I generally shy away from discussing my contraception choices on the general populous of the internet, however in light of what I’ve been going through, this time I have something to say.
The back story: In 2003 I was a university undergraduate and broke with a crap schedule. After doing what I thought was sufficient research, I opted to move from the Micronor pill (i.e. the ‘mini-pill’) to the Mirena IUD.
For whatever reasons, I’m not able to take combination pills, and so I’ve done quite well on progesterone only birth control. What I didn’t realize then, is that not all progesterones are the same.
The insertion was tremendously painful, and after recovering from it, life went on and I thought I had a great form of BC. My periods stopped and even though I had gained weight in the first 6 months, my gyno assured me that it was simply a lifestyle issue, and had nothing to do with the IUD.
During the last 4 years I’ve had ups and downs, including some estrangement from friends and some anxiety / weight / acne issues. All of them I thought were unrelated to the IUD and just ‘a part of life’ until the last few months where I’ve become convinced that they may all be related.
Fast forward to August of 2007 and some unexplained bleeding, when I asked my Nurse Practitioner about having the IUD removed. We scheduled an appointment for September, and the IUD strings are missing. Ok, so I wait for an appointment with a gyno and one IUD-confirming ultrasound later, it’s 10 days before Christmas and attempt #2 to remove the IUD has failed. That’s when the confirmation that general anesthetic will be required and a surgery will be scheduled.
This is where it starts to get interesting. After the second (more invasive and painful) attempt to remove the IUD, I start having complications. Like cramping, and abdominal as well as uterine pain. Suddenly I’m incredibly lethargic and so very hormonal – irrational, sad, withdrawn, anxious – I feel like a different person. The last 6 weeks has been like every side effect has suddenly been amplified.
I finally received a surgery date of April 15th which was revised to early March after I went in at the end of my rope, complaining to my NP that I was losing it. However it happened, I was moved up 6 weeks and for that I’m eternally grateful.
Now here’s what really got me going. The literature on this product states that:
The contraceptive action of MIRENA is due mainly to the local progestogenic effect of
levonorgestrel on the uterine cavity. It produces a strong antiproliferative effect on the
endometrium and causes a thickening of the cervical mucus which prevents passage of sperm
through the cervical canal. Ovulation is inhibited in some women. Clinical trials with MIRENA
were performed in parous women mainly over the age of 18 years; results from these studies
involving more than 7,600 woman-years of use indicate an overall Pearl index of 0.11. The 5-
year cumulative gross pregnancy rates in these trials ranged from 0 to 1.2 per 100 women.
(Mirena Product Monograph, Page 31)
Except that it’s not only local since:
Nursing Women: Hormonal contraceptives are not recommended as the contraceptive method
of first choice in breast-feeding women. Although levonorgestrel has been found in the breast
milk of women using MIRENA, there does not appear to be a detrimental effect on growth or
development of breast-fed infants whose mothers started using the product after six weeks
postpartum. Progestogen-only contraceptive methods do not appear to affect the quantity and
quality of breast milk. (Mirena Product Monograph, Page 8)
and this:
Contact Lenses
Visual changes or changes in contact lens tolerance may occur in users of MIRENA. If this
occurs an ophthalmologist should be consulted.
Psychiatric
Patients with a history of emotional disturbances, especially the depressive type, may be more
prone to have a recurrence of depression while using MIRENA. In cases of a serious recurrence,
consideration should be given to removing MIRENA since the depression may be drug-related.
(Mirena Product Monograph, Page 7)
If this hormone based contraceptive was local only, would these side effects be present? Is this IUD really as safe and ‘trouble-free’ as it’s marketed? Is this another situation where the downsides are downplayed to the physicians?
Also, how often are these IUDs embedded or ‘lost’? What about the gradual effect of the hormones on the endocrine system? What about the hormonal crash that’s been anecdotally reported in the weeks after the IUD was removed? (for examples, see here)
I guess while not all BC methods work for everyone, I do think there’s a general ignorance of how these things affect the body as a system, with both the physicians and individuals. I wish that in the fall of 2003 someone had brought these issues up to me then. Perhaps I would be in a much healthier and happier state of mind now. For your reading pleasure, I’ve included a link to the Mirena Product Monograph so this blog posting can be backed up with fact.
Comments are welcome – what’s been your Mirena experience?
