Mirena IUD

Meredith wrote asking for experiences with the Mirena IUD:

"I've been reading all the stuff the Mirena people put out about it, and I know the listed side effects, etc. I guess I'm just looking for experiences from women who have gotten one. Was it uncomfortable to have in all the time? Does it affect your periods? What about mood swings? And I think it's a dealbreaker for me if it lowers my sex drive or makes my skin worse."

So if you've had or have the Mirena IUD in, can you give your experience with all those aspects? Thanks.

Comments

[jgsearls]

I've had one in for almost 5 years. I don't notice it in at all. It's changed my periods for the better in that I never have them - some light spotting once a month - that's it. I can't say that I've noticed any change in mood - my mood seems to be much more affected by whether or not I exercise. I didn't notice any change in sex drive but my skin did get a bit worse - mostly on my back and chest. Nothing that was horrendous though - I notice it probably because I'm looking for it.

I think it's wonderful and exactly what I wanted. The pill was not enjoyable for me, hated diaphragms, condoms just seem crazy after being married 12 years and just as inconvenient as a diaphragm - honestly best birth control I've ever been on.

[Amy]

LOVE IT! I know everyone's experience is different, but this is mine. For about 3-6 months before I got it, I was having the worst periods of my life. They lasted 7 days and were so heavy that I would bleed through tampons and pads all the time, even if I changed them extremely frequently. It was awful. My doctor suggested the Mirena IUD to help control the bleeding and since I said I wasn't planning to get pregnant again. Getting it in was uncomfortable - pretty bad cramping that day - but since then, I don't even notice it. It has strings that hang down so it's easy for doctors to check it and eventually remove it, but I can't feel or reach my strings at all. My doctor cut them relatively short. My periods are almost non-existent. They last 2 days and are very, very light. I haven't noticed any hormonally-related side effects, and if anything, my sex drive is stronger than before. That could be b/c when my period was awful, I didn't feel like having anyone touch me.

So, I'm a big vote FOR the Mirena IUD, if you're looking for long-term birth control (lasts 5 years) and/or help with an out of control period.

[r+k+mama]

I got my fist Mirena IUD right after my daughter because I had terrible hyperemesis and we were of the mind that we didn't want to do THAT ever again. We weren't ready to make a permanent change but wanted something long term. Ha! Two months with my daughter and I wanted 10 more kids so I got it out less then a year later. Because I breast fed for much of that time, my body/hormones were all wonky anyway so I'm not sure how much the IUD affected things. I do know that I've never been able to take birth control pills because no matter how I tried to adjust the different hormone levels they would make me sick to my stomach and rageful. I didn't experience either symptom on my IUD.
After my son (again with the puking) who was also colicky we realize we probably want more kids but not for a long long time. The IUD (which I've had about a year) has been the best solution for us. It didn't hurt at all when inserted and I haven't felt it since. I still get my periods but it's mostly just one regular flow day followed by spotting on and off for about a week. My sex drive and skin have not been affected. It truly is brainless birth control. I don't even remember it's there and I NEVER get nervous about pregnancy as there is no room for error on my part.

[jbq+h]

I have a question too: Is it safe to breastfeed with the Mirena IUD?

Thanks!

[jbq+h]

Question asked and answered at the same time--thanks!

[Kate]

I have a Mirena--it's totally no think birth control. OK for nursing. No remembering anything ever!

Any issues with sex drive, mood swings, etc. would have to be colored by the fact that I haven't slept in YEARS. I don't think the IUD is a factor--but I tolerated regular birth control pills with no problem. (The hormones with the Mirena are very low-dose, from what I understand, because they are being delivered directly to the site.)

My periods are very light. It doesn't seem to interfere with ovulation, so any irregularity (and I have it!) is due to my body. It is normal for your cycle to sometimes be long on the IUD; I once had a 42 day one and my OB said it was totally ok. Now I seem to be on a spate of 24-25 days, which I have to imagine is also normal. But again, extremely light bleeding.

It gets 2 thumbs up from me.

