Mirena and Spotting... How Long Does This Last?

I have had my Mirena in for 2 months now and I just stopped spotting last week. I felt the same way, thinking that I would never stop spotting, but I am glad I stuck with it. So far I am really liking it.

I had my IUD put in almost 5 years ago, and I am counting down to when I can have it removed. I have periods that last longer then they EVER did without it. My periods changed after the birth of my second child, but it's really annnoying, and I get severe headaches as well. (I was starting to get these before getting pregnant too, so I don't think it is exclusively the IUD.) Statistics say that the majority (80% ?) of women don't even get their periods with an IUD--I joke that I make up for them because I bleed more than my share.

I would say contact your doctor, look on the internet for other reviews, even contact the manufacturer of Mirena. I just, personally, have not found it a way to regulate. At all.

I had the mirena inserted about a month ago, and my gyno told me to expect spotting for 3-6 months, and THEN, there will be no periods. So, if you can stick through it, I would. Especially since it doesn't seem to be that great for you without it either.

I had used Mirena for about 10 months after the birth of my second child...I had to get rid of it due to several problematic factors, one of which was spotting, which eventually developed into basically a 18 day period. For me, it was a horrible form of birth control, since my periods prior were about 6 days, and 4 days on the pill. I had issues with the progesterone. My point is, that for some women, Mirena can actually make things worse, so just be wary! I hope it works out for you!

Don't be discouraged, they say you can spot and be irregular for up to 3 months. I had mine put in right before xmas and had spotting/light regular bleeding for 3 weeks. I personally have not had any sort of bleeding or spotting since but, give it time, it is totally worth having if it does stop your period or at least lighten and regulate it!!

I have been doing so much research on this..it is so easy to get disheartened....I just had my Mirena and have been spotting for 3 weeks... but still feel my body has to adjust....as for weight gain...I am VERY active and still continue to lose weight thru diet and exercise.. but was very concerned because i was exercising by playing tennis right after...I am still confortable with my decision since I am single and 40....I am not active yet but at some time would like to be and not to be worried about it...i am still willing to give it a chance.....as for the spotting...i had problems with wetness before so if a panty liner is what I have to deal with, it is worth it than a prenancy i don't want...

Hi it usually takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months, before you will stop spotting, I have had mine in now going on 3 years, and I haven't even had a period for a little over a year now. I love it wouldn't ever try anything else.

I spotted for at least a month and a half. So give it time. I now only have my period for about a day or two every two to three months and I have had it for a25bout 6 months. I love it. It was hard at first but give it a little more time. Your doctor is supopose to check you at three months and if you still have trouble then she should be able to take care of it. Good Luck

I have had the Mirena since the end of November. I started to spot as soon as I got it, and then did not stop until the end of January. Then it was nothing for about 2 weeks, then I spotted for 4, then nothing for 2 weeks, then spotted for 2, then nothing. I have not done anything for about 3 weeks now.. So not sure if I am finally done with all of that. But from everyone that I know that has it, they all spotted almost none stop anywhere from 3 to 6 months before they had barely anything. I am sticking with it because its better then taking the pill everyday, and I don't want anymore kids but just not really to get my tubes tie'd. I would wait it out alittle longer. In the brocher it does say that it will make you irregular for 3 to 5 months..

LOL. this is SOOO funny cuz its just like what my husband and i were like when i got the mirena!

i got it in september, and it was febuary before my cycle regulated itself. it seems like it should work really soon, but it really does screw you up, i was wearing pantiliners for over a month at one point. it seems like you just get over your period, then you get it again, and it seems like it lasts forever!! dont worry this is normal! dont get it removed as its pretty spendy, yet pays for itself after a year compared to other methods.

it is really looking now like i am going to have a 3 day period or none at all. i havent been paying attention (cant when i have a 18 month old!!) but its finally been nice and figured itself out.

my husband still says he gets poked sometimes, so he finds that a little annoying, but i guess he deals with it since i havent heard that complaint in over a month. LOL. so just give it time, always be prepared with supplies, and just have patience, it will finally right itself in there and cut the periods down if not get rid of them completely!

i do however, have a slight discomfort in certain positions, so its sometimes wierd, but for the wide majority of the time (like 95 %) i feel great and its nice to not have to worry so much! i am using it for BC so its nice to not have to depend on taking the pill perfectly or any of that. and there has been NO weight gain for me, or any other side effects (that ive noticed)
my husband says i still get really cranky that time of the month, but i hardly notice cuz the period is so.. faint LOL

I'm going to join all the women saying, "I hope it works for you, but it didn't for me."

