Mirena IUD : to Have or Not to Have!

My sister had the Mirena IUD and still got pregnant. They gave her only a 30% chnce that the pregnancy would remain viable once the device was removed (she did miscarry). I realize getting pregnant is a danger with any birth control but the removal if you do is something to consider.

I have one and I love it. I don't even know it's there. It was no worse than having a pap done as far as comfort when it was put in. I have had mine for 2 years now and it's great. I have very light periods, basically some spotting for a couple of days and that is about it. I recommend it to anyone! Honestly don't fret about it, you'll love it when you don't have to do anything for BC!! Good luck! L.

Hello,
I had Mirena put in after the birth of my second boy. I really had no problems, the worst for me is that it took my body a little longer than most to get used to it so i bled for a while. Otherwise i have a lite no cramping period. It is uncomfortable to have it inserted, but if you have had kids you can handle it.
Hope this helps,
J.

Hi A.,
I'm just curious to why you chose Mirena. What made you choose this particular method of birth control and not some other type?

I know that many mothers in this group have and are using it and it works well for them. However, if you are nervous about it and you're getting physically ill before you even get it "installed", you might have bad side effects just due to the stress of getting it put in. In this case my advice is not to do it.

I don't know what your situation is but I am very wary of these new birth control methods. They haven't been around long enough to know the long term effects (where as the pill has been around since the late 60's, early 70's so long term health effects are known). I also don't like the idea of some drug fooling my body into believing it's pregnant. And don't get me started on the 4 periods a year. Menstruation sucks but there's a biological reason that women have monthly cycles for forty years of their life.

However, it is your body and thank goodness we live in a country where a woman has a right to choose what to do with hers. I know it's cliche, but go with your gut. You don't have to go this route. There are many options. And there are options for men too.

I had one in 4 months ago and am absolutely delighted with it. It was quite sore going in but it was all over very quickly (less than a minute for insertion) and so good to think that now I don't need to think about birth control for 5 years. I have 2 kids and feel I have completed my family.
I had irregular bleeding for the first few weeks but nothing too bad. That has now settled down and my periods which were a real problem for me (heavy, "flooding" and headaches every time) are a million times better. They are much lighter and getting lighter each time, and the headaches have stopped.
Having had problems with the pill etc, I can't recommend it highly enough and would definitely recommend you give it a go.
One of your other responders talks about a lot of problems but that it with the "old style" IUD. I have had one of those and had to have it out because of problems with bleeding etc. The Mirena is very different as it has a low dose hormone in it and I have found it way better than the other kind of IUD.

I have had the Mirena for 3 years now and I love it. I have had absolutely no problems. It's a little weird getting used to the intermitant periods because I never quite know when they'll show up. I'm about every three months. But it has drastically reduced any PMS symptons, especially the cramping (which didn't go away after the births of my children, like all the old wives' tales say). I'd get the mirena again in a heartbeat.

I am very happy with mine. The "installation" was a bit painful for the few minutes it took, but nothing compared to active labor. I was a little crampy that day and bled moderately off and on for about 6 weeks. After that, I have barely noticed its existence. Every month I get a tiny amout of spotting, no full blown period. And have never had any trouble. Good luck. I hope it works for you.

A.

I have had the mirena IUD for over a year and love it. Very glad I had it put in, my periods are much shorter, like a day and very light. Do not have to worry anymore about having sex and if there is a condom around it is perfect.

Do not be nervous once it is in you will be able to forget all about it.

I have had it for 2-1/2 years and love it. It hurt a bit when it was put in and maybe a little cramping for 1 day, but I have not felt it since. Make sure the Dr. does not cut the string too short because it can "rub your partner the wrong way" if cut too short. I had to go back for another visit to get the string trimmed, but was told that longer would be better. My current gyn can't see the string at all in my regular exam. The best side effect is having no period at all. Its weird at first, but you get used to it really fast. lol

I happen to love it. Don't let other people scare you. I get minimal bleeding, if any, each month. It's nice to know I will not have an "oops!" and I do not have any side effects. I have been able to lose weight!

You have already gotten a lot of responses so I will make mine short. When I got it, it hurt like hell, I cramped for 6 weeks and bled for 6 weeks. Since then I have had very unstable periods, meaning I can't quite predict when they come, and when they are finally here it's only spotting for about a week straight. I did feel a lot of cramping with it while it got settled over the first 2 months, now it only bothers me after my period has started and once it's over so is the cramping.
In the big picture it has been a good experience for me. I don't believe in not getting a period, so the fact I still get one, but it's toned down is nice, and it's great to not worry about getting pregnant. Good luck to you in whatever you choose.

I hated it, I started to lose my hair, and I was having horrible PG symptoms every month to the point where I kept wondering if I was PG. I never bled with it either.
I was really looking forward to not having to take the pill every day, but for me, this was not the answer.

