Well - THAT I was not expecting. Off on my holiday - sun, sand and fun and WAMO.
Silly me, I had the Mirena IUD removed a couple of weeks prior to leaving for our vacation. I have had a rough ride with Mirena from the get go and was nothing but thrilled to move on from my 5 year old friend, Mirena. (Yes, I kept it for the entire 5 years.)
It came out of nowhere. I went to bed feeling relaxed and happy to be on holidays, woke up with a crushing, heavy, almost suffocating feeling of blah. Not just any blah, but I need to go home now because I cannot stand this feeling anymore blah.
That was day one.
After a 12 hour journey home, I hid from pretty much everything for 4 days. I had no idea where this anxiety, this weight, this hell was coming from. Then it hit me.
Mirena, you got me.
Sure enough, I searched her out on Google and it happens. They even have a name for it: The Mirena Crash.
Apparently, after having the Mirena IUD removed, some women experience “The Mirena Crash”. Some women. This woman.
I won’t lie. It sucked. But 4 days later, back to normal. Thank you very much.
Would love to hear from you if you experienced “The Mirean Crash”. How long did it last, what helped? For me, just letting it be, giving myself some space and waiting it out was what I needed.
Photo Credit: GrootAttie
Tags: mirena, mirena crash, mirena IUD, mirena side effects
I started reading about getting my mirena removed. I have had it in Since Nov of 04…so I am a bit late getting it taken out. Our health ins sucks and they won’t pay for even the most basic things like gyn visits. So Nov 2004 to July 2010…6 years. After reading this forum it really explains a lot. I haven’t had a period for about 5 years but in the past few months I have had what appears to be colostrum out of my breasts if I express them. I have also gained weight so much so that I have been having feet problems. I guess it is my fault for not reasearching it and having it out sooner. bleh.
I had the mirena put in a year and a half ago and have had nothing but trouble from the start! First I could feel it, then my husband could and it hurt both of us every time we tried to have sex. Then my doctor, in dis belief cut the strings shorter and ouch! It made things worse. I still had heavy periods twice a month, terrible cramps and psychotic pms episodes where I hated my husband, life etc. It made my libido go bye-bye, I gained weight, and generally felt spacy forgetting important names, dates etc, all things that are not characteristic for me. I finally decided to have this thing removed and now I am crashing. Lethargy, insomnia, and depression are my symptoms, I really hope this doesn’t last long.. It has nearly ended my marriage, and caused me to doubt my own well being… There should be a class action lawsuit against this awful awful contraceptive! Having a second baby is far less worse than going thru all of this crap!
I have had the Mirena for over a year now and am just now realizing why I gained 30 pounds and why I am having trouble losing the weight regardless of what I do. I originally got this inserted because I was having heavy cycles and moods swings the dr. called pmdd. I will say that although my mood swings aren’t as bad anymore and my periods are lighter, I have had no libido, terrible embarring achne for someone in their mid 30’s and have gained all of this weight.I have also had some weird spotting between periods which means I am constantly wearing a liner. I have also experienced forgetfulness and constant off again on again spotting I am definitely having this thing removed this month. I do not recommend this to anyone, however a friend of mine is very happy with hers. To each his own!
Hello, How long did it take you to lose the weight? I am going to have it removed this Saturday…I am just sick of looking this way. I have NEVER had to diet EVER. I feel like I have tried everything!!! The gym has been my home for the last 6 months and NOTHING…I still gained weight. My doctor makes it sound as though she has a vested interest in me keeping it…I don’t get it. I am going to a clinic to have it removed. Sorry about the venting here is the question…have you lost the weight you gained while you were on the Merina? If so how long and how hard did you work to get it off.
Why do the drs act like that!??.?? I had to fight about removing mine with my gyno. I’m so pissed. Only had it for a month and turned into a psycho lunatic with huge boobs! The day I got it in I swear I felt pregnant. Craving salty snacks and eating all my kids Halloween candy. Which typically I don’t do. My face had horrible acne and I wanted to kill my husband! I’m post removal 3 days and the bleeding is like a heavy period. Hope it end soon, I am a stay at home mom with 3 kids under 5. I hope my mood returns to normal too. I’ll keep you updated.
It’s so sad to see how something that was supposed to be helping us turned out to hurt us so deeply. I only had the mirena for 4 months and just had it taken out a little over a week ago. I noticed so much hair falling out and I thought I was losing my mind until I started reading similar stories online. It’s funny how the doctors will deny that the mirena is the cause for so many symptoms but so many women are having the same problems. My frustration is that I don’t see enough comments from women AFTER removal. I don’t know how long the disgusting hormones will be in my body, if my hair will grow back and if it’ll even stop falling out. I have noticed it shedding a little less but all I want is to go back to normal. I also have had aches in my shoulder since having it removed. I am so upset with myself on choosing the mirena.
Hi my name is soli and I had the mirena a lil over three years and I just got my mirena remove three month ago since I had it out I lost five pounds. I gain twenty five pounds on it and I felt horrible I felt bloated faced swelling feet swelling mood swing hot flashes,well IM CURRANTLY NOT ON ANY BIRTH CONTROLL at the moment cause I want to try to get get my body back to normal again and lose my weight off that I gain IM LOSEING IT SLOW BUT TO ALL THE WOMAN THAT JUST GOT THERE MIRENA REMOVE IF YOUR TRYING TO GET YOUR BODY BACK TO NORMAL i SURGEST YOU NOT TO GET ON ANY BIRTH CONTROLL FOR A WHILE UNTIL YOUR BODY GET BACK TO NORMal again AT LEAST A YEAR BRFORE YOU DO GET ON BIRTH CONTROLL.
