mirena IUD

[Guest]

Has anyone had the mirena IUD? How did you get on with? Am trying to minimise hormones in line with my whole30 lifestyle.

[Guest Andria]

The Mirena IUD still contains hormones. I chose to get the Paragard (copper IUD)since it has no hormones. My periods are heavier than they were sans bc pills as well as on the bc pills. I also have a little more cramping during my period

[GLC1968]

I had a Mirena for 4 years.  It was way better than BC pills (because the hormones levels are so much lower) but it still messed me up.  I had real trouble with lower back pain and an inability to lose weight while on it.  I had it removed before it expired because my husband had a vasectomy and that was a HUGE relief!  I dropped 10 lbs in 3 months without changing anything about my lifestyle. All of my 'symptoms' eventually went away and now I have normal, regular and light periods (which was not the case 25 years ago when I first went on BC).

 

Given the how it all turned out, if I were to be at that same point in my life again, I probably would consider the Paragard more closely and avoid the MIrena.  Though, I would rank both IUD's above BC pills or Depo Provera (which was a disaster for me).

[Guest]

thanks both I am aware it still has hormones, but I've heard stories of the copper IUD making periods heavier and that is what I want to avoid

[Angelica Douglas]

I had two Mirena's back to back. No periods, only light spotting every few months. I had no weight gain. I did get really bad acne with it though. Especially around the time I was supposed to be on my period, I would get cystic type zits around my chin. Since I took out the Mirena around April/May the acne has gone away. I'm currently not on any other type of bc. The only reason I took the mirena out was becuase I had it in for almost 5 year and it was time to.

[daffodildancer09]

I work in an OB/GYN as a medical scribe. Both options are great BC options. The Paragard has absolutely no hormones, but it definitely makes your periods a bit heavier and crampier. The Mirena (which I have had for over 1 yr now) has only progesterone and it delivers it in minute doses locally throughout those 5 yrs. Its is mostly local, which means you have less systemic symptoms- such as weight gain, acne, nausea, moodiness. Some women are more sensitive to progesterone, which is why they might experience symptoms with the Mirena. I have only had occasional spotting (not enough to use anything) and breast tenderness when I  normally would have my cycle. I had an awful time on every oral contraceptive I tried, but Mirena has been great for me! I love not having to worry about a period. If you  do decide on an IUD (Paragard or Mirena), make sure you see a GYN who knows what he/she is doing! 

[Guest]

thankyou i've had it in for 6 weeks and was interested to know how others were getting on. I nearly had it removed several times as my body struggled to adjust!

[Espe]

I'm very new here, but wanted to chime in. I am on my second Mirena that I've had since 2011. My first I had inserted right after my youngest was born and it was amazing, I was so happy with it.  I had a period only every three months and I loved not having to worry about BC pills.  When it was time to take it out, I decided to have another inserted the same day.  I do get semi-regular periods with this one, but they are light, usually 2-3 days and mostly spotting.  Unless I hit any pre-menopausal symptoms in 2016, I will most likely have another inserted when this one comes out.  Although I'm interested in the ParaGuard one, only for its longevity.

[kelthevet]

Have any of you ladies that have had the Mirena had or have heard of anyone developing ovarian cysts (not PCOS)? My GP has just recommended I change from the pill to Mirena because I am slightly hypertensive. It sounds great, but I read that there is a risk of developing ovarian cysts… Last time I 'took a break' from the pill for about 8 months I ended up with a massive ovarian cyst that was actually cancerous and I had to have it and my left ovary removed.  I am really conscious of just having the one working ovary so am nervous about the possibility of this. I'm not sure what is worse… hypertension or another cyst and the possibility of losing my ovary. I think the latter to be honest.

[Guest]

I have heard stories of developing cysts on the mriena, I believe the risk is slightly higher?

 

I'm currently on the mirena and yasmin to try and stop the bleeding 

[treesarepretty]

I've had Mirena for about 4 months now and I am undecided if I'm going to keep it in.  I've had horrible mood swings and depression around my period since I got it in.  My periods are very light, usually just like spotting for a few days.  But the depression/anxiety/insecurity before my period is pretty extreme and unpleasant.  They told me it would be a 6-month adjustment period for my body to adapt.  So I'm giving it through the end of the year before I decide.  Our only real alternative for BC is for my husband to get a vasectomy, which seems more permanent than either of us are comfortable with right now.  

[susanleona]

I'm on my 3rd Marina.  Never had a single problem on any of them.  No period, often get the symptoms but never bleeding.  

[SLR2015]

I had Mirena due to extremely heavy periods. Six months later I was at my GP asking for help with finding a doc to prescribe anti-depressants or maybe anti-anxiety drugs. I was afraid my marriage was going to end due to my extreme feelings and behavior. She was pretty clueless. Later in the week I thought to google what I was feeling and found that other ppl had similar symptoms on Mirena so I had it out. It was like a light bulb switching on. Everything was back to normal within days. Periods are still insane (like ultra tampon +overnight pad in 2 hours insane). But I am not feeling crazy in the head, just messy in the body. Strangely my latest period started with my Whole30, so I'm curious to see how it affects my next cycle.

[Ann]

I'm pretty sure I went thru menopause with the Mirena in.  After I had it removed (I was 47 yrs old), I had three periods - a long one (9 days) two months later, a regular one (5 days)  a month after that, and a month and a half later, another regular one (5 days), and not a thing since.  My doctor confirmed by blood test about a year later that I was post-menopausal.   I think having the Mirena removed somehow triggered a couple of periods, but mostly I believe I went through menopause with it in.  I loved it when I had it -- I particularly loved not having periods!  And I really had no other "side effects" that some others experience. 

[bch4n6]

I just had my 2nd Mirena removed November 24 because we are TTC. I had 2 for a total of 6.5 years with no issues at all and hardly no bleeding or PMS symptoms. I've been on BC for a total of 12 years. Now my only concern is I still haven't gotten a regular period since having it removed. I'm on day 4 of my first Whole 30 and before that I was Paleo primarily 85% of the time. Other than the headaches that I'm attributing to caffeine and sugar withdrawal, it's going fine.

[Guest]

Just an update; I had my mirena taken out in the end, couldn't bear with the adjustment period any longer!

[kriva01]

I got Mirena a week before my first whole 30. I was on the pill for over 5 years. I'm 27. So far, so good. I was bleeding on and off for a month but it's starting to slow up. The doctor said this can last up to 3 months but it really hasn't been a big problem. I have high hopes. I never really go mood swings before so there is no change there. I exercise regularly (zumba, ultimate Frisbee, yoga) so I know that keeps me happy. I just ended my whole 30 on Jan. 31st. I love the whole 30 way of eating so I will continue to eat that way. I ended up losing about 3 pounds. Maybe I would have lost more had I not got the mirena, but I'm not going to blame that. I feel great. As always, what everyone says, there is no cure 1, cure all birth control and there is no cure 1 cure all diet (lifestyle) either.