Mirena IUD

Hey A.. Looks like there are a lot of mommas with opinions on this subject huh?! Well, i have had my IUD for about 2 years and I LOVE IT! My husband loves it too. I've absolutely had no problems. No peroids, no cramps, hubby doesnt have to pull out (TMI-ha, ha??). Its great! Everyone's body is different so even though you're hearing all these horror stories, its not like that for most women. If it was, they'd take it off the market because its harmfull.

Hi A.,

I personally don't have one, but have a friend who has one. After about 5 months, she started showing pregnancy signs. She wasn't pregnant, but her body was thinking it was. She was having severe cramps and has gained 15 pounds, all while still working out 3-5 days a week.

Hope this helps. Here is a website I found about women's comments on their IUDs:

http://curezone.com/forums/s.asp?f=713&ob=h&c=0&a...

I have had two kinds of IUD, the copper and now the mirena. I have had not bad side effects at all. Except I don't have a period and mentally that kind of freaks me out still. (Just the worry of being pregnant.) The copper was fine too, I did notice my periods were slightly heavier, but it wasn't a big deal to me. The nice thing about the IUD If you hate it, it can be removed. Unlike some of the shots that you have to wait for them to wear off.

Had one inserted 2 months after my second dd was born. No periods for 2 yrs but was also breastfeeding. Painful intercourse, stabbing cramps on occasion, horrible complexion and overall nervousness about having a foreign object inside my body. Had it removed went to the pill and am happy. Do miss not having a period though.

Hey A.,
That is the route I took after my first son was born (also 2 years ago in September). It worked really well for us- other than a little initial spotting and cramping, I had no problems. I found none of the side effects that I experienced with the pill- weight gain, headaches, etc.. Also - I was 32 at the time and didn't want to continue using the pill any longer. My husband and I decided to try again for another baby at the end of last year so I had it removed. Other than waiting the recommended period of time (one or two months I think), we were fortunate enough to have no problems conceiving - our second son is due next week.
Good luck with your decision!
Sherri

I've had the Mirena for almost 5 years and plan to get another one when they take it out in January. I cramped the day they put it in but after that, nothing. The only "down side" is that I felt like I was just "oozing" for about a month or two - nothing heavy but just continuous. Then it finally stopped and I really didn't have a period at all for quite a long time. Now that I'm only a few months away from getting it replaced, I have started having a bit more of a period but still not enough to wear a Tampon or anything - this is the great thing! Plus you don't have to think about it for 5 years! Good luck...

I had it for 9 months.

I figured out how it works, too... I cramped so badly during and after sex that, in that nine month period, my husband and I had sex 3 times. My PMS symptoms went from moderate to SEVERE, and my periods became extremely sporadic. I'd liken the pain both during sex and PMS to the same thing I felt while dilating to a 6 (No drugs).

It didn't affect my breastmilk. It almost ruined my marriage.

FTR - the doctor who put mine in was not the one who removed it because every lady I talked to in his office said, "The Mirena couldn't be causing that".. so I ended up having another doc pull it out of desperation.

Once it was removed, my symptoms improved dramatically in 3 weeks - were almost gone at 6 months. I've talked to a few other people who had similar, if not the same, pain - I've also talked to people who LOVE it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I liked.

S.

I got the Mirena IUD yesterday. It wasn't painful, just an uncomfortable cramping when it was inserted, I did cramp til I went to bed. But was fine this morning. And you DO NOT have to be on your period to have it inserted. If you get it, just take some Midol before you have it done.

Before you start anything new, do your research. Remember everybody is different- so get a close look at those side affects and ask yourself if you were the rare case, could you still be happy with you decision.
IUDs may have changed, but overall they still work the same way. Research and find out how an IUD works.
M.

OK, everyone body is different. So this is just my story. I got it put in at my 8-week check up. I had weekly check -up due to c-section complicatons. I also was breastfeeding. My hair fell out in huge clumps. So bad I had bald spots. I was beside myself. I gained about 15 pounds back, no sex drive at all since it has been put in. I have to force myself and I hate it. Sometmes my hubby thinks I'm just npt attracted. SHoot, he's even asked me if I'm having an affair. My skin is always broken out with bad acne. Large painful cyst type bumps. I am having mine taken out at my year visit. My periods went from 4 days to 10 days long and heavier and more painful. My old ob/gyn keeps trying to talk me out of it so I may even change doctors. Personally, I hate it. The hairloss finally did stop, after about 12 weeks. I have looked up side effects and on several message boards. You'd be amazed.