Wow… i have experienced every nagative side effect as well almost had mirena in for a year got it sep.09 have an appt next Wed to remove M. iud just wondering if anyone that got it removed has gone back to their regular weight please someone reply soon:)
“both my boys was born on the pill” [sic]
yyyyeah.. let me guess, you’re one of these women who takes the pill erratically, sometimes not at all on given days? def.
my wife got mirena a couple months ago and it has been hell. the first unpleasant experience was when we had sex the first time after it was put in. ouch! the end of my penis hit something that felt like a collection of needles.
my wife went back to her (useless) doctor for a 1-month follow-up. that was fun. the doctor couldn’t find the strings and made us scared as hell that she could be in physical danger, could have an ectopic pregnancy… you name it. we had to have an ultrasound that cost well over $900 just to verify that damned thing was still in place (it was).
then she went to an OB for further advice. that was a waste of time.
now my wife’s menstrual cycle is off. she “missed” her usual period week and started bleeding several days later… and she’s still bleeding after a week. and her mood has been awful. usually she’s an uber-bitch two weeks prior to her period, but now she’s been that way for most of the past three weeks, and i’m coming close to killing her because she’s verbally abusing our child.
mirena is SHIT!
i had a very similar experience with the dreaded mirena. i had it in for almost 2 years. my doctor recommended the mirena initially because i didn’t want to deal with hormones. she said it was so mild and that it would directly effect the uterus and not the whole body. so i thought it was perfect. my first side effects were just the cramping and i had a very strange severe pain that started from my lower abdomen that would shoot down my upper thigh. i still don’t know what that was, but it started almost immediately after the IUD, and i never had that before. well everything else was fine, it wasn’t until the last 5 months that i started to feel different. i started having acne, which i haven’t had in years. i was on Accutane 7 years before and haven’t had acne since. now my acne was so bad and uncontrollable, i’m seeing a dermatologist and on acne medicine again. i remember talking to a friend who is a dermatologist and she mentioned it could be the mirena, that she had a lot of patients that had acne while being on mirena. i thought that was so strange, because i thought mirena didn’t have any side effects…or so i thought! i had weight gain, although i was working out 3-5 times a week and ate healthy. even if i did lose a couple of pounds by killing myself, they would just come back if i had a big meal. my moods were out of control, very angry, impatient, depressed, anxious. i started seeing a counselor, it didn’t help much. then i just felt such fatigue and my body ached all the time. so i started accupuncture for the first time, didn’t help. then i had nausea, vomiting, i looked like i was 5 months pregnant.. my daughter keeps asking me if i’m having a baby. i was actually starting to think i’m pregnant, especially since i had my period through out the entire time being on the IUD, except it stopped for the last 3 months. so i had 2 pregnancy tests in the last 3 months, both negative..thankfully. but i knew something is wrong.. it wasn’t until i started looking online and saw all these websites with women complaining of the same symptoms due to the Mirena. i couldn’t believe it. it took this long for me to figure it out. so i finally had it removed 4 days ago. of course my doctor said it probably wasn’t the mirena, and that all these women are probably just undergoing hormone changes and blaming it on the IUD.. can you say DENIAL!! well it’s out now. i already feel better, my cravings are under control, and i don’t feel so bloated. my acne is already a little better. now i’m just waiting for this CRASH. i haven’t bled yet, so still waiting for my body to get back to normal, and i’m really hoping these pounds come off too!! i just feel so bad for all the women who have been misled to think mirena is fine and has no side effects. i think it’s horrible and i would never recommend it to anyone. good luck ladies!!
it’s been 11 days since removal. i feel extreme fatigue, slightly moody, not nearly as much as i thought i would be. my acne is clearing up, but the bloating is out of control, and i’ve gained 1 pound each day since last week. i’m up 6 pounds!!! i have no idea what’s going on with my body. i haven’t changed anything to gain 6 pounds. i feel miserable. my only hope is this is water weight. has anyone had any experience like this??? i felt great the first week after removal, but now i must be going through the crash. i feel slightly depressed and down, don’t know if it’s due to the scale or not. but i did gain 5 pounds the week before removing mirena, so i don’t know if something hormonal is going on with me. my doctor did tell me however that the mirena may have caused me to be insulin resistant. i need to go in for bloodwork soon. please let me know if anyone has experienced anything like this PLEASE!!
it has been 12 days since i had my mirena removed. it had been in since december 08. i didn’t have very many problems when the mirena was in, but as soon as it was removed, look out! i was (and still am) super moody, emotional, bloated, irritated, you name it, i had it. Besides the moodiness, the biggest problem is gaining 5 pounds since it has been out! i exercise 4-5 days a week and watch what i eat, so gaining weight for “no reason” is hard to handle. i hope that by being extra careful with what i eat and drinking tons of water that those lbs will go. has anyone else experienced the weight gain AFTER mirena was removed? and if so, please say it was temporary.
Hi…I had the Mirena IUD inserted 8 weeks post my first baby. Insertion was a little painful, with cramps and light spotting, but it only lasted a few hours. And the doctor gave me a pill pre insertion to slightly open my cervix so it wouldn’t hurt as much. The first month I had it in, I had a light period and then the 10 months following no period. I didn’t gain any weight or have any complaints while having it in. I actually loved it. I just had it removed 2 1/2 weeks ago. I started bleeding 2 days post removal and have been bleeding off and on since then. I don’t believe this is a period, just my uterus cleaning itself out post hormones. I would expect I will bleed off and on until my body “resets” itself. I’m hoping to get pregnant within 3 months. I think everyone is different. Every person will respond to different treatments differently. I was on birth control for 7 years before I got pregnant with my daughter and coming off it I got very sick…headaches, dizzyness, nausea. Hence why I tried the IUD. Good luck everyone!
Hi, all! Wanted to share some GOOD news- after reading up a bit on what others have experienced, I decided, after 4 years of Mirena, enough was enough. I’d experienced most of the others’ symptoms- abnormal hair growth, swollen and painful breasts, constant breast seepage, horrid mood swings, cystic acne- I won’t go into what-all I went through, but needless to say, it was unpleasant. So. Despite my fear of the Mirena Crash, I went and had it removed, 2 weeks ago, and am delighted to report that almost ALL of my symptoms are gone, up to and including the bad temper! There has been no crash, just the benefits of regaining a healthy balance of hormones- and I hadn’t realized it, until 3 days after it was removed, but I’d been in pain and cramping the whole time. At one week, I lost 10 lbs., and more than 2 inches around my waist- now, at 2 weeks, I’m down 8 more- a whopping 18 lbs in 2 weeks! My husband is delighted- he says he’s getting back the gal he had before our second baby- and I feel like I have ME back. So, if you’re having problems with it, and unexplainable health problems, get the darned thing OUT- not everybody gets the crash thing, but you stand a good chance of getting your life back! Good luck. :o)
Wow! Glad to hear this. I thought maybe I was crazy. After my first pregnancy I had an IUD with no problems at all. This Mirena though made me an emotional wreck for five years. Didn’t realize it was the IUD. Constant pressure in pelvic region. I just had it removed on Thursday after needing and ultra sound to ensure that it was there. Severe cramping and diarehha since then as well. Side effect from it were that I was unable to loose any weight since it was inserted. Another side effect, losing 5 lbs in 3 days.