Hi,
Just going thru Mirena withdrawal hell. Found a few websites that show my symptoms could be life threatening. Three doctors and they thought I was crazy for my problems. Made them take it out and am still miserable. Rash is gone, but new problems are elbow pain is intense, back pain fron hell and swollen tummy. My boyfriend just says I need to slow down on eating, ha!! Anyway, am on a crusade of sorts. So many bad experiences and symptoms and something needs to be done. I have already called Bayer, without much sympathy. Would like to pursue more possibilities. Let me know if you are interested. mickeymichalek@austin.rr.com
I completely understand the crusade feeling – I think there’s a lot of missing information when it comes to this product.
I’m not sure if the Canadian medical / legal system will deal with this differently than the US market, but I plan on following up with both once I get this thing out of me. You may want to check out some of the forums I linked to above – I know there are some other US posters with similar experiences. Good luck!
Okay, I’ve had the Mirena in for about 1 1/2 years. I experienced spotting for months and then super irregular periods, which is annoying but doable. But the worst symptoms have been feeling like I was having morning sickness every time I was supposed to be having a period (super nauseous). And that’s seemed to go away. But NOW I’m experiecing horrible immobilizing lower back pain right before my period, and then it stops instantly the day my period starts. So weird and so, so very painful. I was literally paralyzed the other night on the couch and couldn’t get up. Anyone else have this happen?????
You wrote a very good article! Many women have experienced the same side effects. Last december, I have started my own Dutch Mirena side effects forum for women to share their experiences and get help. Because many doctors haven’t a clue on what this device may do to an otherwise healthy woman and send her back home with her complaints.
Thank you for posting this ;)
I had my 1st MIUD put in today. I also have a close friend that swears by it, but she also had hers put in while under. Ive never been pregnant so the Gyno said that it may be a little more difficult to insert and it “may” hurt. I have NEVER been in more pain in my entire life…I would never do it again, and now im worried about having it removed. After she put it in i had to lye in the room for 10 mins before I could even move. Finally when I was able to put my pants back on I had to sit for another 10 because the pain was so bad. The nurse told me I had lost all color and had to stay a bit longer. I thought I was going to puke and faint but did neither. Never again. I came home and curled up in a ball for 3 hours and several advil later i was able to function. Still have bad cramping though. One of the strangest symptoms I noticed right away was lower back pain? Ive never experianced this before even with my regular periods? I noticed nerdalicious also had these problems, has anyone else?
Oh almost forgot, I also felt (sorry) blood spill out of me right after she was done and have been spotting all day? Normal I hope…
Heya Ouch – the back pain i was having was a side effect of the IUD, but my symptoms took several years to build up to the point where they were noticable, and another year or two before they started to affect my life (from what I can tell). the reaction you’re having is normal – the cramping & feeling faint – it’s called a vaso-vaginal reaction (from what I remember) and it’s a common side effect. Apparently the cervix gets pissy when opened not of it’s own volition and that’s where the cramping & feeling faint comes from. Check out webmd.com for more info on that.
As for the IUD itself – in some women it works great, but there’s a bunch who suffer with it over time (or in some cases immediately). Your reaction sounds normal for the time you’ve had it in, but just be aware that mood changes, breast tenderness, anxiety, increased oil production and weight gain may not be just a ‘random’ occurrence after insertion, even if that’s what your Dr tells you. Be diligent and be your own advocate. There’s not enough information out there on the true side-effects of this contraception choice. Good luck.
I had mirena inserted 4 years back.no problems with insertion.But now I have a consatant back pain and spotting conitinuously.wonder if its time for removal.
Hi there, I am wondering if anyone’s boyfriends have complained about feeling something “poke” them, or “stab” them during intercourse? I got my IUD put in last week, pain was bearable, I did feel faint, and I’ve been CRAZY EMOTIONAL ever since the next day. But whenever we have sex, he complains that something stabs the tip of his penis if he goes in very far. Could this mean it wasn’t inserted properly, or that it’s fallen out already? Is this normal? It’s kind of putting a damper on our sex life, because we only just get going and it hurts my fiancé to the point of barely being able to finish. Should I go back to the doctor? Please help! (I’ve had three kids and I don’t want anymore, anytime soon….this method of birth control seemed to be the best for me….not so sure now)
Sarah
Hi Sarah
I did have a similar experience with my parter at the time complaining he was beign poked by the strings durign intercourse. My Dr trimmed the strings extremly short which is partly why I needed to have surgery to have the stupid thing removed – the strings were too short to grab and remove in-office.
