A.B. asks from Mansfield, MA on August 03, 2009
Expirience with Mirena?
Hi Mama's! Hoping someone out there has had expirience, good or bad, with the Mirena that they can share. I had my tubes tied after my 2nd child was born, and since then, I have been having very heavy bleeding and cramping. Ultrasound ruled out fibroids, and the obgyn recommended only 2 options: 1) hysterectomy or 2) Mirena IUD (I have a uteran septum, so some other traditional choices aren't an option for me). Not wanting to be "out of commission" for weeks recovering from the partial hysterectomy, I opted for the less aggressive approach, the Mirena. However, I have been doing research, and I am scared to death! I keep hearing about the pain, weight gain, prolonged bleeding, loss of libido, acne... Starting to think the finality of the hysterectomy is a better option. Any thoughts?
1 mom found this helpful
So What Happened?™
Thanks, Mama's, for the great advice and comments, most of which helped to quell my concerns. Since I am not 100% convinced that this is right for me, I decided to wait it out another month or two. I am following up with the obgyn in September, and will have an open and honest discussion about my concerns and other options, should they exist, before jumping to a decision. Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to read and respond! You have all been very helpful and supportive!!
Featured Answers
J.D. answers from Providence on August 07, 2009
My sister is debating going on it and so has been researching on-line and reading all horror stories. My gyn sold me on it about 8 months ago, and it seemed like a no-brainer the way she decribed it. I have had none of those side effects. My experience has been a positive one.
Good luck to you,
J.
J.C. answers from Hartford on August 04, 2009
I did NOT have a good experience.... To make a very long story short, mine fell out *and i didn't know for two weeks* after having it in for almost 6 months. Didn't feel it, see it... nothing. My doc says its rare, but still a possibility.
More Answers
T.M. answers from Boston on August 04, 2009
I have Mirena and love it, no complaints AT ALL. I don't know why more women don't get it!
J.S. answers from Barnstable on August 04, 2009
I also had bleeding problems after a tubal ligation (the never-ending period) and was given two choices: a uterine ablation or Mirena. I chose Mirena, and it's worked very well. It did take several months for my periods to subside, however. I have had no side effects that I can identify.
E.O. answers from Boston on August 04, 2009
Hi A.,
Sorry to hear about what your are going through.
I have had the Mirena for 6 months now and LOVE IT!!! I had a baby back in October and gained 45 pounds with her...I am now back to my pre-baby weight and in better shape then before - so no issues what so ever with weight gain. I feel my skin is clear, and I have less PMS breakouts then when I was both on and off the pill. I do not get any cramping now...nothing!!! My only issue is that my period lasts longer now - 7 days of regular bleeding (heavy to start then down to a regualr tampon) then another 5-7 days of spotting (panty liner type spotting). I have a few friends who have been on Mirena for 1 year or longer and said that also happened to them, but eventually your system gets so that you don't get your period at all, maybe some light spotting. I'm not to that point yet, but I can't wait!
I say go for Mirena (way better then surgery)!
N.D. answers from Springfield on August 04, 2009
Hi, sorry that you have to make this choice and it is not something you want to do. BUT, I think it is great. I have more moodiness than with the pill, but less than with nothing. No weight gain (that I can really blame on the IUD). I have only had one real period since mine went in 1.5 years ago but some spotting. The one period was around 5 days long and I was down to 1.5 days with 4 years on the pill. Getting it in was not too bad, just one sharp cramp for me and then 4-6 hours of minor cramping. My obgyn waited to trim the strings until they had curled?! and that was done 2 weeks later, no big deal.
Hope this was helpful --N.
H.P. answers from Boston on August 04, 2009
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties. I have a Mirena and LOVE it! I have had none of the scary side effects that you have looked up. It was crampy when it first went in, but that dininished within minutes. Since then it has been problem free. One side effect I have had is very diminished bleeding and times when I barely get a period at all. (I've had the same box of tampons for a year. This is great, except I have taken a few pregnancy tests, but this wouldn't be an issue for you. I haven't gained any weight, I've even lost some, but can't credit the Mirena as the cause. No libido problems. It is super easy to take out so if you tried and hated it you could just get it taken out. Putting it in is as easy (on my end) as a pap smear, and I had a diferent IUD taken out and that was a piece of cake as well.
I hope you have good luck and good results with what ever you choose, all that pain vcan't be easy with two little boys at home.
D.P. answers from Boston on August 04, 2009
Hi, I had a Mirena for a little over a year and loved it. I only had it removed because we decided to try for another child. I had no side effects.
Best to you,
R.T. answers from Boston on August 04, 2009
I've had Mirena for two years. Different people get different symptoms.
As for me, I love it. I spotted afterwards for a couple of weeks, that's it. I haven't had a period in a year and a half. It hurt going in, but no more than a painful pap smear. There is the rare discomfort during intercourse, but that happened more early on, and pretty much never does anymore.
I've had some loss of libido, but I got Mirena soon after giving birth, so I don't know whether to attribute it to Mirena, or just that my hormones didn't go back to the way they were before.
No weight gain, no acne (not more than usual anyway).
For the most part, the side effects of Mirena seem to be similar to those of other hormone contraceptives, but perhaps less severe?
I have 2 close friends that have Mirena also and love it. One of them has occasional spotting only; the other still gets a period.
I'd suggest trying it. If it doesn't work for you, it can be easily removed and then you can go the surgery route.
J.D. answers from Providence on August 07, 2009
My sister is debating going on it and so has been researching on-line and reading all horror stories. My gyn sold me on it about 8 months ago, and it seemed like a no-brainer the way she decribed it. I have had none of those side effects. My experience has been a positive one.
Good luck to you,
J.
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