Feeling very anemic and weak. Not sure what to do at this time and plan on calling the doctor. Not sure that I would recommend staying on it for this long or even using this particular IUD.
Thanks for starting this blog and letting others know that there are side effects from the removal. It feels as though my body is trying to purge 5 yrs of hormones in 7 days.
thanks heather for answering my question this wednesday will be a week since i got it removed although i have cramping and still a bit of an attitude i feel alot more like myself I’m working on my weight i have 50 pounds to lose but I’am very determined your story has motivated me to realy try wish me luck:o)
It’s so sad that the Mirena doesn’t work for everybody as well as it did for me. I didn’t gain weight or have bad mood swings… in fact, I’m bipolar and it seemed to really help with that - I didn’t have to be on any meds for the bipolar! got the iud out today - hopefully I’ll escape the crash.
Now if only I can avoid having 8-month nausea during pregnancy… now THAT would be a dream!
I have had the MIRENA IUD for almost 5 yrs…I’m super scared to have it removed…although i cant wait to be me again…For almost 5 yrs. i have been miserable…nauseated…migraines…mood swings…some weight gain…no period from the day it was inserted…cramps…back pain…i mean i could go on and on…still not too sure exactly what is “THE CRASH”???…My removal date is approaching soon…SHOULD I BE SCARED???…ughhh…
I had the Mirena for almost a year. The insertion was HELL. After 4 children, it hurt soo bad. I swore that this was the only time I’d get it done, never again. In the beginning, the random bleeding was beyond inconvenient! I think I bled more in the first 3 months than I would have had it been just a period. After the 3rd month, it was much better. Random spotting but certainly manageable. No mood swings, no increase in acne, hairloss - definetly!, if anything, an increase in sex drive. So, had the Mirena taken out yesterday, time to try for 1 last baby. It was not even kinda painful. A pinch would hurt more! I was so relieved. I was stressing it HUGE. Anyways, just feeling kinda blah, nothing that can’t be handled. Minor spotting yesterday for an hour, nothing today. I wouldn’t have it put back in again, only because it hurt so damn much, but not every birth control is for everyone either! I only used the Mirena to take the periods away, with having no fallopian tubes at all anymore, I can’t get pregnant without IVF. Ever went to a Fertility Clinic saying you’d like to get pregnant with an IUD in? hahaha!! They were great and just laughed
I had Mirena put in July,09 and have had it just over a year. I gained about 10 lbs. and have sever painful acne almost immediatly after I put it in. I used to get acne in moderation on my back, now I have it all over my face, my torso, my arms, back and chest. How sexy is that. As far as the wieght gain ~ I restrict my calories to 1500 a day and run/spin/bootcamp and weight train 5 days a week and have not lost a pound. I went to my FP Dr. he prescribed me adderall for ADHD - probably don’t have it but thought I was having concentration problems (thanks Mirena) and a side effect of adderall is loosing weight. I can not loose even 1lb. In fact I gained 4 while doing bootcamp, restricting calories and running while taking a stimulant. The only variable in the equation to keeping the weight and not making any progress is the device.
I never researched it prior to insertion because I love my OB Dr. and really trust his opinion. I wish I would have because I would not have spent the ridiculous amount of money having it put in. I bleed for three months and have had regular periods until recently I quit having them all together but the acne and sleepiness have gotten worse. I also have memory problems and mood swings, no sexual desire at all. I have been on all kinds of medication trying to releive the issues this has cause because my OB told me there were no side effects and I did no research so I believed him. I have been on anti depressants, stimulants, various vitamins and wholistic “cures” changed my diet, taken naps you name it and none of it has helped. I recently decided to search Mirena side effects and that is when I realized that all of this is too much of a coincidence and am having it removed tomorrow. I am going on vacation in a week but I don’t care. I will just take my chances. I warned my husband about the hormone withdrawl so I will try and remember to post my after effects. I am looking forward to not having cystic acne on my face and feeling like a fat pig even thought I bust my ass to not be. I am also looking forward to not being depressed and having a feeling of inferiority because I can not accomplish something as simple as loosing 10lbs. despite doing everything known to man to do so. DO NOT PUT MIRENA IN! If you have any issues with acne or any issues with hormones do not put this device in.
I am 31 and have had Mirena for almost 2 years. From the moment it was inserted, although it was the worst pain I have ever experienced, I have not had a single period or even spotting! It has been great, for the most part. I am considering having it removed, however, because I have gained a considerable amount of weight, even though I am an active person and eat a healthy diet. I have also have been experiencing odor problems, which are birth control in itself, seeing as how I don’t even want to get intimate with anyone!! After reading everyone’s comments, I’m terrified to have it removed. Not only because of all the bleeding that everyone mentioned, but because I’m horrified at how much pain I’m anticipating for the actual removal. Can anyone tell my (HONESTLY) if it’s an awful experience?
I had my Mirena for 2 years and 4 months. I had all the side effects - moodiness, depression,the worst acne I ever had, zero libido and I smelt truly disgusting down there though my doctor found no infection.
I slowly realised that Mirena could be responsible for some of these and when I googled the side effects and found so many other women suffering the same I was stunned and angry.
I had it removed 6 days ago. The doctor said it could explain some of the things I described. The removal was very quick and almost painless - it was much nicer than the insertion and after she examined me she asked me to count to three and that was it - a small pain a bit like a needle prick that lasted a second. I was pleasantly surprised.
I had some spotting and very minor pain like period pain on day one. I felt elated that it was out. I used pain killers on day one and two but have not needed any since. There is some very minor period type pain but not so much that I need painkillers. The bleeding is just like my old periods.