I had Mirena "installed" about 2 years ago- I love it. At first I was a little hesitant- only because it made my cycles wacky- but that happens with me a lot with other birth controls. At this point- I haven't had my period- or its been very short and light for the past 6-9 months. I don't seem to have any side effects to it- it hasn't decreased my sex drive- and I'm not any more moody than I would be anyway. I have no worries nor problems with it! And because my pelvis is long- there were issues installing it- i had mild cramping for a couple days afterwards... and when it it my time of the month- i do get a little PMS- but end up with no bleeding- and its easy for me to feel every month (you're supposed to check for it). It's all good!

OK - deep breath... relax!! It's just an IUD. It takes about 3 seconds to insert... and it's not painful.

I will tell you that for the first 3 months, I had terrible cramping, kind of like heavy period cramps. I remember telling my husband "If this goes on for another month, I'm getting this thing removed." And suddenly, by that 4th month, the cramping stopped. Now I don't feel it at all. Although at first, your period might be heavier (in fact, you have to have it rechecked after your first period, because that first one after installation is pretty heavy), mine is now very light. I've had it for 3 years....

I've had it for almost three years and there have not been any problems. It was uncomfortable to insert, but only felt like a long pap smear. My ob-gyn has one herself. I agree with your other responder, don't let people scare you. I think it's great and always recommend it to others.

I have had mine for almost 5 years and have to make an appointment to have it removed soon. I remember it was a litte uncomfortable during the actual insertion but I didn't have any cramping or anything. I have been very happy with mine, no complications. My first period came 10 days after I had it inserted and lasted for 10 days, but it also started the day we moved cross country with an infant! I haven't had a period to speak of since then.

Hi A.,
I've had the Mirena for three years now and am pretty happy with it. I had it "installed" before I had my period back, so they had to dilate me a little bit. I just breathed and relaxed (which served me well during birth!) and it was no worse than period cramps. During the first month, I had some twinges while it settled in, and there was a month last year that it must have slipped and was causing me some discomfort, but as soon as I got my period, it resettled. I REALLY enjoy the light periods, not having to take those horrible pills, and not having to think about birth control. I'd say relax and go for it!

please read my recent responses on this. It should help you out.

I have one of those bad IUD stories to share (though I have friends who have better luck). My conclusion is to make sure you have a really good doctor inserting it eactly as required and make sure you see that doctor of you have any concerns.

I had an IUD put in at the doctor’s office 4 months after the birth of my second child. The process was slightly uncomfortable, but barely. I'd read and was following all the instructions. After a few weeks, I still felt uncomfortable - especially when physically active. After getting assurances that IUDs are simply uncomfortable the first month. Turns out, it had perforated my uterus, was embedded into my bladder and starting to enter my intestines. I ended up having abdominal surgery that had its own further complications. Things appear to be fine now, but I would suggest using caution.

Who knows what happened, someone suggested it could could have been inserted wrong or something. In any case, make sure you have a doctor with a good history who is inserting it by the book. Then, you too must follow the instructions provided. Good luck.

I've had mine for more than a year now. Love it! When the gyn put it in, it felt like really bad menstrual cramps for 2 days, then nothing. Wouldn't even know it's there except that I tend to cramp on that side during normal PMS time of the month (which happened before too). The best part...no remembering to take pills and no weight gain! The down side, doesn't help with acne like pills do, but I use proactive solutions, so it's all good! Highly recommend getting one!

HI, I got the Mirena put in last week. I am currently nursing my 7 month old, so I still have not gotten a period since he was born. But we put it in anyway, and it was sooooo easy! I hardly felt anything. It was easier than a pap test!!!! Seriously, I felt almost nothing. You should get it put in when you are having your period. It goes in easier then. I had very little spotting that day, and nothing since. I hope it stays that way! I have a few friends who have it for almost 5 years already. My girlfriend just got a second one put in because she had the first for the 5 years, and she loved it! No periods for her...I hope we can be so lucky! Good Luck!

