Mirena Insertion Advice

Updated on May 17, 2010
H.N. asks from Wylie, TX
14 answers

I am looking for some advice concerning Mirena. I just had my second child 6 weeks ago and am thinking about Mirena.
Some questions for all the moms that have this would be great.
1. Did Mirena affect breatfeeding at all? With supply?
2. Has anyone has this Mirena inserted after they had their baby but before they ever got a period since breastfeeding?
3. Any side affects? Headaches? Acne? Weight Loss/Gain?
4. Any suggestions?
5. Is it painful to have inserted?
6. Does it affect sex at all?

I am debating on waiting till by daughter is 6-8 months old (October-December) just in case breast milk supply would be affected and now the cost has increased so I want to get it done this year while my deductible has been met.

Did anyone 's OB recommend they have it inserted while on their period??

Any other advice or suggestions, please fill free to comment.

Thanks again to all the moms out thei

Any

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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I just thought i would let you know that there can be problems with the mirena. I never stopped bleeding for 3 straight months, then it fell out. It wasn't a good experience for me.

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

H.,

Sorry but have to be quick and will only address what I have done. I got mine about a year and half ago so my daughter was about 5 1/2. I have not had my period once. I no longer have cramps, lightheadedness etc.

Acne has reduced, no weight gain etc.. There are no hormones. I LOVE IT. My dr recommends it. She has had it twice. Had it removed to have a baby etc..

It did hurt me a little to have it put in only because I have an arched uterus but after I never felt anything.

My insurance covered it all. So I didn't pay for the procedure and I havent had to buy 1 tampon or pad which means I have saved lots of $$$$

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had it put in 8 weeks after having a baby and I had not had a period yet. I breastfed until she was 2 so it didn't affect my milk at all, lol. I cramped and bled a little the first day. Take some motrin or something right before your appt. I was nervous the first day because I felt like if it felt like that I wouldn't be able to handle it, but after the first day I never felt it again. No weight gain, no acne, no headaches. I was scared to have sex at first but it's been great not having to worry about anything. It's alot easier to enjoy each other when you don't have to plan anything. I highly recommend it.

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M.P.

answers from Dallas on

I had the Mirena inserted after my second and I would never do it again. Now, I absolutely loved it for the year and a half that I had it, don't get me wrong! However, revelations after the fact really just put me off a ton.

1. Did Mirena affect breatfeeding at all? With supply?
No. Breastfeeding was awesome still. I nursed both of my girls until they were 15 months old and my supply was more than enough for each of them (one with mirena inserted and one without).

2. Has anyone has this Mirena inserted after they had their baby but before they ever got a period since breastfeeding?
Yes. I hadn't gotten my period yet and my OB inserted it...worked like a charm.

3. Any side affects? Headaches? Acne? Weight Loss/Gain?
TON of weight gain. I am absolutely positive that I gained A LOT of weight. After I had my first I lost 65lbs by the time she was 6mo. After my second, and having the mirena, I GAINED 15lbs by the time she was 6mo. She was a little piggy and I was producing enough milk to feed twins.

I never had headaches or acne with it, however.

4. Any suggestions?
I would suggest not to get it, actually, but you go with what you feel is best for you and your family:).

5. Is it painful to have inserted?
It was for me but not at all for a friend of mine. I had two c-sections and they need to dilate you to 2cm to insert the mirena. My OB used some electric shock thing to dilate me and it was really very painful. My friend who'd had three vaginal births, however, said she didn't feel a thing. They didn't have to dilate her since she was already naturally kind of dilated from having the kiddos through there.

6. Does it affect sex at all?
I don't think so. It was a bit uncomfortable at first, perhaps...but I never really felt it. My friend found hers very painful alot (the actual device, not sex). It really depends on the person, I guess.

I had the mirena in for a little over a year and a half and it took us another year and a half to get pregnant when we knew we wanted another one (turns out is was great timing, of course, but it was very depressing and frustrating waiting every month only to be disappointed). With the weight gain and lack of fertility after having it removed I certainly wouldn't recommend it. But honestly everyone is different and that doesn't mean you'd have the same experience I did.
One HUGE bonus was that I NEVER had a period while I had the IUD in. It was fantastic:).

