Mirena Users, Please Read

I gained about 30lbs and turned into a hormonal b*tch...my poor family had to suffer through this. I had it removed and am still a b*tch, but only once a month (^_^). Still struggling to lose the weight, though...

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I had the Mirena for 1 year. Insertion was painful, but got worse over the next couple weeks. The first 2 months I cramped terribly, developed really bad acne, and got really bad headaches. I also gained 20 pounds during that year, and am still trying to get my weight back down. I had a period once ever 2 months, but they were incredibly painful and lasted about 10-12 days. My husband was able to feel the string until it softened up (about 2-3 months), so it was a little bit uncomfortable for him. We were leaning toward getting it taken out after 6 months or so, but my OB/GYN tried to keep reassuring me, saying to give it more time, let my body get used to it, etc., but after a year with the same problems I couldn't take it anymore!! So, I had it taken out (took 5 minutes, cramped a little), and I don't regret it for a second.

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I had the Mirena for almost 2 years and gained weight right away and ended up gaining 25lbs!! I was not happy. Recently had it removed and am still struggling with weight loss. Having it removed was virtually painless. I wish you the best.

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I'm on my 2nd - had them for over 7 years. No weight gain. No side effects. No periods. Love it!

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I had the same issues as you, except that I kept mine mine longer and put on more weight :(. As soon as it was removed most everything went away, and even the weight began to come off (although I am still fighting that battle). Removal was SO much easier than insertion and actually didn't bother me at all. I suggest getting it out...your body will thank you later! :)

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I didn't have bloating or weight gain, but I had my put in 6 months ago to help with my endometriosis and I'm just now to the point of not bleeding. It was pretty miserable for months, and the doctor had to reassure me to wait it out.

Today I like it...ha!

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i have had two mirenas. one for the full 5 years and this one for 3 yrs. yes at first i had alot of bleeding. i was 2 mo post delivery and at first it was uncomfortable. i have heard this from other users as well. this is becuase the lining of your uterus is being constantly thinned. since the bleeding stopped i havent had a period since...eight years. i did not gain weight. i am very pleased with the long term results. when i got to the end of 5 yr lifespan and had it replaced i expected painful removal and reinsertion...none of that occured. i would give it time. it isnt the right kind of birth control for eveyone, but when it does work its great!

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I have had mine in for over 3 years and I have experienced no problems what so ever. No pain, no PMS nothing. Everything is exactly the same as before I started using it with the exception that I barely have a period at all - which is a plus in my book. :-) You're Dr. could be correct in that your symptoms could be different then mine because of your C-section. Or like someone else mentioned - it could be your extra hormones since you just had a baby. I was even thinking that maybe they inserted it wrong or it shifted - if you haven't done so already, you might want to have your Dr. check to make sure it is in place properly. I hope it works out for you - good luck.

I have had it for 3 years. The insertion was like a small pinch. My Gyn will only insert it while on your period. She says it is less painful that way. She was correct. First year and a half everything was fine. Still had regular on-time periods, regular flow. Then something happened, we believe a fibroid has caused it to shift and I began to bleed every 2 weeks for 2 weeks, needless to say not pretty. (The contraception component is still working) This went on for a few month because I thought it would stop and go back to normal, NOT. So, a few weeks ago we were going to take it out and reinsert it, but it may do the same thing again. So we are trying a low dose of Seasonale (birth control) for 3 months to see if this will stop the irregualr bleeding. I like it alot otherwise but if the irregular bleeding does not stop I will have to take it out :~( Good luck!

I had all the same symtoms as you without the cramps but gained about 25lbs that I couldn't shift no matter what I did. I also had a c-section so the insertion was extremely painful as you described. After almost 3 years I had it removed with no pain, it took a second. I am 42 and do not want any more children so I opted to have an ablasion due to very painful cramping during my period. It's been 2 months and I have had no period and no pain. The ablaion is only an option if you are done with childbirth.
good luck.
E.

I am on my second mirena , first was in for 5 yrs. second has been in for over a year.
You have to remember, not all your symptoms can be blamed on the IUD. You did just have a baby, after you have a baby your hormones and body chemistry change.
Try taking a midol multi symptom and see how your symptoms do.
I have not gained weight from the IUD, my side effects include , no period , and PMS which includes headaches and moodiness.

I had Mirena for 3 years. There are some good things and some bad things about it. I loved that I didn't have to think about taking birth control. I loved that my period went away for about 2 of those years. I am not sure what shifted, but the last year my period came back, and even though it was really light, it had no schedule to it. I was very frustrated by that; I would have a period every 2 weeks some times and every 4 weeks others. I never knew if it was coming or going! Also, my skin got bad with the Mirena. I also wondered if it led to a weight gain that was all but impossible to lose. I ended up researching it online and boy, are there a lot of forums out there for ladies who had awful experiences with Mirena! It sounds like a lot of people react differently with it.
I chose to have mine removed 3 months ago as my husband had a vasectomy last year. Getting it out is WAY easier than getting it in. It took 2 seconds and did not hurt. There was no cramping or bleeding afterward. It did take about 5-6 weeks for my period to return after removal. My skin has improved a bit. I have lost that 10 lbs- (it didnt just fall off, I had to work really hard at it, but I HAD been working hard at it for years with little result). My sex drive is coming back. My periods are back and of course are much heavier than with Mirena.
If you DO decide to get it out, be prepared for a possible "Mirena Crash". I have heard a lot of people go through an adjustment period where their hormones are all over the place. I don't know 100% whether it was caused by Mirena, but the month after I had it out, I was fatigued, depressed, wanting to cry all the time. I have read that many people go through that and it can take a few months for it to go away. From what I have read, it seems that the ladies who had it in for a long time had a rougher adjustment, so you probably would be fine. I have also heard lots of women rave about how awesome Mirena is and say it never gave them any problems. Good luck, whatever you decide!