I don't know how much different than the old IUD this is but I can tell you about my horrible experience. It was so painful that I fainted during the procedure. (not to mention messy because I had to have my period so that the procedure could take place). My periods got heavier, longer, and more painful not only the years that I had it on but after I had it taken out as well. I also developed ovarian cysts and thickening of the lining in my uterus (which explains why the heavier periods and had to be surgically removed later on).
I would never go through that experience again, nor would I advise anyone to go through it either. If you must, then I would advise you to read about it and get informed by your practitioner as to what are the pros and cons. Make sure he/she explains with plenty of details the safety issues and what is the success rate on this...and if you don't like what you hear, then get a second opinion, a third, just until you feel you know all that you need to know about this method of birth control.
Some of the cons of the Mirena are that can cause sides effects such as: Acne; back pain; breast pain; breast tenderness; changes in sex drive; cramps; depression; hair loss; headache; irregular bleeding; lack of menstrual bleeding; nausea; nervousness; sinus infection; skin problems; stomach pain; upper respiratory tract infection; weight gain, etc...)
You said you have a great husband. Why don't you discuss alternatives where he is the one who takes care of the birth control. (There are many safe and painless ways this can be done on men so that you don't have to go through this painful ordeal).
Another suggestion is to use the diaphragm. I have used it for years...and yes, some women complain that it's a pain in the neck to stop the fun because they have to put it on. However, there are many women who integrate the diaphragm into their love making and have their husband insert it as part of the foreplay.
I really wish you the best of luck in making this important decision.
Here is a link where you can read about women who had experience on this.
http://www.mothersclick.com/question/mirena-iud-side-effe...

and this other site has more medical information without being partial:

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/mirena-iud.html
Warm regards:)

I am on my second Mirena IUD and I have no complaints. You have the usually spotting and cramping at first but it goes away. My period is so light (non-existent) that I am sometimes unsure of when I have it. Usually I can tell by my mood but definitely not because of any flow.

It's the easiest birth control in the world.

My 3 daughters have the Mirena IUD and all 3 of them love it! None have ever had any problems with it. All of them say that within a few hours of getting it put in they couldn't even tell it was there. One daughter does get some very minor spotting (2 or 3 drops) every few months when it's her period time but that's about it. When each of them got it put in they said they had some mild cramping similar to normal menstrual cramps for a few hours afterwords but nothing they couldn't stand, but have had nothing else since then. All of them got it about the same time...that was over 2 years ago. One got the 10 year one the other 2 got the 5 year one.

On the other hand, if you are this nervous about it maybe this is not for you. It's an expensive form of birth control that only some insurance companies will cover. But even these insurance companies do not cover having it removed if it's done before the due date to be removed (either 5 or 10 years). So it's not like you can say, "I'll try it and if I don't like it I can have it removed.".

As I was typing this message one of my daughters brought her daughter over here for me to babysit so I told her about you and asked her how she feels about her IUD. She said to tell you, "It was the best thing I have ever done!". She also said to tell you to "Go for it, you may be nervous now but after you get it, you will never regret it and will wonder why you were so nervous about it!". haha

Hi A.!

I have the Mirena and absolutely love it. I have had it since 6 wks after my son was born in January and haven't had any problems. I had my period for a couple weeks straight but after that I haven't gotten it since. I still get a little moody during pms time but no bleeding! I was so nervous when I got it that I was going to have complications, it wasn't going to work, I was going to feel it, my hubby was going to feel it. Absoultely none of those happened. The part that I love the most is that I am worry free for 5 years! :) I stand by it 100%. Good luck!

i love it! i mean my daughter was a surprise and wasnt planned so im trying to hold off on the second one for a while...there are the minor side effects or risks but thats with anything....try to have it put in around your period because it makes it slide in easier....and youll just lay there like a normal exam and youll just feel alot of pressure i mean it feels like a bad cramp or less pain than a contraction but i dont know what that feels like because my daughter was a csestion but i mean its great because you can be free to do waht you want and not always use a condom but i use one too just for extra protection lol

Hi A.,

I have had the Mirena IUD for about 9 months now. It is a truly no-worry form of birth control. I would certainly recommend it to any and every woman. It is easy to have inserted and easy to have removed if you decide you wand another child. It is very safe and effective in preventing pregnancy. It was a little painful for me when it was first put in, but everyone is different. It only lasted a few hours. Since then, my periods have been lighter and shorter. Good luck!

J.

A., I have it and I love it! I think I have had it for about 5 months or so. Its not the most comft. thing to have done but I think its worth it. I was a little crampy afterwards and did have more cramping and spotting inbetween for the first few months. I curently have little to no cramping, no spotting and NO PERIOD! As long as it stays like this for the next 4.5 years the first couple months and having it put in will have been worth it!

Hey A.
I had a Paragard IUD put in about a month ago. I chose this one becuase it was horomone free and you can keep it up to 10 years. I have a 10 month old and previous to conceiving him I had a copper IUD for 6 years. No problems with it, just felt it was time to take it out. What are you nervous about? it doesnt hurt much when its inserted. and it doesnt hurt afterwards. just cramping for a little while. Nothing worse than contractions! you dont feel it at all. my husband could feel the first IUD when were intimate but with this one he has no complaints. Good luck!

I have had my mirena for almost 2 years and absolutely love it. I am not good with remembering to take pills so oral contraceptives were not a great choice for me, have tried Depo-Provera and NuvaRing and didn't like either of those. With Mirena, had spotting for first few months and then no more bleeding...can't complain about that!! =-) Hope this helps.