What are the side effects with Mirena IUD?

I tried it and did have weight gain, moodiness and hair loss. I gave up after three months. But if I were you, I'd try it and see. Most people do very well. But it was easy to insert and remove, plus insurance paid for it! It's definitely worth trying.

Hi J., I have the Mirena and absolutely love it. I do not have any of the side affects and during what would be my normal period time, I barely spot. It is awesome! Good luck on your decision.

I've had mine for about 2 months and so far it's great. My OB promised the side effects would be better than being on the pill, and the benefits would be worth it. Don't have to remember to take a pill, and eventually may not get a period at all! Woohoo! Have not noticed wt gain, acne, mood swings, headaches,etc. In fact the amount of hormone in the device is so small, it really isn't systemic...meaning it only effects the uterus. I have friend w bad migraines and this was the method of BC they suggest for her, b/c the hormone is so little. I can't say one bad word about it. You can have it removed anytime if it doesn't work for you. I had heard I would have a lot of spotting, too, but have experienced very little...like 3 days of v light spotting, that's it! HTH, and good luck! I say go for it!

I had my Mirena inserted in August. It was only painful for a moment- literally! I had some bleeding for a couple weeks, but my period has only been light or spotting. I do have one or two zits, but not a full breakout. I have not gained weight, had mood swings or headaches. I love it.

I just recently got the Mirena IUD a little over a month ago. I have not had any major problem with the side effects. I have had a headache maybe twice since I have had it but don't think it was related to the IUD, more related to lack of sleep. One thing you should know is that you may have some spotting for the first month on and off. Any other questions feel free to ask. I really like it.

Hi J.,

I've had the mirena IUD for almost 4 years now, I did notice that I got alot more acne than usual, so I now use Proactive for that and also had some mood swings, but the IUD is a very low dosage of hormones and my body is very sensitive to any change in the hormones also I occasionally get headaches but not any more than normal! The best thing about it is that i don't have my period anymore, which is totally normal, i still get the usual "period" side-effects like some cramping, moodiness and feeling tired and bloated, but without the pain of having my period! So i really think it's great and it's 99.9 percent effective and it's definetly worked for us!

Hi, I've had mine for about 6 months now. Looooove the lite periods (I got it because of heavy bleeding probs) but I do not like that my body has not yet gotten on a schedule. I spot about every 2 weeks and that lasts 2 or 3 days...not enough for a tampon but it does take me by surpise sometimes!

Hate the constant breast soreness I have (ouchies!!! when I take off my bra at nite!!), I hate the extra 8 lbs I've gained, and for the first time in 15 years...I get the occasional zit.

Even tho the bleeding is a problem I'm starting to consider having it removed due to all these other issues.

My advise, even tho Ive had all these probs: Try it and see how your body reacts. My sister has one and everything is just perfect for her! So ya never know til you try! GL!

Hi J.,
I had the Mirena IUD for about 7 months. At first it was great but within a couple months I experienced major mood swings, headaches, my joints ached, and I put on about 5 lbs. It was terrible. I really thought I was going crazy! Once I had it removed within a few hours the constant headache was gone, the mood swings disappeared in about a week and so did the rest of the issues. I would advise against it however I know a lot of women who love it. Talk to your Dr about the Copper option instead which has no hormones in it. Good luck.

I just got it a couple weeks ago and so far I love it!

My girlfriend had it for five years and is thinking about getting another. She said she never had any problems with it. She had light bleeding during when she would normally have a period, but the bleeding was much lighter. She said she never got cramps and from what I understand it didn't really effect her sex drive.

I personally thought I had read that like 20% of women have some sort of complication such as cysts, bleeding, etc. Cysts are not always cancerous, but it didn't sound good to me. I think it varies on the level of hormone being released and the manufacturer of the implant you are considering. I would look online further for more information on side effects and literature from the manufacturer for studies.

Hmmm...lost my original response to you, so if this comes up twice, I apologize. Anyway, I've had the Mirena in place since July of 2005. I haven't experienced any of the side effects that you've listed. I highly recommend this form of birth control, based on my personal experience. I love it. I love the fact that I don't have to worry about anything and that I'm always protected. There haven't been any mood swings, acne, headaches or weight gain. Well...I've gained weight, but not because of the Mirena! :) Again, I really do find this to be a wonderful form of BC. Oh - I will say that I am not one of the lucky ladies who's period got significantly shorter or even stopped. Nope. Mine's still there...MUCH lighter, mind you, but it still comes every month...and lasts 7+ days. Then again, I wasn't one of the lucky nursing mom's whose period stayed at bay either. Guess I'm just made a bit differently. :)

I love mine! No complaints, no side effects, no periods!

I have had mine in since February. I am still breast feeding, but have had 2 one day periods. I still have the moodiness associated with pms, but that is it. I like not having to take the pill and haven't noticed any weight gain. My dr. suggested having it put in during your period, but since I was nursing I didn't get that luxury. It was VERY painful and I had really bad contraction like cramps for a few hours after wards. Kinda like wearing a tampon for the first time:) I would do it all over again though.

I have had the Mirena IUD for 5 years now. I love it. The only side effect that I have ever experienced is the occasional spotting. My periods have never been lighter if at all. That can cause the occasional pregnancy scare, but it is all just a scare. I always had horrible problems with the pill (several different kinds), and have 3 kids to prove it! The pill always caused me severe migraines, nausea, and weight gain. I have had none of those unpleasant side effects with Mirena. I have never regretted my choice to use it.

