Hi mommas-
I'm hoping someone out there may have made the switch and can share. Here's the scoop: I had a mirena placed at my 6 week visit after having my 2nd son. I loved it at first. However, over the past 3.5 years, I'm always fatigued (even though my kids both finally sleep through the night), feel foggy, unmotivated, and very emotional. I've found it hard to lose weight, even when training for a half-marathon. My skin has gradually been getting worse. And a complete lack of libido, which is creating a little tension in my house...I am not attributing any of these factors to the mirena, although I'm not ruling it out, either. I've done tons of reading and people either love it or hate it, but these 'side effects' seem to be pretty common. I'm definitely getting it taken out, and letting my body's hormones get back to normal for the first time in 6 yrs. I'm not totally ready to close up shop and get sterilized, so a temporary option is what I need, and I can't take estrogen based HBC.
So, have any of you out there made the switch? Thanks for the suggestions, and I've had my thyroid checked already...
Can't give you help with the copper one, but I can tell you that that is exactly what I experienced for two years when my Mirena was in. The doctor told me there was "no way" the Mirena did it, but more and more moms and singing the same song and dance! Congrats on getting it out...I felt better literally a week after it was gone!
I took it out and am finished with all hormonal birth control! I went with natural family planning and the rythm method! We get pregnant on birth control any way so .... I hated it only had it in a few months. Never tried the copper had a friend who did said it was really strange and she didn't like it! I hope it works for you good luck =D
Before you switch have you ruled out other things? I would ask to get a complete hormone/ blood level check done as well as checking your thyroid. Fatigue and low libido can be attributes to hormonal and/or thyroid imbalance. I orignally had the copper and hated it because I did have very very heavy bleeding so I swithed to mirena. I had chosen the copper because I did not want any hormonal BC but o couldn't deal with the extreme bleeding. The mirena works well and since the hormonal impact is localized to the uterus im not very concerned with having alot f the hormone get into My bloodstream. I too always felt fatigues and had no desire for sex. But i made some lifestyle changes (eating better, exercising and getting more sleep) and i've seen a big change in all the things you mention. I know it's hard(I have 3 boys ages 5,4 & 2) and taking care of myself is the last thing on my list. But give t a try, even if you do switch to a copper iud. Good luck !
no switch. i was copper and loved it! hbc made me crazy, sick all the time or put me into early perimenopause. Paraguard was a god send. no problems got it out feb 2008 and had a healthy baby in july 09
I haven't switched but you might have to wait for the 5 yr mark to get the new one inserted because insurance might not pay for it.
I haven't "switched" but I have a copper IUD and love it. No side effects (not even particularly heavy periods, which some women do have). I say go for it!
I've had a copper, non-hormonal IUD for about 6 years and have never had any really bad side effects from it at all. I do have more back pain and a slightly heavier period, but nothing terrible. My period still comes like clockwork on the third Thursday of the month and always lasts a total of about 5 days from the very start to the last day where I just wear a light pantyliner. I specifically did not want added hormones, which is why I chose that option. So it's only my personal experience, but it has been entirely positive- I'd say give it a try!
You should get your thyroid checked ASAP, your symptoms are very similar to that of hypothyroidism.
I made the switch from Mirena to Paragard last May after the Mirena kept my uterine lining TOO thin, therefore leading to near daily spotting (I had the Mirena for about 10 months). I wish I could tell you that I love the Paragard, but I don't. The switch did immediately stop the spotting problems, but I now have inconsistent, very heavy periods. Probably TMI, but heavy in the sense that I sometimes can go through an overnight pad in 1-2 hours. Also, my periods now range anywhere from 7-13 days. And since I've had this for 10 months now, it seems like this is where my cycle has "settled" and I'm not happy with it. I'm going to have it removed soon - my husband recently had a vasectomy, but I probably would have had it removed anyway. I know a lot of people who have had positive experiences with both IUDs, so my experience is probably not the norm. Just wanted to share it with you though since I've had both. Best of luck to you!
Hello N.,
There is a nice consumer site where users discuss their own experience with Mirena. You can see that site at this link:
http://www.medications.com/se/mirena
Please know that your experience is one that you should discuss with a doctor. As part of the Silver Cross Center for Women's Health, I highly recommend setting an appointment with one of their specialists to learn more about your various options. The Silver Cross Center for Women's Health is a new spa-like facility in New Lenox at Rt. 6/SW Highway and I-355 that caters to the unique medical needs of women. You can visit their site at this link: http://bit.ly/Mamapedia
I hope that helps. Good luck.
