Has Anyone Used Mirena

hi S.,

I was put on Mirena when my son was 6 weeks old. I have 3 ch ildren all together.
After one year I had it removed on the advice of my counselor. I was having a lot of mood swings, depression, etc... I am already on prozac and she felt that the estrogen in the iud was affecting my mood. I've had it out now for a couple of months. I can tell a huge difference in my mood levels. I'm more even keeled and little things don't set me off. She said that being on Mirena is like being pregnant all of the time.
The mirena may affect you differently but be aware that there can be mood altering side effects. I wasn't told this at the time. Other than this it worked very well.

Good Luck
C.

I used Mirena for 2 years and never had any problem with my milk supply. I did however have vaginal pain for the first two months after getting it put in. As long as you don't have hormone sensitivities its a great option!

I have been very pleased with my copper IUD. it doesn't have any hormone in it. There is more cramps before and heavier bleeding. but I'd rather that, than having extra hormone rushing thru my body! i'm hormonal enough as it is!

I am currently on my second Mirena and love it. It would hurt your milk as the hormones are similar to those in BCP and they only have a local effect (not systemic, like the pill). It does hurt during insertion. It reminded me of early labor for about 20 min. I didn't mind it at all compared to the convience factor. Good luck!

I used the IUD for the passed six years and found it really good my first one was put in after my first son and I had it removed about three years later because my husband and I wanted to get pregnant again which was no problem it happened the same week it was removed. and I just got my last no removed just back this passed April and am expecting our new baby in January. So I give the IUD a two thumbs up. And my favorite thing is that you can have the one with or without hormones. Which I chose no hormones. cause I don't like wt gain, moodiness, and the thought of passing anything to my baby's cause I breast fed my kids till they were a little passed a year old.Hope this was helpful good luck.

Try the Nuva Ring. I was able to breast feed w/o it lowering my milk production. Just drink a lot of fluids. It releases the hormones right in your vagina. You insert it yourself and it lasts 3 weeks. Then take it out for your period. I no longer get sick or feel horrible. The effects seem much more mild and I could not remember to take my pill regularly. Good luck.

I had Mirena after my DS. It is not supposed to affect your milk suppply, as there is a very low level of hormone excreted. I loved the convenience of not having to worry about birth control. However, I was one of the small percentage whose periods became worse rather than lighter. I finally had it removed after 2 years. Don't let this discourage you, though... as a nurse, I still think it is a great option, especially for breastfeeding mothers. For a positive perspective, my friend also used Mirena, had little to no periods, had it removed for conception and got pregnant relatively quickly. Good luck!

Several of my friends are using the Mirena and love it, but I had a very different experience.

After insertion I bled nonstop for about 6 weeks, and every period after that lasted at least 10 days, usually more like 2 weeks.

I started having a lot of arthritic-like pain in my hip joints, and after researching online, found that joint pain is one of the most common unreported (by Mirena) side effects. It got to the point where it hurt to walk and if I spread my legs at all the pain was severe.

I also found out (and this was not someting Mirena or my midwife told me) that you can still get pregnant with Mirena, but it prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus, so you end up having what amounts to a spontaneous abortion. I surprised myself by going through a mild grieving process for all the zygotes I may have expelled during my year on Mirena.

Anyway, within a month of having it removed my hip pain had completely gone away and I felt better all around. I went back on the pill (Loestrin) and haven't had a period since!

I'm not telling you this to steer you away from Mirena, I just thought you should know that not everyone has a good experience with it.

I had a mirena and breastfed as well. There is only a small amount of progesterone in the mirena, so it's really a low risk. I definitely wouldn't think it's any worse than taking birth control pills. I had my mirena for about a year and really liked it. I had it taken out because my body is weird about hormones, and I was having some problems so I wanted to make sure the mirena wasn't causing them. I have had it out for 4 months now, still having the same personal issues, so it certainly wasn't the mirena. I am thinking about getting the paragaurd now because it's an IUD without hormones. Either way, I definitely think IUD's are great.

I got Mirena inserted about a month and a half ago. I'm still in the beginning stages, but I have to say that sometimes I ask myself 'why?'

First of all, make sure your doctor tells you about the side effects. When they insert the IUD, it hurts. At least it did for me. The discomfort was manageable, but not something you would want to feel regularly. Also, the first three months you are supposed to have spotting..I can vouch for that. I've had spotting since the day I got it inserted and I had cramps for the first month. But every body is different and the side effects might be different for you.

But, reading about Mirena and talking to my doctor, it is supposed to be very effective. So in the long run, for me, it's worth going through this initial hell. LOL. My doctor has been on it for 2+ years and loves it and her nurse also is using it and says that it's been great too. You just have to get over the initial 3 months.

I'm like you, I don't want to be on the pill anymore and my husband and I aren't quite ready to do anything permanent just yet. We've got a 3 y/o and a 5 month old and not quite sure if we are done expanding the family.

Good luck with your decision. But just like everything, make sure you ask questions and do your research.

I just got Mirena a month ago and so far I love it. It makes you cramp when it is inserted and then spot lightly for a couple weeks, but it has way less hormones than the pill and it barely absorbs into your blood stream at all - it mainly absorbs straight into your uterus. I breastfeed my 6 month old also and hasn't affected it at all since it doesn't go into your blood stream. It's wrth looking into.

I've had it twice after both of my kids, 6yrs and 1yr old. Ive been just fine both times. My periods are lighter, and shorter. I don't have the horrible cramps I did before I had it. All in all, I like it. It's worry free, just check for the strings every now and then. No pills to remember(that's how we got the first one), shots to schedule, or weight gain. And when you are ready to have another, you just go and have them take it out with a regular office visit. I work for a Family practice/OB and we do them all the time. Only recommendation I have is to take an ibuprofen when you have it done. It will be slightly uncomfortable, kinda like menstrual cramps at first. But only for a day or 2. Good luck!

You can definitely use it if you are nursing. It is what my doctor suggested, it has a very small amount of hormones, but they remain local to the uterus, so they don't go through the milk. I had it for 1.5 years while nursing. I love having it. I rarely have periods, no cramping, no mood swings or any of the other symptoms I had while on the pill or with no birth control. I would definitely consider it. I did spot for the first few months like it predicted, but it was smooth sailing after that.

LOVE IT!!!!! It hurt a little going in, but I think it is so worth it. I had mild cramping off and on the first 2 months I had it in, but it goes away. I had regular but super light periods. So light that I could take care of what bleeding there was when I wiped after going to the bathroom through the day. (Gross I know. But I have a habit of looking because of other issues I've had.)
It won't affect your breastmilk. There is a tiny amount of hormones in it, but since it is in your uterus, it doesn't affect anything else. If you take a pill, the hormones have to go through your entire body to get to your uterus thus affecting your brain and your breastmilk, etc. I am breastfeeding right now too.
Did I say I love it? I LOVE IT!
Oh, and after I told my sister about it... she loves hers too.

I suggest before you use any articial especially hormonal BC you go to the website www.birthcontrol.ORG and learn more. There are great alternatives, that are safe.

If you are doing ecological nursing you need no birth control for at least 6 months. ( you need to do more research on ecological nursing before you count on it!)

Anyway we have used no articfical birthcontrol for over 10 years and never had a surprise child @ all. I feel so much better with out hormones.

I have it, but it took over 6months for it to not cause cramping every couple weeks. I have very faint periods for a few months, then a heavy one that lasts for over a week -every four months or so. I did breastfeed with it, without a problem. You can always drink MothersMilk Tea if you're worried about milk supply. Good luck!

Hi--
With my first I went on the mini-pill and my milk supply dried up. So the second time around I didn't want to go on the pill. I had the minera inserted about 6 weeks after my second son was born. No problems with milk supply at all (I made it 2 years bfing my second) and no side effects that I noticed. I just had it removed because we're thinking of conceiving a second.

Good luck!

Hello,

I bled alot in the beginning and then one day it decided to come out on its own and that was painful. I was lucky it didn't migrate and break through my uterus, I have heard of that happening! My mom works in surgery. I didn't have much luck with it and now have nuvaring. I much prefer it and I don't bleed like I did with the mirena. The only issue Ive had with the ring is it coming out with sex. So I have to check to make sure its still there which is a pain, but its better than the pill and mirena in my opinion. =]

Best of luck

I had my Mirena inserted about 2.5 months after my daughter was born and continued to nurse her until she was a year. I had no problems related to the IUD itself and had it until my hysterectomy in June. (A total of a year and a half) I had an IUD before my daughter for 7 years and loved the convenience of it.
It's a good choice, but if you react negatively to hormones, it might be wise to consider the copper IUD.
Good Luck!