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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

I love the mirena. I had mine inserted when my 2nd child
was 6weeks old and it did not affect my milk
supply at all... I breast fed him until he was 6months
old. My ob said I may not like the mirena at first
and I didn't the 1st few weeks i just new it was there and didn't like
feeling the "strings" but that passed quickly and now I think
it is the best thing i ever did. It stopped my periods and
my crazy moods that went with them!!!
I highly reccommend it.

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J.C.

answers from Casper on

I also had the Mirena inserted after having a child. It really didn't hurt anymore than an exam does. If you are really worried about the pain then take some tyelnol (or something similar) right before you go and you will be alright. I was nursing and it didn't affect my supply or ability to nurse at all. As a matter of fact my doc recommended it because it doesn't affect that at all. My story is not one of success with the Mirena and personally I wouldn't recommend anyone getting it, but that if your choice. If you want to message me I can share the rest of my experience with the Mirena I will. Just remember that not all the things that they claim it will do will happen and each women's body is different and reacts in a different way.
J.

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

I got one after baby # 1 and again a few weeks ago after baby #2.

1. I never noticed any difference in milk supply and I nursed #1 until she was two years old.

2. They asked when me last period was, but I told them sometime before I got pregnant since I'm nursing and that was it. No more questions.

3. I haven't noticed any side effects, but I don't think I really get them with most medicines. The first time I didn't have any bleeding after and very light if any periods. This time, I started bleeding (had a period?) within a week and it's lasted 2 weeks.

4. Nothing. Sorry.

5. The insertion was a little uncomfortable. They offered medicine (Midol ?)before I got it, but I didn't remember pain from the first time, so I declined. Later that day, I had some minor cramping and considered getting something, but I wasn't home and didn't want to buy pills for a one time use (I almost never take pain medicine.)

6. I hasn't effected sex for me. Once or twice my husband got poked by the "strings" last time, but that's all I can remember.

My OB's only recommendation was that I wait until after 8 weeks to have it inserted. She said they used to do 6 weeks, but had more cases of rejection (or something like that) because everything wasn't quite healed enough.

Good luck!

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

I can only speak to a few of your questions, but here goes.
1. can't say, we had to stop breastfeeding early on.
2. I think it was inserted before first period after the birth of my second child. it was inserted at the 6 week check up.
3. no side effects and I've been able to lose the baby weight fairly easily (once I actually committed to it!)
4. take otc pain meds before your appointment and as recommended by the manufacturer thereafter.
5. it was painful for me, but I did not go through natural childbirth for either of my children's births. the first was an emergency c-section and the second was a scheduled c-section.
6. it has not affected my sex life one bit except to make it much more spontaneous.

I would recommend it. However, there are risks as others have mentioned and these need to be weighed. I also have a friend who had it put in an about 4 months later it fell out, so if you decided to get it, make sure you check for the strings periodically as instructed.

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

I have had mine in since my son was born. I breastfed and had an abundance od milk. No other side effects. You really can't tell its there. It was a little uncomfortable when they put it in, but you've just given birth (c-section or natural) you have experienced worse pain. lol
Good Luck and Congrats. God Bless your family.

J.W.

answers from Seattle on

I have my 2nd mirena in right now. I LOVE it!!! To answer your questions:
#1) The hormones in it do not affect the hormone the produces milk, so no. Your milk will be fine. Mine was.
#2) I did not have a period before I got it put in this time, My husband and I did have sex, so I had to go to a blood pregnancy test. I started bleeding the day after it was put in.
#3) The only side affect I have ever had was some cramping for the first couple days during bleeding.
#4) Get it! It is amazing! Have some ibprofen on hand incase you do have cramps, they are not fun. You can have random bleeding for the first couple months, but after that your periods should be lighter and shorter. For me with my last mirena, my periods stopped all together. It was amazing lol. No period for about 2 years with no issues.
#5) Some women have cramping during the insertion, but I didn't. The worst part for me was them opening my up to put it in. Other than some cramps though, you will be fine.
#6) It does not affect your sex life or sex drive at all! My husband did whine a couple times about the wires poking him... but it was only a couple times and he survived. He hasn't felt them yet this time around.

