Mirena Contraception IUD

Updated on July 29, 2008
N.O. asks from Havre de Grace, MD
20 answers

Is anyone else out there using Mirena for contraception? We are seriously considering it but I am wary of most contraception. I was just hoping to hear your experience, pros & cons. Does it hurt when they put it in?

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I had hoped that the stories that I had read online were just that. I thought by posting on Mamasource I would receive a more balanced view (the positives and the negatives). I am glad I posted because I feel better informed than even just a few days ago. It seems as though the people who have had a positive experience with an IUD really had no problems but the negative experiences are quite scary. I am not certain yet but I think we will pass up the Mirena experience and continue using condoms and other methods. I was looking forward to the freedom that Mirena promised but I am just not ready for the risks. Plus, it seems there is debate as to whether the egg fertilizes or not. Ah, so much to think about.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.J.

answers from Washington DC on

I got mine about 6 months ago and love it. The only adverse affect was cramping after insertion. Other than that, I've had no other problems.
It's very convenient.
Good luck!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.O.

answers from Washington DC on

N.,
I have had it for almost 2 yrs now and i love it. and ihave three kids ..... no periods at all minor cramping adn the best thing is: if you decide tohave antohe baby. you have it taken out and with no side effects start trying again.. heck i even nursed my 21 monthold for 16 months adn nothing effected me withthe mirena IUD

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Charlottesville on

I love my Mirena IUD. It didn't hurt at all when it was inserted and I don't even know it is there - nor does my husband most of the time. I love the spontaneity that it has brought back to my life, too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.D.

answers from Norfolk on

I had my second child in December of 2006. When I went for my postpartum check up my doctor suggested that Mirena was a good choice for me for birth control because I wasn't sure when I would or if I would like to have more children. I had to wait for the results of my pap smear to come back. As soon as I had normal results, my ob did the insertion. Every patient is different. They say the hardest part of having an IUD is to get past the cramping that goes along but I didn't experience any really bad cramping. My worst side effect was having the irregular periods. It's been over a year since I had mine inserted and I like it. I don't have time to go to the doctor for the Depo shot or I'm glad that I don't have to take pills daily or have to worry about about it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.P.

answers from Charlottesville on

My Mirena was the best choice I have ever made! I don't have to remember to take a pill and through insurance it only cost me $30 for the next 5 years!

I have heard that there can be issues with it but I have had mine in for almost one year and I have not had a single complication. I think that it is a least worth a try, because it if the closest thing to not using any birth control at all.

Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Roanoke on

Dear N., I have had the Mirena. It hurt when my doctor was putting it in, then it hurt for the first month. Well, six months later I went for my yearly, and guess what the doctor could not find? My Mirena!!! She sent me to the hospital right away for x-rays. It was floating around my upper ribs. It had gone though my uterus!!! They had to do emergency surgery, to remove it. I will never get another IUD again. That's my story. M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Roanoke on

I hear people like them but the only problem I see is if you have a problem with moral issues that might not be what you want to use. IUD's as with most birth control devices and pills DO NOT keep you from getting pregnant. Especially the IUD. It is placed in your uterus and makes it a hostile environment so a fertilized egg won't implant so there for each time you get pregnant you just abort.
L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Charlottesville on

After your postive feedback, I have to give my experience. I had mine inserted 6 weeks post-partum and I guess the doc punctured my uterus when she inserted it. I thought the cramping was really bad and bled like crazy. When I went back for the followup, I told her I couldn't feel the strings, neither could she. Lots of X-Rays and MRIs later, they finally said, it is not in your uterus and secheduled an emergency surgery to remove it. Luckily, it hadn't punctured anything else, it was just inside the body cavity. I have since changed OBs, becuase of the run-around I felt I got about this. The radiology tech said, its not there and no one believed her and we went days before anyone would respond to my questions. (The hospital must have agreed because they covered the entire expense, including the IUD.) Mirena's response by the way was that it is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding. Funny, then why isn't that in the "who should not use" list?

Any way, I know lots of women love it. I wish I was one of them. My new OB by the way, said when I told her my story, that they have inserted 100s of them and its never happened. But she doesn't want to take that chance with me again. And the old OB? Well, she had also told me that other women in their practice had this happen and when I looked at their site to tell a new co-worker who the 1 good one in the practice was, the "bad" one wasn't listed.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.F.

answers from Washington DC on

I just wanted to let you know that IUD's are not as great as they seem. I had two, the first of which I had to have surgically removed and the second of which resulted in my now 11 month old baby. I thought it was a great idea because I'm not good about remembering to take pills, but it just didn't work for me. Since my own pregnancy, I've learned of many people who had similar issues. To address your concerns about pain, it feels like bad cramps, but it's not that bad. It actually is worse in the hours that follow the insertion.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Norfolk on

I just got mine 3 months ago. They said it would be "uncomfortable" and man, that was an understatement. It felt like the woman was ripping my uterus out. And of course, I ended up with one of the side effects they don't tell you about... I keep getting jabbed with the string. Me, not my husband. The stupid thing is very sharp. Allegedly it can take a full year for the strings to soften up and curl up.

