NSBR: Anyone have a Mirena IUD?

[Stacey42]

I'm getting one on Dec 8th and the docs office said to take 3 Advil an hour before the appointment. That tells me they expect me to be in pain. I've read I should expect some cramping. How much? how long?

Do you really not have periods after a few months? All the literature says you do but I want real world experience Suppressing the periods is the reason I am getting it (I have endo & the pain goes away if I have no period). The doc thinks it will work but IUDs are the one form of birth control I've never really looked into. Any personal experience is appreciated

[Jennifer]

Stacey, I had one. The pain wasn't bad...kind of a pinching. I would take the advil just because it will help afterwards. I has just minor pain and cramping for a day or so.

My periods didn't totally go away, but they were superduper light and short...like less than 2 days and so light that a "light" tampon did the trick.

I loved that I never had to think about it or worry about any other BC. It was just there and I felt very confident with it. I had mine taken out after about a year because it was causing weight gain. Most women do not experience weight gain with it, but I'm very sensitive to all horomonal BC.

All in all, it is a great BC, should really help with your endo, and isn't very painful at all.

HTH!

[Julie Billingsley]

yep, I have one. LOVE it! I know this topic has come up before so if you search for Mirena I think I did a long post about it once. I'd say the cramping is minor, just equal to a pap to me, but everyone is different and I think the 3 advil is a great idea.

[Kara]

Very interested in seeing what feedback you get, since this is something I've been researching as well ...

[SeattleSheri]

The procedure is quite quick and painless (IMHO). I felt a little pressure when it was inserted and some mild cramping later in the day. I had significant spotting the first few months (just like my dr. warned me about) and now I get about 1/2 day of spotting per month

[lacidock]

I have one. I got it after my 2nd DD was born last year. I agree with Sheri the procedure was quick and painless. I just felt a little pinch. I now have some spotting 1 or 2 days out of the month. I love that I don't have to worry about another form of BC.

[SamaraGugler]

Can I tell you how funny it is reading this stuff about periods when you all look like hotties??? LOL!!!

[mixedclawzz]

I have been so on the fence with this. I want it but am scared to be in pain.
I was on depo for 5 years and just got off. It started as birth control, then it was more of a no period thing. I want something I don't have to worry about. Pills don't work (got pregnant 2 times on pill )
I think I may just go ahead and make my appt.

[lizzyfizzy]

jenny has one, loves it. in fact, recommended it to me.

i got it 3 months ago...I HATE IT!!! i have never bled so much in my life!

it's the pits and it's coming out next month!

[Jenn Barrette]

Had one after DD1, and am getting another asap. Getting it done wasn't bad, a little discomfort. My periods stopped after the first month, and after having it in a year, I got prego a month after it was taken out. Very happy with it!

[scrappurple]

Originally Posted by SamaraGugler

Can I tell you how funny it is reading this stuff about periods when you all look like hotties??? LOL!!!

LOL!!! So true!!!

[scrappurple]

I have it. I have had it in for about 3 years now and I love it! I will say that for the first 3-6 months you might feel like you made a mistake getting it put in. You do bleed a lot and at odd times. BUT once you get over the first couple of months, I think you will love it. I personally don't remember a lot of cramping, but I do remember bleeding. But 3 years later, I never have a period. If I do, it is so light I would only need a pantie liner. A tampon would be to much. I was on the pill for 10 years and this is MUCH better. I don't have huge hormonal ups and downs, I don't gain weight, etc.

Just keep Feb. or March in your mind as to when you will start loving it. 5 years of not having to worry about anything is worth the 3 months of odd bleeding.

[Angela Spangler]

I used to have one for about 5 years. It didn't hurt much at all after the procedure.

Overall I was happy with it, but had a couple problems. PM me if you would like more details...TMI on the forum...

[Sheana]

I had one for 3 years but it did wacky things to my body (chronic migraines & excessive hairloss were the big ones) and I had it removed a year ago. After about 5 months my periods were lighter and after a year they stopped completely. My sister got her's 4 months ago and she's had "heavy spotting" 3 out of 4 weeks a month since.

Getting it put in didn't hurt all that bad.. but I did get extremely light headed and queasy. The cramping lasted for a day or two, nothing real major for me though.

[lovely1m]

I was planning to talk to my doctor about this next week, but that whole 3 months of spotting has me wondering. I hate spotting cause I can't stand pantyliners or pads.

[Amber1279]

too many scary stories have had me freaked out about this as a possible option.

My SIL had a nightmare of a situation .... months of unexplained pain, they thought the IUD fell out, then found it during an xay a few months later, had to have emergency surgery to retrieve it from her abdominal wall

a friend on another board had hers fall out MULTIPLE times. 1st time she didn't know and got pregnant. Had another put in a few years later .... and it fell out as well. Luckily she "caught" it in her Diva Cup so she knew.

[Kat Stokes]

I have one. Haven't had a real period since March. A little spotting here and there but I love it so far!!!

Yes, it was pretty uncomfortable having it put in. I would take at least 800mg ibuprofen. That's what I did at least.

[Stacey42]

The doc said it would be 2-3 months before the 'benefits' began. I'm glad to see most of you had that experience.
I've had various side effects from the pill & Nuva Ring. They solved the endo problem but I couldn't deal with the nausea, the soreness and with the the Nuva Ring the early trimester pregnancy like symptoms. I don't have to worry about accidental pregnancy fortunately, DH had the snip 4 years ago. Mainly I'm just worried that it isn't going to reduce my periods and help the endo pain. My next step is surgery if this doesn't work.

[iJenny]

I've had one for three years now and I LOVE it! There was some cramping and minimal pain during the procedure, but nothing a few advil coudn't fix.
I spotted the first month afterwards and then it was maybe every other month for a few months. VERY light spotting. And now I'm totally period-free which I LOVE. I've had ZERO trouble with my IUD. Its always stayed in place and I've never had any problems with migraines, hair loss, pain, or any of the other symptoms other women have mentioned.

[lizzyfizzy]

that is totally the thing with an IUD, stacey. i'm sure your doc has or will tell you all the possible good and bad things that can happen. it does such different things to everyone. oh and i should've said that getting it in was VERY crampy. very...very. but it was quick. be sure to take 800mg of ibuprofen (with something to eat of course) an hour or so before your appt. that will help a lot, not just during getting it in, but the discomfort after as well.

[anrobe]

I have one and I love it. I thought it was a bit painful - mostly a lot of pressure and some discomfort but not overwhelming. I did have some cramping and discomfort for the next day or two but nothing too bad. My periods have not stopped but they are much less than they were (I always had very heavy periods before) which makes me very very happy. Only a few days whereas I had them for days and days before. I love it and definately recommend it. Much easier to not deal with the pill!!!