Mirena Support

Hi J.,

So sorry to hear that it's not working out for you!

I have never responded well to hormones either, so I got the Paraguard IUD which is the one without hormones. I had it inserted 2 months after my son was born. I was sore for a couple days, but I was fine after that. It has a small amount of copper in it that prevents pregnancy. It's so nice- can enjoy sex because I know I won't get pregnant, don't have to deal with mood swings, don't have to remember to take anything, don't have to worry about weight gain, and don't have to worry about the other risks with hormones.

I did spot for 3 months and my periods were heavier for 5-6 months, but now my body has stabilized and I can barely tell the difference. I don't have pain, but there are some positions that are uncomfortable.

So you might want to try Paraguard.

Hope this helps!

It sounds like this isn't for you. There are other options. I could never tolerate hormones, myself, and frankly wonder if it's such a good idea.

If you're afraid to be alone with your toddler, you need to have it removed and find another birth control option. There's almost an endless list of options, so there is no reason for you or your family to suffer like this.

Good luck!

You may have had it put in too soon after your baby was born. My doctor's office won't even do it until your baby is at least 6 months old or older because of the problems that you can have if its done too soon. I had mine done around 7-8 months after my daughter was born and had absolutely no problems. I spotted for 6wks after having it done and haven't had a period since or any problems at all.

Hi,
I know exactly what you mean. I got the Mirena a year ago to prevent these things from happening and it seemed like it got worse. I often asked myself why did I do this if it is not going to work. Hang in there because it does get better, I think it took 6 months for everything to work out. Now I love it. No periods, no mood swings, no spotting, and most of all I can deal with people more now!!!! I'm still tired from time to time but I just figure that is part of being a SAHM. My doctor told me to take vitamin B-12. a lot of women lack this. It helped for awhile then I stopped taking it. Hate taking things... Now I'm back to being normal whatever that is..... Hang in there I know it's hard especially when you think your losing it. It does get better....

I had opted for the copper IUD because it doesn't have the hormones like the Mirena, so I didn't have the mood swings like you're having. But the IUD (no matter which one) has it's share of problems. I had a lot of pain, too: like if I hit a bump while riding my bike--I could feel the IUD and the pain it caused. I had long hard periods. Most women that I've talked to that had an IUD hated it. I lasted 6 months and said "Take it out!" I'm now on the Nuva Ring and love it. I know it still has the hormones, but it doesn't affect me like the pill or perhaps the Mirena. My periods are light and short, like being on the pill. Talk to your doctor about it. Good luck

Hi J.,

1st of all, sit back, take a deep breath close your eyes & relax!!!
Ok, so I had the Mirena done Sept 27. I am still spotting (they said UP to 6 mos), I had incredible pain & when I went for my check up, they saw a cycst which finally broke on halloween & now no pain at all... I LOVE IT!!!! The spotting is still there. I do not have any other of your symptoms, that may be something else, like a mild form of depression or anxiety that you may want to talk to your Dr about...besides that everything else about the Mirena is wonderful!!
By the way, I got the Mirena, because 3 of my girlfriends raved about it. 2 of them got it right after having the baby before they left the hospital.. I think it just depends on your Dr..
Good luck

sounds (and looks) to me like everyone's body would react differently to Mirena. I personally am thinking of this option and am glad that you asked about it. that being said...I would DEFINITELY speak with your doctor about your symptoms. this is not something that can be put off..know what I mean? you know your body better than anyone else and if you think you can tough it out, I say go for it, but some of your symptoms need to be addressed...
Good luck with everything! :) I'm sure things will get better...but Call your doctor! :)

Dear J.,

OK Girlfriend...this is just my opinion...THE MAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BIRTH CONTROL. If he's getting all judgie because you putting chemicals into you body is throwing you off kilter emotionally, then he should step up and take care of you!

Hmph!

XXOO!!! J.

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I had the Mirena inserted six weeks after my second child. I was exhausted, losing hair, had a horrible temper,started gaining back baby weight I had just lost, and bled every day for three months. I was trying to tough it out, but when I went in for a check up and told the dr. he immediately told me we should take it out. I didn't ask him too many more questions (I should have) I just trusted what he was telling me. So, I took it out. Since I took it out I googled these problems and learned that it is quite common and only some every "work themselves out" I hope you get some good advice, and if you are still worried, just call your dr. and discuss it with them. Good luck to you

Hi J.,
I'm no doctor, but it sounds to me like some of your symptoms are not from the Mirena, but a part of post-partum. I got my Mirena when my son was four months old I believe so I had alreay began to lose hair and had all of the other symptoms that some of us lucky ladies have after we have a child. I've never had that big of mood swings though - if you feel like you may harm your child you should definitely talk to your doctor about maybe getting on an anti-depressant at least for a little while. Hang in there, do your research, and contact your doctor if you think things are not normal!

