Questions About Mirena

I am, by no means, an expert. But, I do know that there is an IUD out there that does not secrete hormones. I'm going to guess that the side effects you experienced from the birth control pill were due to hormones. For the life of me, however, I can't remember the name of the IUD at this moment - Paragard maybe? I always get the one with and the one without hormones mixed up.

At any rate, ask your doctor for more information about the IUD without hormones. Best wishes - and, if you change your mind about having kids you can usually have the IUD removed and get pregnant fairly quickly again (barring age and other issues). I'm with you though, with the "done having kids" thing!

I got the Mirena after my last pregnancy. I have now had it for about a 6 mos and love it!! I would highly recommend it. I was thinking I was done having kids but was 100% sure I wanted to do something permanent. As others have said I spotted continuously for the first couple of months but now it is barely anything at all. I would highly recommend it.

Good luck!!

A.-
I have been using Mirena since February and I am very pleased with it. In the beginning I had light bleeding for about a month. The doctor had warned me abot this and it is common. The next 2 mos I had light spotting for about a day or so around the time of my normal period. Since then I haven't had any bleeding or spotting at all. I used to have occasional cramping before and in the beginning of my period which Mirena has eliminated. I personally find the loss of my period and cramping to be wonderful.
Our situation is similar to yours in that we think we are done but didn't want to do anything permanent, yet.
Hope all of this helps.
A.

I have had the Mirena for not even a year yet but I can tell you that I LOVE it! In the beginning I bled every day (very light) for just about 3 months. Very annoying but it was nothing I could not handle. I had terrible periods before Mirena-very heavy and painful with migranes to go along with my misery!! I have not had a period or migrane in 3 months- the best "side effect" of the Mirena. I tell everyone about this amazing birth control. Obviously not for everyone but I have had no issues with it at all. I was not able to take the pill- always forgot to take it and it just made me feel kind of, well, gross if that makes sense. I just did not like it. I hope this helps- good luck!!

Hi A.:
I used Mirena. I was excited to try something that you didn't have to worry about. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED,LOVED it!!! I used it for 3 years, then decided it was time to get pregnant. I had it removed and got pregnant right away. It was pretty painful when they inserted it, but it was like really bad menstral cramps, and it only took @ 10 minutes to insert. I did have a little cramping for about 2 days after, but Advil helped a lot. There really aren't a lot of side effects to it, at least I didn't have any. No mood swings, no cramping, actually my periods got a whole lot shorter and lighter. I wanted to put a new one in after my daughter was born, but I have new insurance that wouldn't cover it, and it is $700 w/o insurance, so not really an option. I currently use the Nuva Ring, and I LOVE it too. That might be another option to try if you don't want to risk the Mirena procedure. It is a ring that you insert for 3 weeks, then take out the 4th week (when your period will start), then after that week is up, you insert a new one...and the cycle starts over. I really love it. Not as much as the Mirena, b/c I do have to keep track and remember every 4th week, but it really is hassle free other than that, and no side effects. Good luck, and I definitely recommend the Mirena 110%!!!

all I have to say is Mirena is GREAT!!! I used it between my first and second children and it was a lifesaver. In fact, after I deliver this third child, I may use it again, rather than having my tubes tied. That way, if for some odd reason-heaven forbid-I want to get pregnant again, I can.

Mirena is so small, you don't feel anything-the insertion can be a little uncomfortable, but some otc pain reliver should take care of that. I will warn you though, you will have about 1-2 months of spotting continuously (no more than a mini pad will be needed). But after that your periods will lessen or disappear completely-like mine did. And also to let you know, I am extremely pro-life and didn't want anything that may even harm a fertilized egg, but the mirena doesn't do that. This is what I think is going on (but check with your ob to be sure): it makes your body think it's pregnant...therefore your periods lessen or stop, and it stops conception.

I went with the Mirena b/c I have scary reactions to the hormones in birth control pills. I need something that is localized, not something that travels through my whole body to work. I tried the Nuvaring, which was ok, but a pain to replace monthly.
Everything else, just didn't work for me.

I would seriously think about trying Mirena. I've even heard it works better than having your tubes tied. The percentage of births happening is lower.

Hope that helps! -A.

I have been using Mirena for about six months. I love it! I had all kinds of crazy side effects with the pill and could never remember to take it every day. I have had no side effects with mirena; my periods are a ton lighter, and in fact I didn't have a period for three months after it was inserted. I can't say enough great things about it! I have a nine year old and a two and five year old stepchildren, and we aren't sure if we are having any more (Im 32!) so im too young to do anything permanent, but this sure is the best alternative out there I think. A warning though, it is a painful insertion and I had bad cramping throughout the night after it was inserted, but no problems since then!