Pregnancy and Mirena... - Stockton,CA

Omg, I have to say that I too have had the same experience while being on Mirena. Like you I love not worrying about having to take a pill and I like that I get very light periods but....the weight gain/loss issue is bothering me and I do feel bloating all the time that I feel my tummy makes me look pregnant. I have been on Mirena for 10 mos now and Im starting to realize that I cant loose any weight. I asked my ob of this awhile ago and she mentioned it was a low hormone so it shouldnt be a problem but Im starting to think that it really is and might need to reconsider this method. I hope you will share if you find any findings on this.

I recently answered another question about this- Yes, it can happen, but no, it's not all that common. I got pregnant on the Mirena after having it in for aobut 4 years. I really liked having no periods and no mood swings. It seemed more effective, since there was no "forgetting" to take a pill. After having it in for about 4 years, I got a period completely out of the blue. I thought it was odd, but didn't think too much about it until about 3 months later. At that time, I started to get some unusual symptoms.....bouts of nausea and a feeling of "let down" in the breasts, like when you are nursing. I thought that was really odd, so I took a test. It was positive. Once the doctor's office confirmed, with blood tests, it was determined that the Mirena was embedded in my uterine tissue - REALLY embedded. The pregnancy ended up not being viable and the Mirena was surgically removed. I then thought about the random period, and think it was probably a miscarriage. The Mirena had been ineffective for at least 3-4 months. While in the early stages after finding out about the pregnancy, I had to have blood tests to check my hcg levels. I went in to two different doctor's office locations and the nurses had been talking about me - all freaking out because half (or over half) of the staff had the Mirena! The doctors and nurses had not had anyone get pregnant with it and this is in a fairly large city, so I know it's not a common problem.

I didn't have any weight gain at all with it in - and if it weren't for the pregnancy, I would still have it. Since that pregnancy, my husband has had a vasectomy, so I no longer have to think about birth control. You can check the string, to see if it seems to still be in place. I didn't check, but since the Mirena wasn't expelled, I'm not sure if ithe string would have given any indication it wasn't exactly where it should have been. Maybe wait another week and take another test? Or, call your doctor to see if there's another option for birth control that would make you more comfortale.
Good luck!

My advice for you is if you are uncomfortable at all with something, then listen to your conscience and/or your body. I got the Mirena put in three months after my second daughter was born, and my body rejected it. In the short time it was in, I was always worried about whether or not it would be effective, I never felt comfortable with it, I was bleeding ALL the time. It just didn't work for me. I think if I could do it over, I would've never had it done in the first place. Before going in, I wasn't 100% about it, but I really wanted reliable birth control. My body cannot handle the single hormone BC pill for breastfeeding mothers. My hubby and I use condoms now, and I will go back on the regular pill once I'm done breastfeeding.

I did not have the same issues you are describing, simply because I didn't use it long enough. But I wanted to respond to let you know that each woman responds differently. It seems like you are unhappy with it, so maybe talking with your doctor would be the best thing. If the weight gain is caused by the Mirena, you have to decide if that is a side effect you can deal with. If not, have it removed. I wish you luck. :)

I'd go see my doctor, check the Mirena and verify no pregnancy. Very very very unlikely to become pregnant if your Mirena is placed correctly. It's the greatest birth control practice I know of. All the other symptoms are easily experienced if a person focuses on or feels anxiety about possible pregnancy. Especially as you've already been pregnant, your body knows what those physical triggers feel like, and can respond that way again, simulating a pregnancy falsely. Relax, take your mind off it all, enjoy the freedom, envision yourself now right now happily with the weight off and your body will start to meet your new self image, go for lots of brisk walks for fun, and always consider your doctor your partner to make informed choices. Hope this helps!

Interesting to read this as I also have a son turning one (tomorrow!), my second, and got the Mirena put in after he was born. I just got my first period last week and it was more crampy and painful than any period I have ever had! I also have not lost a pound since the baby came out and actually feel heavier now. The weight slipped off (except maybe 5 pounds) within 12-18 months of my first, without trying. I will admit I was a lot more active, walking and hiking with my baby, the first time. This time around I am tied to two kids' schedules (along with my own work schedule) and haven't found time to exercise or even walk like I used to. But still, I feel HUGE with these 15-20 pounds that I don't need and have no idea if it is due to Mirena or not. I've been generally pleased with it, but I am ready for the hubby to get snipped now....

My Co-worker just had, what she refers to, as her "Mirena baby." She was on Mirena for a little over a year, I believe, when she got pregnant. She thought she had the swine flu (we work in education), but lo and behold, she was pregnant. It does happen, but if you are not testing positive, you're probably not pregnant. But I would switch bc if you are not liking the side effects and feeling worried. It does happen and peace of mind is an important thing. Good luck!

Yep it probably is a result of the Mirena, and no, you probably are not pregnant! I could not lose any weight with Mirena and actually put quite a bit on. Because of the hormones it has in it, you will have pregnancy type symptoms (I cannot tell you how many times I thought I may be). If they begin to bother you more, have it removed. Things got much better for me after I did!

Hi there,

I just wanted to tell you I'm right there with you with frustration with weight loss after the second pregnancy. I was pre-preganancy weight 6 weeks after the birth of my 1st (son). After my 2nd (also son) I'm battling everyday to get down, and it's been almost 7 months. I can't believe I'm dieting while nursing!! I have been feeling pregnant the last few weeks too (bouts of nausea and quickening sensations), but EPT says no.

Anyway, I just wanted to support you in what we have in common- second pregnancy. I don't have Mirena, but am considering it!

Best regards!

I had the mirena placed almost 3 years ago...for the first year and a half, I had so much trouble with it. but my doctor put me on birth control pills due to finding that I have PCOS. At first, I wanted to have the mirena removed, but the doctor gave me other options as far as the birth control pills etc. Over all the side effects have minimized. If your pregnancy tests have come back negative, then you are not pregnant, if you take a test and it comes back positive, go to the doctor immediately. They will suggest an abortion only because there is known problems with pregnancies that occur while using mirena. I don't agree with the abortion but everyone has their own opinion.
The weight problem is known with mirena....I have had trouble losing weight myself but now that I am on birth control, it's coming off a little easier. I hope some of this helps.

I'm on my second consecutive mirena and have found that during the first year after insertion I have up to 3 periods, before which I feel bloaty, iratable, and start wondering and end up running to the store for a pregnancy test. Each time it's been negative though, and by the second year these kinds of symptoms stop... so for me it's worth it to have it and not have to worry about daily bc or even monthly visitors!!!! :-)

I've had the Mirena since a few months after my second was born, almost 2 years ago. In the first year postpartum, I was finding myself regaining the initial weight I'd lost, back to my pregnancy weight at her birth. Very frustrating. Even with exercise.

That said, I stopped nursing at about a year, kicked up my exercising efforts, and began learning how to diet (never had tried to really control what I was eating before). Now, at almost 2 years postpartum, I've lost 22 lbs, with another 15 to go.

So, it's possible to lose weight with Mirena. Not sure if it makes it harder or not.