I have also lost 2-3lbs so far. I was a bit tired and lethargic day two, three, four and five - but I must say less moody than I have been for months - I have been so down for so long with no good reason. Today however I have loads of energy and I have even started to clean up my house and help my kids with their homework - happily like in the good old days pre Mirena!
I would say if you are worried take some painkillers an hour before removal. Let the doctor know your concerns. I know everyone is different but I can honestly say that getting it removed has been positive for me.
I have read some threads where doctors have not been happy to remove the Mirena. My advice is:
1 - don’t go in first off saying Mirena is doing this, that and the other az this seems to annoy some of them, but say you have concerns about some symptoms and you want to try something else as this is niggling you and you need to know it is not something else (I thought I was menopausal!)
2 - say you have discussed it with your partner and you are both happy to use cap / condoms / rhythm etc
3 - if you are childbearing age tell them you want a baby! Surely no doc can refuse to remove it then?
4 - if all else fails show your hormones and scream!
Good luck
I had my IUD removed today. It was not painful but a little uncomfortable (nothing like the pain from when it was inserted!). 2 hours after removal I have started to bleed with small blood clots (much like after giving birth). I gained 15 pounds on the IUD, very impatient, cloudy thought processes, could not lose weight (I run 2 miles a day), and felt emotionally numb, occasional dizziness and anxiety. I had it for 1 year 9 months. Most of my fat was belly fat that looked really lumpy and uneven. I will post later to describe what I experience in the next week.
ugh. Update from post on August 12. Didn’t escape the crash - I’m on day 3 of it. Pretty much want to smash anybody who gets within 10 yards of me. Owie breast pain, depression even worse than i experience from being bipolar, sleeping allll day and alll night and still sooo tired. Dreaming that I can’t walk down the hall because i keep falling asleep or fainting mid-stride… Basically wishing to die. I am slightly encouraged by all you ladies who have lived through it, but that doesn’t help me feel any better unfortunately. I’ve felt so horrible that I even wondered if I was pregnant (= feels like this + nausea for 9 months) but thankfully i’m not. I want to normalize before tackling that pandora’s box. Well, I will give another update when this goes away so maybe it will help others get an idea of how long you have to feel so horrible.
Hello i had my IUD removed 2 days ago and so far i guess feeling this crash i am really tired . This is my second time getting this mirena even though i was suppose to get the paraguard and at the last minute changed for mirena because i didnt want periods. Yes i cant stands periods they are disgusting and it grosses me out. But i rather have a periods than deal with this crap. I gained a whole bunch of weight ans oh god this massive cystic acne on my side of my face and under my chin unreal. They are huge and hurt like crazy i bought all this acne medicine and it keeps coming and making it worse. The mood swings are bad every day me and hubby are arguing and after i always end up crying like a wimp. Always crying things i never would have cried over i did. Low sex drive is ruining the marriage my husband loves sex and i rarely wanted it im like get it over with or have non for like weeks. It was no interest to me and to me that made me feel old and like i needed some sex drive pills or something. But yeah it was nothing but hell the past year i had it. I will never get this again i have low self esteem and i am depressed because my face i all zit up and i am so overweight. So its out now i am hoping for some changes with diet and excercise and hopfully skin fixes up as well. Ladies dont get this. First time i had it inserted in had it in 3 years wow i know right long time. My daughter father left me my mood was so bad he couldnt take it and i gotten PID after the removak and it was a mess as well as i just didnt feel right with the IUD was fighting with slot of my friends due to the mood swings but i didnt have all this acne i have now. But yeah this is not good i have it out now i want to give my body a break from these hormones and may get on the paraguard later on maybe beginning of the year. Thanks for reading all good luck.
I have had Mirena for 1.5 years now. And my life has pretty much been HELL since. My husband and mom say “they don’t know who I am anymore” this hurt’s because I know their right!I’m always moody, have NO sex drive, unhappy, just feel like a shell of who I once was!!! Nothing can put a smile on my face, not even my precious children!My bestfriend has had Mirena for 3 years now, and is having the same experience! We both have the same OB..we’re having our mirena removed on the same day. We have marked this the first day of our “old lives again” the days when we were just plum happy!If there is such a thing as Mirens Crash bring it on…it can’t ne worse than this! I’m going birth control free…so I can be FREE again.PLEASE DON’T GET MIRENA IT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE!
Hello !! I had the same exact proble. Had it put in 2008 and I was never the same after that..I had mood swings, irritable, nasty adn NO LIBIDO for 2 years. i went onto this web-site adn few others adn was glad it wasn’t in my head adn that other girls had the same side effets. I tried to tell my GYN a year ago that something was not right and she said “it’s your marriage” and that we needed “alone time”..WEll, that didn’t do a thing for me. So I went to a different MD in the group and he said everything I was feeling was REAL !! He also does nto want me on ANY hormones plus I am 40. It is so ncie to be ME AGAIN..I smile now and just love everything again..Oh let me add to that my husband has his wife back.
Take Care,
Hello ladies……glad to know Im not going crazy and the only one experiencing this horrible ordeal!! I had my Mirena removed a week ago tomorrow and felt the difference almost immediately. I felt almost free at first….ready to start the baby making
That didnt last long!! The first couple days were fine, no bleeding, mood swings were minimal, acne started and sucks, but was still overall just happy and ready to have another baby…..About the third day the hell began, I started bleeding and heavier than I ever have, I was afraid the leave the house, that slowed after couple days though. My main problem is the mood swings. I will be just fine one moment the next im crying the next Im pissed…..My fiance thinks Im just not happy with him or anything anymore. The smallest thing, things that never before bothered me, get my soooo mad, or just the opposite, upset and crying, then to make it even worse I feel horrible for the uncontrollable outburst and get upset all over again. I feel so tired and sick all the time too. I just feel blah, dont want to do anything and even be around anyone, which is very very odd for me. This is all been a very unexpected, I had no problems with the mirena before having it removed for the most part….now if it werent for my hopes of a baby on the way soon, I would wish to have never had it removed…..I hope to get over this and over it SOON before my relationship takes amymore of a toll and I bite his head off anymore poor guy…..thanks for making feel like I didnt go off the deep end and there is a light at the end of the tunnel….I hope! Have a good night ladies.
i am a 19 year old with 3 beautiful kids . i got the mirina put in a year ago and now i feel crazy . one minute im hppy the next im furious . my husband and i are talking about getting it removed but before i do i want to pick a proper birthcontrol. does any 0ne have any suggestions ? just until im 21 and can get my tubes tied.
