I had an horrific pregnancy. I didn't have morning sickness, but I developed life threatening hypertension and my son had to be delivered early. I have migraines too. They have been no worse. I have gotten some persistant ovarian cysts but this is normal for me. I lost my right ovary to cysts year ago, well before the Mirena. I get some tiredness, but nothing I can't live with. I am actually hyper-reactive to hromonal treatments that's why I tried the Mirena. The all the varieties of the pill make me even more seriously depressed, create monster migraines and make my blood pressure soar.

The relief of my depressive symptoms has been amazing and life changing. I was so incapacitated by them that for half the month I was completely incapable of functioning properly. The Mirena has enabled me to go back and finish high school and got to university, something that would have been impossible otherwise.

I wonder whether it is the case of a vocal minority. I wonder whether those people who are having bad side effects are the only ones speaking up so it is being presumed that it is all bad; that the people like me are staying quiet because there is nothing to make a fuss about for them.

First off, congrats and good for you on overcoming a difficult situation!

The entire point of me writing the article wasn't to bash Mirena. I've still got mine, still dealing with the problems it brings me, and still quite happy that I haven't fallen pregnant.

Alot of the comments about Mirena on this article seem very negative, and you're right, it very well could just be the vocal minority.

I hope that by reading this article, people will open their eyes a little, do a bit of their own research, ask questions of their doctors, and not just go blindly with whatever form of birth control their doctor hands out. Yes they are the proffessional, but we need to take responsibility for our own reproductive health.

Again, I'm glad that your experience differs from alot of the ones here in the comments section, and hopefully more people will be encouraged to share their positivity after reading about your situation. It's good to have as much information as possible when making a decision about birth control.

My intent was in no way to deter people from getting a Mirena.

Thank you for your comment!

xx. Charity

I am stunned at these comments. My experiences of my Mirena (and I am on my 2nd. Its been seven years since my first was inserted.) have been opposite. I did have periodic pain (not bad by my standards which was due to faulty insertion) and breast tenderness and skin issues, but this think CURED my severe PMDD which was destroying my life. Completely took it away. I can't recommend  highly enough.

jennsing777,

i want to thank you for your article. i have been having pains in my pelvic area, legs and back for about a month now. i was super scared of everything that was the worst possible. your words comforted me in such a way i cried. my appointment for removal of my mirena has been schduled for about 3 weeks. and my appoitment is finally today. i feel 100% more confident about my visit today.

my pains have been steady and killing me. i have been doubling my doses of naproxen to ease the pains. i even spent tons of money on these menstral cramp heating pads that adhere to my underwear. everything in my life has been effected by this.

i have had my iud for 3 years. and up until about 1 month ago i loved it. i have gained 30 pounds since it was inserted, acne, severe moods swings. but i was able to handle that. but the pain is horrible. im so excited to remove it. im not trying to bash it either, but i do wanna say to every girl out there. research the crap out of it first. make sure your ready for a commitment like this.

so other things i noticed with my iud: no libido i imagine that comes with the no period thing, 30 pound weight gains, huge under the skin pimples (very painful), mood swings, decrease natural moisture for sex, and tender breasts.

im sure i have more to say. but that is it for now. thanks for your comforting words. they were like hugs. xoxo

:)

UPDATE IUD-

I HAD IT REMOVED ON THE SIXTH AND EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED FOR ME.  FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. MY DEPRESSION IS GONE. I HAVE ALREADY LOST 1 POUND. NOT BAD FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. KEEP THE FAITH, LOVE ALWAYS, BE STRONG. IT GETS BETTER. YAY!!

yay! im so glad for you!

im asking my dr at our next appointment (which isnt long from now, as ive been going thru a battery of tests to figure out whats "wrong" with me) to remove my mirena.

now to convince my partner to get a vasectomy!

good luck sweetie. im here for you if you need someone to talk too.

a year after writing this advice article I still have my mirena. The back pain has gone mostly away, but I still have stubborn weight that I can't seem to drop no matter how many hours I spend at the gym or how well I eat.

I've decided that once this one is expired (or whatever you call it, lol) I won't be getting another. I wish that I was able to get my tubes tied, but in this country it's very difficult to convince a doctor to tie your tubes if you haven't had 3 children or are over 30. sucks. I'm not sure what I will be doing for BC after this, as the pill doesn't work well for me, depo makes me fat, and me and latex don't mix well.

I have all the luck! :(

i have all the same issues with BC. my doctor and me and going to try the patch. no weight gain, controlled periods. low hormones. im convinced.