I had a Mirena IUD put in two months after my son was born - thee years ago. I have very light periods (because of the local hormone they are not as heavy) and some women don't have periods at all. I love not having to worry about remembering to take BC with me when we go away, etc. Besides, I was in such a fog after my son was born I wouldn't have rememberd to take them. No one said anything to me about there being an issue with breast milk (the hormone is only progesterone, like the mini pill which is what they give you if you are breastfeeing). I am getting ready to have it taken out for #2 - I'll let you know how that goes.

I've had it for the past three years and just had it taken out. I have never felt better since it is out!

I swear I was getting pregnant and then it would cause the egg not to attach.

I felt like I was going crazy, my body felt out of control much like post partum depression. I was back and forth with emotion and tired or happy.

Since i've had it gone my emotions have been even and steady. I was tested natropathicly and was told my hormones were very unstable with it. they even asked if I was pregnant.

I did not have periods at all, which made it even more difficult because I wouldn't have anything to remind me of why my emotions were nuts like you do with a period.

My cousin on the other hand has the copper one and loves it. she has no problems.

I am currently going to use the diaphram. (most people say eww..) but I don't want anymore hormones racing through my body.

goodluck!

Hi Shanna,

I was considering Mirena, but decided to go with the ParaGard. It's basically the same type of IUD, but doesn't have any hormones. I've had it for a year and a half and haven't had any problems. My body doesn't like hormones so I had to go with something that doesn't have it in it. The only thing I've experienced (and I'm pretty sure you'd experience this with either one) is that my periods are heavier. They were a little longer the first few months, but are now only 4 days (which is normal for me). They first 2 days are really heavy. I have to wear a super tampon plus a pad. Overall, it's a great birth control without ever having to think about it.

Hope this helps!

I had mirena inserted shortly after both of my daughters were born. I love it! I've had no periods except for one in between getting it taken out and getting pregnant with child #2 (six weeks after getting it out!). The hormones don't affect your whole body like bc does because they're released locally. There was some slight cramping for a while after having it put in but that went away and now I just forget about it for five years or until we decide on baby #3!

I'm a lactation consultant and some of my clients with the mirena have found that it reduces their milk supply. think very hard about this one! You're probably not ovulating yet any way if you're breastfeeding 100%

R. Beebe
www.second9months.com

I would reccomend the paragaurd IUD over the mirenea as is has absolutley no hormones. I have had one for 2 1/2 years and barring the first couple months when I had a little extra bleeding (totally normal and managable) it has been AWESOME.

I LOVE THE MIRENA!!!! It is the greatest invention of all time:) I forget to take pills and I didn't like the patch, which they now are saying is bad for you. I have heard horor storys about that one percent (or what ever the percentage is) still getting pregnant on it, but its a high one percent. I still got it and Love it. I have PCOS Polycistic overy syndrom where my periods are never right, hardly ovulate and cysts on my overys. With the IUC (Mirena) My periods are far and few between, with here and there spotting, if any at all. and I don't have to worry about taking a pil every day. As I am forgetfull. I reccommend it. Get it checked once a year... and you should be great.
Make sure if you get it that they leave the stings long enough that they can see but not too long where they poke you, they are nylon and are uncomfortable if in the wrong spot. Good luck!

I used Mirena and I loved it. It was a little uncomfortable going in and it took a little while to get used to the string that remains accessible for removal, but other than that it was a dream. I liked the idea of not having the hormones in my system . After having it placed I continued to not get my period for another 4 years. Loved that! I also loved not having to remember to take a pill every day. It never seemed to interfere with my milk production either. I nursed my daughter for two years with no problems. I had it removed when we wanted to get pregnant with our second child and I think that we got pregnant within three months. I didn't get another one after my second was born since my husband was going to get a vasectomy. I found it difficult to remember to take the progesterone only pill at the same time every day. My husband got the vasectomy and I got my period back as soon as I stopped taking the pill. I have often thought about getting another one just to see if I can stop my periods again.
My sister and one of my good friends got them even though they have never had kids. My sister did fine with hers but my friend said that she had cramping and she was very emotional with it in. I think it works much better for women who have had children. From my experience with it I would definately recommend it to anyone who has already had a child. Good luck and congratulations on your new little one,
J.

Hi, my name is C.. I have used the Mirena and I loved it. I first got it when I was nursing my son. It doesn't affect your milk at all and it is one of the few that doctors will recommend for breastfeeding moms. I loved mine and had the added benefit of no periods after a couple of months. I used it for about 3 years and after that I had it removed, and two months later we were able to get pregnant again. I plan on getting it again soon. So good luck.

I didn't like it - I had to many complications. I am now on the NuvaRing and love it. I would research your options. But, hey it might work for you. maybe I was one of the weird ones.

