Mirena Birth Control??!?! Need Advice

Updated on April 23, 2008
S.B. asks from Newburgh, IN
25 answers

Right now I am on the birth control patch and I am thinking on going on the Mirena for a better protection. I am a bit overweight so I don't think that the patch working like it is supposed to and I need to change birth control. I really don't want to take pills so I thought that the mirena would be the next best choice (my insurance covers it also) Does anybody have any advice for me? Thanks!!

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K.C.

answers from Mansfield on

I have used the NuvaRing for a couple of years now and love it. You insert it and leave it in for three weeks. My periods are very light (some people don't have one at all), which is wonderful. Hope this helps.

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M.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

S., I had one for 5 years and I LOVED it! There was a bit of a quick pinch when they inserted it but I didn't even feel it when they removed it. Also, I had very small, sometimes non-existent periods and NO WEIGHT GAIN. I would highly recommend it.

- M.

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K.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I had the copper IUD - I put it in in October of 2007. A couple of weeks ago I took a pregnancy test bc of some symptoms and I am pregnant - 11weeks now -

I hear it is very effective for some people but it wasn't for me.
I read so much on IUD's I chose the copper one cos you leave it in longer and it doesn't have hormones - I don't do well with any type of hormones (pill etc) so.... with that being said, here I sit very very pregnant ;)

The only thing I can tell you is that if sex starts to hurt, go to the Dr for it means it may have slipped out of place a bit - I think this is how we got pregnant - it got moved a little cos sex had started to be quite unpleasant and my hubby said he could feel it during certain positions

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K.M.

answers from Terre Haute on

HEy, I was on mirena iud for about 8 months. At first I loved it and after like 6 months it started to hurt. I had it removed and got the new arm implant. Its called implanon. I love it so far. Its been like 4 months and no problems so far. I am too over weight and It works fine for me....hope this helps and good luck

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A.F.

answers from Cleveland on

I have Mirena and it's wonderful! Although I no longer need birth control, I plan to get it again when the time comes because it has helped significantly with periods. They are much lighter and shorter. It only takes a minute to get it in and it can be taken out quickly as well if you decide you don't want it anymore. The only down side is the light bleeding after you get it in. You can have breakthrough bleeding for up to 6 months. Luckily for me it didn't last anywhere near that long.

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A.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have a friend who uses the Mirena IUD. She likes it a lot. I thought about it and that would be the one I'd use if I went on birth control. I chose not to though, but that was because of other reasons.

My friend said that she had cramps the day and day after it was inserted. She had to rest in bed most of that time because the cramps were pretty bad. But, after that, she said that it has been nice having periods that last only one day. She gets cramps or a headache for one day also, but that's it. I don't think she has had any trouble with weight gain while using it either. That was the big thing with me when I was making my decision. I was on the shot for a very short time (only one dose) and had a constant period for 6 months and gained a LOT of weight.

Good luck in your endeavor to choose the right method for you and your family.

God bless,
A.

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S.S.

answers from Cleveland on

S. - I don't use Mirena, but I do use Implanon, which is about the size of a matchstick and is inserted into the bicep. It lasts up to 3 years.... the only problem is very abnormal periods (and it seemed like my hunger increased right after the insertion). I have two two year olds... and the thought of being surprised with one (or two) more, was frightening... so I'm happy with the Implanon. The website is implanon.com.

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K.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

I received the Mirena a year ago a love it. I barely have any periods and don't worry about being pregnant at all. The only side effect I get is a little bit of cramping at the usual time of the month. I had really bad periods before, so I think that is why I still have that. The drs. office really makes sure that they check it to secure its placement, etc. so nothing to worry about. My insurance didn't cover it and I still did it. We just wanted to make sure there weren't any accidents and still debating on if we are done or not!
I didn't gain any weight either!
Good luck!

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J.T.

answers from Cleveland on

A coworker of mine has has one for about a year and loves it. She cannot take/use other birthcontrols because they give her major mood swings, make her gain weight ect. but she has had no problems at all with mirena. I believe she also had some bad cramping when it was first put in... but any kind of procedure in that area I would imagine would do the same. She has not complained of bad cramping since they first put it in.

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C.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

S.,

I have the Mirena and it seems to be working wonderfully. I got it in January. I will warn you though, you will cramp quite a bit when they put it in. I also had cramps at least 3 or 4 times a week until recently. Not constant cramps but enough! I guess it is worth the cramping when it is covered by insurance (mine was also), especially when it does not last. I know a couple of other people on it and they love it! They have had theirs in much longer than I have. The one friend said her cramping stopped after about 3 months also. Definitely worth it if you dont mind some cramps for a little while

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J.B.

answers from Evansville on

I have had the Mirena iud for almost 2 years now--I love it! I can be a little forgetful when it comes to taking the pill so this was the way to go for me. Besides not having to remember to take a pill, I also haven't had an actual period since it has been placed! The placement was not bad- a little painful, mostly uncomfortable, but only during the placement. After it was in it was just like having cramps for a few hours. I hope this helps you!
J.

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C.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I have had the Mirena for about 4 months now. You cramp while they insert it and the day of and maybe the day after, but it was not terrible. I took some Advil and it eased it quite a bit. You do have random bleeding and cramping for the first few months, but it's not heavy at all and definitely not like a full period. I was nursing at the time that I had it put in so I can't say that it would be the same for others since I still had not had a full period from before I had gotten pregnant. So far I still have not had a period that I would call "normal." They've been very light and only a day or two with mild cramping. I have been on many different pills, the ring, and so far this is my favorite. The booklet they give you talks about how this symptoms happen at first and then they go away after time as your body adjusts so hopefully someday I'll have NO cramping or bleeding at all. Talk to your doctor about it and ask for the info booklet. It's very informative. Anyway, I like it! Good luck!