My suggestions are for you to talk to you Dr. Option 1 is to trim the strings and risk the possible need to have it surgically removed. Option 2 is for your Dr to tuck the longer strings into the cervix so that you and your partner won’t be able to feel them poking out. This makes it harder for removal and checking the position monthly, but it does make it more comfortable for your partner.
Another option is to look at a copper IUD, which can stay in place between 7 & 10 years and may not have the same side effects as the Mirena, therefore allowing for shorter strings and longer time periods between IUD replacements.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Ok great, I have a dr’s appointment on June 11, so I’ll be asking about the strings then!! What’s the difference between a mirena and a copper iud?? thanks!!
I just came from my doctor’s office where I had my Mirena IUD removed after only two weeks.
Over the past two years I have had a major depression that has only recently been brought under control by the right mix of antidepressants. I chose Mirena because my doctor informed me that the only major side effect would be spotting and a change in periods.
From the first day I had it inserted, my anxiety and depression came back in full force (after six weeks of blissful remission). I cannot say for sure that the IUD is responsible for the mood changes, but I do know that after reading the product monograph it clearly states that patients with depression are prone to re-occurences – something that Bayer has obviously not been educating their doctors on. It appears nowhere on their website, or on the patient information sheet.
Now I get to wait and see if I feel better. Wish me luck.
Wintergirl – I think you’ll probably find a huge difference in your mental well-being now that this thing is out of you. I know personally I was pretty much crippled by anxiety attacks this past winter – I couldn’t even go grocery shopping. Since I had the IUD out, I’ve not had one anxiety attack (we bought a house and I jot a new job – stress that would have pushed me over the edge just a couple of months ago). Keep me posted on how you find the next month or two – I bet you’ll feel tons better.
Good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement. Today has been the worst anxiety I’ve had yet. I’m hoping this is just my body’s ‘last gasp’ on the progesterone.
I’ve been looking more at the information available on Mirena and also notice that it is not recommended for women with blood clotting disorders (that would be me…)
My doctor was very apologetic and said that if she had known, she would never have suggested it. I had told her I used the copper IUD for five years with no problems, but was encouraged to try this. I too appreciate Ontario’s health care system, but I that doctor’s can be too influenced by the marketing of drugs and not pay enough attention to the fine print.
On another related note – as I was waiting to have it removed, the rep from Bayer came into my doctor’s office with lunch for all of the staff. Hmmm.
Wintergirl, OMG I am totally with you on anxiety! I feel like I’m going crazy! One minute, I’m relaxed, patient, just doing the usual, and all of a sudden, I’m crying. I have no idea what’s going on. I have to wait until after the long weekend to call my doctor’s office :(
So can anyone tell me the difference between the copper iud and the mirena? What about the side effects?? and is it put in the same way as the mirena?? I can’t wait to make this crazy anxiety go away!!!
Sarah – go check out the main page – I wrote a post on the Mirena vs the copper IUD. It’s a starting point to give you questions for your Dr at the very least. And yes – they put the IUD in the same way (though the cervix into the uterus) but the side effects are very different.
Sarah – I’m so sorry to hear that you have had horrible side effects too. I can tell you that I had a copper IUD for five years with no emotional side effects whatsoever. (I did have quite a bit of cramping for about a month after I had it installed).
Nerd – thanks so much for starting this conversation. I am three days post Mirena and starting to feel like a normal person again.
Hi there girls :)
I had a copper IUD inserted recently … i had a bit of cramping pain the first day but not too much bleeding/pain after the 2nd day. The first time i had sex my husband swore he cud feel it , me on the other hand was worried he would push the strings in a bit silly i know but is it possible ?? A couple of times later ,he cudnt feel the string . I tried to feel the string which i think i did but not sure .. haha:) havnt really felt my insides before. i have been havin this funny pain on my left abdomen of late is tht normal ?? is it possible it got shifted/emmbedded when havin sex ?? if so wht kind of pain shud i look out for gurls?? am a bit paranoid!!
I avoided putting in the mirena casue i had tried the pill before which got me moody n gav me headaches as well. I gave it one last try with the mini pill after i gave birth but had teh same side affects. I dont think its worth getting moody or having side effects so got an copper IUD .
