More Mirena Experiences

Okay, I have no experience with the IUD but I thought it was hilarious that you said "Is there really light at the end of this icky tunnel?" considering what you are talking about ha. You just made my Monday. Good luck

L.,

For about the first 6-7 months I had my Mirena my periods were really unpredictable. At one point I bled for almost 5 weeks pretty heavy. There were a couple months where I experienced what you have been, bleeding for around 10 days, or it would vary from month to month from light to heavy. I have now had it in for over a year and I would say my last 4 periods have been very light, just some spotting for about 3-4 days.
I know the hormone in the Mirena affects everyone different, but if you can stand to leave it in for at least the first year it should get better. It certainly did for me and I really like not having to worry about taking a pill or switching out a ring every month.

L.--I had the Mirena in for five years and it was horrible. I started getting sick (in too many ways to describe here...I'd be more than happy to discuss this with you). I never thought that it was the Mirena, but I started to do some research and found out that there is a class-action lawsuit against the makers of the Mirena. Needless to say, my health (beginning at 23 years) deteriorated terribly until the Mirena was removed. Unfortunately, we didn't put the two together until it was too late. Good luck!

I've had Mirena for almost 18-months and the first few months my periods were longer and heavier than before, but around the six month mark, they started lightening up and now IF I get a period, it's only a day or two of very light spotting. I agree with most every one else, and your doctor, to wait it out. My neighbor just got Mirena and she's going through the same thing as you and even her doctor said, "Give it six months minimum before you remove it just to see what happens."

I have the same IUD, however I just got it and have not had a cycle yet. However, I was on Depo for 2 years prior to the IUD and when I started that I had a 2 MONTH longer period. And it was HEAVY the whole time. It got to the point I was sobbing in my doctors office. He assured me it would stop, and it did. I can only assume the same for my IDU. I have had mine 3 weeks and spotted for the first 2, and I am expecting a heavy period. If you doctor tells you that it should calm down I would trust him. I know it can be frustrating, but after this it should be worth it!

Totally had the same kind of experience, was really worried about it too. I called my doctor lots. Fortunately she is really great about that. Even put me on the pill to regulate the bleeding. Everything is good now, very few periods and when they do happen so very light! I have had mine in since June of 2006. Love it!!! Talk to your doctor about your concerns and just be patient. In the long run it'll all be worth it!!!

Two years ago I had a Mirena inserted. It took about 18 months but my periods have disappeared. If your periods are getting lighter and lighter hang in there. The lining of your uterus is getting thinner and thinner each month. They were so light that even though they seemed to last a little longer sometimes I would not even realize it. Eventually they should get light enough that even if you are in the middle of one it will be a whole world less of "icky" you may not realize it and neither will he. Timing together time will be less of a problem. If they are not getting lighter I would talk to your doctor.

I had heavy bleeding for aprox 4 months after getting the iud and I was getting tired of it all too. at a check up appointment with my OB I asked if it was normal because I was starting to get concerned, and I was told it would get better. Finally it just stopped and I only get a period maybe every other month and very light lasting only a day or two. I'm glad I stuck it out! it will get better! hang in there!

I have a Mirena also. What you are going through, unfortuately, is totally normal. The reason it happens & why it takes a while (6-12 months) to really reduce your periods is that the hormone in the IUD thins the lining of the uterus. Once it is thin, it keeps also it from building up again. So for the first several months, the hormone is working on thinning the lining & so you can have a lot of extra bleeding. Once it's thin, things get much better. By 6 months it is quite a bit better and often keeps getting lighter. By 12 months you'll probably hit a plateau where it's as good as it's going to get. I've had mine for 10 months & still each month is getting lighter & lighter. Hang in there! It's worth it.

In short, yes there is light at the end of the tunnel. I had my 2nd baby in March 07 so it's been over a year with the Mirena. I literally had a period for the first 6 months. Well actually it wasn't really a period with the cramps and all, I just bled for that long. It was really light, worthy of a panty liner for most times. Now, I have a pseudo period very regularly and hardly bleed at all. The only way I know I have my period is because I am cranky and kind of crampy. I can honestly say that the first 4-6 months were pretty horrible and I thought I was pregnant once the bleeding finally stopped! But now, it's great. I don't have to worry about an "oops" baby! It's worth the temporary craziness, at least it is for me! Hope it helps and hope you can hang on there for just a little while longer.
Take care!

The same exact thing happened to me, and I called the doctor and they told me it was completely normal. Now it's been in for 6 months, and things are much much better. My latest period was very light and quick. So hang in there, 6 months goes by fast!

