My Experience: Mirena IUC Birth Control
83My Name is Stephanie. That's me in the picture on the right. I made the choice to use the Mirena IUD as my method of birth control back in June of '07. I researched everything about the Mirena birth control except actual mirena experience. Perhaps if I had I may not have chose to get the Mirena birth control due to all of the Mirena side effects there seem to be but nonetheless, I do not regret my choice.
I chose the Mirena IUC birth control because I am terrible at remembering to take medications. I wanted a no fuss, no work birth controlthat would allow me the security of knowing that for the next 5 years unless I decide otherwise, I will not be having any more children. I didn't want anything permanent but I do want the option to have children later on if I choose to do so.
IUD Birth Control
What is the Mirena IUC?
The Mirena IUC is an estrogen-free intrauterine contraceptive device that is 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy. The small contraceptive device is inserted by your doctor into the the vagina, passed the cervix and implanted in the uterus. The Mirena IUD is a T-shaped plastic device that slowly releases small amounts of the hormone Levonorgestrel. It works by:
- Block sperm from reaching or fertilizing your egg
- Make the lining of your uterus thin (this may also result in benefits like less menstrual bleeding over time)
- Stop the release of your egg from your ovary (but this is not the way it works in most cases)
The 2 Month Mirena Spotting Period
Imagine your longest normal period. 7 days? 8? Now imagine having a period for almost 2 months and with constant cramping. I have never really had intense cramping during my periods, but during this 2 month period, there were many moments when all I wanted to do was lay down against the side of the couch.
MY Mirena Experience: Getting The Mirena IUC
The day I went to have the IUC inserted I had no idea what I was in for. I have dealt with some pretty serious physically painful experiences but this definetly found it self up near the top of the "Sh** that's painful" list. Put this one up for my first Mirena side effect Now, the Mirena Website says the following in their faq:
Q. Will it hurt?
A. Some women may experience some discomfort while Mirena is being placed. Uterine cramps, which feel like menstrual cramps, and dizziness may also occur, but typically disappear within a day or two. Notify your healthcare professional if pain and other symptoms persist.
The registered nurse at my doctors office was a wee bit more accurate and told me "some women say it just feels mildy uncomfortable, others will grip the table and scream" Which one do you think I was? I learned that day from my mirena experience that I am a gripper and a screamer. The nurses at the nurses station just outside my room, also learned this that same day.
It hurt, it was painful, and I was cramped up for hours afterwards. I could not tell you what the pain was, but I do remember saying the same thing I said during the 13 hours the doctors tried to induce my labor. They had incorrectly inserted the inducement medication causing the most extremely uncomfortable feeling I've ever had. My catch phrase? "I am never doing this ever again" Of course, in about 4 years one of these will happen again. Time will tell which one wins out.
I Am Happy With Mirena
After the 2 months of heavy spotting, my periods disappeared. Only once a few months later did I have any sign of a period and that was just some light spotting caused by a medication I was on. I terminated the medication for other reasons, and the spotting went away again.
Other then that, thanks to my Mirena birth control, my period is non-existent. I consider this Mirena side effects to be a good one. I never have any cramping anymore, and I rarely even think about my IUD contraceptive. I've heard some stories from women very unhappy with their IUD's and say they experience many Mirena side effects. Me, not so much. The first 2 months were an inconvenience, but I don't regret my decision to get the Mirena IUD contraceptive.
However, with that said, I hesitate to recommend the Mirena IUD birth control device to my friends. If you have serious trouble remembering to take your birth control, then yes consider Mirena for your contraceptive needs. If you can remember you birth control, do the research before you opt for this method
Mirena And Weight Gain
Have You Experienced Weight Gain With Mirena?
See results without votingMirena Weight Gain
The Mirena site makes it very clear that "Won't cause significant Mirena weight gain". Significant must be subjective. Over the past 2 years, my total Mirena weight gain has been 25+lbs.. This most likely is also due to some stress experienced this past year, but I do beleive Mirena Weight gain plays a key role.
Mirena and Sex
I was lucky to have a understanding and patient boyfriend while going through this process with getting used to the Mirena IUD. More then once we had to stop because he could actually feel the plastic strings of the Mirena coming through my cervix during sex.
The Mirena strings are in place for removal and HAVE to be there, but they didn't have to be that long. The same registered nurse was able to cut them a little small and curl the ends. Only twice since then has he ever made comments about them.
Smoking While On Birth Control Is A No-No!!