I’ve had mine for a year – had it placed due to diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia – and I was well forewarned by my gyno that it would be painful – which it was. I had cramping for a couple of days and spotting and I made damn sure I had a ride home from the clinic because there was no way I could have driven myself home. From what I left (almost a year of spotting or heavy flow) and the fear(threat) of uterine cancer – the few side affects I’ve had is well worth it. I’ve noticed a light sensitivity which I think may be related – and my moods did swing a bit – however I was dx with hypothyroidism around the same time and with that treatment I think that symptom is under control. I too no longer have periods but feel some PMS symptoms – but from where I was over a year ago to now – total turn around and I feel a lot better.
alright, i’ve had a Mirena IUD since late February. Before that, I’d been on just about every birth control pill imaginable (they would work great for 6 months, and then would just crash and leave me hanging). So far I’ve had none of the psychological effects… I’m already a pretty emotional person so nothing has seemed out of the ordinary. I’ve had no back pain. The insertion was like the worst persiod cramp I’ve ever had, and I spent the rest of the day with some advil on the couch, but I’ve been fine since. But I digress. I’ve only had one period so far, it was around the first of April and lasted FOREVER! Now it’s been about 6-7 weeks since it ended and I haven’t had another period. No spotting, no cramps, nothing. To make this situation worse, I’ve put on some weight in a very, very noticable place if you catch my drift…. I’m not nauseated,or tired, and my boobs don’t hurt, but I am stressing stressing stressing that I might be pregnant. Any thoughts, anyone?
Oh! I forgot to mention that I can’t feel the strings. I never have been able to though (it hurt too much to check after insertion), and I would have noticed if it came out right?
hello- sorry to hear all the problems mirena is causing. and i fell for you because i am having similar problems. i am depressed with mood swings that a bi polar woman couldnt compete with. i have stomach pain so bad i can barely move. sex just flat out hurts. my husband and i have both tried to check for it, but its not there. i went to my dr and she said i would have to get a ultrasound and then maybe have to get it surgically removed. so now i am wating for my ultrasound and well its not looking good. the longer i wait the more i hurt. its terrible. i will stick to the pill and be thankful.
I chose the copper IUD and had no emotional side effects. I’ll share a few of my experiences (gross details included) so others can know if they feel the same symptoms or can expect them as normal.
First off I am very stisfied with how the IUD worked and ho I felt when I had it in. I chose the copper IUD because after I went off birth control pills back in my 20s I did not get a period for a year and a half afterwards. I knew I wanted to have more children and didn’t want to have a whole year and a half of undertainty and expensive pregnancy tests. The copper IUD seemed to have the same claims as the hormone one so I went with it. My mother had a copper IUD in for about 5 years and was able to get pregnant 3 months after she removed it so it seemed like a good idea.
The most noticable change was my period was VERY heavy & thick and VERY regular. Before the IUD it was not strange for me to skip 2 months or just have some spotting, but after the IUD I would literally bleed through a tampon and a pad in under two hours for 3 days straight. On the other hand, my period only lasted for about 3 days and then would taper off abruptly. I also had some cramping during my periods, which I had never had before. A few times (about 3 times in 2 years) I had some really intense cramping that would last a few minutes. The pain was literally sharper and more painful than labor pains and I felt like I was going to pass out. I laid out flat for about 5 minutes and then felt perfectly fine after it had passed.
I had the IUD in for approximately 2 years. I went to get it removed last month and the Doctor could not see the strings. He had to get another instrument to reach deeper into the cervix and was able to find the strings and remove the IUD. Even with having to leave the room and get another instrument the whole procedure took under 5 minutes and was not painful (I have had a child though, so things might be a bit looser in the cervix area. :)
At this time I would recommend the copper IUD to my friends with no reservations. Except for during my period I felt 100% normal and rarely moody. I remember being very moody on the pill… but then again, I was 20. I could have just been normally moody. :) in between the pill and the IUD I used spermicidal inserts which worked well (but were quite messy) for 5 years until we decided to have a baby. After my next child I intend to go back to the copper IUD.
