let me know if I can help you in any other way or answer any other questions for you. Take care and good luck, Kim P.S. My IUD was covered 100% by my insurance!

I have had a Mirena IUD for over 1 year and have had no problems with it. The procedure to put it in place was not more than uncomfortable, kind of in the range of a PAP smear if you take the ibuprofin before you go in as the doc will suggest. I used the Lamaze breathing when it hurt the most and that took care of it. I thought it was going to be worse especially since I had not delievered either of my children vasginally. I had no problems after, no cramping, nothing. Currently, I have no menstrual cycle at all - once in a while I have spotting, but that is it. I have been told by the doctor this is normal. The cost was about the same as the Pill monthly and can be paid over 1 years time when you make arrangements with the company. Flat rate was about $500.00. This is cost effective if you keep it more than one year. Not so much if not.

It currently has been the best birth control I have been on in my lifetime. The Pill has not been a good option for me due to the hormones in it. I would recommend it.

Hi J.,
I actually have the mirena IUD and i love it. Don't get me wrong i did not like the idea at first and i did have alot of cramping for a while after but it did go away. The procedure is simple, just like a regular check up and the doc inserts the IUD, it goes pretty fast, and painless. I love the idea of not forgetting to take the pill everyday. Good lUck!

Well... I LOVE the IUD. I had it put in at my 6 week post-partum appt in September of '06. I STILL have NOT had a period since before I got pregnant! Of course, that department is different for everyone. After it was put in, I cramped for a day or two and "spotted" for about 2 weeks. But that was it. Me (and my husband) can't even tell it's in there!

I don't have any personal experience with an IUD, but I am pro-life and I just thought that you should know that an IUD does NOT stop you from getting pregnant. What an IUD does is stop any embryos from implanting in the uterus so that they die and are expelled with your period. This may not bother you, but its important to know what these devices are doing.

Hi J.,
I've had the Mirena since my little guy was 6 weeks old and haven't had a single problem with it since then and he's almost 2. Same symptoms everyone else experienced: little cramping at first, bleeding for a few weeks, now just spotting. But I do seem to have a lot of vaginal itching at various times. My sex drive is very low - which may or may not have anything to do with the IUD. I've really struggled with weight loss, which again may or may not have anything to do with it. I bug DH every once in a while to get a vasectomy so I can take this thing out and see if either one of the latter symptoms go away. But as long as he procrastinates on the procedure, I'll deal with these things to avoid another pregnancy. I suppose low sex drive and carrying about 20 extra pounds is a bit of a contraceptive in and of itself.

All in all - I would recommend it.