Mirena Vs. Ablation?

I've had the Mirena for 4 years now and I love it! No periods or side effects. I would definately recommend it!

Personally I used the Mirena for about 3 years. We had children that were developmentally delayed, and while we still wanted to have more children, we did not want any until we were ready. I know nothing about Ablation, so I can't really compare, just tell you about my experience with Mirena.

For me it worked well. A little bit of cramping when it was inserted. I recall having light or no periods, and I did not have side effects.
It is the form of birth control I will continue to use when we need it again. For me it was a great thing.

B. -

I have 2 beautiful kiddo's myself (3 and 1) and got Mirena put in last September. I asked my girlfriends and got GREAT response from all of them about it. I, unfortunatly, have not had such luck and made an appointment to get mine out.

Let me say that I have always been a very consistant person. I would not consider myself "hormonal" and before kids use birth control pills for my BC, and never had any problem with weight gain, moodiness, breakouts etc. while I was on the pill. Since getting the Mirena in I have gained 15 lbs, feel very tired (which is bad when you have young kids), still have regular periods with cramps, and breakouts around my period. I just went to the doctor to get all of my blood work done including thyroid just to make sure it wasn't something else. Everything came back fine, so I am assuming it is the Mirena. I personally can't wait to get it out.

Good luck with your decision!

Depending on your age, ablation will not stop your periods completely. Is 100% effective for birth control, but there will be light periods. I love it, personally, because they I'll know when I'm going into menopause (I'm 38). But, it won't likely TOTALLY take away your periods.

Congrats on your two adoptions!

I had Mirena for a little over a year and had problem after problem. I had cysts on my ovaries, 6 in 6 months and had to have 3 of them surgically removed; one was the size of my uterus. After discovering I was growing another cyst, I decided to have the Mirena removed. When I went in to have it removed the doctor couldn't find the strings and I had to have another surgery to removed the cursed thing. Ever since I had it removed, I have cramped non-stop and the doctors have no idea why. I'm looking at a hysterectomy now. This is just my experience but I wouldn't recommend the Mirena to my worst enemy. Good Luck to you and whatever you choose.

Hi B.,

I had the ablation done two years ago but i had to go back and get it done a second time. The first op didn't show any signs of letting up with my periods. I chose to have the surgery done because I'm done having kids and I no longer wanted to have periods. The only side effects I've had since my second surgery is cramping which feels like I'm in labor all over again. If you have a high tolerance for pain then it wouldn't be much to deal with, I'm a big baby when it comes to pain..Lol but if it's something you want to have done do all of your research about it first but i would recommend the ABLATION.

I am also looking into ablation, so I am interested in reading your responses. I had an IUD (can't remember the name of it), but not the Mirena. I had the 10 year/copper one that is free of any chemicals. I LOVED it. I cramped when it was implanted for about 2 days and then for about 2 weeks I felt it...kind of like a tampon...but then I just forgot about it and never had any problems for 3 years. Because it does not have any chemicals, I didn't have any reactions that come along with birth control. I did have long periods, like 7 days, but my doctor said my body was acting exactly like it would if I had nothing (because of no chemicals) so that made me feel better. Small price to pay for peace of mind. I did not want the Mirena and my doctor didn't want me to have it because I always reacted to birth control pills negatively (breakouts, headaches, bloating, moody). I don't know why doctors don't advise the 10 year copper one....maybe they don't make as much money on it? I had my IUD in for 3 years before we decided to have it removed and try for another baby. We now have 4 kids and are DONE...my husband had a visectomy, but I want to be absolutely sure....so I am researching ablation. I've had two close friends who have had the procedure and they both loved the results. Every person I know that have had the Mirena has complained about it...same problems as the the pill.

I'm actually getting a procedure called Essure next month - it's a non-surgical method of tube tying and can be done in a doctor's office. You can read about it at Essure.com. It does not stop your periods though...

well I have mirena so I will just tel you about my experience. I may eventually consider ablation. I know very little about it though. I have had the mirena almost a year now.When they insert it I thought it felt like a big contraction but not really bad. i took Tylenol before the procedure. Its very quick and easy. Its good for 5 years. The beginning is really the worse part. You bleed off and on for a few weeks i my case it was 6 weeks! This is different for everyone though. I also cramped off and on for about 6 weeks. It was more annoying and made me really just feel BLAH like I was on my period. I actually was close to going back to have it taken out. Some say they gain weight so I was paranoid about this since I am trying to lose but I have gained no weight. It just take time for your body to adjust.After the initial period of adjusting I no longer have period every so often its very light and I do cramp time to time but its not bad. The biggest complaint I have as of now is I think it has caused my face to break out and I have herd others say this too. Overall I am happy though and when the 5 years is up not sure if I will have a new one inserted or may go with a more permanent method. If you guys are done I can understand choosing a permanent method verses reg BC.