I HAD MINE TAKEN OUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND BOY HAS MY WORLD CHANGED FOR THE BETTER, NO MORE HEAD ACHES, MOOD SWINGS... I HAVENT BLED FOR 2 WEEKS AND CAN WEAR MY NICE UNDIES AGAIN....

I DIDN'T REALISE HOW UNCOMFORTABLE IT WAS TILL I HAD IT TAKEN OUT, LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER WITHOUT IT. THE DOCTOR HAD IT OUT IN ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND IT DIDN'T HURT AT ALL, THE RELIEF WAS ALMOST INSTANT..

MY PARTNER IS GOING TO GET FIXED UP FOR ME AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE I HAD SO MAYBE YOURS MIGHT TOO, TAKE IT OUT TAKE IT OUT TAKE IT OUT TAKE IT OUT......

READING YOUR ADVISE HELPED ME DECIDE TO GET MINE OUT AND IT HAS MADE LIFE A HAPPY WORLD TO BE IN AGAIN AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU SOSOSOSOSOOSOSOSO MUCH XXXXXXXXXX

RUSTY

i have had my mirena in for 4 years, and have only recently been starting to notice changes in my health. i am starting to get very tired, and over the past couple of months have been gaining weight - ( about 5 - 6 kg's- which in not normal for me as i am very petite)my doctor advised me to have it taken out about 3 months ago - as i had an infection in my uterus ... i have been considering it ever since ... i have had a reasonable amount of back pain lately - and just put it down to work - but now i am having second thoughts and i am now starting to wonder if it is due to the mirena .. i have had 4 years of comfort with mine - but i think it has reached its life span for me ! i have an appointment today with the doc , and i am going to speak with him about having it removed ...
 

keep in mind girls , All women respond differently to different things ... it is all trial and error with most things ... unfortunately we cannot tell if it is going to agree with one and not another ... it worked for me for 4 years, and i am happy with having it taken out now -

Just to let you know a lot of Mirena side effects dont start for a few years so please be aware of that.

Hi All,

Well here we go, i had my first mirena 5 years ago and like most people thought it was fantastic i never had it to stop pregnancy but to control heavy bleeding and yes its been fantasic,I was a major sufferer of Headaches before and the Mirena has fixed those,No headaches for 5 years.

Had a new one 3 years in and the one i have now has been inplace for 2 years now,But now the syptoms begin.

Had some of these symptom before but not real bad but as time goes on i now have a reason for them

Major lower back pain just in the last 4 weeks or so has been the worse ever which is why i started looking in to it and found this forum,,very tender breasts,mood swings,depression you name it i have , At first you think its the best thing in the world no periods,no pill to take,for me no headaches.I also have the shooting pain down my legs and in my shoulders as i have some other sufferers have had,i'm sure it will be a answer to alot of things going on with my health.For some it causes headaches but for me it fixed them,Hormonal headaches can be some of the worst,i will look into other forms of headache relif.

I am booked in the Doctors tomorrow morning to have it removed the only regret will be im sure the headaches will come back and am really not happy about that but in the long run i'm sure its the right thing for me.

Not until i read this forum did i realise that it was the Mirene causing all of this.

I will keep you all up dated on how i am feeling in the next few weeks,Hope this helps even just one of you with questions i wish i had answered before i got mine,not that it would have stopped me but at least be aware of what can happen to some.

Vee

Hi Agian

Well went to doc's today to have the mirena removed and she could not fint the strings and the mirena has twisted inside so i now have to go into hospital to have it removed.Will now have to wait with the pain until 7th July...Had explained to the doctor how i was feeling with the pain and she said it can happen at times and that everyone is different and that i use it up quicker than some and would need a new at least every 3 years but i am not putting one back in.....will just see how i go without it....

Will keep ypu all informed.

Vee

Thanks!

Sadly, not all of us have docotors that are as fully informed as yours, or so eager to provide us with every piece of info we need. Lucky you!

Hi, I didn't think the copper ones were used any more. With the Mirena you get the hormones (and therefore the side effects) but the copper ones work differently. The copper ones don't stop ovulation (and therefore fertilisation), the stop the implantation of the embryo. So you actually conceive every month, but the embryo can't implant. So it has different health and moral/ ethical implications to the mirena (which stops ovulation and therefore fertilisation altogether like the pill). Just wondered if your doctor went through that with you?

I'm glad your doctor went through the Mirena side effects with you - lots of people talk about the Mirena as a perfect solution to everything, and the side effects really do need to be looked at.

I know! who would've thought that birth control could cause depression! Thanks for reading!