IUD - Keep or Remove?

I would wait if I were you, the bledding is probably post patrum bleeding along with the cramps... I got my IUD after my second, and love it.. my period os only a few days, still get cramps, but nothing too much, and the best part of it no worries... priceless....

I haven't read the other responses, but I had Mirena inserted after my first baby and I bled and felt horrible for over six weeks. After that I have so far had no problems with it, and have almost had it about a year. Hope that helps some!

S.,
I have had one three times. Each time my body has responded differently. The first time I did bleed for three months on and off, but then I hardly got my period after that. The second one, was less bleeding at the start and then really light but consistent periods. The third one, was a bit of bleeding off and on for the first three months and then light periods, but lasting 7 days. I never have to use more then a regular tampon. It takes about three months for the strings to absorb enough moister to be soft and not be felt during intercourse. I chose this method because the hormones are localized. They don't go throughout your whole body like a pill does. It doesn't make me gain weight and I don't have any mood changes. I feel like me, granted not until 6 months postpartum do I feel like me, but that is normal for me:) I have been very pleased with mine. I think you should give it at least 6 months. But as always, if you think your can't stand it, it is never to early to take it out.
Good luck,
E.

Awww, I'm sorry! Sounds like you have had a rough time with all that going on. I've had my Mirena for over 2 1/2yrs now. I bet you that I spotted everyday for those first 3 months. Nothing major....just had to wear a pantyliner every single day. After the first 3 months, it got much better. Then, after the first 6 months, any other weird symptoms got better. After the first year, I was thrilled b/c my monthly "period" had shrunk down to something I could wear one pantyliner a day for about 3 days. Now, over 2 1/2 years in.......I don't even have a full day of spotting for my period. I do get the tender boobs and get a little less patient and moody, but it's very short lived PMS. I love not having to remember to take anything and I really love not having to PAY for BC each month! =0) My advice is to try and stick it out. You're still so fresh from pregnancy that your body is going through so much in addition to adjusting to your IUD. My OB told me that the adjustment period is 6-12mths. Your body is viewing that IUD as a foreign object and it wants it out of there! That's why you bleed for quite some time. But, your womb will adjust to it's new "wombmate" after a while. For me........it was worth the adjustment period. Good luck! =0)

Worst birth control I have ever used. Had it removed about a week ago bc I had a horrible experience. I miscarried, constant bleeding, cramping, my husband could feel it... I hated it and had only had it in a couple months. Do some research on it... you can get prgnant but it cause the baby to be flushed out. I hated it and will never use it again! They never tell you the whole truth about it and I found out the hard way! Remove it! I was also the 5% (according to my doc) who had nausea and food adversions ?!?!? Makes no sence right??? I won't use it again and I ask you to do some research on it! Good luck ------------------- Ash

I've had the Mirena IUD for almost two years now and was tempted to have it removed not long after I had it because of similar side effects to what your experiencing. I think I had at least a little bleeding for close to four months every day. I also experienced the cramps, and some really sucky back pain. I even had some odd pre-menopause like symptoms such as hot flashes. I toughed it out in part, because I felt like with a young child the last thing I wanted to remember was taking a pill every day and my DH and I didn't want to have to constantly think about birth control. It was also really important to us that we not get pregnant again until we were ready and the Mirena is one of the most effective BC on the market.
By the six month mark, I was almost completely unaware of the IUD and by the first year mark pretty much all symptoms had gone away. I rarely ever get my period for longer than a day every couple of months, which is an extremely nice side effect.

I'd give it a little time. I think with a new baby (especially after a c-section) your body is just in disarray. You're not getting enough sleep, using tons of energy on breastfeeding, running around after another child - it's a lot. If you can tough it out until the six month mark, I think that's a fair test of how it works for you.

I see you have already gotten alot of responses but I just wanted to say that it took me at least 6 months to get used to having my IUD. So if you can give it a little more patience try giving it a little more time. Or maybe your body just can't handle the IUD? I felt that way too and then after a while I never even knew it was there. Good Luck and congrats on your new baby!

S.,

I would give it another month. I have the same IUD nad at first I was like you...I regretted it. I hurt and bled all the time and I was also dealing with a new baby. I waited it out at the urging of my doctor. Now I am so happy with that decition. My periods are very light and come only every 2 or 3 months. I have no pain any more and don't worry about it at all. my doc checks it once a year unless I request otherwise. Remember Merina has hormone in it and as with any BC that contains hormones it will take your body a while to adjust. Of course go with what you think it right...it's your body and you know it better then anyone else. :)

To be honest the first couple months are the worst the spotting seems never ending but that is just the IUD settling in and your body not rejecting it. The slight cramps are also normal you have a foreign object in your body and it is trying to get it out. After the spotting stops, you don't even know it is there. You check for the strings once a month after your cycle and that is it. I LOVE mine know...like I said took a couple months to get use to. It has been a year and not a single problem and so much better than paying monthly for birthcontrol and trying to remember daily to take a pill. I say TRY to be patient you will be happy with it if you can make it just a few more weeks...6-8 weeks of spotting your half way their. Best of luck with everything!

I had some cramping right after insertion and slight spotting on and off for about 4 months. I was told to expect this to last up to 6 months by my midwife. I also had to go in after 4 weeks to make sure it was in it's place with no issues - so maybe you should go back to get checked right about now.