The best advice that I can give you is you need to WEAR condoms and when i say u i maen u.. the female ones.. and have you mal partner wear a condom as well and u should u spemacide just in case… Or STOP haveing SEX good luck
I have had Mirena for almost 2 years. I hate everything about it. I thought it was all just me like it was just in my head and it was really upsetting me because I felt like I was making a bigger deal out of it then need be. I have had 2 children all natural and to really hurt and complain about this has felt rediculous. I’m glad to see it isn’t just me and it makes me really sad that there are so many women having problems with this and I did it to myself and it makes me angry that the doctor didn’t tell me about any of this being a possiblity. I’ve really tried to lose weight, I was on a huge diet and lost some weight and have started going to the gym a lot and was feeling like I haven’t lost what I should. There are days when I don’t want to do anything but sit on the sofa and watch tv. I have a 4 year old and 2 year and I just don’t want to do anything, I have to force myself to do daily things like dishes and laundry and all of the things I have to do. I have to force myself to go to the gym even though I like it. I’m only 23 and I feel 53, I didn’t used to feel this way. I have constant stomach pain, some days its worse then others some times its almost unbearable. I never get a period but always feel like I’m going to. I’m rarely in a good mood and it takes a tole on my boyfriend and kids. I have a dull headache almost constantly I feel sick to my stomach often I have horrible stomach pains after sex. I can’t believe how pin point close all of our symptoms are. I’m going to try to get an appointment next week to have it removed and I pray that I don’t have problems “recovering” from removing it and I hope that everything that this has caused goes away. I’m almost afraid to go to have it taken out because I have never been able to feel the strings and hope that there isn’t going to be a problem.
I found this blog earlier today and saw all of these women with so many of the same problems. Why have none of us done anything about it? It seems small and insignificant to some people, but I feel like Mirena has taken a lot from a lot of people. Should we report these problems to the fda? They approved this, they can stop it if they see need to. I wonder if anyone has ever reported it or have we all suffered in silence other then to our friends, family and blogs?
I had the Mirena for a year, during this period I did not have my period, I thought that I had my menopause , I just removed and I got my period again. I am eating a lot and have a lot of anxiety but I am happy that I got my monthly friend back. So, now I want to share my experience, and let you girls know that if your period stopped could be Mirena’s fault.
10 lbs gained, moon face (bloated), acne, heart palipitations, electrical like impulses running thru body, memory loss, head in a cloud, severe headaches with vomitting, severe fatigue, hair loss and damage, vision loss, dizziness, pain in joints and arms. All this in only 5 months of having it inside me. My co-workers were going to call 911 thinking I was having a stroke or heart attack. I popped 3 aspirin and had a friend drive me to the doctor who threw me on the table and yanked that sucker out of me. I don’t know if it was the thrill of having it removed but I felt better instantly. Now 2 weeks later, severe headache and body pains and what fees like anxiety attacks, rapid heartbeat and sweats. This must be the mirena crash you are all referring to. Still far better than those other side effects. The last 5 months have been pure hell! I actually thought I was terminally ill as I started to think there was possibly a cancer growing inside me. I am 46 and going thru pre-menopause symptoms and have 3 lovely children. I had it inserted for excessive bleeding. I do not recommend the mirena to anyone who may be hormone sensitive.
I was just diagnosed with a retinal branch vein occlusion (blood clot in my retina). Having gone through numerous tests (echo cardiogram, carotid artery U/S, angiongram. OCT and multiple blood tests) in the past two weeks the process of elimination is pointing directly at my Mirena IUD as the probable cause of the occlusion. Pretty darn scary!
So now I just happen to have my annual gyn apt next week. My retinal specialist and my PCP have said to have the Mirena removed. After reading this site I’m almost more scared about having it removed then the side effects!
I got my first at my 6 week follow up in January 2002 and I had that removed and a new one inserted in January 2007. I have gained a lot of weight over the years but I blamed age and lack of an exercise routine. Maybe it really was from the Mirena. I’ve always sung it’s accolades due to the total lack of menstrual symptoms.
So now I most likely need to have it removed. I sure hope the process afterwards is not total hell!
Well I had my Mirena removed like 5 hours ago. So far so good. It was super easy removing it, the strings were still in place and she pulled it right out with no problems. I was in and out very fast. I barely felt it, much better then having it put in. I’ve had a little cramps, but nothing major and no bleeding. I’m hoping it doesn’t hit me later on, but even with the cramps, I feel great. I feel so much better then I did just a few hours ago. I was so scared going in, afraid it would be lost and have to have a lot more done, afraid of it hurting coming out and afraid of how I would feel after, but it was nothing. I hope everyone whos hurting just goes ahead and has it taken out, it was way overdue and I can’t believe I delt with it as long as I did. Good luck.
I had the mirena IUD inserted 3 years ago after the birth of my second child and I just had it removed today. I am SO hoping that I do not experience any type of crash! I also began taking birth control pills today (Yaz). For the past 3 years my skin has been horrible! Cystic acne constantly! I have been to the dermatologist several times over the past few years and no one ever attributed my condition to the IUD. I have taken various antibiotics for the acne, but NOTHING ever helped! I also have sores on my scalp that are very painful. I also have breakouts on my back and shoulders. I am so hopeful that I will have clear skin again. The only other side effect that I experienced that was bothersome was the discharge. Very thick nasty and unpredictable! No foul odor, but gross! Also, my IUD could not be located via pelvic exam and I had to get a vaginal ultrasound prior to the removal. The insertion of the IUD was VERY VERY VERY painful!!! The worst pain that I have ever experience! (I have never had a vaginal birth either though). The removal was somewhat painful but not too bad. I would not recommend this form of birth control and I am glad that it is out! One last thing I was told today that I have a fibroid that was observed at the time of the ultrasound, but was told by doc that it was not caused from the IUD.
