Side Effects of Mirena? Pregnancy? Something Else?

Updated on June 17, 2009
M.R. asks from Salt Lake City, UT
15 answers

I've been exclusively breastfeeding my 7-month-old since birth, but I've been having some issues with my milk supply. It keeps dropping, then increasing when I take Fenugreek, then decreasing again within a week of stopping the herbs. Also, a couple of weeks ago I was having a lot of wet discharge (like I do when I'm PG) for about a week. And for a couple of weeks now I've been really irritable and weepy. I had a light period last month. Wasn't expecting mine this month for another 2 weeks, then a couple days ago I started spotting lightly on and off. I've also been peeing a lot, but not so much that it seems like I'm pregnant. I have a Mirena IUD, so I'm wondering if these could be side effects of that. But I've had it in for 5 months now. This morning I was crying (for no real reason) and said to hubby, "I don't know what's wrong with me!" and he said, "I do! You're pregnant!" I just said, "No. No way." But now I'm wondering. I know it's possible but not likely to get PG on Mirena. Should I waste money on a pregnancy test? Or could this be something else? I know I should just take a test if I'm worried, but I'm in denial and hoping you all will tell me it doesn't sound like I'm PG. :) Besides, I don't have a car to get to the store today. :)

Thanks in advance!

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So What Happened?

It sounds like a lot of you had/are having these kinds of side effects from the Mirena. I'm pretty sure I'm not PG since my spotting has gotten a bit heavier, so I think I'm having an early period or just some breakthrough bleeding. If my regular period doesn't show up, I'll test. I'm hoping this is just one out-of-whack month, since I haven't been having symptoms like this for the last 5 months that I've had the Mirena. I also had a Mirena before and didn't have these symptoms (except the spotting between periods), but I only had it in for about 6 months total.

Thanks for your responses! I would like to consider using another method of birth control, but there doesn't seem to be anything out there that's right for me. I'm way too distracted and spacey to take a pill at the same time every day. That also rules out natural family planning, which I'd LOVE to do if I had the time and brain power to focus on it (3 kids 3 and under has turned my brain to mush, I swear!). For those who had Mirena before, what do you use now?

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A.R.

answers from Denver on

I also have the Mirena and found that it took my body a long time to adjust to it. I started getting more regular with my period at eight months and also notice that I can be very hormonal a few days before my period starts. Also, my acne is worse now which really sucks. I have had it a year now and I love the fact that I don't have to take a pill every day but I wish I had less side effects. Another thing to add is that I had spotting at random times too that seemed like I was having a period. You may see in a few months it start to even out and regulate. I know now that I am on a 28 day cycle and can more predict the mood swings. I have made it clear to my husband too and have noted it on the calendar so he knows and maybe he can help me keep track of any changes.
Good Luck and I hope that helps
A.

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K.K.

answers from Denver on

I had the Mirena for a year and a half and it was the worst time in my life... ever!

My mind was doing crazy things, I was break through bleeding all the time and the cramps... omg were terrible. I thought it was just me but my sister was having the same issue. The hormone release was way too much and I thought I was going to lose my mind.

In my opinion Mirena is one of the worst products out there!

good luck!!!

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S.B.

answers from Boise on

I would take a test just to be sure, but with that particular IUD you should be having lighter periods.

Good Luck.
Enjoy you little ones while they are little, go jump in puddles, and run in the sprinklers.

S.
mother to Kai
www.HomeWithKai.com

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J.F.

answers from Denver on

Well I am not sure you are PG...you could just be emotional right now for other reasons.
But I will say this- my OBGYN says she sees more pregnacies in her office on IUD's than any other birth control.

I got pregnant again when my daughter was 5-6 months old and am due in September. I asked her on my last visit how I can avoid this again and I asked about IUD. She said she would not say no if I wanted it, but sees lots of moms to be, that have IUD's. My neighbors daughter was an IUD baby... so it is possible.

Just go take a cheap test and find out. However I took 3 tests with this baby and it took over 3 weeks for one to show up positive. So for a for sure answer, go see your OB.

Good luck....