I've had the Mirena IUD for over two years now. It's easy - no remembering to take pills or change patches. I have had a few minor problems with it though. After it was first inserted I spotted for about 2-3 months. Had some pretty intense cramps as well. But once my body adjusted to it everything went back to normal. I've also had to minor infections that my doctor said were related to the IUD and he considered removing it after the second one. Both were cleared up pretty quickly with antibiotics so he decided not to remove it.

Even with the problems I've experienced I think it's a great option to consider. Considering the side effects caused by other methods, it's all about the same. The convience just made the IUD the best choice for me.

I have the Mirena IUD. I have had it since right after I had my baby which was 2 years ago... YES IT WORKS.. but I must say it is akward at times.... I don't know during sex some positions are uncomfortable because I know there is something already up there, and it hurts. My period is very spiratic. I started not having one for 6 months or so .. but then now randomly I will have a period. Very light, mood swings, and cramps, but not a heavy period. It is very convienent though.. no pills, shots, or patches. My stepmother has used it for 22 years! Good Luck. I am 25 also just FYI.

I have it. I love it so far. I got it when my son was 7 weeks old and he is now almost 15 weeks old. It did take awhile for my body to stop spotting and being crampy. I would spot and bleed pretty all day off and on til about a week or so ago. Which my doctor said was normal. The only thing I don't like about it is the cramping. I get cramps everyonce in awhile and they are really bad period cramps. You also have to check yourself to make sure that it is still their every month. Sometimes it is hard to find but I eventually find it. If you have more questions then feel free to ask.

I have one, and my periods hurt like a $&%&*^. I haven't gotten pregnant though, and while they do hurt, there's almost no blood (although I did bleed for the first month after having it put in). I was told this was not normal, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the application, either. It works great. One of the side effects is dry eye, and I have that horrible, to the point that it hurts to open them in the mornings sometimes. Once I have it removed, I will not go back to bc of any kind. It just isn't worth it. I'll sleep in the other room if I have to.

I have a mirena and have had it for almost five years. I actually have to get it replaced in January. I have loved it. I had all three of my children naturally, with no pain meds, so the insertion was not painful for me at all. No cramps or anything. I did have some mild spotting off and on for the first few months, but then my period was completely gone. Now that it is getting closer to replacement time I am noticing a little more spotting, but still no real periods. I would definately recommend it and do to all of my friends. There are risks and side-effects but that is with all birth control available. I have tried a lot of things, even the shots, and this is by far the very best.

Yep, love it!
I got mine when my second child was 4 months. I did not have vaginal deliveries, and I was nursing at the time, so both things combined made my insertion and the first few weeks a little more painful (so said my doctor). I had cramping off and on for about a month. Definitely keep advil around!
Periods were sporadic for a while, then spotting every couple months or so for about a year or so, then no periods at all.

I have one and love it. No period and no side effects. i have had it for a year and a half.

I have the mirena in right now and I love it!!! NO periods and very little cramps. It did hurt me when they put it in, but I didnt take anything beforehand and they say if you take some Ibuprofen it will help. I just have to say that it is possible to get preggo while you have it in, you just may not even know it and miscarry very early on and not realize what happened. If you read an earlier post of mine you will see I asked advice about pregnancy and IUD because I had a positive pregnancy test. When I went to the doctor I was no longer pregnant. So I either miscarried or got a false positive. Also, if you are sensitive to hormones, because there are a little bit of hormones in the IUD, you may feel the side effects for a little while. I am very sensitive to hormones and it took about 10 months for me to get used to them.

I got mine after my 4th baby. I'm only 28 and my husband 30, so we are like you guys. Don't want anymore, but still young so who knows. I bfed my son for the first yr w/ no problems. I have a period sometimes, although it's only light bleeding. Mostly I don't. I haven't had any weird side effects. From asking around they either work for people or they don't. Of course there are horror stories, but mine isn't nor is SEVERAL of my friends. Honestly, no one knows how their body might react to something. I love not having to remember a pill! My insurance also pd 100%. I would try it and if it isn't working for you just have it removed. Good luck to you.

