Mirena (hormonal IUD) - Page 2

maj0079 · 04-16-2008, 06:00 PM

I have Mirena and I love it. I've had it almost 6 months and the worst I've ahd is some acne when I first got it. I have been on BCP's for 8 yrs before and wanted to go hormone free. While it's not totally hormone free it is local. It's supposed to be ne ways. Not sure how accurate that is, but if it's not, they cant say it is.... cause then i'd sue them for millions of dollars.

But, i'm not a normal cyster either. I always had at least 10 AF's a year and they were ALWAYS heavy. So, my doc recommended the Mirena. One thing to remember is that each person is different and how your body reacts can be different from person to person. Just know all the possible side effects and see if it's something worth trying. Just remember ALL BCP's have side effects, it's just how your body reacts to them. I personally love mine. My periods are still regular though much lighter. Anyways, I just wanted to put my two cents in. Good luck with your choices!

maj0079 · 04-16-2008, 07:03 PM

Just wanted to say I was slightly wrong. Mirena is released locally. but a small amount does go into the blood stream, but so little it's not noticeable. Most BCP's if they use the progestin at minimum are 30 micrograms/day. but for most BCP's that use it the most common is about 100 micrograms/day combined with estrodial. Mirena initially releases 20 micrograms/day. which is not much. At all. I know someone mentioned it in connection with depo. It's not the same chemical, Depo had/has medroxyprogesterone acetate. and Mirena is levonorgestrel. The one used in Mirena is primarily used with an estrogen in: Alesse, Aviane, Enpresse, Lessina, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Lutera, Lybrel, Nordette, Portia, Sronyx, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora, Seasonique. It is also used in Plan B type pills. Also, it says that levonorgestrel can decrease SHBG. But, in such small amounts it shouldn't be significant.

Just wanted to give you some more info with it!

sjhons14 · 04-18-2008, 02:19 PM

MadMesa~ When I first started taking met I was told that I would see results in 3 months at 500 mg, unfortunately, it wasn't until I had it bumped to 2000mg/day that I noticed some weightloss. Also, I do not recommend taking the XR because it was not as effective.

EAst TX Angel~ when I had Mirena I did not get my period after the first 2 months.

ellen27 · 05-19-2008, 06:51 AM

I had the Mirena for about a year and a half. I got it after taking Vitex and getting my period and ovulated as a result(went in for a pap smear and they told me I was currently ovulating), and fearing pregnancy decided to get the copper IUD. Well that got expelled. I was tired of BCP and "the ring" and it's side effects of swelling and loss of appetite and nausea.
I want to remove my IUD because I believe it is contributing to my serious acne I never had before and to my swelling in my feet and legs. I tried to talk to the OB/GYN about it and they don't understand why I want it removed. I don't know what to do.

BJewels79 · 05-28-2008, 04:32 PM

Just thought I'd add my experience here since I am currently researching my BCP options....

I got my Mirena a little over a year ago, 8 wks after having my second son. At the time I was breastfeeding and as with my first son, I didn't expect to see AF at all during that year until my son weaned. My initial issues with the Mirena was the pain. I spotted for a good 3 months and had sharp pains that continued for about a month or so longer. Then it seemed to just stop bothering me. No AF, no cramps, etc. In March of this year (after BF for 13 months) I got pneumonia and my son weaned during that time. Within one week of him weaning I got AF. A very very heavy AF worse than my post partum bleeding had ever been. It lasted for almost 2 weeks, but I decided to wait it out and see if my body adjusted. It's now almost June and I have had heavy heavy AF every 2-3 wks since March. In the past month, I've also gotten horrible acne which I never had before. So I finally made the decision to have it removed (July 1st, I can't wait!). I'll try to remember to update if things get better after it's gone. I never had "regular" AF, but I did have one at least every 3 months, but come on, every 2-3 weeks is crazy and each time I was left extremely fatigued

I just hope to find a BCP that will work well for me.

cdncrazygirl · 06-13-2008, 10:51 PM

I just got the Mirena IUD out today I had it in for a year and a half. In the first month I got a huge cyst in my ovary, and had to be put on menopause. I got big huge cystic acne on cheeks and chin. My period would come and go on its own. Sometimes I wouldn't et it. Sometimes Id get it for 2 weeks. My hair growth on my chin and tummy also increased. I also found I couldn't lose weight even though I was going to the gym 5 times a week and had my stomach stapled. I was always tired, couldn't seem to sleep even when I wanted to.

BJewels79 · 06-14-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdncrazygirl

My hair growth on my chin and tummy also increased. I also found I couldn't lose weight ... I was always tired, couldn't seem to sleep even when I wanted to.