[michaela]

Ditto, ditto, ditto. LOVE it. The insertion wasn't fun, but was a breeze compared to, say, pregnancy in general. And easily taken care of with a few Advil.

[ikate]

A friend of mine had the Mirena and refers to it as the monster - it made her nuts. She had pretty much every one of the side effects from bloating, to loss of sex drive to dizzy spells. Here is what she said about it:
"I really and honestly thought I was losing my mind. Not only was I forgetful, but I was not the same person. I flew off the handle over stupid crap, I felt depressed, I had no energy, I had no motivation, there were even times I thought my marriage was in trouble. It was crazy! I was crazy!"

She wrote a lot about it on her blog:
http://m2z2006.blogspot.com/2008/07/dear-mirena.html

[Amy]

I've had one for almost two years. YES, you can breastfeed. NO, you can't feel it all the time. At first I could feel the strings, but they "soften up" over time, and now I don't feel them. Same goes for my husband - he could feel the strings during sex for a month or two, but now he can't.

I've always gotten terrible acne and migraines with my PMS, but since I had the Mirena and was breastfeeding, I had NEITHER until I weaned my daughter. Now that she's weaned, I'm experiencing a breakout and frequent migraines, but she's only been weaned a month, and I'm hoping that once my hormones settle down, they'll stop again. I also don't get a real period - I get some spotting, or none at all, which is really, really nice.

Because I'm not getting a period, for the most part, I'm not getting mood swings, and I'm not getting acne. I have noticed less of a change in my sex drive than I had on the pill (orthotricyclen).

The insertion was NO BIG DEAL - I'd read online about women who thought it was worse than childbirth, so I was prepared for anything. When the doc was done I said, "That's it??" I spotted for a couple days. The only side effect I noticed was that I got really dizzy and woozy when I sat up after the procedure - I sat up too quickly. Apparently that's common, because the blood rushes to your cervix when you mess with it, so sit up slowly.

The Mirena is the best birth control I've ever used. I used to think my husband would get a vasectomy when we were done having kids, but I'm just going to keep getting new Mirenas every 5 years - that way I don't have to take care of him after the V!!! Hahhaa... And the Mirena is totally reversible, where the V isn't always... Great for people like me, who are prone to mind changing.

Amy

[KelliAmanda]

I got one to treat PCOS symptoms. Because I battle depression and couldn't take the pill (due to its effect on my mood), or progesterone pills, and I couldn't use progesterone cream (severe cramping), my doc recommended the Mirena. It hurt like hell going in, and it did take a while before I was able to forget about it, but I don't feel it now (have had it about 2 years), and I don't have a period anymore, and only occasional cramping. For my needs, it's been a good choice. Can't tell that it's affected my mood negatively (and, believe me, I would notice), nor has it negatively impacted my sex drive. Of course, I take antidepressants, so they have enough of an effect on my sex drive...

[Kate]

I just wanted to add that, of course, everyone's body will react differently to what is essentially a foreign body + low-dose hormone. YMMV.

I've seen other "polls" (as it were) about forms of post-partum birth control, and overall the Mirena gets good marks.

[kathleen]

I just got a Mirena in November. It was a huge pain to get it in. On the first try, my cervix wouldn't dilate enough to get the tube in. My doctor said this is very rare, and the attempt was pretty uncomfortable. She then prescribed cytotec (blech), and I used that before a second appointment, during which we achieved successful insertion! I would describe the experience as painful - about on par with 2 or 3 good labor contractions.

Since then, though, I have had no problems and am happy with my decision. If anything, my skin seems a bit more clear. I've had a little spotting, but that's likely to do with just getting Mirena - I don't think my cycles have returned, as I'm still nursing my 7 month-old around the clock.

I found the prospect of totally brainless, error-proof, and reversible birth control appealing.

[Elizabeth]

I had mine put in at 8w post-partum and kept it for a year. I was breastfeeding the whole time and between the two, never got a period. Insertion was no biggie, just mild discomfort, although I did spot for a couple weeks afterward.