You know you need to quit smoking! But not everyone is ready. Do your health and your wallet a favor and switch to an electronic cigarette. No tar, No carcinogens, No second hand smoke harming your family. Until your ready to give up cigarettes all together, you can continue to smoke in a more healthful way by switching to an electronic cigarette and getting the nicotine you crave, and the motion of smoking you desire, but without the 4000 harmful chemicals that are in traditional cigarettes.
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Your Mirena Experience?
Just got mirena four days ago, and the insertion was quick and painless for me. I didn't really feel anything, and after the insertion, I did have cramping, but it like period cramping and not bad at all. I haven't had sex yet (I got it put in at my six week appt after having my third child),and thats the one thing im worried about.
I am 23 years old and have a 20 month old baby. I thought the insertion of Mirena went fine. It felt like mild period cramping. I did spot of quit a while but knew that spotting after insertion was normal. Now almost a year later I have sever lower abdominal discomfort and lower back pain. My stomach feels bloated and I feel moody. It hurts and brings tears to my eyes to have sex. I am scheduling an appointment today to speak with my doctor.
I got Mirena inserted 2 days ago. I can't lie, it hurt really bad getting it put in, but the pain only lasted for about 7-10 minutes. My doctor said she was cutting the strings to 3cm. I got home and tried feeling for the strings, I haven't been able to feel them at all. When I woke up this morning, I noticed a small piece of the string was on the toilet paper, Is this normal? I have no pain whatsoever, no cramping, no bleeding. Any suggestions?
My iud came out some time in the last month and now I feel like I'm in labor. I'm bleeding like you do after the birth of a child. Too bad they don't tell youm this will happen when you decide to leave it out. LOL!!!
I had the Mirena put in October 2006. I did cramp when the doctor put it in, definitely not a comfortable experience but nothing compared to labor cramps. The most annoying thing was light bleeding and spotting on and off for 5 months- never knowing when it would start or stop. Since then, no periods. Still some PMS occasional very, very light spotting. My husband has never felt it. I can't even find it. Sometimes I feel a little cramp-y after intercourse which is not expected, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Not having a period, not having to deal with mood-swings and side-effects from birth control, or remember to use it! Over all a really great experience. Someone asked if you can remove it yourself- PLEASE DON"T! You will damage things that are irreparable. As to risks of getting pregnant or the Mirena dislodging, I believe it is extremely rare (risk of pregnancy is .06%). The Mirena is the IUD/birth control of choice for health professionals. It comes highly recommended.
I had Mirena 6 days back. I took 800 mg Ibuprofen 20 mins before it was inserted. I felt 2 minor & 1 major cramp during insertion. Not even close to the labor cramps very much barable. I won't recommend driving back home. Thank god I had my husband with me. I had bad cramping for 12 hours or so. I took same amount of Ibuprofen in the night. Next day I was at work without any problem.Just feel some discomfort. I think it takes some time for body to get used to with foreign object. Keeping my fingers crossed for not to face weight gain issue because of this. I'm definately happy & feel that... procedure is much simple & not much painful. Period like cramps for a day or so are worth for not worrying about next pregnancy :)
When I arrived at the GYN today, I was excited to finally be able to get this little piece of plastic in my body. I got the Mirena inserted today. As it turns out, I am also a screamer and a grabber. It did feel like a contraction from when I had my daughter. The doc said I would feel a pinch...PINCH! Right. A pinch like a car would feel after being sandwiched between two tractor-trailer trucks in an accident! It hurt a lot. But, on the plus side, the whole insertion process only took about 2 minutes total. So it was a short-lived pain, unlike my 18 hours of labor.
Later this evening, I found myself pouring over the info packet my doc gave me, looking to see if it said anything about having sex the same day as insertion...cause let's face it...that's why we get the thing put in! I did not find anything that said we couldn't, so we started to...
Obviously, since I am here typing, it didn't go so well. Just as things began to escalate, um...there was another pinch...but not that I felt! As it turns out, one or both of the metal-"plastic" strings had actually poked him! (It slipped in there...his in there, OUCH!!!) I can't even imagine what that feels like...mostly cause I don't have one of those...but wow! OUCH!! Right? I felt so bad! It is still kinda tingling and I am thinking about getting my own pair of those long sheers I mentally questioned at my visit earlier today, and cutting those bastards off myself!
Other than that, everything's great. Not too bad with the cramping, bleeding, or pain...but I am taking 500 milligrams of Naproxen, plus an extra Alieve.
So I guess that's it...just started feeling a little faint, so I am gonna lie down and stretch out.