Wow, those things sound just like me also

I never tied those in with the Mirena, but have they gotten better since having it removed? I also believe I've had some bad cysts with it....at least I've had incredible pain in that area that my OB always told me were the cysts getting larger

cdncrazygirl · 06-15-2008, 04:45 AM

They measured one of the cysts cuz it hurt the most and it was 4x3x1.5 inches in my ovary hurt like hell but the rest were like pms came every month and smaller. Cant wait till the acne disappears lol. I had thought I had already gone through puberty but mirena seemed to bring it back.

Somewhat Damaged · 06-15-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellen27

I had the Mirena for about a year and a half. I got it after taking Vitex and getting my period and ovulated as a result(went in for a pap smear and they told me I was currently ovulating), and fearing pregnancy decided to get the copper IUD. Well that got expelled. I was tired of BCP and "the ring" and it's side effects of swelling and loss of appetite and nausea.
I want to remove my IUD because I believe it is contributing to my serious acne I never had before and to my swelling in my feet and legs. I tried to talk to the OB/GYN about it and they don't understand why I want it removed. I don't know what to do.

If you don't want it have it removed. You don't even have to give them a reason... just that you don't want it anymore.

laurelbrittney · 06-23-2008, 11:17 AM

I have had my mirena for about 9 months and I have the same symptoms that you have. Lots of acne, tons of weight gain, very oily skin and hair. I am also debating about getting it removed. Just wondering if you did or not.

Eva37 · 06-23-2008, 11:20 AM

laurel - welcome to sc

I had one mirena removed (it had run out). The removal was fine, not painful or anything.
eva

farmgrrl · 06-23-2008, 11:34 AM

Some people seem to have issues with the Mirena. Those issues could also be caused by the PCOS/IR. Mirena does not cause, and should not exacerbate, the symptoms. it is normal to have a very light AF, or no AF with Mirena, because it keeps your uterine lining very thin, and there is very little if anything to shed.

I had the Mirena for 8 months with no problem, after having the copper T for 4 years. I had to change because I stopped getting AF while the copper T was in, and got hyperplasia. If you have the copper T, you may need to take Provera to get AF regularly.

My only problem with the Mirena is that it can take several months after having it removed for the uterine lining to build up sufficiently to have AF. I have still not gotten AF (had it removed on March 17) but I'm currently on a medicated cycle to get my uterine lining built back up.

The Mirena is a great way to protect against the risks of hyperplasia in women who don't regulary get AF. If you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor and do additional research on your own. It's very difficult to separate normal PCOS side effects from Mirena side effects, and anecdotal evidence simply won't cut it.

BJewels79 · 06-23-2008, 11:40 AM

I seriously can not WAIT to have mine out next week! Once again I have a very heavy AF

It started again at the end of last week. This will make the 5th time since the beginning of April that I've had heavy bleeding. I won't even call it AF because that is just way too much for it to be that. And the shortest time it has lasted was 5 days (not counting spotting

), the longest was closer to 10 days! TMI, but it has gotten as bad as going through a pad in half an hour or so

So yeah, I absolutely can't wait! I plan to ask for Yasmin unless we decide to go ahead and be OTL for #3.

cdncrazygirl · 07-01-2008, 02:57 AM

Well ive now had mirena out for 17 days and it was a ***** to get out. Ive had my period for 15 days and counting. which since I had periods for 2 weeks on it im not to surprised my hair is better, face is clearing up and my weight is back to a yo yo which it hadn't done since i had that puppy in me.

melsreturn · 07-02-2008, 10:36 AM

I had Mirena put in two months ago. I was on the Ortho Evra patch which I liked (did not like the fact that sometimes it didn't stick good, and you could see it through my blouses so I was glad to get rid of it)... I liked it ok, I should rephrase that. Anyway, after about 9 mos to a year of it, I started having periods every 2 wks. The gyn suggested Mirena as I am also a gastric bypass patient.

He didn't want me to do Depo shots as they can cause hunger and weight gain (I've lost 135 lbs). He allowed me to do NuvaRing for a month while I got insurance approval for the Mirena... but that came out 2 days before I was supposed to take it out. I didn't put it in good enough I guess.

Anyway, I have not had children. The insertion was not that bad... a little uncomfortable. But the cramping I had later, wowsers! I almost passed out, but I have a very very VERY low tolerance to pain. Low pain threshold. I cramped off and on for several weeks. The first 2 days after insertion were the worst. My first period included depression, irritability, severe PMDD symptoms which I had not had in a few years. I also started getting hot flashes.

But this month I have a headache, and my legs have been very tired. I am doing well and have adjusted nicely. I can say that I am glad at this point that its over, and I do not have to fuss with pills or patches anymore.