I had it taken out for two reasons. One was b/c we knew we wanted another child and after infertility with #1, I wanted to start a bit earlier than planned. But it also killed my libido (which I also noticed on the Pill, so probably any hormonal BC will do that to me).

I loved not having to think about it at all, and would definitely reccomend it, but the libido issue might be too much for you.

[Melissa]

I got one at my 6-week postpartum. My daughter will be nine months in mid-January, so I've had it about 7 months.

Overall, I think it is good birth control. I breastfeed and never noticed any problems with supply.

The insertion was nothing. I had a moment of dizziness but it honestly barely registered as compared to labor. I had a couple of days of bleeding, fairly heavy bleeding then nothing for 5 months. Now I have some on and off spotting about 10 days per month, perhaps more, perhaps less. But nothing that would require a pad or tampon.

My sex drive is low-ish but has been since the pregnancy. A low sex drive can also be attributed to breastfeeding (I am still breastfeeding and pumping; will continue pumping until she is a year).

I noticed my skin was more oily in the beginning but it seems to have evened out. Nothing that some pore-refining cleanser couldn't handle.

One thing: Make sure your ob or midwife or NP does insertions regularly. My practice (University of Maryland Midwives) does a couple of day and so are very facile with the process. If you have a provider who does a one a month, you want to ask if there is someone else in the practice who does insertions regularly.

Also, if the hormones are unappealing, there is always the Paraguard to consider.

[Andrea]

I've had two Mirenas. When I got my first one, I had about six weeks of spotting -- some of it pretty heavy -- but after that I didn't have a period again until I had it removed because I wanted another baby. However, I had to have it out by hysteroscopy because the strings had withdrawn into my body... oops.

I had a second one placed after the baby was born, but due to a really unfortunate and exceedingly rare series of events which included a car accident and an unusually soft postpartum/lactating uterus... the thing perforated and I had to have laparoscopy to retrieve it from a spot just below my ribcage. (Everyone else in the car, including the newborn, was totally fine.)

Still, I loved the Mirena to little pieces, and I'd get one in a second if my doctor and I hadn't come to the conclusion that they are not right for my body. My bad experiences are *extremely unusual.* :)

[doublejen]

I had the Paraguard, not the Mirena, but loved it. My periods were long and heavy, but not really much longer and heavier than when I was not on any hormonal BC, and only a couple of days longer than when I was on the pill. I didn't feel it going in or coming out, and if I hadn't regularly checked the strings, wouldn't have even known it was there. (Aside from possibly feeling the strings, you *shouldn't* feel the IUD itself, if it is properly inserted.)

It's a great method.

[Erin S]

I love it. I had a lot of bleeding in the beginning - a period that lasted for about 7 weeks. But from then on, no problems at all. It's been, by far, the best birth control method I've ever used. I've had no skin problems or mood swings at all.

[JeCaThRe]

I had mine put in at 7 weeks postpartum. It wasn't the best feeling going in, but I don't think it was that much more uncomfortable than a pap smear. I used it for 20 mos, including 13 mos. of breastfeeding, and I loved it. Other than some cramping and spotting at the beginning I had no side effects.

I had it taken out this past July and got pregnant (planned) in August, so I had the immediate return to fertility they promised.

I loved my Mirena, and it is the BC I will use after this baby is born. As another data point, I have a friend who can't use the pill because it gives her migraines, and she LOVES her Mirena, too.

[Kelly]

I hate my Mirena and can't wait to have it removed (we're keeping it because we're still undecided on a prospective #3). When it was inserted it hurt like a bastard (should have taken some ibuprophen beforehand) but that passed fairly quickly. I bled, heavily, for 4m straight. That then transitioned to spotting for another 6m. My "period" would happen every 4-6wks and would be 1-2wks of spotting on-a-day, off-a-day. Now, at 15m post-insertion, I spot on my "period" for 3-4 days. I've had cramps, but they're usually short and manageable (though some, near the beginning, made me think I'd been stabbed and was dying).

