Mirena Question

I haven't had any problems with Mirena, I had it in for almost a year. It gave me worse cramps then usual, but any contraceptive does that to me. We had a neighbor, who actually had hers migrate farther into the uterus and got pregnant, but they were able to remove the IUD and the baby was born happy and healthy. But every contraception comes with a risk, I liked the IUD because it was worry free, no pills, no rings, never have to remember anything. Plus, I had mine taken out about a month ago, and am already pregnant. They told me it could take up to 6 months, but the hormones are so much less than the pill I didn't have to worry about side effects. Plus it was safe to breastfeed with as well.

Good luck, hope you find what works for you!

((hugs)) Good for you for asking the tough questions! I hate to tell you this, but the main function of EVERY IUD is potentially abortive. They discovered that by putting a peach pit in the uterus of a camel, the camel couldn't get pregnant. By the same token, when an egg is fertilized it won't implant because there is a foreign body in the uterus that 1) tells the body it's already pregnant and 2) tells the body that there is a potential threat to the baby. From Mirena's website, it makes the lining of your uterus thin (this may also result in benefits like less menstrual bleeding over time)

Also, any hormonal form of birth control (pill, shot, patch, IUD) changes the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implantation. The first function is to prevent ovulation but it doesn't always work. In fact, one study showed a possible 50% ovulation rate in women tested positive for pregnancy. Five weeks later they were re-tested and tested negative. So, the ovulation prevention may not work nearly as well as the abortive method. Also, you CAN ovulate even if you are not having periods. This is why it is possible to get pregnant before having your first period post partum. So, you ovulate, you had no period, and then the fertilized egg cannot continue growing into this new person because fetus cannot implant. According to this http://www.fhi.org/en/RH/Pubs/Network/v20_1/NWvol20-1IUDs... site about IUDs "A 1987 study to monitor hCG production in 40 women using IUDs found only one probable fertilized egg among 107 cycles. "Whatever the IUD's specific mechanism of action, it appears that the IUD effectively interrupts the reproductive process before implantation," the study concluded." So....there was AT LEAST one abortion in that study of only 40 women. And how many women are using IUDs? According to Wikipedia on IUDs "The pregnancy rate during IUD use is very low (less than 1% per year). If pregnancy does occur, the IUD should be removed. Although IUDs are not teratogenic,[35] presence of the IUD increases the risk of miscarriage, particularly during the second trimester. "

I'm not comfortable with that statistic, no matter how small. I mean, they tell women not to have a VBAC because of the half to one percent chance they might have a SLIGHT tear in the uterus. Yet there's a same chance of having an abortion with the IUD and yet they don't consider the IUD as abortive?

No, they don't consider these abortive because 1) they don't know for sure how often this happens and 2) simply preventing the baby from implantation may not be considered abortion because most people, doctors included, do not consider it a baby at that point. When is the point that it suddenly becomes a person? Well that's up for wide debate, but many sadly believe it is not until it takes it's first breath.

Probably the 'safest' form of BC is the barrier method. The cervical cup can be used prior to sex so there's no stopping in the heat of the moment. NFP works well for many people I have spoken with, but I got pregnant 4 times. Long story, but most don't seem to have such a problem as I did.

You aren't SURE you are sworn off more babies so doing something permanent isn't a great idea as I'm sure you guessed. You might also be interested in reading Quiverfull. Some, like myself, begin to study what God thinks about children and decide that ALL forms of birth control is not "God's best."

Feel free to PM me. I wish you all the best and am praying for you today that God heals your endomitriosis!

I am 43 yrs old, always wanted to have children, but kept putting it off. Well, here is what I learned. I had so many problems, that I finally decided I would learn things on my own...I am studying to be a Naturopath. (1)Years of birth control pills are not a good idea. I wish I had read those little papers with a million words on them. Ah, that is the reason for them. (2)Drs. believe they are effective..they are, they keep you going back to them for other problems you will incur. (3) They never tell you to take a very good multi-vitamin (no D& C food colors, gelatin, synthetics), they do not realize that BCPs rob your body of much needed nutrients. (4) The other thing they don't tell you...every month your body naturally cleanses your body via your cycle (I used to think it was great to have scanty periods, until it catches up with you later on you will have heavy ones). After going natural,I even got rid of my fibroids, my periods are now manageable (no more crawling to the bathroom). I basically did it with an organic vegan diet.
I have never tried anything other than BCP, but here is my take on other medical contraceptives. NOT WORTH IT. I truly believe in a Woman's right to choose. I truly believe a Woman keep herself informed, it is so much easier now with Google. When you go against GOD's intention (nature), you are going to have problems. There is a reason for that monthly visitor (God knew what she was doing). I now believe that all forms of contraception are pro-choice, which simply means your-choice. My reason for pro-choice is that sometimes Woman is mal-informed, and goes with something like an iud and some how is the .01%, gets pregnant and in the best interest of mother and baby, abortion is best (a very tough, but realistic situation). Not a decission, I have ever had to make (Thank GOD!), but not my place to judge something like that. We are lucky to live in the LAND of the FREE. Sorry to be so preachy. I think birth control should be up to the man... condoms, abstinance on those likely days, and "the snip" (less evasive solution)if they don't want children. Take care of yourself, you have to live with your body for the rest of your life. www.mybiopro.com/claudia13 (If you want to learn about cell phone dangers).