Ever since the first months, I have had NO problems at all with my Mirena and think it's the best thing since sliced bread.
I have always had some side effects on the pill (good and bad) and none from Mirena.

However, not everyone reacts the same way to it... I would probably give it some more time if I was you - if you can deal with it. Otherwise it may just not be for you and you can have it removed...

I have not read the other answers but I will still give you my input. I love my Mirena. I don't think I bled after it got put in or had cramps...but I think I waited 3 months before having it put in, it has been a while (2.5 years). I also gave birth vaginally which might change things too. I actually stopped bleeding all together and only spot so lightly now that I don't even need a liner.
Have you talked to your doctor about this?? I think you should because maybe it got put in wrong. They can rip the uterus if they are put in wrong. If it is in right and the doctors are not worried about the bleeding then maybe give it a few months they can be really great. One other thing you or your partner should check for the strings every once in a while to be sure it is still in place.
good luck

I have had my IUD now for 2 1/2 yrs, I dont like it. I loved it at the start apart from the first day when I had a severe headache but it went away and then I felt grand. However from I hit about 2yrs I have been having the symptoms of being pregant every month, so I keep buying a test and it comes bk neg, however the feeling of being tired all the time and feeling sick is gettin to me. I have spoke to my doctor and this can be normal with the IUD and so now I'm wondering should I get it out however I dont want to get pregnant again for another year or so. I think everyone is different and believe me it was worth it for the first 2 years. Don't know if this has helped but just wanted to give you my experience as it is different from the other comments.

I personally never got used to my mirena- but my problem was with the hormones- after 2 years I finally got it out (planned parenthood is way cheaper than the dr office) and have shed 15lbs in three weeks (finnaly back to my end of pregnancy weight)

It will take you a bit of time to adjust, but talk to your OB, s/he can help you know if what you are experiencing is normal, or if you should consider another option

I am on my second and I love them. If you are still cramping you need to see your docter. You should have a check appointment coming up to make sure it's in the right place. The second baby will screw with your system more than the first, at least with me it did.
I would wait your adjustment period might be longer than others. But I would also see your Dr.

Hi S.
It sounds like your body is a bit run down, battling infections, sleeplessness, new baby and so on. If I were you, I'd listen to my gut feeling and just get rid of it. Your body obviously doesn't like it very much...I would listen to the messages you are getting from you body. Your body has its own wisdom...

I've had my Mirena for 4 years now. I never had any problems with it! I love it! All I remember is some cramping the day I got it. I have heard that it takes other women a little longer to adjust to it. Perhaps you can give it another couple months? Or just talk to your doctor about all of the symptoms you are having & see what he/she thinks about it.

It made me moody, angry and I gained weight on it. Luckily, it was super easy to have removed.

I should tell you right off that I've already answered one question about this, and I am one of the happy Mirena users, after nearly 5 tears of having it in.

One thing I wish I could have told you was to wait at least 6 months after your baby was born to get it put in because your body has already been through so much, and then to introduce this to the mix can be too much for your body. Not only is there a very low dose of a synthetic progesterone - even a very low dose is SOMEthing, and we all respond differently as we know! - but the device works by irritating the uterine lining in such a way that it sloughs off and becomes thinner. In a body at its normal state this would happen without even being noticed (our bodies do it every month), and this is also why many women stop bleeding during their periods when they have the Mirena device in (I did). But you are probably still recovering and very in tune with every change and, like you said, twinge :) that is happening.

If you can talk to your doctor about it, that's what I would recommend, but if not, you can always have it removed now and try it again if you choose to later when your body has recovered more. The only thing stopping you would be a huge co-pay, but in the end, your body and your peace of mind are far more important. Best wishes and good health in whatever you decide!

I hated it!! I had it for a year and never felt myself and I blame it for why I didn't bond well with my daughter. My moodswings were so bad everyone thought I had bipolar. I was tired all the time had no period the only good part of having it. But It can cause a lot of health problems some of them include a higher risk for cysts and can be a reason for excess bleeding (a friend passed out because of having mirena and bleeding for three weeks every month). After doing some research I found out it is possible for it to penetrate the uterus.

As for my experience I had a lot of shifts from being overly tired to not being able to sleep. I had such bad moodswings that I was afraid to be alone with my daughter. It also made me really paranoid about little noises I heard I always felt like something bad was going to happen. my short temper got even worse with Mirena. so I had a really bad time with it. Other women though love it and don't have issues. I think it depends on how sensitive you are to hormones.

I have had my Marena IUD for about 1 year! So far it is great! I no longer worry about unplanned pregnancy and enjoy spontaneity w/ the hubby! I too cramped for a little bit but, I am wondering if the cramping you are experiencing is from recently having a baby or breastfeeding? My body went through a lot of changes after having a baby and then breast feeding for months caused a little cramping. You can get it removed I believe anytime but I would give it a chance.
My doctor had a little trouble getting it in the right place at first but then it slipped in to where it was supposed to be. A few months after they took an ultrasound to check the IUD's position. Maybe you could ask the doc to give you an ultrasound to check the position. I vote for giving it a chance!
H. B.