Thoughs and Experiences with Mirena Birth Control

Hi C.
I have had the Mirena (the plastic one) for 6 months now. At first My periods were irregular and I could feel it ....eeew:) Once I got used to it it as great! I hardly have my period now and I dont really have any side effects! I really like it !
K.

no idea how it effects milk but I can tell you how it affected me.. One of the best things Ive ever done. No bleeding and after a few months no periods at all anymore. It was simple to have it inserted and then you dont have to worry after that. I am actually on my second one, had the 1st put in 5 years ago after baby and then had 2nd one put in just a month ago since you have to replace every 5 years. Cant say enough good things

I got mirena put in and it was uncomfortable at the ob's office but no issues since then and breastfed part-time til my son was 11.5 months old. I miss the "mood-stabilizing" of the pill but since I was breastfeeding it seemed to me Mirena was the best choice, my kid is now 14 months and not having to think about birth control is nice. Hope this helps, nat.

PS--only one period so far and it was not substantially different from by pre-baby ones.

I recently had a little girl in august of 08, and since i had to go back to work after 8 weeks i needed to go on some type of birth control. i too was also nursing my daughter, so my doc and i talked about the many types of b.c out there and what would and would not affect my milk supply. I went on the mirena after talking it over with my husband. i have not had any problems with it, since it has been about 3.5 months i have not even had a period. i did spot lightly for about 2-3 weeks afterwards but since then nothing. no cramping or mood swings and it definately did not affect my milk supply in the least which was a big worry for me. so i hope this advice helps, i for one am happy i made the decision to go with it.

Just to put my 2 cents in: I had Mirena put in at 12 weeks postpartum and it did feel a bit crampy at first, but that went away. It never affected my milk supply and I nursed until my daughter was a year. I do still have periods although - I'm jealous of you moms out there who don't have a period anymore! Although mine are very short (1-2 days) and very light, but also very unpredictable, could be 2 months apart, could be 3 weeks apart, but it's much easier to manage now. I love it and would highly recommend it.

I had Mirena inserted about 6 months after the birth of my son. i do not recall it affecting my milk supply and I was not affected at all by it. Other than a little cramping the day of insertion, it was very easy. I also, used to be on the pill previously because of heavy periods. I now, barely have a period at all. The only complaint I had about it....I had minor irregular spotting for up to about 5 months after the initial insertion. (I guess this is very common). It has been 2 years now and I am very satisfied. I only breast fed my son for a few months after insertion, hopefully someone else who may have breastfed longer can give you more advice.

I was really happy with the Mirena. The only downside was that I found insertion quite uncomfortable. But that only lasts five minutes and was well worth it. I breastfed my son exclusively for 17 months. I had a couple days of spotting the whole time but never any real periods. Now I've had it removed to try for another child, the removal was not painful at all and only took 30 seconds.

I think every mom on mamasource knows how i feel out Mirena...just look at my past posts and responses about it My IUD fell out after about 6 months, and i didn't know for weeks.. I felt for the strings one day, and they were gone. I got the earliest appt. (2 weeks later) and had 2 ultrasounds (internal and external) and was sent to the hospital for an x-ray after the obgyn couldn't find it. Come to find out it was GONE!!! It feel out god knows how long before that, but i never saw it. I some how didn't become pregnant. Be careful to always be checking for those strings if you do get it. I had a lot of random bleeding for the first 3 months, and things finally settled down.. but..yea, then it fell out... Insertion wasn't too bad. Pretty much like a contraction while they put it in and cramping for a few hours after that. Good luck, just know ALL the risks before you get it.

I breast fed for 2 years and let me tell you it was the best choice I made. I have had friends that had it but it did not work with their body. I aslo have friends that can not live without it.My periods are very light and short I used to be heavy and 7 days. I have had it for 3 years no side effects. It was the best choice as long as you have one partner you are all set.
Good Luck!

I have had only good experiences with Mirena. My son was older when I got it inserted so I can't speak to the breast-feeding aspect. In every other aspect it has been great: reduced PMS, reduced period itself, so much freedom and spontaneity when it comes to sex, and no aggravation of my migraines per se. I am also a migraine sufferer but haven't noticed any worsening of them as a result of having the IUD. I would definitely recommend it and don't know why more women don't get it.

I discussed it with my doctor and he said not to use it because I am prone to migraines. He said he has had to remove several for that reason.

Not sure if that is an issue for you, but that's all I know about it.

Good luck,
C.

I can't speak to the effect that Mirena has on breastfeeding because I bottle-fed my son - but I would think that if your doc recommends it, it is probably safe. Personally, I think that Mirena is great. You don't have to worry about it for five years! No worries about accidentally missing a pill or whatever. The only downside is that for the first two months after I had it put in I bled irregularly and had to wear pantiliners all the time. It seemed worth it, though.

I started mirena back in july of 2007 after I had my son. It is great! My periods are less crampy and not as heavy. The first month is a bit uncomfortable, but afterwards you don't even know it is there! I breastfed my baby for a few months after I had mirena put in, and it didnt limit me in any way, or my son.
I hope you give it a chance! It's the next best thing to getting your tubes tied.
Good Luck!!

I got a Mirena IUD after the birth of my third son and I love it! The insert did hurt (can't lie), but the pain was very short lived. I continued breastfeeding for the entire 12 months with no problems. I did not have any side effects...except that I haven't had a period in almost 18 months.

Good luck!

H. Z. (SAHM 5, 4 and 18 month old boys)