Side Effects of Mirena IUD

Updated on January 30, 2007
K.B. asks from Tucson, AZ
20 answers

Hello everyone. I have a quick question. I am on the Mirena IUD, I have been on it since Feb. '06. I have been having nausea, horribly dizzy spells, overwhelming tiredness, swelling, fatigue, headaches and confusion with talking, writing and typing. I have not had a period in 2 months, but I have taken 4 pregnancy test over a 2 month period. All come back negative. I am not sure if these are signs of the IUD. I have checked so many sites and some say I shouldn't have these effects so long after having the IUD inserted and some say otherwise. I have called my gynos office and spoke with just a receptionist, told her my symptoms and she said that should not be due to the IUD. I am currently in process of switching PCPs so I can not see one until it is situated with my insurance first. I am just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or if you know of anyone that this might have happened to. If anyone knows anything please let me know thank you.

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So What Happened?

I have decided to have my IUD removed. My PCP told me that the hormone level could be at fault for my symptoms. I even spoke with Berlex, the makers of the Mirena and they to said it could be the fault of the Mirena. Each women is different. I also found out that I have high blood pressure, so that too can be at fault. I am happy now knowing that the Mirena IUD is out. Thank you all for you the advice, tips and comments you have left me.

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C.O.

answers from Phoenix on

WOW! I go get mine put in 2 weeks. I wasnt told of any side effects though. I was told that after 6 months my period would stop.

For those of you who are having side effects, how long have you had it? If its less than 6 months, maybe those are normal up until then. I dont know but would like to know how long you've had it.

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M.P.

answers from Fort Collins on

Hello K.

My name is M. Parker and i am 25 mom of two boys 5 and 10 months. I also have the IUD Mirena.. I just recently missed my first period since being on the IUD since Febuary. I also took two pregnancy tests that came back neg. I went to the doctor and they told me that the longer that you have the Mirena in the more likely you will not have a period any longer, I have not experenced any other side effects. Let me know what happens i hope that i was some help..

M. parker

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J.J.

answers from Phoenix on

K.
Call back your gynecologist's office and ask to speak to either a nurse practitioner or the doctor. Being a receptionist in his office, she should know to forward all questions of a medical nature to a medical professional. First tell one of these two people what is going on - they should get you in ASAP. If they can't find the problem, or they discount your symptoms, call your insurance and tell them that you absolutely need to see a doctor and if they will allow you to see someone now. You may have to go to urgent/after hours but you need to see someone. The symptoms you've listed could be connected to anything and in some circumstances be considered mild. However, all of your symptoms together ESPECIALLY confusion indicates you need medical attention. I've said it before on this site and I'll say it again. If you feel you are not getting the medical treatment you believe you need, fight for it because no one else will. This is your life, your body, potentially your fertility, and you must take care of it. Doctors and nurses have a job, and unfortunately job gets to be routine. They forget that in one way or another they are affecting someone else's life depending on their assessment and diagnosis. Please let us know how it turns out.

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C.

answers from Denver on

Hello K. B, I got the mirena in Sept 06, didn't think I had side effects yet, but I am getting really bad headaches daily. Like go to bed with one and wake up with it!! I have been spottng and bleeding since it was put in. I have to wear a pad everyday. They told me that was a side effect for the 1st 6 months. The headaches and dizzyness and confusion you should have checked out, I am going to call my doctor about my bad headaches today!!!!! Keep us posted, thanks C. G

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T.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi K.,

I have the Mirena IUD and have been wondering myself if some of the symptoms I have are from it. I have been thinking of getting it out as well. I have nausea and headaches at times and sometimes feel like I have really bad PMS aournd the time I get my period. I still have periods every month, but the are much lighter. Please let me know what you find out and if you feel better after you get it out. Hope all goes well with that.

T.