Well its been just over 2 days since I got the mirena removed and I feel fantastic! The day of I had little cramps and no bleeding, the next day I had even less cramps and just very light spotting and today I have no cramps, no bleeding and I feel awesome. I haven’t felt this good in years. I started the pill the same day I got it removed and I’m so glad to have it gone. I hurt all the time before, but now that it’s gone and I feel good, I realize just how bad I hurt all the time before. So happy!!
I had the iud for the full five years, had alot of side effects from mood swings to unbearable cramps after having it put in. It was hell to get taken out because the string just disappeared. I just had it successfully removed 6 days ago, but I have experienced extreme migraines, mood swings like i could go postal at any moment and severe tiredness. I didnt have but maybe two periods the whole 5 years but now it wont stop it comes and goes then comes back. I gained 15lbs the last two months that the mirena was in place and cant seem to shed it even if i eat like a rabbit. Screw Mirena and the company that makes it.
I had the Mirena in for about 4.5 years. I started to get some cramping and periods toward the end, so the doctors suggested I have it replaced. Since we are planning to start a family, I chose to just have it removed.
My experience with Mirena has been so positive, I plan to get another one after we finish have kids. I tell all my friends about it, and recommend it so frequently, I think people think I work for whoever makes Mirena! (I dont BTW)
for me:
1- NO PERIODS FOR 4.5 YEARS!!!!!
2- lost about 5-10 lbs after right after insertion/stopping the BCP
3- my IBS (which is worse when I have periods) was a lot better
4- was 100% effective preventing pregnancy without any thought (compared to remembering the BCP)
5- Migraines were about the same (1-3/mo)
Since having it removed a week ago, I’ve had 2 migraines, one period, and a yeast infection, I realized I didnt have a yeast infection the whole time i had it in! I also never had issues with hair lose, mood swings, pains, etc. If anything, my sex drive might have been a little lower, but its always pretty low, so I don’t think I can blame that on the IUD.
The only real negative was the insertion for me. As a woman who has never had kids, it was rough. I was sore for about 2 weeks afterwards. But, even with that, for me the no periods, easy to use birth control and weight loss made it the most amazing form of BC for me, especially since it was covered by my insurance.
I must be one of the fortunate ones because I’ve have my Mirena for over 2 years, and I have never experienced a single issue. I’ve never had kids, and yes it did hurt like heck when it was inserted. Before the Mirena, I was on the Depo shot for about 10 years. I never experienced weight gain, acne, cramps, or anything on the Mirena or the Depo. Now when I was on the pill, life was miserable with heavy, uncontrollable bleeding with only a week of normally in between. A friend of mine is experiencing the Mirena crash right now, and I feel for her and all of you who have gone through this.
Everyone’s body is truly different.
I thought you couldnt get the mirena unless you’ve had a child… thats what they told me
I had my Mirena inserted 4 1/2 years ago. I got it because a friend told me about it and said she wasnt getting her periods anymore and she didnt have to take a pill everyday.. plus the oral contraceptives were making the hair on the top of my head fall out. I tried everything from Orthotrycyclin to the nuvaring and it still fell out.. So I felt as though this was the best choice… WRONG! After I had it put in I had black stuff come out of “there” for 2 weeks on top of all the bleeding.. then I kept getting cysts on my ovaries that were the size of tangerines and to get rid of them, what did they put me on..?? Birth control pills… I get cysts at least 4 times a year and boy are they PAINFUL!! To the point where I’m laying on the floor in fetal position with a hot towel on my stomach to help ease the pain…
I’ve gained over 15lbs that I CANNOT get rid of no matter what I eat or no matter how much I exercise. I get SOOO depressed now… sometimes its hard to get out of bed and sometimes I’ll cry for no reason at all… sometimes I even get suicidal… which is NOT like me at all.
I still have a strong sex drive.. thank goodness lol
I’m scared to death to get it removed… So ladies.. if your lookin into it… you should explore some more options!
I’m trying to convince my boyfriend into gettin snipped but he said thats definitely a no go! They have it so easy.. its so unfair
oh yeah… and the acne is ridiculous… Ive never had acne even as a teenager. Im 27 and proactive doesnt even help.. forgot to add that part
Had my mirena taken out on Sept. 10. Wasn’t informed by my doc not to have unprotected sex the night before. She told me that ” the hormone stays in your system for at least 3 weeks.” Bull! She also failed to inform me of the aptly named “Mirena Crash.” Thoughts of suicide, anxiety, fatigue, heavy bleeding. The only thing that seemed to hlep my mood was lots of exercise and omega-3 fatty acids. Hope that helps. Good luck
Mirena IUD…
Things You Should Know About Mirena IUD The Mirena IUD is a small object that is inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. A small string hangs down from the IUD into the upper part of the vagina. Mirena is not noticeab…
Give me a break!!! The amount of hormone that gets into your system with Mirena is 50 times less that a typical birth control pill and contains no estrogen. There is absolutely NO evidence that the pill makes you gain weight, and somehow Mirena made you all gain 40 lbs!!! Get a grip. You have to eat to gain 40lbs. Convenient to have an IUD to blame it on.
I def agree about the weight gain, but for me the acne was the reason that I had it removed. My doc told me that if you are prone to acne that mirena will cause the acne to become worse. Besides the acne I really enjoyed not having to worry about taking a pill daily! The discharge was also bothersome at times, but I could have tolerated that too. My face, back, and neck was constantly broke out!