Happy hunting fellow vipers!
I have had my mirena now for 4 and a half years.. I was due to have it removed in June of this year. I just found out that I had a large cyst burst on my ovaries and have 3 more smaller ones. I was told that the mirena could cause cyst.i have not had any problems for 4 years and now this. Has this happened to anyone else?
I have had my UID for 4.5 years. About 5 months ago I started having problems. Moody, crying jags. 2 months ago I started having issues with bleeding- 3 weeks of bleeding folks! that was after 4 years of NO PERIODS! I knew something was wrong this past Sunday when (after 3 weeks of bleeding and the heaviest period I have ever had) I started cramping so badly I couldn't stand up straight.
Turns out my IUD had perforated my uterus and was hanging around in my abdomen. I have to have surgery to get the little sucker out.
I've had my mirena for about a week now. Insertion was terrable for me. I've never had any kids and I had to grip the table/pillow and yelp for about 30 seconds while the Dr was opening my cervix. No one told me to take any pain relief medicine before hand and the nurse said it would feel like slight cramping (she lied. I cramped for about a day and a half after and am still feeling light cramps. I'm spotting lightly but got the IUD while i had my period so this was expected. I'm feeling slightly bloated but this was going on with this perticular period, so i'm not sure if it has to do with the Mirana. I hope my boyfriend has no complaints because i can't remember to take the pill and nuva ring grosses me out. I also hope to see no weight gain and no sex-drive loss (although i am only 20, so i don't see how that could b possible). I hope this works because the depo shot made me gain about 20 lbs. I'm ready to experance a worry free sex life.
Hi
I am on my second Marena and I rate it as one of the best medical inventions ever. Uncomfortable to insert thats for sure but some painkillers 15-20 mins before Marena insertion really takes the edge of the gripping pain and discomfort.
The removal of the first Marena hurt but my Gynae was so fast with removal and insertion that i took 5 breaths and all done for another 5 years. No periods and no cramps a dream. I am pre menopause at the moment and whilst my friends are having tropical moments and mood swings im sitting pretty and cool. My libido has dropped a bit and that concernes me but maybe thats just to do with being grown up and busy with living I certainly would not remove it just for that as the benefits are tremendous.
I have had the Mirena for almost 4 year and i am planning to remove it. It was painful for me to have it placed & almost 2 months spotting, my Dr., recommended this because i use to get heavy bleeding everymonth. Beginging it was really great, i use to think that everymonth no more bleeding, but i am going through a lot, weight loss, mood swings, sleeping problem, recently i am getting left chest pain....i am not sure i am getting this because of mirena, but i decided to remove & go for other procedure. Talk to your DR., before u go for it.
I got my iud in dec 09 after my dnc..it was an extremely painful process and (thanks to excedrine exta strenght and a heating pad) slept for the rest of the day.. I have to say I hate it..my boyfriend can feel it during sex and it's very uncomfortable, I have sharp pains in my ovaries, I've gained weight that, no matter what I do, I can't lose, and it made me very depressed..I'm planning on getting it removed as soon as I get my insurance again, and I tell my friends to do research before they decide on mirena..
More Information About Mirena IUD
- Mirena Website
- Offiicial FDA information, side effects, and uses
- Cure Zone: Mirena IUD Support Forum
Just like with many birth control methods, what works for some does not work for all. Some women do not have an easy experience with Mirena IUD.
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Rori says:
25 hours ago
I had my Mirena inserted about 2 years ago. The process was a little more painful than I expected. I think I said, "Whoa, holy hell, that is PAINFUL!" I didn't scream, but I believe that my statement was probably loud enough to be heard a room or two away. Still, it seemed like a small price to pay for what was supposed to be great. Since then, I have had a period every two weeks, and I am NOT pleased. Also, my periods are more painful than they ever were in my past. They also last about a week. The bleeding isn't real heavy, but this is inconvenient, to say the least.
I check to make sure it's in place by locating the strings about once a month or so. Everything seemed fine until a couple of days ago. I noticed when I found the strings that I could feel small bumps on my cervix. So, I'm trying not to freak out, but I am quite concerned. I'm going in to get everything checked out tomorrow (I didn't let a moment pass before making an appointment!). I don't know if these bumps are from the Mirena, or if they are early cancer, or anything like that, but at this point I am going to find out about having the darned thing removed and going to something else. Overall, the Mirena has proven disappointing, at best, and may have even impaired my health. Think twice about getting this thing. For many people it seems to be great, but there seem to be enough concerns to warrant careful consideration.