I know I have asked about it and countless others have commented or asked, but I am doing it again. I have had Mirena for 2 years and overall haven't been bothered by it. I don't care for the untrackable periods and spotting and cramps and pms migraines haven't gone away, but overall I have been pretty pleased.
Problem is, I am starting to wonder if it really is the culprit in my horrible battle with weight and continued bp problems. I have never struggled so hard in my life to even drop a pound (eating a SUPER healthy, vegetarian diet, 4-5 days of aerobic exercise every week, some activity everyday) Has anyone specifically dealt with thyroid issues that were related to the Mirena? Has anyone noticed positive changes in bp with removal? I have a family history, tendency to bp issues and if this is a catalyst for making it worse, I have to seriously consider what to do. I love the convenience of it, but I am really starting to wonder if it's coming with a price?
My sister was diagnosed with thyroid issues about a yr ago. She has had her Mirena in almost 2 yrs. HOWEVER, she also has MS. Soooo....The real question is: Is the thyroid due to the MS, is the MS due to the thyroid, or are the Mirena and the MS working together against the thyroid? GREAT question to ask!
Mirena works by giving your body progestin (fake progesterone) to stop you from ovulating. The BIG PROBLEM is that taking fake progesterone stops your ovaries from making real progesterone. Studies have shown that this increases your chances of breast cancer by 540%! No, that was not a typo! Not only that but it also increases your chances of death from all types of cancer by 1,000%!
Yes, this can also lead to thyroid issues, as well as all the effects of low progesterone. (Migraines, low libido, fluid retention and weight gain, mood swings, ovarian cysts, severe cramps, irregular cycles, etc. The list goes on and on)
Low progesterone is very dangerous to women, extremely low progesterone caused by taking progestin is a HUGE risk no woman should take!
I recommend Dr. Hotze's book, Hormones, Health, and Happiness for more information.
Mirena screwed me up SO BAD. I couldn't lose an ounce (nothing to do with my thyroid, everything to do with the damn IUD). I BP was crazy high too. I literally had every side effect in the book, it was awful. I felt 100% better within 5 days of the stupid thing coming out and wished I had done it sooner.
On a side note, I have girlfriends who have Mirena and love it, no side effects, it's wonderful for THEM... it was just awful for ME, but it sounds like you're in the same boat as I was in. If you want to feel better fast, have it removed. Feel better :)
I don't have the Mirena, and what you're describing is the reason why.
I was researching IUDs last year trying to decide which route to go. I read a LOT of forums with people that had it, and read some really disturbing things that are, of course, not official side effects. (But seem to be pretty common, nonetheless)
Most of the negative feedback involved issues kicking in between the 2-3 yr mark. Inexplicable weight gain that can't be lost is one of the main ones. And in every case I read, as soon as they took it out, they were able to lose the weight. I also read about depression kicking in, fits of rage, exhaustion, etc... In every case, they'd been to the doctor mutliple times with no explanation for what's happening. The last resort was the Mirena, and once it was removed, everything went back to normal.
There are lots of people that are fine with it and never have issues. But there is definiltely a group that have a reaction to it after awhile, and those are largely undocumented.
I wound up choosing the ParaGard, instead of Mirena for those reasons.
PS: thyroid issues are very common for women after birth. And that may be your problem. But if your levels are checked and they're normal, I'd look at the IUD.
Anything that has Non Bioidenticle hormones in it is not good for us. Progesterone is the precurser to all of our hormones if we use something that is not natural it can be very harmfull to us. The body doesn't know what to do with things that are not real or natural so when we use synthetic hormones they just sit there the body can't use them this is the reason people get cancer it just keeps storing and storing it then it makes us sick and also gives us cancer. I so against medications of any kind. Yes there are times that meds save us and save lives but there are so many side effects. There are natural products for every health issue out there. Even birth controll can be effectivly achieved without the cancer causing presription medicines and IUD's and shots etc. I had an IUD after the birh of my son it messed me us so much that it took years for my cycle and my body to get back to normal, I had such terrible cramps and heavy bleeding that I couldn't stand up straight. My Dr. didn't want to remove it he said that my husband wouldn't like using condoms I told the Dr. I didn't care I abused my body way to long by using and IUD and I had to insist he remove it. Think about when it is time for our period we bloat and gain weight, become moody etc. when we use these non natural birth control methods the body just doesn't know what to do.
I am on my second Mirena and haven't had problems with what you are asking about, yes PMS migrines
I did start gaining weight and having more trouble loosing it after I turned 32
I don't know how old you are but it could be age catching up with you more than the IUD. That's what is happened to me.
I will have my IUD (Mirena) 4 years in June, i still have my regular yearly well women exams which i highly recommend women to contiune. Most women i know that have IUD's think that its ok to stop going in for check-ups - WRONG. Ok, i must be one of the few that have NO complaints about my IUD. I have had weight gain over the past few years but that is my own fault. I have also lost weight with no problem as long as i have worked to get it off, diet and exercise. I believe that you should make an appt with your OB/GYN and tell him/her your issues, side affects and concerns. You could easliy be having other issues and it may not be the IUD. Also, there are several IUD's out there. I have the Mirena my sister has one that is made of copper and has no hormones in it. Good luck!
I have had mine for 3 years now and haven't had any issues. Hardly ever have a period, little cramping occasionally - probably about the time I would be due but I don't track anymore. I am overweight but I was when I had it put in and I've maintained. My OB has it too so if she trusts it so do I. It's better for your body than taking BC pills cause the hormone level is much lower. Getting tubes done would be better but all of my friends that have had that done have terrible heavy nasty monthly visits with all the side effects you mentioned. Not every thing works for everyone the same, if you think it's a problem maybe it is for you. Sorry, Good Luck.
I have heard this over and over....but for me I lost at least 10lbs (did a body boot camp along with zumba) on it and maintained my normal weight. So for me, no I did not have a problem losing weight.
(However, I had excessive spotting/bleeding with it, so I did have my fair share of problems)
I don't know about IUDs, but thyroid problems run in my family. We have terrible difficulty losing weight unless our TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is lower in range. Personally I feel best with my TSH below 2.0 mIU/L and my free T3/free T4 above mid-range.