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J.M.

answers from Pueblo on

Hi K.,

I had the mirena inplant for 3 1/2 years. The not having your period is completely normal. After the first 6 months mine went away for the rest of the time I had the inplant in. I had the cramping before my period etc. I did devolop some sists although not anything of concern. The symptoms you're having don't seem to be related to what the inplant would do. Have you checked to make sure yourself if it's still in place? They always put a string on it and you're supposed to feel once a month that's it's there. Of course as soon as you get your insurance settled I'd go in. Even if it just puts your mind at ease ya know. Hope this helps! Feel free to e-mail me personally if you have any more questions. ____@____.com

J.

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J.

answers from Denver on

I have had an IUD since Jan 06 and had some strange systems but nothing like yours. I would get into see your obgyn asap just to be safe you never know.

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C.N.

answers from Tucson on

hello there. i have the mirena 5 yr iud. i've had it for 2 yrs now. the only side affect i have is i have no more periods. my sister-in-law has an iud also i'm not sure if she has the same one but she was telling me with hers she has very heavy bleeding and cramping. i'm reading my pamphet on the one i have and it don't give many side affects only PID (pelvic inflammatory dissease) perforation ( this means the iud go through the uterus) expulsion ( means the iud has come out) or you may have missed periods or none at all.

theres a list of things in my pamphet that say when should you call your dr ---think your pregnant---pelvic pain---unexplained fever---cannot feel the iud---headaches---thats only a few but i don't think the other ones apply to you.

the mirena is manufactured for the berlex laboratories.
i would call your dr and make an appointment talk to her let her check you out. if you can't do that cuz of the insurance try the clinics like planned parent hood someone out there can help

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H.Q.

answers from Great Falls on

As soon as you can, get in to see your OB/GYN. I would have the IUD checked.

I've never had one, but my Mom had one (in the '70's). She said she was sick and uncomfortable all the time, too. She had it removed and was told it wasn't in right or something like that, and did she want another inserted. Her answer was NO.

Call your regular gyno again, and tell the receptionist that you want to talk with the Nurse Practitioner or the doctor. A receptionist isn't really qualified to give advice about stuff like that.

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D.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I have had the Mirena IUD since March 06. I have not had any side effects. I absolutly love it. I have not had a period since late June. I would make an appointment with your gyno no matter what the receptionist says. It wont hurt to have it checked out. Let the dr. tell you its not the IUD. Everyones body reacts differently to things.

Good Luck and Take Care!! :)

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A.P.

answers from Phoenix on

I had these same symptoms after having my IUD in for only 2wks, it got so bad I was scared to drive one day so I made a same day apt with my OBGYN and it turns out it had pushed itself out and was just floating around up there doing nothing!! Well I ended up getting a vaginal ultrasound to make sure it hadnt damaged or tore anything and never had it reinserted, and my sickness stopped. I would have it checked out if I were you.

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J.P.

answers from Denver on

Since having your IUD removed, have you noticed a quicker loss of weight? I am having my IUD removed in the next couple of weeks because I have read some material that said that the Mirena IUD does cause gain or prevents you from losing. The Mirena site, of course, does not say that, but the consumer drug information site does. I have 3 children. I lost all of my weight after my first, and did not have an IUD. After my 2nd, I lost 30 pounds, got an IUD and then gained 30 back. I thought it was because I stopped nursing. When we decided to go for a third, I had my IUD removed and in the first 4 months of my pregnancy I lost 32 pounds! And this, with little nausea and no vomiting. I guess after I have it removed I will know for sure, but I am pretty positive that is the situation.

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K.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Hello I used the Mirena and I was fine the first three months of the thing I also had it put in, in February after the 3 months I started severly cramping and getting kidney infections and I had my IUD pulled out in July and it all went away, but the cramping stayed after the kidney infection had gone away

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L.K.

answers from Flagstaff on

I have an IUD but I am not sure about the Mirena, I am guessing thats the IUD with the small does of hormons in it. Anyway, my DR said I should not have any side effects from mine, well guess what I do. A day or two before my period I have very bad cramping and I have also gotten PG once. However I love the IUD and will take the side effects that go with it verses the risks of birth control. Thas my experience with the IUD, the reason I am responding is I have friend who got horribly sick with the IUD and the DRs all told her the same thing, it is not from IUD.She got it removed and a new one reinserted two months later and was perfectly fine, her new DR said the first one was not inserted right(which happens sometimes and not the Drs fault) I also had a friend who was very allergic to the IUD and was sick for months untill she had hers removed for good. Point being it can happen to anyone and it sounds like something is not right with yours, you know your body not the Dr so do what you feel you should with it.Maybe talk to your new Dr about taking a break with it and then trying it again later. Also I would say get as much info on the IUD from the internet as you can after reading some stories and info on it you may want to take a different option anyway.I hope you can get something figured out it is hard enough being a mom without health problems that can be fixed. Good Luck!!!

