Mirena - Barrington,IL

I love it! The first 6 months are up and down with spotting and so forth. But after that periods either subside or I spot and use a panty liner. Now mirena is the 5 year IUD option(plastic), there is a 10 year option which is metal also. I choose the mirena because I knew I didn't want anymore kids in at least 5 years. I am a single mom/ sole supporter of my daughter. I knew I wanted to concentrate on her and go back to school. I am glad I chose the mirena and I highly suggest it to all my friends wanting to wait "just a few years before the next"

Mirena has far fewer hormones than the pill, so I had it inserted 2 years ago. I love not having to worry about taking a pill everyday. I still get a period about every other month, but it is light with very little cramping. The copper IUD usually causes much heavier periods & severe cramping, which is why I chose the Mirena. I have never heard of anyone getting pregnant with Mirena. The insertion is painfull & you will feel crampy the first day, but then you're fine. I highly recommend it.

if you are done then why get anything hormonal at all? get a copper IUD. NO HORMONES and it lasts 10 years. I have yet to meet someone who used Mirena and didnt bleed all the time of have weird hormonal isseus from it.

This is the information the FDA has on file regarding Mirena. Anyone considering the product should know this information for risks and benefits.

http://berlex.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Mirena...
(See Warnings & Precautions and Adverse Events based upon your question)

The manufacturer (Berlex/Bayer) has a survey on their website to help determine if it's the best option for you.
http://www.mirena-us.com/mirena_right/index.jsp

It is a hormone-based IUD which can introduce risks. There's been a lot of debate in the past several years about introducing hormones into your body and the associated risks. Your OB/GYN is the best source of information regarding the risk/benefit ratio of any contraception - just remember, nothing is 100% effective.

The Mayo Clinic has some great information on their site about the long-term use of birth control:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/birth-control-pill/WO000...

Why is your husband refusing a vascectomy? Your body has been through so much with carrying/delivering 3 kids. You'd like to think he would be willing to carry some of the weight not to have another child.

Good luck. I hope this information helps.

if you don't want horomones why are you getting Mirenia? Paraguard is the one with no horomones. I has one for 9 years no pregnancy and got it out and had my baby last year. I can only speak of the copper iud. Worked great and no issues for me. You do need to check that it is still in place every month after your cycle. I stopped doing that regularly after about a year.

Hi Lucky,
I chose to go with the ParaGard IUD because it is a non-hormone IUD. Especially since you said you had plenty of hormonal changes, I recommend checking into this option. It was a bit uncomfortable having it put in place, but so far after 1 1/2 months I think it was worth it. I have had 2 periods so far and both were heavier and more cramping than usual. They say that this should get better after a few months. You can leave it in up to 10 yrs or have it removed any time. I love the peace of mind that comes with not having to worry anymore, as our family is complete with 2 children.
Best of luck to you!
Jenn.

I had the Mirena and could not stand it. I constantly had lower abdominal cramping and even went in multiple times to have it moved/adjusted to see if that would help. I never had any issues with the pill (other than conceiving on it), so I expected the Mirena to be even better. After two years, I had it removed and feel so much better now. It was impossible for me to lose weight on it (but I lost almost 10 lbs. within a few weeks of it being removed), my cramping was horrible, I didn't have much of a period (which was great), but would have breakthrough bleeding which was a pain, and I had some of the worst acne of my life! My skin was beautiful on the pill, and the Mirena destroyed it! Again, within about a month of going off of it (and going back on the pill) my skin looked perfect again! Other than that, it was convenient and it was nice to know that my chances of getting pregnant again were slim to none. I do second Karan's suggestion and look into the no-cut vasectomy...it would probably be a better option for the long haul! Good luck!

Here's my 2-cents worth...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Mirena. I'm on my second Mirena...had the first put in 6 weeks post partem after my son was born...he's now 5. I just recently (2 months ago) had the first Mirena removed and a new one put in. I've not had any problems with the Mirena. I haven't had periods for 6+ years now and it's fantastic. No probs with the hormones, no weight gain, no mood swings, etc. I do have to admit that having the Mirena removed to be replaced was somewhat painful, but only for the first day. The entire procedure was ~$1400 for removal and replacement and cost of IUD but I only had to pay my $25 copay for my insurance. Cheaper that 1 months supply of the pill. :-) TOTALLY recommend it!!!

I have a copper IUD, and I love it! My periods were heavier for the first few months, but then they leveled out and are lighter than they used to be. So if you're concerned about hormones, you should consider the copper IUD- there are no extra hormones released into your body.
Good luck!