Hello T.,
I understand what you are going through with the Endo. I have fought it for a very long time. I have gone through two surgeries and every birth control out there I think. The one thing that has really worked for me is the Lupron shot. It basically puts your body into menapause usually for a six month period. Granted the hot flashes and night sweats can be tough but the lack of homones in your body stops the growth of the the endo and kind of kills off what is there because it feeds off of your homone production. After the six month period they put me back on birth control and I feel like a new person. It has regulated my priod and taken the pain away. I am so thankful that this has worked because the next step would have been a hystorectomy...I am only 24 and I am not ready to have all of that taken from me. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-766-LEUPROLIDE+3+MONTH+11... This is the link to look up some information about the shot. I hope that this helps you!

I'm sure anything is possible. I think the hormones are what keep you from having an egg get fertilized but like with the pill, it isn't completely 100% guarantee. I have the same problem with endometriosis. I got the Mirena but it was only in for a couple of weeks and then I had to have emergency surgery because it perforated my uterus and was lost in the cavatity behind my body. I am now too afraid to try it again so I chose to get the Implanon instead. It is a form of birth control that is inserted in my arm and is good for 3 years. It slowly releases hormones. My only complaint is I don't have a regular cycle. Some months nothing, some months spotting, and other months a regular flow.
I think you are probably fine with the Mirena I wouldn't worry too much about it.

All I can say is wow you are brave!! I tried to have one of these things implanted it was so PAINFUL!!! I shot it back out!! No thanks, I stick with BCP!! Hope you find the answer you are looing for.

Mirena does two things, not ness. in this order:

1. It stops implantation
2. It keeps eggs from ripening (just like the pill)

They don't know which happens more often. I had the same issues with my Mirena, I think you can either continue to use it (I did for 2 years and it was great) or have it taken out for moral reasons.

Best wishes!

From what I've read and how I understand it is they all are about the same. Plus, if an egg does happen to attach, the IUD has to be removed and there is a good chance that the pregnancy will be terminated as the fetus is removed along with the IUD. I would read all the fine print and rare complications that come with the insert. That's what I rely on, as doctors always downplay the rare things. It's the rare thing that I want to avoid. I also considered the Mirena IUD, but changed my mind as I read the fine print. Read it, talk to your doctor, then make up your own mind. You could probably also find something on the Mirena website.

Well mirena works like any other IUD plus estrogen. The estrogen helps with the no egg. Like all birth control it may fail. I'm not really sure why you went with the mirena feeling the way you do about IUDs. I would go to your doc and discuss with them another alternative. Sometimes Depo works well with endometriosis.

I am not sure about mirena. Call the manufacture or find a website for them. I think the only non abortion type of pregnancy prevention would be to get your tubes tied, or the rythem method. There are tests that you take at home to see when you are most fertile also. Hope this helps. Find out for sure from a doctor that understands your point of view on abortion. God bless and a thanks to your Firefighter hubby.

I had a Mirena put in in December of 2004 and had it removed in June 2008 so that we could try to conceive. Throughout those 3 1/2 years we went about our business as normal, never using condoms or anything else along with it. We never had any problems with it or any pregnancy scares with the exception of when my periods got so light and then went away altogether, I did take a few tests then, but was informed by my doc that it was completely normal with a Mirena. I had it taken out June 17th and we started actively trying in early July and we conceived TWINS around August 15th. I don't regret having the IUD for a minute, I loved it and would get another one after this pregnancy, but my husband's gonna get the snip instead.

Ethical issues aside, my only experience with the Mirena is that a friend got one and a year later had to have a complete hysterectomy for a nasty, nasty infection.