For myself personally, I had the Mirena about 6 months. In that time I had spotty periods every two weeks, sore breasts, major mood swings, depression, 3 pregnancy scares, pain in certain positions during sex, the worst cramps of my life, and TWO vaginal bacteriosis infections (I had never had a vaginal infection, other than a yeast infection, in my life before having Mirena).

I couldn't take it anymore. I'm on the Depo shot now, and I love it. I spotted the first 10 days after the first shot and haven't bled again since, over 4 months. I've had virtually no cramps or moodiness, and no infections, thank god!

But I will say, Mirena works for some people quite well. I used to work with a woman who had been on it for 3 years with no problems. She loved it. So it depends on how your body personally handles it. Just be careful and keep an eye on it.

Good Luck!

S. M.

The Mirena is the best thing that has (womanly) happen in my life. It have been without a period for almost 4 years. They told me I would have spotting for up to 3 week after it was first put in however it was more like 3 days. The thing with the mirena is that it is different for all people. I have never noticed spotting throughout and at my yearly checkups I have been told that everything looks great.

This has nothing to do with Mirena. However, I am using the Ortho Evra patch. My periods used to last 5 to 6 days but now it is between 3 and 4. The patch is on for three weeks and then off the fourth week. Of course, you change your patch every week on the same day. The only down side to the patch is it's like a band aid. It starts to itch alittle around the 3rd day. I am thinking of using Mirena next year. We have two children and don't want any surprises.

If I remember right, the first one or two months I spotted non stop and wondered like you are, whether I had made the right choice. I was 35 years old then. I am due this month for a new one since I had a five year one for birth control. My first few months of period were actual bleeding for about five days but it slowly eased. Now I spot just a bit on my period days; sometimes missing periods altogether. I have not had any problem with weight gain. I think Mirena is great. But I know as with most things, the effectiveness depends on the particularity of each individual. I hope it works well for you.

A little about me
I am a 40-yr-old mother of two beautiful girls 16, and 7.

Eventually it will stop, seriously. It has worked well for me. Had a baby last June and got it put in b/c hesitating to have more, not b/c of menstral control. Yes, I had tons of spotting/junk for about 2 months...I asked if it was normal and the dr said yes. It is the excretion coming from clipping it on. Then it goes away, but you may see more excretion when it is your period time...not blood, but just a clear/yellowish wet feeling in your underwear. Wear a light day. Speaking of, I'm planning on getting mine pulled out after memorial day, so I'll be able to assist with any further questions.

I understand there's alot of positive things about Mirena but I need to tell you what happened to me. I went on Mirena in November as well. I spotted for 7 weeks and noticed that I was getting depressed. At first I thought it was just post-partum (I had a son in August) however, my moods just kept getting worse. Finally I threw out the word "divorce" in a conversation with my husband and I knew something was wrong. Finally I did some checking and found curezone.com. There was tons of women out there with the same symptoms and way worse. I was also having joint pain which was also on the list of symptoms from these women. I have since gotten it removed and saved my marriage. So I just ask you to please be alert of what's going on with your body...I know it's wonderful for most women I just hope you're not like me.
Good Luck!

I don't know anything about Mirena, but i do know about awful periods. If you are all done having kids there is a procedure called an Ablasion. It is a same day surgery with little down time. (Usually just the day you have the procedure and then you're back to normal.) I had it done 2 1/2 years ago and I spotted a little once in a while for maybe the first 3 months and now I don't even spot. No period, nothing. I love it. Talk to your Doctor and if they are no help, see a regular gynecologist and they can give you all the information you need. Good luck! It really is safe, too. All they really do is burn the lining of the uterus.