The major benefit though, is that the hormones are low enough that it isn't affecting my milk supply. And I'm very hormone-sensitive, both the nuva ring and low dose pills dropped my milk supply. So, if you are looking for low hormones, this is apparently the way to go.

With all that being said, would I do it again? yes, but only because I absolutely can not take a chance on having any more kids right now. If I was willing to accept the risk of being pregnant again, I would do *anything* else for birth control.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I had mine after my first child and unfortunately it didn't stay in and started falling out. It was very painful for me when my doctor put it in as well. The cramping was so painful and I had a lot of bleeding and scratching from when the had to take it had to take it out all within a few days. They said sometimes it just can get dislodged or something and mine did. It took several weeks to recover from the pain and scratches. I assume this was rare but unfortunately I haven't done it again.
Best of luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Jacksonville on

It's working great for me. I still get my period, but it's very light most of the time and sometimes just a day of spotting and then it's over. Make sure you remember to check the strings to make sure it's still there and doesn't "dissapear" on you like some other ladies. I did have some issue with it to begin with (you can read my question on this site), but now I'm totally satisfied with the IUC.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.F.

answers from Washington DC on

I have been using the Mirena for almost 1 year. I love it and my husband can not feel it. I do not have any side affects except for breakthough bleeding (spotting) and that is not all the time. I was told by the physicial that it would stop eventually. I was worried at first because I was unsure of how it would feel when it was put in place but I had a consultation with the doctor and they explained the procedure. It felt like pinch when it was put in place and light cramping for about 1/2 hour and that was it.

I would suggest a consultation with your GYN before making a decision because they can answer a lot of questions for you. I recieved great info from the Doctor as well as the Nurse Practioner was also using te Mirena.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Washington DC on

N.,

I have had the Mirena for 2 1/2 yrs. It is the greatest type of BC I have tried. It didn't hurt when it was put in, I never feel it, I haven't had a period since it was put in plus I no longer get PMS symptoms. My best friend also decided to go this route after she tried several other options and she is also glad to have this. If you have any questions please ask.

S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Washington DC on

Something to think about with an IUD is that it does not prevent an egg cell from being fertilized. Depending on what your individual beliefs are regarding when the zygote actually has life, you may want to reconsider using an IUD.

Also, historically speaking, women have had a lot of problems with them. They were actually pulled off the market for awhile because they were making women sick. For every positive story I've heard/read, I've seen five negative ones.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I LOVE IT!!! Geting it placed was just fine, some minor cramping for a few days. Otherwise,not a problem. For the first couple of months I had a couple days of light period ut know I have none. Sometimes a lite cramping but nothing else. I conceived both my children on birth control so we were ready to try something else. I have been with this a year in August and no pregnancy suprises!!!!! I also understand it that if we decided to have children it is possible the very first ovulation after removal, so that is always a great option to keep in mind. I love the fact that is it good for like ten years. I love this IUD and it has given us a boost in our sex life because we are less worried about conception, again. I hope this helps, if you have any questions please email me.
____@____.com
T. W

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Norfolk on

I have not had it myself, but I have had two friends that used it. Well one tried to use it, but when the doctor tried to put it in, she almost passed out from the pain, and felt really sick. I'm not sure why, but she couldnt get it done. I also have a second friend that was using it for some time, and went to the hospital one night with severe pain. She had gotten pregnant even though it was in place and miscarried the baby.

I am sure everyone is different, but personally myself I would not try it after what my two best friends have went through.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.F.

answers from Washington DC on

Everyone is different, this is my experience.

Inserting Mirena hurts just for a short time, like menstrual cramp. Then it is over.

I had bleeding the whole time I had it. I also developed depression and gained weight. My experience was miserable, and I was so happy to get it out. That didn't hurt at all.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

If you are wary of most contraception be aware that this still carries the same elements of birth control pills along with the risks associated with those it also carries the risks of an IUD. At least that is my limited understanding of it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.G.

answers from Washington DC on

The Mirena has been good for me as far as convience although I have been in about 3 times to have the string trimmed because my boyfriend said it felt like it was cutting him. I had periods for a little while but I don't anymore...well I have a few spots every now and then but they are few and far between. Also, it has greatly helpful on my craps. There is one down fall and I am not saying it will happen to you, but I am in fact getting mine taken out today because I have been to an dermatologist for a "rash" that keeps jumping from place to place on my body looking for an infection (it's called ID reaction), which maybe the Mirena causing an infection in me and the rash can not find it. I will not know for sure, my GYN is going to send the IUD out to see if it has an infection bacteria on it, if it does then I know where the infection came from and my rash should go away, if it doesn't I may get another Mirena (not sure though, thinking about permanant). But I am not certain the Mirena has caused my ID Reaction at all, my GYN said it is quite possible. If it isn't because of the IUD then I would highly recommend it, I would recommend it anyways but this rash is very aggravating.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches