After the IUD – An Update
Ever since my collection of Mirena/IUD posts I have become a bit of a poster-child for Anti-Mirena, which let’s be clear, I HATED mine. But I’d also like to reiterate what I’ve said in the past: If Mirena works for you? Fantastic. Just because I’ve had a bit of a FAIL with it doesn’t mean everyone has to. In fact? Many of you use Mirena and love it. (Although lately it seems that most of you are having yours removed – which – I totally support but it also makes me nervous because I don’t want to be responsible for any unplanned pregnancies, including my own!)
Which, I’ll have you know – I’m absolutely NOT pregnant. In fact, we’ve been doing incredibly well with the whole condom thing. They’re actually not that bad! So many options!
I guess what I’m trying to say is: we’re all different. We all react differently to these things. I just want everyone to be happy and healthy and comfortable. Amen.
Which brings me to what I originally set out to post about:
After the Mirena … three-ish months later:
Here’s what’s happening:
1. Hair - It takes time for hair to come back. Mine is no exception, obviously. Today my entire head of hair is up-did by way of four bobby-pins but my lovely friend who cuts my hair told me that the “little guys” seem to be pushing through. That my hair will be back to its normal luster someday soon.
2. Yeast Infections - Have completely gone away since getting my IUD removed. Thank goodness. That was so gross. Bleck
3. Periods – They came back immediately after getting my IUD removed along with the hormonal acne I’ve had since forever. Apparently, my body didn’t get the memo that I’m twenty-eight years old. I realize to many this may sound like a negative but I’m actually kind of relieved to be back to my natural state. Even if it means sleeping with toothpaste on my face one week out of the month and having to occasionally bleach my white leggings.
4. Weight Gain - After doing tons of research I found that many people gain weight with Mirena. I did not. I feel like if anything I’ve gained weight since it’s been removed – but that also might have something to do with the fact that I started eating gluten again and haven’t been as active as I usually am.
5. Pain during Sex - obviously the penis-poker is no longer so this is an easy one. And the bright side? Condoms don’t seem nearly as bad as they used to seem. In the words of Hal – “I’d rather bag it than get stabbed… it.” Also? Sex is WAY more enjoyable for me, too, these days. Maybe because I’m no longer afraid of stabbing Hal with my “uterine sword.”
6. Sex drive - Not only has my sex drive returned (although I’ll admit – not as sexed as it was pre-pregnancy with Fable) but over the last three months I’ve become strangely attracted to women in a way I’ve NEVER been before. Not, like, throw-down in the ladies-room attracted but… “hey, pretty lady. How ’bout I buy you a drink?” attracted. Whether this has to do with hormonal shifts or something else, I find it odd that as soon as the IUD came out, so did my love for the ladies. Weird.
7. Feeling like myself again – Yes, yes and yes. My body is happy. My mind is happy. My man is happy. I’m hormone free and loving life.
Cue happy family photo at holiday gathering:
And when my hair comes back? All will be right in the world again.
I’d love to hear from you guys. Especially those of you who’ve had your IUDs removed in the last few months. Have you noticed a change? Do you feel different? How so? I’d also love to hear from those of you who have switched out your Mirenas for the Copper (hormone-free) IUD. Thanks, as always, for your insight and honesty and education.
***
I’d just like to say you can buy me a drink anytime…
And also that condoms? Yeah, not so bad. If anything, now that I can go without, I sometimes miss them because if nothing else, they make for a less messy day after.
LOL. this was cute. and please do, buy me a drink. NOW. because i’m having my mirena removed in a few weeks, not for FAIL reasons, but because we’re wanting another wee to add to the family.
so i’ll have to get back to you next month and let you know about my post-mirena-extraction experience… though, i have not lost hair as a result of the IUD.
maybe i’ll grow chest hair or something fun like that, once having it removed.
Coincidentally, I started researching having my Mirena removed at the same time you did and had it removed about the same time. Once it was gone, the horrendous headaches and backaches went away, the wild mood swings evened out, and my hair stopped falling out in clumps. I’m generally more like myself. I haven’t had the same luck with the sex drive returning, and I’ve only had one normal-ish period, but I’m glad The Device is gone. We’re planning to try for our second child late-summer, so I needed to have the damn thing removed soon anyway. I won’t be going back.
Hey pretty lady,
You didn’t ask for my 2 cents, but ah well…
I had my Mirena IUD for almost exactly a year, getting it pulled only because we wanted to start trying for a baby. It’s been out for 5 months now and we’re expecting our first child in October. WAHOO!
My experiences with the Mirena were hugely positive. I had been on BC pills for about 6 years when I switched and had it inserted. It didn’t conflict with the anti-depressants I was taking at the time like the BC pill did (off the anti-depressants now too!), and my sex drive came back big time one the pills were out and the Mirena was in.
My husband did feel the poke for a week or so, but when I had my follow up appointment, the doc clipped the threads a bit shorter and it was smooth sailing after that.
I also had normal menstrual periods, and I didn’t notice a difference in my (already very fine) hair. Of course my hair is off the hook now that I’m pregnant, but that’s a different story!
In short, I loved my Mirena. And I will get it again once this baby vacates the premises!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, I’m really glad to hear that you found a solution that works for your family and isn’t causing you the pain the Mirena was! My friend also had to get the Mirena yanked because it just plain HURT her all the time. Lame.
Lin
PS: If my husband thought we were switching to condoms, he’d come back with a vastectomy that afternoon. He HATES them. And they make me itch like crazy.
I had the Mirena for about 9 months… It was OK, I loved having no periods (I know it’s not normal though when you think about it for a second), and didn’t have any horrible side effects like the hair loss or weight gain. However, my husband kept getting poked too, and hated it.
I’ve had normal cycles right after I had it taken out (bad PMS, acne included as well). Frankly I did not see any big changes in my moods or such, but maybe yes a little increase in my sex drive.
I’m never going back to hormonal contraceptives. I’m nearly 35, it’s been 20 years and I’ve done my share!
I’m loving my Mirena, I got it last June, but I did notice a weird weird thing: I have a mustache now. It’s slight, but I remember post-puberty bleaching of my upper lip, and I had always wondered why I had done that. After all, it’s not like I have upper-lip hair to speak of! And then I got the Mirena. And then I realized, oh right, I’ve been on the pill since I was 16, which was right around when I stopped bleaching….so there you go. For me, the lower dose of hormones was like going to no hormones, after all those years of being dosed. Which was good, because the pill was giving me epic morning sickness. It was like the first trimester, but for a year. It’s funny, the more people I talk to about this, the more I realize that Medicine? NOT A SCIENCE, AN ART.
After you loved your Mirena I decided to research the Paragard. Got it, love it. My strings were left long and they aren’t a problem because they get pushed up so the pointy ends aren’t poking down. If anything the curved part is but that doesn’t hurt hubby so it’s fine.
Periods are not heavier and cramps are not worse but I already had bad cramps and almost bled to death every month anyway so not sure it could get any worse!
I’m 34 so knowing this will carry me right into menopause is great but also makes me feel really old. When I realized this was (hopefully) the last BC I would ever need I was like “yeah! oh, wait, that means…crap! I’m old!”
So thanks for sharing your experience because it prompted my research (I opted for no hormones because if I wanted that I’d just take the pill but they make me fat and crazy-well crazy and I just blame them for fat) And now I’m happy! Thanks again!
I had a Mirena years ago and also hated it. The absence of a period was a nightmare of an over-emotional roller coaster with NO sex drive. It basically repeated the same thing that various types of pills did.
After having my son over two years ago now, I got a Paraguard, the copper IUD, and am basically in love with it! Periods are totally normal, sex drive is right on, no weight gain or systemic effects of hormonal contraceptives or anything negative except the occasional poke. No hormonal birth control = happy mama!
