Mirena side effects

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Mirena side effects
15
Sun, 05-06-2007 - 2:39pm

My doctor recommended a Mirena IUD. I am in my mid 40's and have been on the pill for 10 years. I am finished having children and was told this was a good option for me. All I seem to hear about the Mirena are really bad side effects such as weight gain, headaches, breast tenderness, increased blood pressure, etc. I am interested in hearing what other Mirena users feel about it. Please let me know as I am scheduled for the insertion later this month.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2000
Sun, 05-06-2007 - 2:45pm

A little about myself - I am 27 years old and have never had children. Once I got married in 2005, I decided to also have the Mirena IUD inserted.


Here is what I like about the Mirena IUD:



  • Don't have to worry about taking a pill every day
  • Lighter, shorter
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2006
Sun, 05-06-2007 - 3:07pm

I'm a Mirena user too. I did have a child and I found insertion to only be slightly uncomfortable but not painful. A couple Ibuprofen made it better.

I didn't like the spotting off and on for about 6 weeks for me. I haven't really had a period at all since that stopped though. My sex drive is back :D I didn't have any other probs. I don't have any headaches or anything. I would highly recommend it.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
Sun, 05-06-2007 - 3:23pm

The best side effect of Mirena is that menses are significantly lightened.

I didn't experience the side effects that you're describing until AFTER the 5 years were up and it was time for it to come out; because my body was adjusting to the absence of the artificial hormone source.

FWIW: I was done having kids when I got Mirena, my (then) doctor told me he wouldn't do anything permenant til I was 34, so I was "stuck" getting something temporary & I had Mirena for the full 5 years (I'm 29 now) and I'm going in on Thursday (10th) for the Essure sterilization procedure.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2005
Sun, 05-06-2007 - 11:19pm
I've had BP issues long before birth control so I don't think my use of mirena boosted my BP numbers....The first 3-4 months after it was put in my periods lasted 16+ days and came every two weeks.After that they settled down to just once a month.After about a year or so my periods went to being light lasting 2-3 days.Just before I had it taken out (at almost 3 years use) if I had a period each month it lasted maybe 2 days and was extremely light.All in all I'm happy with the mirena IUD and if I had to use birth control again I'd use that.I had it removed to get a tubal/ablation.GOOD LUCK in your decision.....as far as the other side effects mentioned I don't remember having issues with those....and yeah it hurt being put in but I had a deadening shot" down there" too and it was just major major pressure and cramping.Cramping lasted a few days-came and went wasn't constantly cramping.Ibuprofen helped with that....


Edited 5/7/2007 3:18 pm ET by sweetmissmagnolia
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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Mon, 05-07-2007 - 1:49am
I did suffer from breast tenderness for the first month or two. But havent noticed any significant weight gain or increased number of headaches. While on depo I suffered from the worst headaches and gained a lot of weight but Mirena has been nothing like that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Mon, 05-07-2007 - 11:00am
lil_emanon,
Did you go right from depo to mirena? If so, I'm curious about your bleeding pattern on both. I'm getting mirena thursday and have been using depo.
Thanks!
Holly
Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-03-2006
Mon, 05-07-2007 - 10:54pm

I was on Depo for about a year and a half. While on the shot I had a period every 3 months for like 2 weeks, as I got close to having a period. I went off birth control for about a year and half. Tried two different combination pills (both high and low doses). After that I transfered to the mini-pill, which I loved cause I never had any periods. At the time I wasn't having sex anyway so I didn't really have to wonder about the effectiveness of it. When I did start having sex I started getting my period about 5 days after sex consistantly while on the mini-pill. Thus I decided to go for Mirena. Haven't had a period or any spotting since then. I did have some of that brown after period discharge for a month or two. Now to be honest I broke up with the boyfreind about the same time I got the IUD so I can't honestly say that the IUD has cured the having a period a few days after sex.

So far I would say bleeding patterns on Mirena are pretty much like bleeding patterns on the mini-pill more so than Depo. Anyway, hope that helps some.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 9:28am

Thanks for the response. I do not have bleeding with depo at all. I used mini pill for a month many years ago with no breakthrough bleeding. I’ve also used Norplant which was the same hormone as Mirena and had very little bleeding until nearly the end of the effective time period for Norplant, and then I bled frequently.

I’m hoping that the Mirena will do me right and allow me to continue my period free life.
Holly

Holly
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2005
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 12:40pm
Hi, I'm just visiting, but I happened upon you question about Mirena. I've had 2 mirenas in 2 years, the first one after 6 months had to be removed because the strings kept poking my husband. Got on the pill hated it, so I forked out another $500 for a new Mirena in October of '06. Had relatively few side effects, December was the last time I had a period, which isn't strange with these things... Suddenly I'm feeling nauseous and headaches, cramping, and a strange pink/brown bleeding. Positive pregnancy test. Hmph. Went to the doc and the IUD is in perfect position. I'm the lucky .001%. The mirena is great birth control, I loved it, when I it worked =)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 2:03pm

Hi lovinmylilman0905, welcome!


      Jill

    

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