Here is my story. This might get long. From the time I had the Mirena put in, a few months after my son was born, I had all these seemingly unrelated illnesses. I started having abdominal pain and bloating with irritable bowel syndrome type symptoms (running to the bathroom with urgent diarhea every morning). The doctors couldn’t diagnose me with anything & acted like I was crazy. I had bladder pressure nightly, even after going to the bathroom I would feel uncomfortable pressure, like I had to pee badly, any time I laid down. The doctors couldn’t diagnose me with anything, even a urologist with very uncomfortable & invasive testing. The bloating was awful, and I steadily started gaining weight. I looked as though I was many months pregnant, and people would ask me when I was due. It was humiliating, and no clothes fit me properly. I was not overeating, and i’ve never been overweight in my life until the Mirena. Even after my son was born, I was back to my pre pregnancy weight within 2 weeks, and lost even more weight after that. It was only when the Mirena went in that I started to gain, and gain. When I would exercise heavily I didn’t lose a pound, but if I took a break from exercise I would gain right away. Over the course of the 4 1/2 years I had it in, I gained over 30 pounds. I finally started hearing from friends the bad experiences that they had, and the lightbulb went off. I googled side effects of the Mirena and found all of the problems I had been having. I decided to have it out right away. A good friend had hers out right before mine, and she bled so heavily that she passed out at work from the blood loss, and needed an emergency blood transfusion at the er. Even though I was scared, because many of my friends had no problem while on it, but had bad after side effects like that afterward, I went ahead & had it removed. That was in May, 4 months ago. I had horrible mood swings (I have never been prone to mood swings, even with my periods) for about a month. The minute they took it out, the bladder pressure was gone. The abdominal pain, bloating and irritable bowel type symptoms slowly went away, and now I have none. I have lost 10 pounds, and it seems to be coming off faster now. I haven’t dieted or changed my lifestyle. With the weight loss & the bloating gone, I don’t look pregnant any more, my clothes fit properly, and feel like I look good again. I had the Mirena in for 4 1/2 years, and those symptoms I described never went away the entire time, so I have no doubts at all that they were caused by the Mirena. Oh, and I almost forgot… my appetite has decreased, and my energy level has increased.
I have had the Mirena IUS for four years. I had a couple symptoms from the beginning for about 6 months. I think I spotted for 6 months straight with blotting and all the bad things that you hear. I almost took it out before the six months was up it was so bad…but I sucked it up. I loved it for about 2 1/2 years bc I had very little noticeable symptoms besides the painful sex and bleeding after intercourse. I always have spotting during the time I’m supposed to have my period. I didn’t notice really anything else, then it hit me… I was having full blown side effects and did not even know that it was related to the mirena. I was getting anxiety really bad, feelings of tension or mood swings, crying,lasting irritability, increased interpersonal conflicts, apathy or disinterest in daily activities and in my relationship with my fiance, (causing him to think I am losing interest) difficulty concentrating, fatigue an tired alllllllllll the time, food cravings, decrease in sex drive ( like none at all… I would rather go to sleep) physical symptoms: bloating, breast tenderness, headaches.. I had no idea that I had all these symptoms for the past year due to the Mirena until I started reading posts. I have had the symptoms all come gradually in the past year so I didnt think they were related but I am getting the Mirena out on Oct. 12th so we shall see if the symptoms go away. They are also symptoms of PMDD but I think that the Mirena is causing PMDD for me. I contemplated getting it out at my last annual and the Dr convinced me to keep it because what else was I going to use for birth control? I really didn’t want to experiment with other BC’s. Now, I think bc I havent had a period in so long my body can’t handle it. I’m going to let my body recoup and get all this hormone crap out of my body. I hope it helps!!
I started taking birth control pills (Yaz) the very same day that it was removed. If you don’t take the pills I think you will experience worse side effects. I had a period for about 4 days after removal. It was pretty bad day 1 and 2. I have just completed a whole month of the bc pills and my body has adjusted pretty well. I too had spotting every single month when it was time for my period.
I had my mirena removed yesterday after 10 months. I didn’t really have bad side effects. Never stopped my periods but they did become lighter and much less cramping. However I would bleed after intercourse and my boyfriend could feel the strings. So I went to my OB and had them trimmed and found out that my cervix was red like inflammed so I was given an antibiotic. A few months later still bleeding after intercourse and still discomfort for my boyfriend which really ruins a good moment. So back to my OB trimmed again and more antibiotics. But she also gave me options one of which was the Implanon. A very tiny tube like thing that goes in you arm and is good for 3 yrs. So I chose that. I have a verry nasty bruise and tenderness and the site but was warned of it and hopefull it will go away and I won’t have a crash. I do have some mood swings but I also know those are related to other factors. Hopefully I will not have any issues with my new BC. But don’t think I will ever have the mirena again or recommend it after reading this and other expierences from some of my girlfriends.
Omgoodness!! I’m glad I stumbled on this page no wonder I’ve been a psychotic b*t*h the last 5 years I’m a little over due removal now I’m afraid to have it removed in fear of the crash I also gained an extreme amount of weight from it, it also gave me malasma which is horrible everyday people asks me who punched me in my eye I hate explaining it came from my birth control good riddens mirena and I will not use it again
Well,.. I now know IM NOT CRAZY!!! I had Mirena inserted in june 2010, and today, 4 months later, after several hours of reading your posts, and me trying to find the strings, - I took myself to the doctors and saw a female doctor, who TOTALLY AGREED WITH ME, that I should have it removed because of the side effects! My side effects were like all of yours, but the thing that hurt the most were the headaches,.. almost every single day. I told my normal doctor 3 weeks ago of my concern and HE said “go for an extra run to get rid of the weight”, and “here are some tablets to prevent the headaches” ( i googled the tablets which turned out to be an anti depressant). Mirena has made the past 4 months of my life hell,.. - today, is the first step of the rest of my life!
I am just wondering, once you had the Mirena taken out, for those of you who have, have you now lost the weight? How long is it taking? I have put on about thirty pounds and thought it was just age, but work out all the time and eat the same, and have tried cutting back on that even, but can’t seem to lose any. I am planning on getting it taken out. I am experiencing all the same symptoms as you all. Just thought it was age again. But now know it could be this. So if some of you who have taken it out, could answer if you actual then lost the weight that would be great. Thanks.
I was on Mirena for over 4 1/2 years. I like so many of you thought it would be great. I had just had my only daughter and was not interested in another birth within the next five years. I thought it sounded great the no to light periods especially, as mine had always been heavy and bothersome. My symptoms were over such a long period of time I never put it on the Mirena, they were just so gradual(except the sex drive that was immediate). I started to have hair loss and I mean large amounts that were very scary. I was about 135lbs after the birth of daughter at the 6 week check up and over the almost five years it went up to 200 lbs. I had no energy, the memory loss is absolutely terrible, I had no concentration, acne like I was 18 (which I never even had as a teenager) and last week it (the IUD) literally fell out. This week my moods are scary. I have no patience and my whole body aches like I have the flu. I only came on here to this sight wondering if flu like symptoms were part of the side effects after Mirena. what I have discovered is women just like me who have had idea their loss of self esteem and moods were because of this horrible product. I am afraid this may take months to recover from and that the weight I have been fighting for over 4 years will never be gone. The product the FDA approved has taken a huge toll on me both physically and mentally and I am angered and disappointed this has not been recalled.