Hi!
Have you thought about using a natural form of birth control? Since you're breastfeeding and all birth controls will give your baby hormones, as well as some of the other additives in BC, you might want to consider using the firtility awareness method. It's really simple once you get it down and there are no side effects for mom or baby!
Hope this was helpful!

Love,
J.

I've been on it for almost five years (time to get it out) and I have loved it! Drawback healthwise is that I don't bleed at all so what that is doing to my liver I can only guess. The positives are, that did not effect my milk. I nursed for a full year till my son decided (not me) that, that was enough. The no bleeding has been wonderful for obvious reasons and my mood swings... barely there in comparison. I know that it's time for it to come out because I'm feeling those moods again.
My advice is to find a doctor who is experience in implantation though. I've heard of other not so great experiences of insertion and some can't tolerate it. It just depends on your body. Everyone is different. I would definitely recommend it for at least a couple years though. I'm bummed to have it taken out. I still don't know if I want to have another put in, only for health reasons. Good luck.

I love my Mirena. I got mine about 8 weeks after the birth of my second daughter. I also nursed and it didn't effect my milk supply at all. The cramping the day it was put in was minimal. Like starting your period. Since then I have not had a period. Some light bleeding for the first few days but nothing since then. It is the best decision we have made. I love that I don't have to worry about it for several years and once we decide to have it removed we can start right away trying to have another baby. I have several friends who have had good experiences with it. However I have heard a few complaints as well, but it is worth checking in to.

I've had the Mirena IUD for a year and a half with no problems. I am still nursing my 19 month old daughter.

I did a lot of research on this prior to making a decision. I actually am pleasently surprised at the result. I had heard so many horror stories I wasn't sure how I would like it.

I got it done at my 6 week check up. the insertion was not comfortable, and for the first day I was a little "crampy." I had spotting for the first 4 days or so and then that was it. I've had a really good experience with mine.

I also nurse and noticed no difference in my milk supply.

Good luck

I dont know anything about it affecting your milk, you would have to ask your DR. that but I have mirena and I love not having to worry about birth control. I didnt like the pill either, and I definatly wasnt going to do depo again. I like the hassle free and period free. I still get the cramps from pms but I never experience any bleeding. Just spotting everyonce in a while.

Don't worry, it doesn't affect your milk or anything for the baby. I currently am using the Mirena. It works great for getting rid of heavy periods and painful cramps. But if you have ANY problem with hormonal birth control, then use at your own risk. For my friend and I hormones (other than our own) make us not nice people and intensify our PPD. There is a small amount of hormones in the Mirena. And no matter how much two different doctors told me that I wouldn't have a problem with it....it still happened. However if you don't have problems with hormones, then it would work great for you! I have other friends who love it. I love it, I just don't love the anti-depressants that had to come with it.
Good luck to you!!

I had the mirena put in 8 weeks post partum. Loved it! I nursed for the first year. I couldn't do birth control pills, because they made me feel ill. If you were planning for a fourth, its easy to conceive after as well. I had mine removed and was pregnant in two months.

I'm in the same spot you are...I'm going to opt for the Paraguard because I don't want the hormones, even though they are a much lower amount than the pill. From what I've read it *shouldn't* affect your supply, but if you've had issues or concerns already I might be wary and research it a bit more.

Good luck!

I have the Mirena IUD in. I had it put in about 3 mos after my son was born. I still breastfed etc. without any problems. I love it in some ways (nothing to think about! you can't beat that!) and I really very rarely get a period anymore.

It did hurt a little being put in and I had cramps for the rest of the day. I also had spotting for about 3 mos after having it put it.

I'd say its a great option if you don't plan on getting pregnant anytime soon.

Hope that helps!

I tried the Mirena at my six week check up after my third child because i didn't want to be on any pills while beastfeeding. I can't speak for anyone but myself but my experience was horrible. I felt fine on mirena except for the non stop bleeding. I bled for the whole 2 months i had the mirena with absolutely no let up. It was particularly difficult after bleeding for the regular post partum 5 or 6 weeks first. The doctor told me that this might go on for 6 months or longer until my body got used to it. Well, i am not the type that can put up with bleeding for that long continuosly so i got the mirena removed after 8 weeks. I guess it is different for everyone so your reaction to it may be 100% different than mine was. I just wanted you to hear that it is not all roses for everyone like the doctors and nurses try to make you believe.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do:)

I am not sure I havn't heard anything. Check the web.

Good luck!