It has worked for me so far. I love it. I seem to get pregnant very easily on other birth control methods. I haven't on the Mirena and it has been about 1 1/2 years now. The up side is that some people have no more periods. The downs is that some one else posted this question on here and it was reported to reduce sex drive. I haven't personally experienced the down but my period left by the third month. I LOVE IT! Oh yea, some ins co cover it if your complaint is that your flow is too heavy.

If you are hormonally sensitive, Mirena is NOT for you. It is impregnated with progesterone (synthetic) and can cause mood changes and weight gain, despite what the manufacturer claims.

Tubes tied- doesn't cause major hormonal changes, just prevents your eggs from getting from the falopian tube to the uterus. I believe you still even get your period afterwards. It is NOT equivalent to getting a hysterectomy.

The best, safest option is to have your husband get a vasectomy. It is a 5 minute procedure with no downtime, and painless.

I have the Mirena- let me tell you- I have 3 kids and all of them are some form of birthcontrol babies! I got pregnant on every form of birth control I tried (no forgetfullness, med use or any other reason for it not to work correctly). Until Mirena. I have had mine for 4 years and no babies. So I say it is dependable. I have no side effects. It hurt to be put in and was uncomfortable for the rest of the day (but I drove myself home so not too crazy pain). I don't remember bleeding or spotting for a long time as others have said they did (maybe other posts). No usual monthly side effects, was not long until I didn't get a period (which was scary at first since I got pregnant on birthcontrol) now periods are very infrequent (not regular which is sometimes inconvinent) and super light. I know when it is coming because I start to get tired a few days before and stay pretty exhausted until after its over- but since I only get a period a few times a year it is OK- its not once a month any more. I have no cramps, bloating, weight gain (or loss) etc. I love it love it love it. I plan on having another put in when I am done with this one because i am not ready to make anything permanent (for me or my husband) even though I don't really want another child. I highly recommend it!
hope this helps :)

Oh girl let me caution you, if you dont want to have to deal with the emotional, hormonial issues anymore. DO NOT GET MIRENA. I have had mine for 4 years. Loved it, it kept my period about 2 days and very light for the last 3.5 yrs. Then all of the sudden this month I had a 9 day heavy period, boobs killing me and my period is late. I went to the dr. they said the closer you get to the 5 yr mark the more your body start to reject it and do crazy hormonal things. I am getting mine out next week. Had I been pregnant if I would have been on the pill I could have just stopped taking it. Since i had an IUD, I was looking at a worse situation......Be very cautious and read what the momma are saying not just what the drs. say. Good luck to you though wat ever choice you make.

I must say that I been on mirena for 3 yrs now and I love it. I have two children and I dont wish to get pregnet any time soon. My OBG also used a ultrasound machine to properly insert it. As for the 10 yr IUD I hated it. I actually tried it before I switched to the Mirena and it fell out of place twice, (Thank God I Didn't Get Pregnet) and besides that the cramping and periods are horrible.. Hope this helps..

I have a Mirena and LOVE it. I had it inserted after #2 and haven't had a period in three years. Or the hormonal changes that go with them! I, personally, have never known anyone to get pregnant on it, but that is something to talk to with your doctor. She can tell you how to check for the strings and any other thing you might need. I really recommend it.

I would look into the essure. I was against it at first, but then a friend told me she had it for 2 yrs with no problem. It was done in dr. office. Downtime just the day of procedure, and for me, really not even the whole day.

If you know your family is complete and don't want hormones in your body you might want to try Essure. http://essure.com/
2 of my friends had this procedure done in the doctor's office with only 1 day downtime. The only catch is that you have to use backup birth control for 3 months and then you are done.

I had Mirena for 4 years after my 3rd child. I loved it. No cramping. No periods. Nothing to remember to take. Although hubby said he could feel the cord, he said it didn't really bother him.
Then, I got pregnant. When I looked back on it, I did get one period completely out of the blue 3 months before I got a positive pregnancy test. I think I had a very early miscarriage then, too. The IUD had imbedded itself into the uterine tissue. The pregnancy wasn't viable, so I had a D&C to have it removed. According to the doctor, it was REALLY imbedded into the tissue. When I was going to appointments for bloodwork, etc. after the positive test, I had many nurses and staff tell me everyone in the office had the Mirena, so they were all nervous. Several months later, at my general practitioner's office, when she heard me tell my story, she was so shaken, she had to keep apologizing for being distracted. So, it is rare to get pregnant - but definitely possible.
As you've seen in the posts, some people love it. Some hate it. Pretty much just like any form of birth control. If your insurance covers it, you could try it. If it doesn't work for you, then you can go with your back-up plan. I have heard many women use the Nuva Ring or other IUD's with less hormones in them.
Good luck!