Okay, so I have had my mirena iud in for a month now (I am the same Sarah who posted before), and I’m still bleeding…I had one day without spotting so far within this whole month. I have my doctor’s appt tomorrow when he is supposed to trim the strings, but I’m thinking I am just going to ask him to take it out. What is the procedure to have it removed? Does it hurt as much or more than getting it put in? I haven’t had a stop with the crazy mood swings either. I just can’t handle it anymore…I am on a fixed income, and I can’t afford to be buying pads/tampons for every day of the month!! I also can’t handle the mood swings…I’ve been fighting non-stop with my fiancé and it’s crazy…we’re usually not like this! I guess I will be talking to my ob/gyn about the copper IUD….I dunno…I might just ask about going back on the pill…I’m so lost.
hi , i have had the merina out for 6 days now will someone tell me will i ever feel sane again i have 3 kids and my anxiety is massive i can hardly get them to school i cant go grocery shoppin its scareing the hell out of me , i hope it ends i cant feel like this forever , headaches bad also , please help
I had the IUD for 2 weeks and wanted it out. My Dr. convinced me to try to keep it so I did for another two weeks and it had to go. They told me it wouldn’t hurt when I got it but for a couple minutes. I had to leave work that night because I was in so much pain. That thing feels worse than havin a baby. I gained weight and I am still dealin with the pyscological problems. I just got it removed last week. That’s the only thing that didn’t hurt. The pain went away almost immediately. I will never suggest it for even my worse enemy and I think it needs to be off the market. I can take a whole lot of pain so for me to complain about it means it really has to be bad. I bled and am still bleeding everyday almost. Yet they said I would spot a little then there would be nothin. Anyway the IUD sucks bad. Don’t be scared to get out because that part is the only relief for Mirena.
Hey,I’ve had mirena in for about 3 months now and every day i have been bleeding. My boyfriend tells me that he can still feel the strings even though i have had them cut. Now i’m in pain because i’m afraid that while we we’re having intercourse that the iud some how might have gotten pushed up to far..is that possible? Help please.
Hey Denise,
Honestly while the Drs say it can cause problems like bleeding for up to 6 months, most women are fine after about 3 weeks. If the IUD is still poking your partner and they’ve trimmed the strings as short as they can go it may be time to find another solution. As for the positioning of the IUD in the uterus, it actually does sit up at the top of the uterus so no worries there.
I had chronic pain from the IUD – lower abdomen in the centre and left (but sometimes on the right side too). There was no medical explanation for it, but since having it out I feel great. It could be the the Mirena isn’t a great choice for you and that another form of BC may be in order.
Talk to you Dr and take care of yourself. Life’s too short to feel like crap all the time.
Good luck!
N
Hello ladies,
I am quite suprised to read some of your posts concerning the Mirena system. I had mine inserted (somewhat painfully, but short lasting) 4.5 years ago. As I approach the end of the 4th year and look at having to have it replaced I am considering my options. Mirena for me has been a lifesaver. 2-3 months after insertion I stopped having a period altogether. Before Mirena, my periods were a nightmare. Mirena was my “other option” from my Gyno. She wanted to do a partial Hysto. but I really wasn’t game for the surgery thing. Mirena has worked very well for me, with a minimum of problems. Yes, I find my skin is more oily (face), but I combat that by not wearing foundation (which tuns it into Exxon territory) and washing it 3-4 times a day instead of twice. Other than that, I have had no other side effects, no crazy episodes, no nausea, no poking during sex, etc. I just wanted to let you know that some people truly do have great success with this product.
Hello,I also had many of the side effects,I even had my thyroids removed,lump in left breast,weight gain,I started an Australin help site and its been going just over 1 month with 18,000 visits so far.
All the best,Net.
I was at the Dr. Today and he has reconemended the Mirena IUD to treat my ademamyosis. It is supposed to help my pain and bleeding. The other option is hystorectomy. I thought that the IUD would be a good choice, to avoid surgery, but now I am unsure because of all the side affects. The Dr. didn’t tell me about any of these side effects, in fact, he assured me that I would be trouble free on with this treatment, I also live two hours away from the hospital where I would go, and I was told I didn’t need any help with the driving, and the procedure wouldn’t hurt a bit. Now I am confused
I am just reading all the comments on the Mirena, after having been on it for almost 5 years. I knew I had gained some weight, and that my PMS was bad — I mean I thought I could confidently attribute these symptoms to the IUD. But I have been feeling depressed lately, and last spring, while the rest of my family had a mild cough, I got pneumonia. I’m interested in the cumulative effect on mood (many people have commented on this topic), but also on the immune system. I kept musing on why I got pneumonia, and could not figure it out.
Hey ladies
I’ve had my IUD (Mirena) in for over 2 years with no problems. I did cramp and spot for a couple days after I got it inserted. My periods are very light most of time I just spot. I had none of the emotional symptoms that others have experienced. Also I have no children or have I ever been pregnant. So for some women the IUD is perfect. For those who have experience difficulties, my heart goes out to you and I hope you find something that really works for you. . .keep looking it’s out there.