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K.T.

answers from Toledo on

Have you ever looked into natural family planning? It is NOT the old rhythm method. I went off birth control and my husband and I were able to postpone a pregnancy for 4 1/2 years on this method. We especially love it because it is easy to do and also infused self-control into our marriage. It has been one of the greatest blessings in our marriage because of how it has helped us look at each other. The best part..it's free and has no ill-effects on your body. And, it trains you how to read your body signs so once you want to become pregnant, even that becomes easier. I recommend going to www.ccli.org for more information. God bless!

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K.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I have the Mirena, and I LOVE it! I got it in Oct. after our 2nd child was born in Aug. We want more children but not for a little while. We have a 2 year old and a 8 month old! I had C sections and the mirena was no problem. It really didn't hurt, it was pretty much like a pap smear. I haven't had a period, just an occasional spotting. I love it!!
Hope it helps!

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K.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi S.:
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!! Need I say more:) I had it for 4 years and wanted it back after my daughter was born, but unfortunately my insurance would not pay for it and it was going to be like $700 or something ridiculous. It was a little painful, similar to very, very severe cramps....but it only lasted for a few minutes. The insert was very quick, and I never had trouble with it after that. I was a little dizzy for the rest of that night, but after that, smooth sailing. My periods got extremely light and only lasted 3-4 days. It was great! The best part is that you never have to worry about pills, or getting shots, or inserting new rings(my current method). The only thing I did was check the string occasionally to make sure I could feel it. Good luck, and Mirena gets my vote!!!

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C.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Just to let you know. My sister in law became pregnate on the patch so please advise. I use Mirena and love it. It is very easy to have done. When they put it in there is a bit of a pinch. It bothered me for about a week, but not to bad. It felt like cramps before you start your cycle. I have been on it for over a year now and would never go back to any different type of birth control. Hope this helps.
C.

Mom of a beautiful 15 month old

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M.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Have you ever considered something natural? A great resource is www.ccli.org...no pills, no chemicals, and effective, too.
God Bless, M.

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A.W.

answers from Columbus on

I had the Merina placed last June and I love it. I had very mild cramping the day I had it placed and I don't remember anything major the next day!!!! I have not had a period but I was nursing my daughter when it was placed and have just recently quit nursing her.

I love it and I would reccomend it to anyone!!!

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V.Z.

answers from Indianapolis on

My OB (a very good friend of mine) suggested the Mirena as the medical statistics seemed amazing...cycle time cut way down - if any, convenience of permanent birth control without any surgery, easy to insert, etc.

I was sold!!!!! The insertion was a piece of cake, cramping for about a day. Unfortunately, I experienced bleeding worse than my normal period had ever been for over 5 months (continuous bleeding - not monthly). For my birthday, I had it removed.

I know that what happened in my case goes against most of the statisics, but as elated I was to have this as an option, I could not take my doctor's (friend's) advice in giving it just one more month.

If you decide to try it, I pray it works for you as it was so simple and relatively painless! I love my doctor for suggesting it, too bad it didn't work for me. Also, FYI - she had never had any patients with the same results as mine from it before.

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M.S.

answers from Cleveland on

I just had it inserted tuesday and so far theres just mild cramping the day of and some bleeding. Its good for 5 yrs and Im also breastfeeding and its safe for that. IM also overwieght. 5ft10 and im 200 lbs. Doc said that once its been in there a month its 99.9 % effective. same as if your tubes were tied.

~M.

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A.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

I just wanted to give yyou the flipside opinion. I cannot take bc pills because of the hormones so I am sure this had to do with that fact but, I had an absolutely horrible experience with mirena. Horrible mood swings and very bad cramping. After looking around on the web to make sure I wasn't crazy, it seems like those people with unbearable cramping seemed to be the ones with other problems such as mood swings and anxiety. I would opt for the copper non-hormone approach. That is actually what I wanted but my doctor talked me into the mirena.
Just my 2 cents. :O)
A.

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G.H.

answers from Columbus on

I got the Mirena IUD a few months ago and I love it. I had so many issues with pills and patches so after a lot of research I figured this was the best option. I highly recommend it! The proceedure is a little uncomfortable - like bad menstrual cramps but that only lasts for a minute or two. That day you'll have cramping but Tylenol helps a ton. Eventually you won't have periods at all or they will be a lot lighter. Good luck with your decision!

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S.L.

answers from Cincinnati on

I used the patch and stopped b/c of all the hype about stroke. It's efficacy drops if you weigh over 180 lbs. I switched to the Nuva Ring and love it- worry about it 1x per month and still have control to decide when to try for baby #3.

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S.T.

answers from Youngstown on

hey S.

I think if you covered you should get it, I have it it one quick vist some sec and your done i had a lil bet of cramping toke a pill for that next thing i forgot i even had it. i had a small 2 day light pd for to months and i dont have none at all you can get it remove when ever you wont but its good up to five yrs and its easy to start try to have a baby again then the other BC's in August it would be a year since i got it and there is nothing i can say that i dont like bout. i hope that help good luck and god bless!

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I don't have Mirena but I did opt for the non-hormonal version the Copper T (don't like the idea of all those hormones in me when they aren't supposed to be). I've had it for over 4 years now and the only difference I have been able to notice is cramping with my periods (I never cramped before). Hubby and I have been married for 3 1/2 years and no babies yet :-)

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