I realize not everyone reacts the same to a birth control but people also automatically assume that it is due to that and not the fact that they just had babies or something else going on in their life. I currently have the mirena IUD (for almost a year) and have little to no side effects. I did not start it while breastfeeding so that part I can't help you with. I feel that the Mirena was one of the best decisions I ever made as a married women who doesn't want more children at this time in life. Our sex life has gotten better since I have gotten the IUD and I am generally a happier person. I especially enjoy the fact that my period is practically gone and that when I am ready (if I choose), I can go to the doctor to remove it and start baby making immediately. I totally recommended it.

Hi A.,
In May of the upcoming year I will have my Mirena IUD removed. I have had it the full 5 years and have loved it. I never have had to worry about forgetting a pill or not changing a patch or not making it to the Dr's office quick enough for the next shot. Like you I was young when I went to get it, 19, and knew that I would not be having any more children. As I was 19 and unmarried. I did totally stop having a period, have not had one since before I was pregnant with my daughter in 2002-2003. I have gained weight but I am 95% positive that the IUD has had nothing to do with it, plus I have lost weight while on it to, so that is not a worry you should have. (I am a yo-yo-er)
Anyways, it's great. My ex's only complaint (when we were together) was that sometimes he could feel the wire. Said it would feel like a little piece of thread or something. It did not hurt him, he could just feel it. Good Luck!! I am in a huge toss up now that I am single as to what to get when I do go back in May, I obviously can not get the IUD, but have to find something.

A.,
I love it! I've had it for a year. It is wonderful. It was painful to insert, but so worth it. I had a little cramping for the first few weeks. I am glad I got it.

Hey A.,
I had mine put in at my follow up visit after the birth of my second daughter, and had basically the same experience as everyone else who responded...BUT THEN...
At my one year checkup by GYN couldn't find the string. She sent me for an ultrasound and the tech couldn't find the IUD. Then I was sent for an MRI and they found it waaay up in my abdominal cavity. I was scheduled to have it removed via laproscopic surgery about a week later. This procedure was supposed to take 5 minutes, but she couldn't locate the IUD and it ended up taking almost 5 hours! No long-term problems, but it was a pain in the ***. Thank God DH and I had been too tired for much sex just before that happened, if I had gotten pregnant it would have almost certainly been an ectopic pregnancy. Also, my Gyn told me that it could have perforated my uterus at any time after it got dislodged. Apparently this does happen, though it is pretty uncommon.
I know it works great for most people, I just wanted you to have a bit of info from someone for whom it didn't work.
P.S. After I had it removed, my sex drive increased dramatically. Might be coincidence...but maybe not.
A.

Hi A.,

I had the Mirena IUD and I LOVE it. I read quite a few "horror" stories and I made sure to bring all of them up to my doctor. Of all the Mirena's my doctor had inserted, she said the only one's she had removed were because the ladies wanted to get pregnant or they needed a new one put back in. I highly recommend the Mirena. Best of luck to ya.

T.

I have had it for a year with no problems. It's a little uncomfortable to insert, but that discomfort was gone within 24 hours and I have had no problems. My period stopped after about a month.

I have had mine nearly two years and I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!!

My only side effect is NOT having a cycle-every so often just some light spotting and maybe a cramp, but that doesn't even happen every month.

Did I mention I LOVE IT??! Haha! I have tried it all and this is the best as far as I am concerned...easiest, least expensive, least time consuming, least to have to think about it. I forget I have it most the time.

Good Luck!

I am a 45 year old mother of 3 and was put on the Mirena IUD for heavy bleeding. I have had no adverse side effects. It was a few months before I was used to the side effects there were, but I don't even remember what they were so they musn't have been so bad. I have had it in for about 6 months now and my flow is almost nonexistent. It has worked for me.

I recommend the copper IUD because it doesn't release hormones into your body. My periods are the same as before and nothing "horrible" has happened to me. It lasts 10 years! (I had mine for four years and now we think we are ready for baby #2.) It gave me no problems and I was worry free. LOVED IT and it lasts 5 years longer than the other IUD. ;) If you don't plan on having kids for a long time...this might be a better option for you. Good luck with your decision.

