Going from Depo to the Mirena?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2007
Going from Depo to the Mirena?
5
Wed, 04-18-2007 - 7:00pm
I have been on the Depo shot for over 6 years since having my last baby. I have always had some annoying side effects from it but have just dealt with them because I love the convenience of only having to remeber a shot every 3 months and mainly not having my period(I haven't had a real period in over 7 years!)
But I am starting to have more persistant and annoying side effects and have looked into the Mirena IUD as an alternative.
Has anyone else gone from the shot to the Mirena? If so I have some questions I hope you could answer.
My main question is do you have a period on the Mirena? I read that about 20% don't.
What kind of side effects do you have?
Are there any downside of having the Mirena over the shot?
Those are all of the questions I can think of for now, but I appreciate any feedback that anyone has, even if you haven't previously been on Depo.
Thanks for your help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Wed, 04-18-2007 - 8:19pm

I have the Mirena, I've never been on the shot.

I had it put in at my 6 week check up after my son was born. It was uncomfortable to have put in (I've heard more so for women who haven't had kids). Some ibuprofen helped. I had spotting off and on for about 6 weeks. Since then I haven't had a period at all. I haven't had any negative side effects. It can take 3-6 months for your body to adjust to it though and you can spot some or all of that time.

Personally I don't think there is any down side to the IUD. My libido is better then when I was on the pill. I don't have to remember to take anything for 5 years. If I decided to have another child I can have it taken out and start trying right away. The only thing more effective is sterilization.

Some women say that their partners can feel the strings during intercourse though. My DH can't

-Mel


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 12:03am

Hi there,

I was off the shot for about six months before I had the Mirena inserted. The first three months of that I was on hormone therapy to stop the bleeding caused by depo, and the following three months I had very erratic bleeding because of the shot.

When I had the Mirena inserted, it immediately began to reduce the erratic bleeding from the shot, but from the time I stopped the shot, it still took around 18 months before my cycle settled down with the Mirena (so I'd had the Mirena for about a year or so). Then my cycle was reduced right down to mere spotting, and some months I didn't bleed at all.

The side effects I had with Mirena were very different with the shot, understandably so, given that they are different progestins. I had my Mirena removed after 3 1/2 years, because of the side effects, but I am very sensitive to artificial hormones, so my experience doesn't reflect that of most of the people on this board that have Mirena.

On the shot I experienced the following:

Severe cramps.
Constant heavy bleeding that would go for about six weeks at a time, stop for about 2-3 days and start again.
Complete loss of sex drive.
Mood swings.
Hot flashes.
Hair thinning.

With the Mirena I experienced the following:

Acne on my face, back and chest.
Extra hair growth on my face, between my breasts, and pubic hair grew back much faster after waxing.
Constant yeast infections.
Bad vaginal dryness.
Eczema in my ear canals (and I've never had history in my life).

I had my Mirena out eight months ago, and I'm still battling with some issues.


 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 9:24am

Hi,

I am due for my next Depo shot 5/3. I am scheduled to get Mirena 5/10. I am going to go to Nuvaring for the week between the shot and the IUD because I already have a ring at home and this will ensure I am protected from pregnancy.

I am excited to get Mirena because I miss my libido, as does my dh! Mirena will also be cheaper in the long run than depo. I expect to pay $30 – 150, depending on how the dr bills it. Depo is $55 every 3 months.

I do not bleed at all on depo. I had Norplant years ago and did not bleed on it for the first three years. I expect the same thing with Mirena. I have naturally light short periods, so I am hoping the Mirena will make them even lighter or get rid of them entirely as depo does.

The only concern I have is that dh will be poked by the strings. I have done lots of research and have a game plan if that happens.

I will definitely post and let you know how it goes. Do you have other questions?
Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2007
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 10:35am
Thank you all for taking the time to reply. I am hoping that the Mirena works well for me. I have like the shot mostly for the convenience and also because it has gotten rid of my period completely, but I am concerned about the new reports that it contributes to bone loss and I am getting tired of some of the negative side effects from it.
In the last year I have begun to experience sore breasts in the last month of the shot cycle, so bad that I can't fold my arms, and increased mood swings.
I am going to call my dr. today to find more about it and schedule an appointment.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences. I'll let you know how it goes.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Thu, 04-19-2007 - 10:43am

Yes! do let us know what your doctor says. Also, if you have insurance, I would call them up front to see what they cover. In my case, I pay 30% of Mirena cost and Mirena is covered under my medical coverage, not my prescription coverage.

It is good to know that going into your dr office.

ETA: I just got off the phone with my dr office and it is covered under my $15 copay. I don't have to pay the additional 30%!
Holly




Edited 4/19/2007 12:16 pm ET by rayshinz
Holly