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G.P.

answers from Boise on

Dollar store pregnancy tests work just as well as the expensive ones! Plus it would give you the peace of mind. If you are having these symptoms though, I would talk to your doctor and let him/her know about your concerns. I personally would rather take a pill everyday than have these constant symptoms and concerns.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I can just tell you that is what happened to me when I had my IUD. That is why I had it taken out. I am not sure about the side effects of the Mirena though. I get my hormones checked about every 6 months and the crying, spotting etc.. is what happens when progesterone is low. I don't know how old you are but I started noticing a big drop in my progesterone at around thirty. My daughter is only eighteen and had to get a small boost in her progesterone also.

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T.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I finally took my Mirena IUD out because I was spotting at random times during the month and I was super emotional. It has been much better since I took it out. I had mine in for almost a year, and these symptoms didn't start until about 6 months after I had put it in. Good Luck!

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N.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Hi!! So I am going to tell you to first of all breath...you are probably not preggers. This sounds VERY much like the side-effects I had with the Mirena. Keep track of anything else that is not usual for you, because you could level out,or it could get worse. If it get worse PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE talk to your doctor and let him know what is going on. My doctor at the time didn't want to listen to me and just thought I was nuts.(Uh yeah i was nuts, the hormones that Mirena released was an overload for me) I was so crazy, I was out of control, I was wanting to leave my husband...And my own doctor wouldn't listen to me. I made an appointment with another doctor, explained everything and we took action. My Sisters have Mirena and LOVE it, I was just one of the few that had those side-effects. Watch yourself, and if it escalates go to your doctor.

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E.B.

answers from Provo on

So, I can't tell you what exactly is wrong with you, but I can tell you that I am one of the few people that had a problem with the mirena. My periods eventually went away all together, but that was the only good thing for me. I was very hormonal and just didn't act like myself. My libido was low to non existent and nothing we did brought it back. I cried a lot more. I don't remember any major discharge, but its been a few years so I could have had it. Now, I wouldn't rule out the pregnancy thing just yet. Having peace of mind is worth the money for a test. Pregnancy is uncommon for and IUD, but the most common among those is a tubal pregnancy which can cause all sorts of problems. If you take the test and your problems still persist, I would talk to you doc. Maybe you are like me and the mirena is just not suited for you. Best of luck!

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C.E.

answers from Provo on

i only know about one aspect of what you mentioned-- the fenugreek. several people told me that after taking fenugreek for a while i'd be able to go off of it because my milk supply would stay up. but it didn't and i found out that it was because my estrogen level is super low right now. estrogen affects milk production. so i just thought that it might be worth it to have your estrogen and progesterone levels tested. you could actually do that at the same time as having the hCG blood draw. i hope all turns out well!

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L.O.

answers from Denver on

My milk supply goes down after I ovulate and when I am beginning to start my period. I just make a huge nalgene bottle of mothers milk tea and put a few shots of "more milk plus" in with it and sip on it the rest of the day. Good uck with everything!

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H.F.

answers from Pocatello on

Take a test. They sell PG tests at dollar stores these days so you can buy a couple of them and test now then test agian in a week or two to see if anything has changed. If you are NOT preggers then please see you doctor and find out what is really worng, it could be anything from a hormonal imbalence to post partum depression. Get some help, you deserve it!

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S.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

If you're having milk supply issues and you're nursing on cue and avoiding artificial nipples, I'd almost certainly blame the estrogen componant of Mirena. It affects some women more than other, but combined with your other symptoms, I'd guess your body is working pretty hard to balance the healthy hormones of lactation with the hormones of your IUD.
Plain ol' condoms or a diaphragm are non-hormonal methods of contraception besides natural family planning.
Best wishes!

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M.W.

answers from Boise on

After you have a baby, your hormones can be out of whack for a year. Marci

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A.S.

answers from Denver on

I have the Mirena, and have had some of the same symptoms (lower milk supply, hormonal problems, no period). Weirdly, even though I don't have a physical period, I seem to have all the symptoms of PMS right around when my period would be (in fact, they seemed more intense than usual some months).
I did take a pregnancy test a couple of times, because of the symptoms, but they always came back negative. Because of the complications that could occur if you are pregnant with a Minera in, I think it's better to take a pregnancy test (better safe than sorry), but as you know, the odds that you are pregnant are very low.

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