L.,
I also researched the difference between the two IUDs. I picked the Mirena because the literature, my own doctor and many responses online all said that my periods would nearly go away.
So, two years later, I have two weeks of light bleeding and one short, break-thru bleed in between. Usually it comes out red only the first day or two. then it is like being on the lst day of my cycle for days.
It took about a year and a half to settle into this pattern. The first year, my period seemed to come every two weeks. It did get lighter, but occasionally a gusher would suprise us all (dr and DH and I).
I was frustrated at having to wear pads all the time, not knowing if the light discharge would suddenly increase.
Suddenly, the pattern is more predictable and my periods are down to one or two days of 'normal' and a string of very light.
The nurse practitioner and dr. can not explain the great differences in how women's bodies respond to a plastic piece in the uterus or the small amount of hormone in it. I gave up on trying to research on the web and my life got busy.
one month after another passed and for now I have a predictable cycle.
Personally, for my husband and self, being 45 and with me heading for menopause soon, another precious child is not in our plans and the benefit of the Mirena has been worth the two years of inconvenience. Neither of us wanted to have our tubes tied!
-A.

Hi L.,
I have the Mirena (5 yrs + replacement one last year for a total of 6 yrs) and have never had a problem. My periods are very light and almost non-exisent. I know everyone responds differently. Have you tried contacting the company
http://www.mirena-us.com to talk to their customer support staff. They are most likely staffed with medical professionals that can help with concerns. I hope that helps.

J. S

You could always get "play" in the shower. Things like that doesn't stop my husband at all. He will work with what he can get.
As for the IUD, you doctor is right. It can take up to six months or even a year for your body to get used to the IUD. I ended up having mine removed because I had bad cramps to go along with the almost constant periods. I had to wear "girly things" everyday weather or not I needed it at the time because it came on so randomly. Hang in there if you can. Stephanie L.

It sounds like you've already got a lot of advice already, but I'll add in my experience. I spotted for nearly 10 weeks when I got my mirena, but then it stopped. My periods are light now, they still last about 5 days or so but the flow is so much better than pre-IUD. I've had mine for nearly 4 years now and I'll be getting a new one put in the same day this one comes out. I love it! My recommendation would be to stick it out and see if it gets better in the next few months. I bet it will.

Are you done having kids? If so I highly highly reccomend your husband have the vasectomy. Mine did and it was one of the most awesome things he has ever done for me and our family. It is a quick outpatient procedure and my husband recoverd in a weekend. Imagine not having to worry about birth control ever again, and no hormones in your body! That said if you are going to have more kids try condoms, nothing in your body or hormones either! In between kids we used condoms and it worked great. I know you asked for advice on the IUD, it sounds like a pain! I am sorry, did you google it? Good luck to yoy!

I had a Paraguard one (copper-no hormones) and for the first 3-4 periods I had long and HEAVY periods (not 2 weeks but 8-9 days compared to my usual 5). My periods were so heavy I was afraid to leave the house for fear of embarassing myself. It did straighen out though, but it just took a while.

Also, about DH. I understand both sides of the coin here. He may not be comfortable going south during that time. For me (and keep in mind this may just be me, its not for everyone), during those times I get out my toy. It keeps me happy till I can get me some again. And, so my DH isn't left out, I have to remember there are other forms of sex that most men appreciate. Those forms are completly up to the couples involved, but he might appreciate a "new" thing. I had a friend who was a very christian lady and on her wedding day got her period. She just told us there was more than one way to make a man happy!

GL and I hope it sorts itself out soon.
J.

I have three girls and got the Mirena after my second. I struggled with it because I felt like I was bleeding all of the time for 3-4 months. Then my periods stopped all together and I didn't like that because I am someone that likes to get my period every month (I know, crazy..) It's like a clock for me and when I start my period I feel this emotional/mental/physical relief. My PMS is over and I feel good. Anyway, after my 3rd child and we knew we were done, my husband offered to get a vasectomy. The greatest gift to me!!!!! It's so nice not to have to worry about birth control ANY MORE! If you don't mind eventually not really having a period, hang in there because I know a lot of people that it works well for.

I have had the Mirena for almost two years, and I have loved it. I had bleeding for about six weeks, and since then it is almost no bleeding at all. I will sometimes go 4 to six months with no period, and then only bleed for a day. I have no cramping at all either. So I would recommend waiting it out, it will probably be totally worth it. Feel free to email me back with more questions.

Hi,
After I had my twins and once I started my period I bled straight for 14 months. They decided to try the Mirena to stop the bleeding. It only made it worse, then come to find out that some women it takes the period away or lightens it, and some women it increases the period and bleeding. I got the Mirena back out still bleeding like a stuck pig and went to a natural doctor who prescribed to me 2 natural medicines that actually heal the ovaries and uterus. I have almost pain free, short, no clotting, light to medium periods and it is so nice.