Love the Mirena! I just got mine in early October. I had spotting pretty much every day for 8 weeks. Not a lot, but just enough to wear a panty liner. Since then, I have not had a period at all. I am currently breastfeeding, so that could have something to do with not getting a period. I have no side effects, and it is so nice not having to worry about taking a pill every day, or using condoms. It's really cost effective, too. If you add up the cost of contraceptives over 5 years, Mirena is the clear winner, especially if your insurance covers it. My doctor said it's also very rare to get pregnant while having an iud. But if you do, it's more than likely going to wind up being an ectopic pregnancy that they will have to do surgery to remove. But the chances of that happening is less than 1 percent. Hope this helps!

I am on the Mirena and love it. This is my second prescription and no pregnancy yet. I have not heard of anyone getting pregnant on it either. My periods were shorter on the 1st presciption and sometimes not at all. This round has been a little different. Longer cycle about 4 days. (not to bad) Hormonally I love it. I have tried it all and do not like to have uncontrollable emotional wipeouts. The IUD is more old school with a higher % of risk. However what ever you decide, if it happens maybe it was just meant to be. The Lord does not put no more on us than we can bear. Sometimes I do pray to be off the list. (smile)
Let's talk vasectomy. There suppose to be a process that does not require cutting. You should do the research first before mentioning it to him. You can find others that have had it done. Men are better encouragers to other men. If he is against it you won't be able to change his mind, but another man could. Good Luck.

I have had my Mirena for over two years and love it. I got it 8 weeks post partum and it was a life saver for me not to have to think about taking the pill every day.
No birth control method is 100 %, not even a V or TL. On Mirena your chance of getting pregnant is very, very slim and it is much more reliable than birth control pills. I have read of women who got pregnant on it, but I do not know any in person.
I still have a cycle, and get a period most months, though it is rather weak.
I do no longer have the positive side effects from the pill, so my skin has returned to it's natural condition (I have some moderate acne, that the pill helped with).
I lost all my baby weight while on Mirena, gained some back, but I am pretty sure that can be attributed to bad eating habits and lack of exercise.

At this point we don't think we are going to have another baby, so I plan on staying on it until menopause. I was never to happy with any kind of BC before, but every woman is different - unfortunately you won't know until you try.

i have mirena and Love it (most of the time)..Ive had it for 7 months, so IDK when my period will stop showing, sometimes I do feel pregnant. But I havent gain weight. Mirena is my only birth control and I havent got pregnant. I did had like 2 weeks of spotting after I got my mirena inserted. I personally dont know anyone that got pregnant with mirena

Hi! Congrats on your new little one! I had the Mirena for 5 years with no problems at a. It was great! My periods were super light with no cramping. Everyones body is different so you have to keep that in mind. I know 5 women who have it and their stories are similar. Rather than redo the IUD. I opted for the Essure sterilization procedure. I'm done with babies so this was perfect for me! Talk to your doctor. No hormones whatsoever. Noninvasive and can be done by your doc if he's certified. When you read reviews on the Internet , keep in mind that most people post a bad experience. I hadno issues with either and recommend both! (depending on how sure you are that your done with kids)

I have 3 friends that were on it and their sex drive went out the window (like zero sex drive). I'd stay away from it if you want to keep your husband happy.

2 of my friends got it removed and their drives are finally back, the other one... said she can go without sex for the rest of her life.

Hi. I had the Mirena, and I loved it! I had no periods, and I felt confident that it was working. Then, I began having a reaction to the hormones, even though I have been told that the reaction was fairly unusual. I switched to the Paraguard (which is effective for ten years to the Mirena's five), and I am good to go. I do have my period again, but that's not a big deal as long as I am protected from a "surprise". I do know of two people who have gotten pregnant while using Mirena, but I don't know anyone who has gotten pregnant using Paraguard. (Not that it doesn't happen; I just don't know anyone personally.) Anyway, an IUD offers the best protection money can buy (it is as effective as the first five years of a tubal ligation, or so I have been told), it cost me far less than the pill when I added that up, and it is completely reversible should I choose it to be. I don't have to think about it; it does the job all by itself. Good luck, and I hope you find what works for you.

It is ok....but...when I first got it i had my period for 4 mo straight...now it is only a few days a month....but let me tell you...having your period for 4 months straight...SUCKS

I know a lot of people love the Mirena. I absolutely hated it. The hormones it secreets really wrecked my system. I had bleeding almost every day, horrible cramping and mood swings. took it out - and I am fine. So. The tubal ligation should not include any hormones though should it - there is a new thing that I am considering called Essure - it is an in office procedure where they put like a coil in the tubes that tissue grows over forming a barrier. My doc told me it is less invasive than a vasectomy. I have had two c-sections too - the prospect of tubal ligation surgery was not high on my lists of possibilites. Sorry for the bad news, I am sure you will get lots of people who were happy with it and loved it. I think I am an exception.

S.