Mirena Birth Control - Martinez,CA

I say STAY AWAY from the Mirena IUC. I had it for only one year (after my second child was born), however, I experienced terrible side effects from the hormones and the device itself, including severe migraines, debilitating back pain, depression. Not to mention all the unnecessary medications I had to take to get relief from my pain. At time it was so bad that I could not take care of my children. The onset of my symptoms occurred with in one week of insertion and continued to get worse the longer I had it in. While my doctor told me that there should be no relationship between my symptoms and the IUC, it's hard to deny the timing of their onset. Finally after a year of suffering, and continually being told that it was not my Mirena IUC, I had had enough. I had it removed, and within 2 weeks my symptoms were gone. You just can't tell me that the two were not related. If you already know that you are sensitive to hormones, I would think very carefully about getting the Mirena. It seems there is a huge marketing campaign for this device, and in my case, I completely feel that the marketing push prolonged my pain. It was pretty new, and my doctor's office was really "selling" it to their patients. I think now there are more and more women who are having similar experiences to mine, and therefore, I think doctors are more willing to except the possibility of bad side effects. My doctor now concedes that the Mirena was not a good choice for me. But that doesn't give me back that year of suffering. Sorry to be so long winded, I just wanted to make sure the other side got heard. I know there are plenty of women who like their Mirena, but it is definitely not good for everyone.

C.,

I am extremely sensitive as well-and I found a pill that worked great for me. It is called Seasonique and it is different from Seasonelle. So just make sure you ask about Seasonique. But it is great because I take it around 9pm each night and don't have any side affects the next day. You only get a period every 3 months. The only disadvantage to it is that starting out, until you get used to it- you can spot a lot. But I found it to be really convenient and has been a great pill for me.

Good Luck~

Molly

Justt got my second Mirena last week. I LOVE it, (after a few days of cramping and a little discomfort from taking out the old and replacing it with the new). With my first one I had NO periods and no problems with hormones. If it isn't working for you, they can always take it out, it doens't have to stay in for the five years! Good luck with your decision.

Hi C.,
Like you I also am not able to tolerate the pill. My doctor had tried me on every kind that was out there and it too turned me into a raging lunatic. I now have the Mirena and I absolutely love it. I do not have any of the hormone problems that I had before and best of all, I don't have to remember to take a pill at a certain time everyday. This is my second time using it and I plan on using it after our next child because I love it so much. Good Luck and I wish you the best.
Jenn

I have the Mirena and I love it! I am sensitive to the hormones in birth control pills as well, I had severe migraines where I would go numb over one side of my body and not be able to put words together... very scary.

Anyway, I've had Mirena for 9 months now and couldn't be happier. My periods are hardly noticable and best of all NO HEADACHES!!! The hormone in Mirena is not the same as in birth control pills and it is a small local dose so it's not supposed to have systemic side effects. I know there are people who've experienced awful side effects but I think that is more about having an IUD (your body can try to reject it) and not the hormone in Mirena.

Talk to your doctor and see. Getting it in is uncomfortable, but not painful. Cramps last about a day but are better with motrin. Well worth it.

HTH

T.

I was on the mirena birth control and it was great. My doctor was is on it and so was one of the nurses. I am of course now off of it cause I want to get pregnant now again for my second one. It is good for 5 years. It worked great for me cause I was so scared after my first one that I was going to get pregnant on that mini pill when breast feeding. I had so many friends get pregnant right after the first. I used to be on the regular pill before my daughter for 15 years on and off. So I do recommend the mirena. I do know there are hormones but I don't think a lot. You also don't get too many periods, eventually they fade away after 6 months. I recommend it.
R.

Hi C.,

I too am sensitive to the hormones in birth control pills. In Dec. 07 I had the Mirena placed and it's been good. Although my periods are a little weird I am not feeling sick as I did with the pills and do not get heavy flows. Everybody is different, but you won't know unless you try it.