For me, the worst part has been the "officially unreported" side-effects. Weight gain (20lbs), mood-swings, loss of sex drive (a huge thing, for me), brain fog, aches and pains, facial hair. I want it out so badly but for right now it has to stay put.

I've been on various other hormonal birth controls (pill and mini-pill) and never had problems like this.

I wish more information was around about the "off" side-effects. I've gone to message boards but often they seem like hysterical women feeding their own fears and rallying to riot.

I'm really glad it's worked so well for so many other women, but please know that it's not perfect. One thing I will say is leave the strings long! My dr said that normally they're cut but she likes to leave them long and thank goodness she did because hubby can't even feel them though they're easy to find for me. My dr's strings, she said, were always "poking" her husband.

[eta]

I know a number of women with the Mirena--no problems, they love it. I had mine taken out after 3 or 4 months, as my body cramped and bled more days than not with it in. I don't know if that's because I'm super-sensitive and was a bit worried about it to begin with (I didn't make up the blood, though), or if my body just didn't like the foreign body-ness. If it helps to factor in the data points that may or may not relate, the progesterone-only pill (the mini-pill) made me crazy, and my mom had a similarly bad experience with an old-school, 1970's, IUD. Maybe it's our genes, maybe I'm too progesterone-sensitive, or maybe my mind jinxed my body. In any case, I am the ONLY person I know who Mirena didn't work for. (Thanks, ikate, for the post about someone else who didn't have a good time with it, too. I feel a little less crazy today.)

[scf]

I just had my Mirena taken out after having it for a little more than a year because we will be trying for another child in the next six months. Love, love, loved, it. I had it put in during my 6-week postpartum visit and didn't find the insertion all that painful, just uncomfortable. Bled for six weeks after insertion but after that never got my period (big plus for me, at least).

It killed my libido though. Since I was totally sleep deprived and exhausted, I didn't attribute my low sex drive to the IUD. My low libido continued after I started to get some sleep and, now that I have it out and it has gone into overdrive, I feel confident that the IUD was the cause.

I'm not sure if I will get one after our next (and probably final) child. I really loved many aspects of it (no periods, not having to ever think about) but I've yet to determine if those outweigh the only drawback (low libido).

[Diane]

Am I the only one (irrationally, to some extent, I'll admit) terrified of hormonal BC? I get such awful anxiety-ridden PMS that I don't think I would fare well. My one stint with BC was the patch when I first got married. I hated it so much, I stopped after 3-4 months. I was extremely paranoid, bloated all the time, etc. I'm convinced long term use would throw me into a terrible depression. (Especially since I feel like I'm teetering on the edge of that every month.)

Of course, this was more relevant to last week's discussion, but this brings up another whole side to that for me. Thanks for the venting room, as always.

[Katherine]

I've had one for several months. I had it inserted 8 weeks postpartum. I like it very much. I can't even feel that it's there. I've had some spotting but no real periods. I don't believe it's had any effect on my moods. I can't comment on sex drive b/c mine is low due to postpartum hormones and lack of sleep. I don't believe Mirena has made that worse. The only minor problem is that I think it made my postpartum hair loss worse. I lost WAY more hair than I did after my first baby but the hair loss is finally stopping (phew!). All in all I'm very happy with it.

[lmh]

I had Mirena put in after the birth of my second child. I remember the insertion being extremely uncomfortable and feeling poorly for the rest of the day. I started spotting soon after and seem to be bleeding slightly on most days (though usually so slightly that it doesn't even spot). I have been coping with more acne on my forehead, but didn't know until reading this thread that it could be related to the Mirena. Overall, I'm happy that I have it. No chance of forgetting to take a pill, and for me, no cramping or mood swings. I am still breastfeeding, and so I'm curious to see what happens with the bleeding after I stop. Something to consider: I invested in reusable menstrual pads because buying disposable liners to use every day for a tiny amount of spotting seemed expensive and bad for the environment. Now, after using the reusable ones, I'll never go back to disposable. Washable cotton is much more comfortable!