I am getting my mirena removed as soon as possible. I have had it in for 7 months and have spotted almost every day and am at my wits end. I have had mood swings, weight gain, low libido. It was suppossed to provide a no worry approach to sex, but it is anything but. I don’t recommend anyone getting this thing and before i ever consider any other methods of birth control i am doing some research. not sure when this mirena came on the market, but i think we’re the guinea pigs for testing it.
I have had the mirnea for 3 1/2 months and its starting to work on my damn nerves. I hate the fact that I don’t have a regular period anymore. I am thinking of going back to the pill. I thought I should try it because I didn’t feel like worring about a pill. Plus I am very tired of having a yeast infection, It’s like I am allegric to the damn pads or something because my bottom is always irrated. Wonder if others are haveing this problem.
Thanks for all of the comments on this posting – I knew when I was going through the whole Mirena hell that I couldn’t be alone and I so obviously wasn’t. I promise – if you get the IUD and gradually feel like crap, it’s probably not a coincidence. My life has taken a 180 turn since having the IUD out – more energy, better emotional responses, feeling normal. I’m more convinced than ever that it was the IUD causing my grief.
Hi, I had my mirena for 17 days. My dr. gave me medication to soften my cervix the day before insertion. I didn’t feel anything. I had painful cramping on and off ever since. I have had spotting every day and began to have bleeding for past 3 days. 2 things are freaking me out. Intense pain in my bones, and today I checked the strings and I only found 1 and it is much longer than what it was (1 cmm- width of my finger tip).
I got this to avoid a partial hysterectomy. I’m at the end of my rope. I’m very disappointed and worried.
I had Mirena put in last June (about 9 months ago). In September I had extremrely severe head aches that lasted for 3 weeks, my libido is low, my emotions -which weren’t perfect before ;) – make me feel like I’m a crazy woman and I have almost no energy. I had always thought in the back of my mind that it may be the Mirena, but this makes me wonder even more…
Will this get worse if I leave it in?
my girl has had the mirena for about ten months now and its been nothing but problems, periods last two weeks and are really heavy,not to mention the depression, lack of energy/motivation, and complete loss of sex drive. weve been fighting like crazy and this was never the case before the iud. its ruined the past year of our life and she just made the appt to get it removed after we were reaserching how to reconnect our love life and came across all these forums on mirena and the side effects which are right in line with hers. you women are amazing creatures and my heart goes out to all of you who are and have suffered from this. i cant wait to have my girl back and get that thing outta there, and id rather wear a condom ANY day than have her deal with all that.
i have had my mirena iud in for about 7 months now.when i first got it put in my periods were fine it wasn’t to much pain to have put in.but for the past 4 months now i have been gettin my period 2 and 3 times a month. had a period that lasted nearly 20 days. my boyfrind complains that he feels something poking the tip of his penis when we have sex. i had it checked yesterday and told my doc about the things that were happening. he cracked a joke tellin me to tell my boyfriend to watch out or id poke him, and he said the bleeding was normal. im ready to rip this thing out my self. its nothing that i thought it was going to be. the only pro about it is the fact that u don’t have to remember to take it
Hi, I’ve had my Mirena IUD for almost 2years now. It seemed wonderful as I haven’t had a period in a year and a half…but my breasts are sore all the time and 6mnths ago I started experiencing lower abdominal pain while exercising my abdominals…….at first I thought I had a pulled abdominal muscle by muscles don’t take this long to heal and it isn’t getting better. I’ve been to a hernia surgeon, I’ve had an abdominal and intravaginal ultrasound and nothing explains this pain. My personal trainer is convinced it is NOT a pulled muscle….so……I’m thinking time to get my IUD out…..like many of you…my strings cannot be found so this is going to hurt I’m sure! Anyone else with this problem?
Thanks for listening and all your comments.
Sandi
wow… i have so many comments.
First, I had Mirena for 5.5 years. I just got my 2nd one pulled Monday.
Here’s some of the things that popped up after I got it:
anxiety, panic attacks, moodiness, ankle swelling if I drank wine or ate salt, massive weight gain, nasty facial hair (and other places the ladies ain’t supposed to grow it), breast pain, nasty acne on my face and neck, headaches that would last for days, loss of periods which was cool for the first while until I began spotting (and clumping) spontaneously– which got worse as I approached the five year mark.