I'd give it a while longer. Most women stop spotting after 2-3 months, and usually they don't get their period at all.
I say "usually" because I had my mirena for about 18 months and I spotted the whole time. I'd go days without bleeding, then spot for a couple weeks, and then back to no bleeding. After the first few months it wasn't bad at all. I used pantiliners and a diva cup (menstrual cup) when I was concerned I might be spotting.
It was still the best birth control I've ever used, my husband and I both agree.
I just had it removed a few weeks ago so we could start trying for #2... removal was a SNAP.
GL to you.

I haven't used Mirena myself... I'm a big believer in trying natural approaches to health problems first. Have you considered seeking the help of a naturopath to figure out why your usual periods are so irratic? You may want to thoroughly search that out. It may be an indication of other health factors (such as hormone imbalances, etc). Taking the Mirena may then just mask the symptoms and keep you from knowing if there is a greater issue you need to address.

I found this site that may be helpful http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/mirenareport.html

I don't mean to discourage you...only help you get the most information. Knowledge is power, right?

Have a great day!

I spotted for about 12 weeks - but I also had mine inserted post partum - which probably had a lot to do with it.

As far as the rest. My periods were significantly lighter. I had irregular spotting, but I have other health issues that probably cause my hormones to fluctuate in such a manner to cause irregularity - I'm just grateful it's spotting not bleeding. Once I worked on my other health conditions under control (though we have no absolute proof that they're related), ironically regularity came back, and I have normal, but very short very light periods with no spotting between. I've had mine in for 4.5 years.

Have you looked into possible causes for your irregular bleeding?

When I had my Mirena placed, I spotted for at least three months. But since then I have only had my period once and I had it placed two years ago. I do love it, if you can hang on for the three months it is really great!

P.,
I had the Mirena in for about 6 weeks and then had it removed. Spotting wasn't my problem -- I could feel the dumb thing when I moved certain ways and it drove me bonkers! Good luck with it!
T.
PS> Did it hurt like mad when you had it put in?

Hi P.,

I had a Marina put in 3 years ago after my son was born. I spotted a lot for the first few months and actually had an ultra sound done to make sure it was placed right. Yes mine is used for birth control but I chose this because of the low weight gain (I have had none) and because of the cramps I used to get. I don't get them now. Some people still get their period with the Mirena. I do and they are pretty regular however they aren't heavy and I ususally just need a panty liner. On a bad note, for the past 6 months my periods seem to be coming more often and I've been keeping track since Jan. and I spot/bleed for almost 2 weeks a month now. At my next appointment I am going to talk to my dr. about it. I still have to weigh the pros and the cons. My cramps were so bad that I would get migrains, throw up, etc. I had to try 3 different kinds of the pill before one would calm them enough that ibprofin every 4 hours would do the trick. I also was really concerned about weight gain and had a hard time losing the weight after my first child. I lost the weight this time much faster. Right now I'm not happy about the bleeding (and neither is my husband) but I'm not sure I'm ready to go back on the pill just yet. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

P. B.

P.,
I've had mine for over 5 months and I seem to remember the same issues at first. After two months, it's been perfect. Just a few days of spotting every 30+ days (I assume my period) Just be patient.

Hi P.,

i have Mirena for about a year now. its kinda messed up the first couple of months but its gets better. now i get some spoting for a 4 days each month but it seams to get less each time. i did notice (so did my husband) that i get very crancky (PMS) around that time, which i never did before. as for weight gain, i dont think its the blame for the Mirena. i am just eating too much pasta and rice. thats what my doc told me. but it gets better. i like it better then the pills or shots. those were terrible.

so just hang in there. it will get better. Kat

Hello , I'm kind of new to this but... I was on the birth control Patch since April , but my Aunt recommended me to get on the Mirena b/c she's also on it and she said it was better.. and I did.. But the first insertion of the Mirena it came out a week after i got it inserted while i was wiping myself in the bathroom... So i had to make another appt. September 7th to get another Mirena IUD insertion... This upcoming Saturday(October 5th) will be exactly one month I've been on this Mirena. I have no idea when I'm going to stop bleeding/spotting because when I was leaving the Patch for Mirena I was still bleeding... I've been bleeding since like the second last week of August.. I'm waiting for it to end already lol........ But, I'm trying to be patient as can be because as I read some of y'all stories, it turns out to be pretty good.

Well, I hope you have a better experience with Mirena than I did. I bled a lot for quite a long time - 9 MONTHS before I finally decided to the the devide removed!!