[lynn]

I got one 6 months after d#2 was born, and that was 3 years ago. It's been great. No side effects that I can tell, and no periods. Libido seems fine - my libido seems most affected by whether I've been getting enough sleep (same for my moods, energy, forgetfulness, etc.). My skin is fine.

[The Accidental Hausfrau]

I'm going on two years with my Mirena and it works amazing for me. I didn't have much a period to begin with on a tri-phasil pill and now, I haven't had a period in more than a year. I haven't noticed any sex drive issues but part of that I have to chalk up to having a child who goes to bed at 7:30pm and then we don't see/hear her until the next morning. One thing is that recently, my face has started breaking out a bit (which is odd since I was never one for acne) and I wonder if it's related to the hormones. No biggie though, I'm a huge fan. Oh, and I haven't gained strange amoungs of weight (which was the one "side effect" that worried me when I read testimonies on the interweb).

[Christi]

I liked my Mirena a lot and am considering getting it again, but after four years it partially expelled and got stuck in my cervix. Apparently my cervix was cramping around it, and I knew that something didn't seem *right* down there, but since I couldn't feel it (it wasn't protruding out of my cervix and into the vagina at all, just stuck on the uterine side) I didn't really know what was happening until my doctor saw it and pulled it out.

I don't think that's common, but it gives me pause in terms of getting another one.

Also, I never found the strings. I think my doc left them long and they kind of curled up and around my cervix...but I couldn't feel them and my husband couldn't either. In a way, that's a good thing, but not for the easily paranoid (me) when combined with light-to-no periods and a strong desire not to be pregnant.

[Jen]

I had mine for a few months. I had an odd side effect - it made me really itchy. I had spotting for about 3 months, but that went away about the time I had it removed. Also, I was breastfeeding, so I never had my period. If it hadn't been for the itching, I would have kept it in.

[z]

I am looking at the mirena too since we want some kind of BC that is to borrow a phrase "set it and forget it". We got pregnant with our first while on BC and the 2nd one was a surprise too so my husband is pretty stressed out about the whole sitch. I am most worried about the side-effects that Kelly has mentioned- weight gain, facial hair etc.. I ma superficial. When I was on BC i held onto an extra 10pounds consistently and had some skin pigmentation issues (after a few years).

My question to Mirena users who have been previous BC users. Are the side-effects of Mirena similar to, less than, or more than the same for you when you were on BC?

[Sarah]

I want to weigh in for IUD (yay!) even without hormones. I had a Paraguard T for four years before we decided to get pregnant and then I had one put back in at my 6w post-partum check up (post-Cesarean) and have had that in for just under two years. I love the fact that it is SO reliable and non-hormonal.

If you have a medical issue for which the hormones would be helpful, then I think the Mirena is great. If not, then for me, the option to have something non-hormonal is excellent. Though my periods are often accompanied by painful cramps, that has been true since adolescence. I've always had issues with heavy flow so I wasn't perturbed with that as a possible side effect, but I can't say as I have ever really noticed a difference.

As for insertion, it was easier the second time around, I assume because it was post-pregnancy. But as painful as the first time as, it was still TOTALLY worth it. Not only for the reliability, but also not having to think about bc every day or every time we had sex or both.

I can't recommend the use of IUDs for women with whom their medical history is compatible enough. We have come a long way from the bad old days of the PID-triggering Dalcon shield. I wish more people knew how much work has gone into making them so, so, so much safer and better.

[EM]

This isn't the question that was asked, but I have a non-hormonal IUD...what used to be referred to as the copper T I believe...and I wanted to put in a plug for it, especially if you are at all worried about possible hormonal side effects. My experience has been wonderful. Insertion was mildly uncomfortable. I rated it a 1 or a 2 on a 1-10 pain scale. I had it done three months after childbirth. My period came back a few months later, and I had and continue to have absolutely no pain with my periods at all. I suppose that is more likely an effect of childbirth than the IUD, but whatever it is, it is striking, and almost a problem, as I don't even have the mild crampiness that before would warn me that I should wear a tampon that day. My periods are the same heaviness they always were (i.e., not very heavy). I have experienced no side effects whatsoever, no discomfort after the the five minute insertion, and it's mistake-proof. The whole experience has made me sort of upset that IUDs are used so comparatively rarely in this country, as it is such a more desirable means of birth control than anything I have tried before (a few different pills, the diaphragm, condoms)....