I’m realistic enough to know that pulling it out won’t ‘fix’ the mood stuff but after what I’ve read here and other forums as well as the FDA listing it as an ‘adverse reaction” http://www.drugs.com/pro/mirena.html
I think that it may have played a role.
About the pointy strings, I had that too, so the doc had to trim the strings and make sure they were cut straight across and not at an angle which makes ‘em extra pointy. At least that is easily fixed.
It’s only been a few days, but I am sure glad that it’s out of me. Already, I am waay less bloated. I’d rather have cramps and menstruate than be psychotic.
I had my Mirena IUD on for 4 months and it’s been nothing but trouble for myself and my partner, always spotting after sex, and to top it off yeast infection constantly, like major itching for both of us after sex. I had it removed to see if it was the cause of total stress for both myself and my husband. Anyone else experience itching and like yeast infection?????
I went to get my Mirena taken out yesterday & after an HOUR of 2 DR’s and a sono tech poking, pulling & torturing me, they decided it was imbedded and I’d have to come back to have it taken out surgically. What does this mean?? Help! I’m freaking out!
I am so glad to have found this site! I have had the Mirena for 2 1/2 years now. First 2 years were fine, but boom at the 2nd year mark, I got bacterial vaginosis. This basically has not stopped. I get medicine, it goes away and then comes back – almost like a period! It drives me nuts. I have spent more money on co-pays and expensive medicine….not to mention the constant irritation, burning, and itching. I have been wondering if it has to do with this IUD. I also have super sore breasts and swelling that accompany it. I asked my doctor and she blew me off. BTW, I have only ever had 1 yeast infection ever in my 35 years before this. I too have become VERY emotional. I am always tired, moody, etc. I have no sex drive. I have been beating myself up wondering if I was crazy or have some other unknown disease, but I am really coming to conclude it is this IUD. The no-periods have been great, but the long term affects of this thing…..no thanks! I am going to see a new doctor this week. I hope she is more informed. I could sware the doctors just don’t want to acknowledge the connection with symptoms to the IUD. What is up with that? It is so frustrating!
I have had about every symptom that you can have… miagrain headaches, mood swings, back pain, bleeding for days on end, irragular periods, and discomfort during sex. I am getting the crazy thing out tomorrow! I have had it in for about 10 months. When I went to my doctor and told her all my symptoms she said in NO way could this be related to mirena! I finally decided to do my own research and found out I am not alone… very thankful about, that just irratated about leaving it in for sooo long. I hope getting it out I will be back to my normal self! If you are reading this and thinking about getting it…DON’T!!! It is awful!!!
I had the Mirena IUD put in on Feb. 1, 2009. It hurt when it was placed, I nearly passed out. I had pain from that day on and just thought it was normal. My pain got so bad that I couldn’t pick up my 1 1/2 yr. old or go to the bathroom without being in pain. Then I started to be in pain no matter what I was doing. I kept going to the Mirena website to see what the side effects were if it were to go thru the uterus, to my surprise there were none listed. So on Mar. 20, 2009 I went back to the place where I had it put in, and not to my surprise, There were no strings visible. So I go to the hospital for a a vaginal ultrasound, they can’t find it so I have an X-ray. Finally it is found, but still not sure where it is, so I get a CT Scan, Confirmed not in the uterus. Well I have to go back over and talk to a APN. She doesn’t prescribe anything for pain or even tell me where the IUD is located. She tells me to call on Monday and find out where to go for surgery and sends me home. I call jon Monday and she still knows nothing about when I will get this thing out. So I call my Ob/Gyn late that afternoon and he pulls up my scans from the hospital then calls me back and says that I need to have surgery asap. I had it removed on Mar. 24, 2009. My Ob/Gyn said that the APN who placed knew she had puncuterd my uterus during placement and just pulled it back down in place and left it. The APN also assured me that the hospital bills we NOT mine to pay. Now the doctor she was under is refusing to pay, Because he never gave her written permission to obligate him to pay. This was my experience and I recommend everyone to think twice before getting the Mirena IUD.
I had my Marina IUD out mid December, after it had been in 5 1/2 years and I was beginning to get a lot of cramps and pains in that area, which reminded me that my IUD was overdue to come out. As an aside, I was astounded at the unexpected pain upon removal, as I’d done no googling or research on the IUD from insertion until today – and thought it would be simple and pain-free. OMG no!!! I had all the pain of the worst memorable pre-baby cramps, white-knuckle nausea-inducing stuff, and bleeding for about the next three weeks unending, which meant a charming house move, Christmas and New Year…..