Dr. Marra Francis maybe a good OBGYN but you will regret ever going to her. She is listed as a Aetna HMO provider, but she does nothing for Aetna HMO members. They will actively try to make you change your HMO to a PPO. Dr. Francis will make you obtain/request referals by yourself...her nursing staff will do nothing. This is not your responsibility...this is the responsibility of the nursing staff...there are a slew of insurance codes and much more that is required for a referral. That's why they get paid the big dollars. If you make a mistake like I did and forget to remind her and her nursing staff to use Aetna HMO contracted and qualified labs and providers. You will be stuck with $1600 lab charge. And if you file a complaint with your Insurance provider, Dr. Francis will retaliate and refuse to treat you and tell you to go find another OBGYN. She is a very unprofessional person. This has caused us considerable stress and anxiety. BEWARE - WARNING USING THIS MEDICAL PROVIDER FOR ANYTHING.

Both of my sisters had IUDs and both ended up having them taken out a few months after they got them. My oldest sister had the Mirana and she is said it was awful. I was thinking about having it done but after she told me this I will never have an IUD. She said the craps were worse and her periods were heavier then before. I would totally suggest not doing it.

I have one and I love it! It was very painful for me to have inserted (you have to be on your period). No one told me to take Tylenol before the appt. and so I had severe cramping when put in place and then cramping over the next 3 days that subsidided in pain as the days past. Since then, I have had no problems and will get it reinserted when it is no longer good, even with the painful experience. The only side-effect for me is that I have not had my period since I got it! That is a great side-effect! (About 1 year now.) Sometimes I will have lower abdominal pressure like I am going to start my period, but then it never comes and the pressure goes away. I highly reccomend it to anyone!

I got a Mirena IUD about 8 weeks after the birth of my youngest son. I haven't had any negative side effects. I breastfed him for 9 1/2 months! :) I also haven't had a period in over 2 years. Yay!

Hello A.,
I got the Mirena IUd. For the first month it was very painful for me. I thought that the iud would be great for me. I am in my late 20's and I didn't want to get fixed yet and neither does my husband. We lvoe children. Well, the frist week I cramped very badly. Then some days went by and nothing I was good and then some days were bad for me...... I think it can be painful. Also, it can make you have your cycle for a long time or not have one as for me....... Since, I was on depo, bc pills, (short ter,m) I decided it was time for me to get onto Mirena. I don't really know if it was a good choice for me. I don't really like it...... I have had my cycle off and on since july....... So my doctor put me on prenatal vits.
I hope that it works out for you hun....Im sure if ya have any more questions there are many great women on this site that can help you. Gl to you......
I am also a mother of 3 wonderful girls.....

I absolutely love my Mirena IUD. No pills to remember, no shots, no surgery, no condoms, and for me no period. I have had no side effects at all with it. It was a little painful when it got placed but i would definitely do it again.

I also LOVED my IUD. I had it for 15 months and was pregnant within 3 weeks of having it removed. I never had a period, only mild spotting after having it put in, and no cramping. I will be getting another one after having this baby as well.

I had a Mirena inserted about 6 months after my daughter was born for all the same reasons you want one--lighter periods, no worries, etc. Now here's the big "but," instead of stopping my periods, I bled continuously for two months. I had to have it removed and switched to the Nuvaring which has been fine. I still wish the IUD had worked, though.

Hope this helps.

Hi, I'm just gonna follow suit. I've had mine for almost 3 years and it has been wonderful!! I have a VERY light period most months, but I haven't actually used a tampon in a year or so, unless we're going somewhere nice and I get paranoid. The first year I had sporadic periods with more intense cramping than I was used to, but it's much better now. There's no worries, just get in the mood and go!!

Hi A.--I am a Certified Nurse Midwife, and I insert Marina IUS frequently. Many couples like you, do not want permanent sterilization yet. This is a very safe option for many women. The progestin hormone is only absorbed by the uterus, so no systemic effect! Get all the info from your provider, than go for it and enjoy 5 worry free years.
thanks. Kathy