[Em]

The Paraguard is the brand name of this IUD, btw.

[birdie]

Echoing other posters in saying that the Mirena has totally worked for me. I got it inserted at 7w post partum- it was a little uncomfortable but nothing too bad. Had a little spotting that day and nothing else until now (kiddo is now nearly 16 months old). We are still nursing but we're down to 2-3 times a day.

Haven't noticed anything re: mood swings, libido, etc. that can't be attributed to new motherhood and lack of sleep!

[ada]

I got my Mirena 8w postpartum. It didn't hurt at all going in - but then I was still recoving from the birth of my son.

I breastfed with it, no problems. I didn't notice any difference in my sex dive. My periods were very light, minimal cramping.

One side effect I did have was *A LOT* of vaginal discharge. I ended up wearing a pantyliner everyday the year I had the Mirena in.

I got it out in early September. I waited through a cycle then we started trying to have another baby. We got pregnant the first month we started trying!

I think I'll try the copper IUD next time, just to avoid the vaginal discharge problem. It was almost too much to handle. Ugh

[Tootsie]

I have it and LOVE IT. I got pregnant with baby 2 when baby 1 was nine months. I started talking to my ob about birth control options before I gave birth. I was terrified about having another one so close together. I'm not terribly good at remembering to take the pill or other means (hello baby 2). The insertion was pretty uncomfortable, but I also had a valium 'cause I am a huge wuss. I've still not gotten a period, but have had some light spotting. Hubby and are both pleased and don't think we'll have to go to the big V if we decide we're truly done.

[r+k+mama]

I would like to add that the insertion does depend on the doctor's experience. I got both around 8 weeks pp. My first doc actually used a numbing agent but the insertion was still uncomfortable- like a pap. My second doc had the magic touch- I had no idea he had even started and it was in(without using a numbing agent.) He also does yearly checks to make sure nothing has migrated elsewhere in my body.

[Charisse]

Like doublejen, Sarah, and EM, I have a non-hormonal IUD (Paraguard) that was inserted 10 weeks postpartum and I love it. When I was considering my options, Mirena was strongly pushed to me--it's very heavily marketed--but I'm happy I made the choice I did. Basically I was more comfortable with the potential side effects of the copper T (cramping, heavy periods) than of the Mirena (breakthrough bleeding, bloating, mood swings). YMMV, but as someone who had very heavy periods and bad cramps from menarche until I went on the pill, things now are no where near the level they were in my teens--my period last 4-5 days, 2 of them are heavy-ish (but a Super tampon takes care of it, don't need a super plus) and those two nights I usually take a couple advil at bedtime. For completely no-fuss, out of sight out of mind BC, I'll take it.

Oh, and I also liked that the Copper T is slightly cheaper and good for 10 years rather than 5 for the Mirena (which is a consideration if you're done having kids but not if you're inbetween).

[Erica]

I got an IUD 8 weeks after the birth of #2.

Insertion was uncomfortable, but not exactly painful. I breastfed for 15 months with no problems whatsoever. I haven't gotten pregnant, so I guess it's worked.

Now for the downside.

I've gained 35 lbs, have had skin problems that didn't exist before, and worst of all, ended up on antidepressants for a year of the time since I had it put it. Also, bleeeding was very heavy for me about 2 months after insertion - heavier than one of my typical periods, then a constant light flow for another 4 months. I experienced spotting quite frequently for a year after I had it put it.

I don't know if the first set of symptoms I mentioned are 100% caused by the Mirena, but it sure seems to make sense since they say that 5-10% of women experience those symptoms.

I just had mine taken out because we're trying for #3, and and quite relieved. I'm interested in seeing if these symptoms clear up now that it's out.