I, too, was enticed by the light periods or none at all. I tried to be optimistic and think the bleeding was going to be shortlived, but the fact is that nobody can predict it; it's different for each person. The bleeding is your uterus shedding its lining, which I'm sure you know. When I went back to my OB with the same concerns as you, she basically said that Mirena thins that lining, sometimes to the point where it's completely gone - that's when your periods stop for good. HOWEVER, it takes some people longer than others to get to that point. At the time of removal, I had been spotting for 6 weeks - not off & on - EVERY DAY bleeding for 6 weeks! My OB said that it could have been 2 weeks before the bleeding stopped, or it could have been 6 more months - there's just no way to tell. I was not prepared to deal with any more bleeding, so I decided to take it out.

I went on NuvaRing immediately afterward and it has been pure bliss!! Hardly any periods (2 days), no cramps, no bloating, and perfectly predictable periods. It's like a jelly bracelet - you insert it vaginally once a month. It stays in place and you absolutely cannot even tell it's there. It stays in for 3 weeks and then you remove it for a week (period week). You get little stickers to put in your datebook or calendar so you can remember what day to insert & take out. I absolutely loved it and only went off it because my husband has a vasectomy and I didn't need to be on it anymore.

Sorry for the long explanation, but I hope that helps. If you get to a point where you're frustrated with Mirena and still want all the benefits, talk to your OB about NuvaRing. Good luck!

I have had my Mirena in for about 3 weeks now and have had no spotting at all. (I am still nursing so that may have something to do with it) A friend of mine had nothing for 6 months and then heavy bleading after the 6 months and had to take it out. Another friend of mine had some spotting the first 3 weeks and then nothing since. So I think it just depends on the individual. Hope that helps:)

I just had one put in also, I have had it for about a month this week. I have been doing the same thing, so do not feel alone. When I got it put in I received alot of info about it and it did say I would spot for the first 3-6 months. So I would expect it to slow down soon but look for the spotting.
I am glad I am not the only one who had one put it after a hubby's Vasectomy. I think it will be a great tool to regulate once it gets planted and ready for use. I am still very happy with mine.

I have had mine in for almost 3 years. It works great! I do not get a regular period, but I notice spotting only when I use the bathroom when I should get my period. Not anything I need a pad for by any means. I remember the spotting after it was inserted lasted quite a while. 3 months??? I also noticed spotting after sex, and occasionally still do. Nothing like getting a period though. I love not having to worry about that. Mine reason for it though was purely BC. I have three kids. My first, I was using the pill and condoms! My second child we were trying for. My third, when my middle child was seven months old, I was nursing, and on pill, found out she ws on the way. Nothing seemed to be good enough for fertile mytle here. But I love not having to worry anymore. We love all our children, but were ready to be done, we think! I had a hard time deciding to do anything permanent so this was the logical choice for us. Stick with it at least 6 months. You may notice some side effects however. I had some hair loss(which grew back), and notice more acne than I have ever had before.

it was probably a couple months for me. got less and less, though.

I spotted after the insertion of my Mirena for about a month, then I had normal periods for 2 months, then spotting at period time fora couple months, hten nothing since. Once in a while now (over a year later) I'll have some minor spotting, like pink on the tissue when wiping, but nothing else.

I spotted for the first 4 months with mine, then had absolutely nothing for 8 months. I have been spotting again for the last two months off and on, but nothing that a panty liner can't handle though I believe that this is due to high stress because it stops when my stress level goes down.
Occasionally, after a rousing bedroom romp, I do tend to spot for a couple of hours after as well, but nothing a panty liner can't handle. I hate the spotting, but compared to the alternative (2+ weeks of heavy flow every month that an overnight couldn't handle), this is much more managable for me, so I really don't mind and am glad for having it.

I spotted for about a month and a half and then my periods stopped all together.

Well, I've had Mirena for almost one year and I have had spotting the entire time and what seems like heavier, more frequent periods. I've also had weight gain, moodiness, and nausea (none of which I had prior to Mirena). I'm having it removed next week. I've heard from people who love it and have no problems and from people who hate it. My doctor told me spotting generally stops within three months of insertion. However, if you find you have more serious issues with it I suggest having it removed right away and not waiting and being miserable like me.