I have had the Mirena for almost 3 years now, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the freedom of not worrying about growing the family, remembering to take a pill or any drugs(like anti-biotics)interfering with the effectiveness, and LITTLE to NO period! It has done so much for me and the sponteniety of our private life that if there was an overe the conter product that was self-placing, I would sell it! As for the side effects, expect 6-8 weeks of spotting, and little mood swings, but HANG IN THERE- indeed it is totally and completely worth it! I believe I am up for removal in April and I will be having it replaced because of the freedom and No-Brainer family control.

J., I was in exactly the same place as you a few months ago. I was reluctant to have it taken out because it was so convenient, but like you, I had crazy mood swings and would just have to walk out of the room that I was in with the kids and try to get myself back into check. My dr's office originally prescribed Zoloft thinking I had post partum depression. The diagnosis didn't surprise because I had a colicy (sp?) son, but when I still had the cramps I called the dr and said enough was enough. They took an ultrasound and I probably had some cysts that ruptured but I had cramps even after that. So I finally had it taken out and am much happier! As much as I hate taking a daily bc pill I think the whole family is happier that I am 'back to normal' and my head isn't spinning for no apparent reason. Good luck!

I had the Mirena for over a year, and I only had cramps and severe mood swings for about a week. If you are still having all these symptoms, and you have had it since November, maybe your body doesn't respond well to it. I would definitely check with your doctor to see if they consider it normal to be feeling that way still. Of course, after I had it removed, I did find that my patience did increase a little, and my sex drive jumped way up!

I had Mirena put in a year ago at this time. Yes, it DID take 6 months for everything to "even out". Normally I have really heavy periods, so for almost the whole 6 months my periods would last for a full month. 10 days of heavy bleeding but light bleeding the rest of the time. I called the GYN's office very worried after 4 months of this. They said the same thing everyone else on here has said "wait it out for 6 months and it will get better" (I was very skeptical of that response after 4 months of bleeding). They were right tho. After 6 months everything tapers back to practically nothing. Which is great!! Now, a year later, I love it. Carefree, worry free, easy. It is worth it. As for your mood-swings and hair loss - I would attribute that to post-partum (depression even). I have had 5 children, all of which during that span I was never on birth control, and with many of them I experienced that same mood-swings and depression. My first 2 babies were the worse. I had nervous breakdowns practically (so they felt like). I found out that using a Wild Yam cream, which has natural Progesterone, REALLY helps with the mood swings. I had a midwife finally explain to me that while your pregnant the placenta has actually times'd your progesterone by 1000% and that is why pregnant women by their 4-5 month have that "glow" and are happy. Once you give birth you LOSE that progesterone immediately, so your body is having a hard time adjusting. Some women are more affected by the progesterone loss than others (hence post-partum depression). I find that I myself am more progesterone sensitive. With my fourth and fifth baby I used Wild Yam cream for the first part of my pregnancy, and then picked up using it immediately after giving birth ...and they were my happiest pregnancies and birthing experiences. It was awesome. So... my suggestions would be this - stick out the 6 months with Mirena. At your check up - be sure they check for placement, also maybe they should check for cysts (perhaps that may be the lower back pain). And then, look into getting some Wild Yam cream from the health food store. You just rub it into a different "soft" spot on your body (rotate application sites) every day. It should help with your mood swings and progesterone loss.
It is always helpful to hear from someone who has "been there - done that". Hopefully I have helped. Good Luck. And don't forget to keep us updated. ;)

I have talked to several moms on here and some in person and it sounds like this is VERY common for mirena users. I had to get mine taken out after 6 months because of the pain in my abdomen got so bad. I was spotting all the time and eventually became dizzy. But it sounds like a lot of moms have been there and had to get it taken out.
I've heard that if it doesn't work in the first 6 months, it will never work nicely for you. Good luck, there are lots of other birth control options out there.

Hi J.,

Just a quick note... I'm not a fan of hormonal birth controls in general. I can't recall at the moment if Mirena is a hormonal or non-hormonal, but I don't like the non-hormonal IUDs either. Philosophical, faith and health reasons combined. But I just wanted to say, as one breastfeeding mom to another, you do have another option: Natural Family Planning. The two methods I'd recommend (as an instructor and one who has practiced it successfully to both postpone pregnancy and then to plan one since the birth of my 3 year old) are the Family of the Americas Ovulation method (cervical fluid only) and Couple to Couple League's sympto-thermal method (fluid, temperature, cervical position, etc). Very educational, empowering, healthy, natural and effective -- if you and your husband are both on board. It involves abstinence during your fertile time of month, which is actually very short. Something to think about. I love it, and my husband is very supportive of it also. You can find more info online for Family of the Americas or Couple to Couple League to find an instructor near you.