Mirena and Breastfeeding

Hi S.,
I use Paragard and a friend of mine uses Mirena. Neither one of us had any issues breastfeeding after the IUD was inserted. I hope this helps! Enjoy your family!

Hi! I also got the Mirena when my daughter was almost 2 months old. I didn't have any problems breastfeeding her and continued to until she was 13 months old. I have had it for 2 years and don't have any complaints either. However, it didn't stop my periods either like it has with other people. Good luck!

Hi S.,

I have the Mirena device and still breastfeed my 9 month old son. I haven't experienced and problems with milk supply. But I have heard that women don't ussually have a menstral cycle while breastfeeding and I didn't, until I got the Mirena put in. I don't know if that's a concern for you, but keep that in mind too. I have also read that A lot of women have had such terrible cramping and or bleeding for the first few months that they actually have it removed! Every woman will react differently I guess. Make sure you way the pros and cons since you have to pay out of pocket for it. I think it's definately worth it, you never have to think about it (first month or so was a little awkward...takes some getting used to). Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it works out!

~J.

I used the Mirena after my second child for over 1 1/2 years. It does not affect your breastmilk (at least I didnt have any problems) Its a great birth control and it has only localized progesterone, so it is not supposed to be enough Progesterone to go through your blood stream. The pill on the other hand has to be absorbed by your body. If you have trouble with your milk even just a little, go get a bottle of Fenugreek (herbal supplement) IT WORKS WONDERS, and its cheap. The Mirena lasts for 5 years so just think if it works, no worries for 5 years. Good Luck, Kim

I have never used Mirena but I was told while breastfeeding to only used pills that contain progesterone. Anything with Estrogen can make your breastmilk decrease. Progesterone can actually help it along. Good luck!

If you've already found that hormonal birth control affects your milk supply, I'd expect that *any* hormonal birth control would have at least some affect.

I'd encourage you to consider "fertility awareness"--check out Toni Weschler's book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." For me, the only things that keep me from getting pregnant (that I'm willing to use) are breastfeeding (it holds off my fertility by about 11 months) and abstaining on fertile days. I've gotten pregnant 4 times when I've used various forms of birth control on fertile days. LOL. So for me, fertility awareness is essential so that I can abstain. It works really well for me--even when I'm breastfeeding so my cycles are a bit "off."

I would not take a chance on taking anything like that. Who knows how something like that will effect your baby. They keep giving out all these new meds without any knowledge of what they do. Use condoms.

I absolutely love the Mirena-I had no issues whatsoever with it stopping my milk.I have had it in for a little over a year and I have had no issues, pain or anything negative to say about it!

Hi S.,

Congratulations on your new baby. I don't have any personal experience with Mirena, but here what Kellymom.com says about it: <http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/birthcontrol.html&gt;

"Do note that the Mirena/Progestasert IUD delivers its hormone directly to the lining of the uterus, which only leads to a slight increase in progesterone levels in the blood stream (much lower than that found with the progesterone-only pill). As a result, there is much less chance of side effects from the progesterone than from the Depo-Provera shot or mini-pill. "

Good luck!
J.
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I had Mirena for 4 years and was fine breastfeeding. It does NOT effect your milk at all. I did stop getting my period about 4 months after I got Mirena. My only complaints, sometimes my husband said he could feel the strings during sex, and sometimes after sex I would get a day of light spotting. Other than that it was great and now I'm trying to convince my husband for baby #3

I actually have the Paraguard which is the copper IUD I wanted to avoid all hormones, I have had it for over 2 years now...my DD was born Sept. 05' and we are still nursing successfully =) Some people get worse cramps and bleeding honestly it mostly got rid of my cramps once in a great while I get bad cramps and I do bleed a little heavier but it actually made my period heavier for 1 day and shorter in the long run, I can't complain I love it! And yes my hubby felt it for a while but he doesn't feel it anymore really and I can feel it when I check it so I know it's there, and it is compared to sterilization in chances of getting pregnant on it...the paraguard is also good for 10 years instead of 5...although I should only have it for another year or so before we want to start trying again, and also as soon as they remove it you can start trying again if you want another child there is no waiting until it is out of your system like the pill..Good luck with your decision!