L.

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C.

answers from Denver on

Wow, I've been having some of those side effects and wondered if it was my IUD. Hmmmmm. Please let us know what your doc says!

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C.K.

answers from Santa Fe on

I wouldn't take any chances. I would get that IUD out immediately. I am sad to say I think the FDA knows little to nothing about the long term effects of some of the drugs and other items they allow to be put out on the market.

And equally alarming, to me, is that doctors are so swamped with patients and paperwork to insurance companies that they generally don't pay really good attention to individual patients. This is my personal experience. (I would have to have my tongue glued to an icy pole before I'll see a doctor these days.) If these symptoms are as severe as you say, I would get that thing out of your body.

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R.W.

answers from Pueblo on

Hello K.,
i have had the iud for about 4 months now and i love it.... I got the one that would last 10 years.... It has no hormones(spelling) in it... My doctor told me that with this one i would get my period it would just be all over the place for about 6 months......... I haven't had any problems... But like i said i got the ten year one...... I didn't want to stop my period, i don't think it is healthy! It seems to me like you have having hard side effects... I would go back to doctor...... Ask them about both kinds.........

Oh! If you are nursing that might be why you don't get your period........ My sister doesn't get hers for 1 year cause that is how long she nurses her babies.......
I get my the entire time i am nursing. Everyone is different!

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M.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Hey K.. Your doctor should have given you a brochure on the Mirena. If he/she did not, be sure to ask for one. While on the Mirena it is very common to not have a period. This is caused by the increased amount of progesterone in your body. The increased amount can in some cases stop the release of the egg, therefore, causing your body not to go through a menstral cycle. Some common side effects include: Cramps, dizziness, or faintness. Other more serious side effects include: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (which requires an antibiotic treatment), Preforation (going through the uterus), or expulsion.

I am confused as to why you have to wait to see your ob/gyn. When I was having problems with my I.U.D. (Severe cramping, muscle spasms, fatigue, headaches, and endometritis) my doctor got me in right away and had it taken out that same day. Which, by the way, doesn't hurt at all even though some women say they feel severe pain. I was on POP's that very next day.

About the nausea: It is also due to the increased amount of progesterone. Once you start your new birth control I highly suggest eating a banana or some other form of high protein snack with it and take it in the evening before bed. The chances of nausea should go down. Also, headaches and migraines are common with many forms of birth control.

When you call the doctor's office again (which I highly suggest), tell the receptionist that it is imperative that you speak with a nurse or doctor. While the receptionist is in that profession, she does not have a degree in Medicine and should not be telling you to disregard your symptoms as far as your birth control is concerned!

Sincerely,

M.

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R.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I also have the mirena,and i have not had a normal period since I got it.I have had headaches and weight gain,I thinnk its because of the IUD because it does have a slow release of hormones.Thats just my experience and intuition.(IUD since jan of this year)So your not alone in wondering if it is side effects of the IUD.
R.

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S.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I have had the IUD for almost 4 years, I did have the symptoms for the first few weeks after having it inserted but not after months. Not having a period is a common side effect though. I have not had a period in about 3 years. the reason for that is the IUD has a hormone in it that can make your body think you are pregnant so you can stop having a period. I had it placed in after my daughter was born because I was taking the depo shot before I became pregnant with her with gave me horrible side effect includin the nausea, dizziness, horrible mood swings and I couldn't stand to be touched by anyone even if it was someone brushing against me at the store. you may be extra sensitive to the hormone, i believe it is progestrine, and that may be why you are still having the symptoms.

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