I don't know specifics about this particular IUD and I am sure a number of improvements have been invented since I used a IUD many years ago. I used a IUD many moons ago and was very pleased with the results. I didn't have any side effects that you can trace back to the IUD. It worked well for about three years at which time I had to have surgery but not because of the IUD. I was unable to take pills, they were either to strong or not strong enough.

Karen

I've had Mirena for a little over a year now, and I love it- I never have to think about birth control anymore, and I have not had a period at all. No side effects, nothing- It has been a blessing!

you might look into www.ccli.org before you decide on this one...

God Bless you and your marriage,

M.

Very little side effects, I think that is why a lot of women choose it! I have had mine for 3 years and love it! No weight gain/acne/moodiness and I don't have periods at all. 3 of the OB doctors in the practice I go to have it also, and that was something that sold me on it. Good luck on your decision.

I have had it since March 25th 2008 and I love it so far... I do get the occasional zit and a VERY VERY light period (if you can even call it that) every month, but as for the weight gain, mood swings, breast tenderness, I havent had ANY of that.... but I did just have a baby on Feb 1st, so maybe thats why I am not having these issues...

it seems as if all the other replies I read before posting mine just had it put in as a regular BC method instead of right after childbirth like me... idk... but like someone before me said, get it and see if you like it. we are all different... it is very expensive, so hopefully you have a low co-pay on your insurance... but if you like it and decide to keep it, it is actually cheaper than the pills over 5 years

good luck and let us know

Hi J.,
I got mine in July 2008. Insertion was not painful at all but a little uncomfortable more because she had to open the speculum a little more than she normally would for a pap and it was there longer than normal than for anything to do with the actual device. My ob had me time the appt with my normal period and my period ended as it normally would have. I had about 10 days no bleeding than some spotting for a few days then ok again for 3 weeks then I've had two very light (just spotting) at about normal time since then. My skin is actually better than it was on bc pill. I did go through about a 3 week period of hair loss, similar to what I went through a couple months after each of my sons was born but that's stopped. My ob thougth perhaps from withdrawal from the bc pill. I don't know as long as it stays gone, no problem. I also had a funny metalic order for the first week or so but that went away too. No headaches, no joint issues or mood swings and I would actually have to say my libido has improved. Maybe because I know I didn't forget my pill and the IUD is more effective than the pill I don't know. I have had a little issue with like very light symptoms of a yeast infection, like not a full blown infection but trying to be one you know? I went for my follow up last week and she gave me Difulcan, we'll see if that straightens things out. I also started taking Acidophilus, a nutrional supplement that's supposed to hope straighten out bacteria etc, I read about it on the web for other women who had yeasties on the Mirena. Like many of the other women here I was forgetting my pill quite often (a problem I used to scoff at until I had two boys :-) My insurance covered it at 90%. I wanted to at least try it, so far I'd say I'm keeping it. The biggest thing I would say is if you decide to try it, give it at least 6 months before you make your decision, give your body time to adjust. I think I'm done having children but I wanted some insurance and I have two girlfriends who have terrible issues after having their tubes tied so IUD was the next best thing. At least this I can take out if it doesn't work out. Good Luck with whatever you decide. Feel free to email me if you want more information. Oh and by the way, by OB has a Mirena, she's on her second one. That helped me decide too but every woman is different so just because it works for one doesn't mean it will work for all.

I have not had any of the mood swings, weight gain, or acne. I did spot for about 2 month after having it inserted- and have yet to not have any periods- or less of them- but I am happy with it, in that I do not have to remember to take a pill every day! I was looking at getting a tubal- but delivered at a Catholic hospital- and then couldn't decide that I was really done. It is expensive- and my insurance didn't cover it, but it was worth it- since I don't have anything to pay for for the next 5 years!!!

I love my Mirena IUD. I got it in May and have had little side effects. I have not had my period at all in that time, few times of feeling down but unsure if that was IUD or new baby (daughter #2 born in March) ... no weight gain, some headaches but I have always been prone to them... love it!!!

Good luck- it was a big decision for me as well. Check to be sure your insurance covers it :)

Hi J.,

I went with the ParaGard IUD. It's good for 10 years and hormone free. It's been about three months and so far it's been great. It was not painful at all. I had some cramping the same day it was inserted and that was it. No major side effects. Best of luck!

I had the Mirena inserted in June of 2004, 8 weeks after the birth of my twins (who were conceived while I was on BCP). I always had major side effects from BCPs but have not had ANY bad side another Mirena inserted at effects from the Mirena whatsoever! I dropped to below my pre-pregnancy weight and stayed there until about 18 months ago when I started to gain (after I quite smoking, not from the Mirena!). My health insurance paid for the Mirena but not the insertion fee from my OB/GYN. Upon insertion I bled for 4 weeks but have not had even a single period since! My 5 years will be up in June of 2009 and I plan to have that time.
Good luck to you in your search for optimal birth control!

I got mine a few months ago and love it. It's so convenient not having to remember the pill. I also was not on my period when I had it inserted. It was a little painfull when he inserted it, but I only cramped for about 5 minutes afterwards. The lighter/shorter periods might take some time though until your body adjusts to it. My first period after getting the implant lasted about 11 days. They are slowly getting shorter and much lighter. Just takes time to adjust. And the fact that I can have it removed whenever I want and start trying for #2 right away is what sold me on it. I haven't had any of the side effects that you've mentioned, thankfully. I highly recommend this one!

I have had mine for several months and love it. No pill to possibly forget with my hectic schedule. I have had none of the side effects that I have noticed. My insurance didn't pay for it but I called the Mirena number and set up a payment plan. I pay once a month for 1 year and that covers the whole 5 years. All I have to do is check on it after my monthly cycle and make sure that it didn't move. Everyone's body is different so the best thing to do it try it and see. Good Luck!