Well that has been my experience! Good Luck!

Hi B.,

I had the ablation done through the Novasure.com procedure a few months ago. It has been amazing for me - no more periods! The procedure was quick. I had it done in the office with halcion. However, I would recommend it as in-hospital procedure (with anestesia) because the Halcion really didn't take effect in time (for me) and it was a pretty intense/painful 60-90 seconds with the laser. The pill took "effect" when my husband drove me home - which I don't remember at all - lol But, even so...I feel the procedure was was well worth it, and I'd recommend it!

The recovery time was short - maybe 1-2 days of MILD cramps, and that's all!

P.S. I have two friends who got pregnant with Mirena, and there are tons of women who have had awful side effects. I wouldn't recommend it.

All the best,
C.

Hi B.,

I have a 16 month old and recently got the Mirena. The end result is WONDERFUL but patience is required to get there;) First of all, my doctor had some trouble putting it in so there was a lot of pain during the procedure. She assured me this is not the case for most women. Usually taking ibuprofen before your appointment will help with the cramp like feeling. I experienced cramps and heavy bleeding the first day, just like a regular period. After the first day I did not have anymore cramps but experienced a heavy period for about 2 weeks. Each day then tapered off to eventual spotting. I will not lie, it was like having a mild period for almost 2 months before all bleeding/spotting stopped. But now... WONDERFUL! No more PMS, cramping, and hardly even a spot for a period. It's practically like not having one!!! I highly recommend it:)

I would encourage you to talk with your doctor- I, myself, have had Mirena for 4 glorious years, and will be replacing it next year. I don't cycle, maybe 30 min of light spotting every 8 weeks or so, and love the freedom and ease of mind. For me, I can't do permanent just yet...
I have a friend who is a PA and we discussed both alternatives. She told me that ablation is does NOT prevent pregnancy- but there is another form of sterilization that involves placing a spring in the fillopian tube that causes it to grow scar tissue. Apparently, this procedure is fairly quick- does not require general anesthesia and permanent. If after that you don't want to cycle, ablation is the way to go, but for sterilization without cycles permanently- you have to do both. I would certainly consult your GYN to be sure this is for you. Good luck!

B.,
I can't compare the two Mirena vs. Ablation because I haven't used Mirena. Ihad the Novasure procedure done at Michele McElroy's office--with full anesthesia--and it has been WONDERFUL!!! I was ALL done having kids, plus my husband had a vasectomy years ago. I had it to control the heavy periods I was having. I have absolutely NO bleeding anymore. Of course, I still go through my cycle--but now I can wear white any time I like! It has been the best thing I have done for myself. Dr. McElroy is in Gilbert in the Women's COmprehensive Health office. Good luck with your decision!!

K.

ablation is NOT birth control. if you get pregnant after an ablation you run the risk of injuring yourself and fetus. I had an ablation 16 months ago. I still had staining/light period for 8 months after. I have not had any bleeding since Nov. But still have the mood swings and cravings.

I had considered Mirena at one point and did some research. I also came across a few stories from random of three women who had Mirena inserted and they all had problems - pain, excessive bleeding. Maybe I've never heard from the successful stories, but that turned me away. Do all of the research you can and then discuss it with your OB GYN.

If you simply look up the word "Mrena" on mamasource, you will see all the posts and all the negatives that come with Mirena. Many women have "bad" reactions to it and there is no way to tell if you will stop getting your period as some women have it long after it has been in. I had it and had it out within 6 months. My period never stopped in that time (although it did slow down). But I started getting very crampy and just didn't feel right.
Ablation seems like the better choice of the 2 if you don't want your period.
But the easiest, fastest, one of the safest birth control methods is a vasectomy. Of course you'd still get your period seeing that it is the man's business, but as far as safety goes, this is such a quick in and out procedure. My husband just got his done on Friday and he was 100% back to normal on Saturday morning.

Hi B.,

I just took out my mirena. I had it put in last sept. I have never had children & it is recommend to be used by women who have had at least one. Ill tell you why, IT HURTS!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to jump to the ceiling.... Also the reason why I took it out, was that I had gained 26lbs, I was breaking out & VERY MOODY!!! Nothing else in my life or diet has changed so it WAS the Mirena... There are other IUDs that do not have hormones in them, that may be a better option for me..Im going to look into them..

Good Luck