[Jojo]

I love my Mirena. It's been such a wonderful surprise for me. The birth control aspect is awesome, and well worth the money. 5 years with no worries. Love it. But, what it has done to my period has been even better, if that's possible. I used to spend 5 days every 24 days (yes, that means only 19 days without my period)with both pads and tampons hoping I could make it through a day without embarrassing stains on my pants. I would wear black everyday, just in case. Then, I got the Mirena. I spotted lightly for the first 5-6 months. It was everyday, but still better than what I had been dealing with. Then, poof, it stopped. Now, I spot lightly a few says a month, and haven't needed anything more than a liner in over two years. And no cramping either. It's really changed the quality of my life.

[anom]

I loved, loved, loved my mirena. For various reasons, I have been on every method of birth control out there: (Pills, patch, depo (EVIL!), condoms). It was BY FAR the best one. I felt completely secure that it was working, unlike other methods. I had some very minor spotting the first month and after that I didn't get a period until it was removed. After it was removed, my periods went back to normal. Neither my husband or I ever felt it (except when I would check my strings once a month like they recommend). My zits and sex drive were like normal.

[Yolanda]

I had a horrible response to birth control pills (mood swings, weight gain, etc.) which led me to steer clear of hormones in general. However the Mirena was absolutely wonderful and I removed it last year to TTC and was pregnant within 2 months with no issues.

I second the making sure your doctor regularly does Mirenas - the first doctor I went to left me in awful pain and was unsuccessful in getting it inserted (which resulted in me leaving IUD free and getting pregnant within 2 weeks). My second Mirena was by my wonderful OB at my 6 week postpartum visit, I sat on the table waiting for her to be done when she'd already inserted it (100% pain/cramp free). It lightened my periods considerably (and seemed to eliminate the PMS bloating I've always experience) and had no impact on sex drive. I highly recommend the IUD and will be returning to Mirena after I have this baby.

[anom]

I forgot to say in my previous comment. I have not had kids, so it hurt a lot to get inserted. However, my best friend had hers inserted 6 weeks post-partum and she hardly felt it.

I did gain some weight while on it, but I realized looking back, I couldn't blame it on the Mirena, I had other stuff going on in my life and wasn't watching what I ate as carefully as normal.

[NannyLady]

Hey, I'll chime in on the Mirena lovefest! I'm on my second one; I actually got my first Mirena before it was FDA-approved (I ordered it from Canada and brought it to my GYN). I had such a horrible experience with BCP that I went into full research overdrive to find "the perfect birth control" for me. At the time, I had a devil of a time even finding a dr. that would insert an IUD in me because I hadn't had kids - pretty much I had to find a gynecologist under 30.

Anyways, I'm now on year 8 with a Mirena, and I love it. I haven't had a period at all in...7 years? I will occasionally get PMS symptoms, which is confusing because I never get a period (I had always had extremely irregular periods and rare PMS, but now there's no "a ha!" moment after a day or two of inexplicable mood swings).

I couldn't really speak to the low libido, bloating and bad skin side effects, as I've always struggled with those - I would definitely say they haven't gotten worse, and may have gotten better. It's hard to average over the course of 8 years what changes are the IUD and what are normal personal changes.

One side effect I've noticed is that after sex, I will often have light spotting the next day - my doc says that over time, the uterine line gets a bit thinner and anything "vigorous" happening will lead to a little shedding.

The insertion is a bitch, though, and probably worse for those who haven't given birth. My first go, it almost didn't make it in. My second, I learned that I really needed to have taken the afternoon off (easier, but still felt very sorry for myself afterward).

[Ashley]

I had Mirena inserted eight weeks postpartum and had it removed about eight months postpartum. I hated it. The insertion didn't hurt too badly considering my cervix was still pretty pliable from L&D. I bled and had cramps almost everyday from insertion to removal though. I've met lots of women who loved it (and you have lots of examples above) but it was not for me. For me, it wound up being more of a pain in the butt than taking bc pills everyday. I never knew if I was having a period because I was bleeding all the time. My ob/gyn said that everyday bleeding was considered normal for the first four months after insertion, but when it never stopped and the cramping got worse, I decided it just wasn't worth it. Good luck in your decision!