BUT THEN…… my life turned around. I am not joking. My energy and day to day joy in living suddenly returned. (Really within the days of that thing being removed, in hindsight…) No more daily nana naps, jump on your bike son, we aren’t driving to the supermarket, we will take the MTB, and a sudden desire to spend time with friends again as much as time allowed….the four year reclusion was over. Now I was formerly a person with an incredibly high sense of joie de vivre, love of life, with huge energy levels for work, sport and play, and optimism. But over the past five years, I’d discovered and experienced depression (requiring medication) and anxiety attacks, isolated myself from lifelong friends, and stopped exercising. In many ways, I retained my normal life – certainly professionally I kept my head above water, but almost every aspect of my personal life suffered. My marriage ended badly, my finances fell apart…. basically I made some incredibly stupid decisions – it was like another brain (a fuzzy irrational and lethargy inducing one) had been transplanted in me….. my son had a very anxious mother who was actually scared of the dark, and this was also bizarre…. because I’d formerly been the kind of ‘together’ person that others admired and looked up to for being a high-achieving, adventurous, travelling free-spirit. And then for five years, I was a failure in so many ways. An emotional cripple. Wondering what had happened, how it had came to that, struggling to find the motivation to inspire my son, be a positive role model, and faking it, really…. because the fact was, I had NO ENERGY. It was an effort walking out to get the mail. (I mean, I did these things, people wouldn’t have known how I felt, there was no weight gain, no professional loss, but the reality was, I was bluffing….)
And now, about six weeks, post Marina Removal, how do I feel? Well, it’s 1971- 2004 again, and 2010 feels amazing. Emotionally I am the old me again. The one with an urge to be with friends, the desire to jump on my bike, make crazy suggestions to my son, and be spontaneous again. Marina killed all my spontaneity, for five and a half years – no – actually, maybe five years, as the first few months all was fine, looking back…. but then this weird new emotional state sneaked up on me. For all the sexual spontaneity Marina offers, BEWARE. IT killed all actual ‘spontaneity’ in me. And only having it out, and the sudden realisation that I’ve got the old joy for living back, has made me google ‘Marina IUD’ tonight, wondering if that ‘intangible’ could have been the WHY for how things were, and post December 2009, how things have changed again. Women, out there, if you have experienced a lack of energy, joy in living, loss of spontaneity and/or sex-drive, and most likely have become a crazy moody person not so keen on herself any more, look into this kind of website and seriously think about when it all began, and look to see if the Marina IUD insertion dates match up to when things started to change for you…… Thanks for reading and good luck to those who want to be Marina-free
I got the Mirena last year after my third baby. Ive noticed that Ive lost all sex drive since Ive gotten it. I also keep getting random stabbing pains in that area…Im wondering if its moved. Im sooo tired of torturing myself to keep from getting pg. Im sending my guy for the ol’ snip snip. lol
I, like you, am reluctant to share my experience on my own website (I’m a financial writer, it just wouldn’t make sense and would freak out 99% of my readerbase) so I’m sharing it on yours instead.
I had Mirena for a grand total of 5 days, placed 4 weeks after a miscarriage. I was told this was OK for me and believed them (after doing copious amounts of research, I concurred). Well that didn’t work out as planned and I ended up in the ER, diagnosed with PID and suffered through some of THE WORST pain in my life. I have tattoos and have delivered a child (C-section but still, recovery is a b***** once the drugs wear off) so I’m not a wuss by any means but this had me bent over to the point that I could not function.
I’m glad that the docs did not force me to keep it in and “ride it out” like some of the women who I have read stories from. They seemed more than happy to take it out, which makes me wonder if they KNOW how evil this little device is. I would have pulled it out myself if they’d have even tried any of that “just ride it out” crap they seem to be trying on countless other women. My body did not want it and my body knows best, thank God (or whichever all-seeing force you believe in) that I realized that sooner rather than later. I can’t believe this thing is still on the market.
I’m doing a comprehensive cleanse to rid my body of whatever the hell it was this thing put in me that will hopefully get me back to “normal”, whatever that is.
I was spotting still from the miscarriage when I had it put in and after its removal, experienced the “Mirena withdrawal” with a brand new bout of fresh blood. WTF! It was only in there for 5 days, how much could it have done?
A lot, obviously. That right there tells you there is something absolutely NOT right about this device. Cheers to the women who have a grand old time with it but I would never EVER suggest this to anyone.