My OBGYN did it at my 6 week postpartum check both times. For me it is ideal. I cannot remember to take a pill everyday, my husband hates condoms, Foam is a pain... This is no mess, no worries, you don't have to do anything! Your doc will advise you to check to make sure you can still feel the strings/wires once in awhile to make sure it is still in place.
There are risks involved. The IUD could embed itself into your uterine wall, it could completely penitrate through the uterus into the abdominal cavity (which would require surgery to remove), if you do get pregnant with it in, you will have to get it removed immediately... In which case, majority of the time that would result in miscarriage...
Although I love mine and have nothing but good things to say about it, you need to weigh the risks and benefits for yourself and decide what would be best for your lifestyle.
Hope this helps!

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T.P.

answers from Phoenix on

I had Mirena inserted around 6-8 weeks postpartum and it was the BEST thing I ever did. The doctor told me since my periods hadn't started, I would likely not get them and I didn't. I haven't had a period for 2.5 years (it's not dangerous, the lining just didn't build up after the baby so there's no lining to shed). I loved it! Such freedom. I just had it removed to TTC. But yeah, I loved it while it was in.

And, yeah, I don't remember much pain to speak of and it didn't affect my supply (baby exclusively breastfed until 1 year). I didn't connect any side effects to it, but I didn't really look for them either.

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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

i'm surprised to see all the positive replys about the Mirena.
I liked it at first because it stopped my periods
my husband could feel the strings and i definitely think it affected the sex.
i got it taken out after i had a couple back to back bacterial infections. the dr said it wasn't from the Mirena but it's a foreign object in my body so i felt the need to take it out!
after i got it taken out the sex was way better

C.M.

answers from Dallas on

H.,

I didnt have the Mirena inserted while breast feeding. I wasnt able to produce enough. My son ionly breast feed for a little over a month. He is my 2nd child.

I got mine inserted after I had gotten my 1st period. I went in on my last day of my period the only thing that was pain full is after you get the mirena you feel cramping.

I dont have any side effects. I have not gained weight, no acne, no head aches... I asked every mom on my block about what they use for birth control and they all recomemened this one. Mirena.

Its easy you dont have to remember to take a pill or worry if you forget. You dont have to use extra protection.
I have light spoting to no period at all. which i find great. I talked to my OB who suggested this one for me because i was completely honest with her. I have the 5 year plan.

When I got it inserted it was a little un comfortable feeling but nothing really painful i felt a pinch and a little pressure and that was it.

Now with sex. some times my husband feels it and some times he doesnt i guess it just depends on how your body is the day you have sex. Other then that it is great and I love it minus my husband feeling it during sex.

Good luck all the women I know who have it love it. Hope this helps.

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T.P.

answers from Dallas on

I loved having the Mirena and had it inserted after both my children were born (well, 6wks after they were born). Below are the answers as they applied to me:
1) I breastfed both my boys until they were 6mo old and never had any issues with supply. I quit of my own accord b/c it was too difficult to pump at work.
2) Both times I had my Mirena inserted while breastfeeding and before I had my first period after birth. The first time I had the insert, I never had another period, this time I spot for about 5-7 days then its over.
3) I did not have any side effects. I had no problems losing baby weight the first time, but the second time I am having a little more trouble. I am positive that has nothing to do with the insert and only to do with me being older, more tired and I had to have an emergency c-section the second time (as opposed to natural the fist time) and I feel like that has made it difficult for me to lose the weight. I did notice a little extra chin hair (one or two hairs, not a whole beard or anything).
4) It's wonderful - only one copay, nothing to remember to do on a daily basis and it lasts for 5 yrs (or 10 if you so choose)!
5) It doesn't hurt any worse than having a PAP smear. Very minor cramping an hour or two after insertion.
6) It should not affect sex at all, if your partner can feel anything then go back to the dr and have him/her tuck the strink a little further up. In fact, it actually helped me loosen up a bit about sex b/c I constantly forgot to take the pill and would have to turn my husband away (or make him wear protection - which they all hate) b/c I was afraid I'd get pregnant from skipping a pill. Now that I have nothing to worry about and I rarely have a period we don't have to plan for sex and can do it (no pun intended) whenever the mood strikes.
I say go for it now!

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