[MrsHaley]

I've had my Mirena for 3 weeks and am very very happy with it so far. Insertion was a total BREEZE -- I didn't feel a thing except the speculum! I started bleeding a week ago but it is beginning to lighten. I'm EBF-ing and have seen zero effect on supply (DS is 14 weeks). Postpartum weight loss has continued at a normal rate. I'm experiencing what I would call normal, but erratic, postpartum moods & emotions. My libido is normal for just having 2 under 2 but I overcome it by sheer force of will. I can live with that even if it is the Mirena's fault, but I doubt that it is.

I had to take antidepressants with the pill (related? probably.) and triptans + ergots for migraines. None of those symptoms with Mirena so far. This experience is FAR superior to the pill.

Highly recommended!!

[hush]

My understanding is that IUD's are medically indicated only for women who are finished having children. IUDs increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), as bacteria can migrate up the string and into the uterus, which can lead to infertility, along with some very serious health complications.

Thankfully, DH plans to get a vasectomy when we're done having kids. But if we ever get divorced, I'd definitely consider a non-hormonal IUD, though I'd always be on the lookout for any signs of PID.

@Diane - you're not the only one who is afraid of hormonal BC. Me, too! FWIW, I'm the only woman I know in my 30s who has never been on the pill. I'm currently a diaphragm + spermicide & rhythm method user. I always added condoms to that mix before I became monogamous with DH.

[rudyinparis]

I have the Paraguard and love it for many of the reasons discussed... I skimmed the comments and didn't notice one thing (maybe missed it) that I should mention is that I've struggled with yeast infections while having it--I've pretty much had a yeast infection the whole time and it took a TON of digging for me to find info that linked it to the IUD. It can be a cause. Not always, but sometimes, and I think I'm one of those cases. Also, I have very heavy periods with it, but possibly I would anyway--I was on the pill for years and years and then the pregnancies... so who knows? I found the insertion and removal (I had it removed, obviously to get pregant with Younger and then had another put in at the 6 week postpartum appointment) to be unpleasant--some cramping, and the thought of the process was unpleasant for me, but it wasn't painful, per se.

I particularly recommend the Paraguard b/c of the hormone-free aspect, which was what sold me on it.

[Lee]

Have it. Love it. Breastfed with it.

Don't have periods with it!

I used it between kids and it took me three months to get knocked up again.

[Summer]

I chose to have the Mirena inserted after needing a birth control option that wasn't daily, and had no/little hormones (they make me crazy and I hate messing with my body that way), and was assured by my ob/gyn that Mirena fit the bill. I have since found out that the level of progestin in Mirena is twice the levels one would get taking the mini-pill daily.

I just had my Mirena removed after 9 months and switched to the copper Paraguard. It is like someone pushed the "go" button on my libido and it's lovely.

I've done a lot of research on the Mirena in the past few months after my hair just kept falling out, and I kept being anxious and moody, and I kept having unexplained back pains, and I kept having zero. fucking. sex drive. It's amazing what I found after a couple of differently worded google searches (as opposed to just typing in "Mirena"). Soooo many women reporting the same side effects as me. It's been nice to not feel like a total nut job.

I also read somewhere that the reported side effects are listed differently in Canada than they are here in the U.S., and they include more of what I was experiencing. I haven't confirmed this, but found it interesting.

I know a lot of women that love the Mirena, I just was not one of them. So far the Paraguard is awesome. Mirena made me bleed almost every day, and two days after I had it removed it was like someone turned the fountain off finally. Woot!

There's a similar thread with a lot of great comments on urbanmamas.com, by the way. It was one of the first that I found when I started researching what I thought could be side effects and it had a lot of great pros and cons info.

[Maria]

I'm wondering the same thing. I'm hesitant to put something in my vagina that I might not like. (It seems like a good caution to live by in general.)