My story I had iud in for 5 years almost to the day of insert. I had it removed 10/14/10 and the bleeding is annoying, but I feel like a women again. I had no periods in the five years but the side effects are crazy HAIR LOSS, BAD MOOD SWINGS ALMOST LIKE BEING BIPOLOR. MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING TIRED OF IT AND I NOTICED IT MAY BE THE IUD AND HAD IT REMOVED. IM FEELING BETTER BUT AM LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING THE OLD ME.
Forgot to mention Acne and I think it caused my chest cysts I had removed and gallbladder disease all while this was inserted.
Well,now here is another side effect of this horrible IUD. My granddaughter gave birth a year ago in June. She had the Mirena inserted in September of 2009, and just a few short weeks later developed psoriasis from head to toe, with scabs the size of silver dollars. I warned her about this IUD, and told her that any pharmaceutical birth control will compromise your immune system,and the progestin released from the Mirena/or any form of BC, will cause your natural progesterone to be depleted. She had the Mirena removed in May of this year, and the psoriasis began to go away, but she will now have scars from her head to her toes for the rest of her life. The psoriasis is still not completely gone, (huge scabs on her knees and other areas of her body),and now there seems to be yet another problem. A week before her period she develops a fever,headache, chills, and feels as though she has the flu. Once her period starts, all these symptoms go away.My daughter took her to the ER last month, and they did many tests/blood work, and said it was an infection? When she had the IUD removed, the GYN saw the psoriasis all over her body, and of course indignantly stated that she had never heard of this side effect, and it could not be from the Mirena!The doctors are not charting/reporting all the SE’sand if anyone thinks that the pharmaceutical company manufacturing these IUD’s will ever own up to all the side effects…think again. Give it a few more years and the lawsuits will begin.
I had the IUD placed last year. Since then I have started getting psoriasis. I think I will be removing it very quickly…
I just read the post from Patricia which speaks to hair loss, and my granddaughter has experienced this also!! You are correct in stating that the FDA needs to pull this product from the market. What women fail to realize is that it is completely unnatural to stop having your menstrual period. All birth control fools your body/brain into thinking that you are pregnant.Any form of birth control and all pharmaceutical hormone replacement therapy have the same ingredients, and the HRT is now …finally…being linked to breast cancer.
I just got the Mirena removed 14 days ago. I have been on my period for 12 of those days. I am normally on my period for 5 days when I do have it. I had the IUD for right at 3 years. About 1 year after having it I started feeling nauseated only at night. Of course I thought I was PG but that scared me to death since I had the IUD in (ectopic). Turns out I was not PG but the nausea kept on. Up until I had it removed it was pretty much 24/7 that I was feeling like that. Since the removal I have only felt sick maybe 3 times (doctor said to give it 1 month). However, this is day 12 of my period and last night I started bleeding HEAVILY and passing huge clots. I have never been one to do that so it really scared me. My sister has worked for an OB/GYN for years now so she was the 1st person I called. For now I will wait through the weekend to see what happens but in the meantime I was searching on google to see if anyone else had the same problems! Im finding most women are the same.
Nausea and weight gain were my 2 biggest side effects with the Mirena. I weighed 150 when I got PG and 177 at the end of pregnancy. I got back down to 155 before having IUD inserted and I now weigh 173..no matter what I did short of going on Biggest Loser I couldnt get the weight down!!! Hopefully after my body adjusts back to its old ways I can lose some weight and start to feel better about myself. Good luck to the rest of you- hang in there- we can do it!!
hey what is the texture/shade of the “blood” and how long and often does it occur
Reading all of these storys really makes me think about what im goin to have to go through, b/c oct 31 2007 i got my mirena. My obgyn said that he put alot of mirenas in it took 3 times to get mine to stay in. I have had my mirena in for 3 years now. I have had nothing but big prombels with mine. Sex hurts all i do is lay around i could just sleep all day i havent lost any weight i feel like a beach whale.Im really scared what might happen after i get it taken out. While on this ive had to go to the ER b/c i had abdominal and pelvic pain so bad that i thought i was having another child, with that note they couldnt found anything wrong. Im scared on the note that i dont want to have blood cluts the size of baseballs b/c before i got my mirena i had my first perid and i bleed really really bad. I already have low iron. Its just everything about this is wrong. Im going friday to have it removed. Wish me good luck
Had my Mirena 2 years now. Had the normal light period and cramping for the first 6-7 months then it went away. I’d still get slight cramps occasionaly but nothing bad. Then a few months ago, I found a lump in breast and severe pains in both. Ultrasound showed it was no actual mass, just dense spots. Few weeks later, started getting horrible vertigo that lasted pretty much all day every day. Along with that was horrible lower back pain (similar to back labor), UTI feelings all the time (but no actual infection), pain in my stomach/abdomen, and a week ago…experienced tingeling/numbness in my left hand & arm. Had blood work & CT scan done and everything was normal. So no one can figure out what’s wrong. I’ve been basically stuck in the house for the past month due to the dizzy feelings I get as soon as I stand up. Only thing I can think of is my Mirena. I’ve started taking vitamins and tried many different anitbiotics and nothing is working. So I have an apt to have it removed tomorrow. I’m so scared now after reading about the “Crash”. Anyone else have a similar experience/symptoms?
I cannot believe what I am reading.I had my mirena removed today as we are going to try for another baby.My Mirena was in almost five years and I have had all of the above symptoms.I never ever put any of them down to mirena.I’m shocked, I blamed everything else on weight gain,mood swings,no sex drive headaches.I’m so glad I’ve had it removed now.Thnkas for all the posts although I’m dreading the next few days at least I know it can only get better….