Paraguard has been the tried and true in Europe for decades even to women who have not yet had children. It works wonders, at least for me! Highly, highly recommended!!!
I didn’t have a Mirena, but I did kick the birth control pill habit right about the time you got your Mirena removed. I haven’t noticed any weight loss yet (perhaps its the Easter eggs?) but I’m hoping it looks like I’m growing a few new baby hairs, and it seems to have slowly stopped falling out.
My moods have been a little funky, but I attribute that to having to experience non-hormonally controlled periods for the first time in 8 years. They haven’t quite made up their mind yet about returning to a normal schedule, I had two in one month and then one almost 2 months later, but I’m hoping this month will be normal and on time.
The one big disappointment is my sex drive which is returning so slowly it’s almost not noticeable. I was really hoping for a dramatic BAM let’s hop into bed! Not a oh I suppose I might maybe be interested in a little bit of kissing if you push hard enough.
I guess that’s what 8 years of hormones does to you >_<
I actually got a Mirena right about the time you got yours out. You made me really stop and think and research it more (I’m a librarian so I was already kinda looking it up).
I’m having alot of the side effects too. I’ve had my period off and on (more on then off
for 2 mos now, and some weight gain, or that could just be Jack’s not sleeping through the night yet and cookies look really good at 3 am.
Annoying things yes, but I’m allergic to or have bad bad reactions to most other forms of bc including latex and the ingredients in spermacide. I didn’t know what else to do until we save up the money to get my hubby snipped.
I had my mirena for 2 years and 2 months. It was giving me horrible cramps and bloating.. I would be in agony sometimes.. and it eventually got so bad that any sex, not even rough sex would give me bloating and pain for up to three days.
So I got it removed. I gave my body a week break with no birth control at all (my hubby is sick so abstinence was no problem lol) and then went and picked up my new prescription for the Nuva Ring.
So far.. I LOVE it…. but I’m only a week in so it’s pretty early to tell. But my sex drive is in high gear, no pain, hormonal acne is going away and I think I’ve lost a couple of pounds. So yay nuva ring!
I’ve had the copper IUD in for over 5 years. Never once had a problem with it. I can feel the “string” if I really, *really* try, but while pregnant I learned that my cervix tilts to the back so it’s no risk for the BF. No complaints from him!
Off topic – this is you with thin hair? Jealous. Glad you’re back on track.
I just had mine out a little over a week ago. I got, what I thought, was my period about 2 days after it was out. Not sure if it was a real one…though it did come with cramps so I think so? Guess we’ll find out next month if the same thing happens again
I’m still bf’ing though, so who knows.
I actually had bad breakouts because of the IUD. The acne issues are almost completely resolved, so happy! I did gain a few pounds, but I only had the device for 3 months, so nothing horrible.
From what I’ve read, the hormones mess with your insulin levels so you crave more junk food. I feel like this was the case with me. Basically, it was like I was PMSing for 3 months. That week before my period lasted way too long. Same exact symptoms! Most of them are gone now. Hoping the food cravings go away so I can stop wanting to eat ice cream instead of dinner
I will never go back on hormonal BC. It’s just not worth it to me. I’ve been on something hormonal since I was 15…so half my life! Damn.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how my body reacts once I’m done bf’ing. Hoping all the hormones level out and I get a chance to feel “normal” again.
Oh, btw…how long did it take for your hair to stop falling out. My shower last night looked horrible. Tons of hair in the drain again. HATE IT!
I had mine removed around the same time you did, because after you mentioned hair loss I started taking not of what changes I had been experiencing. I had the hair loss as well (not enough to notice by looking at my scalp, but at immediate post pregnancy levels meaning when I washed my hair I was getting handfuls so the thinning would be obvious soon enough). but what I also noticed was that ever since I had gotten the Mirena I had been sleeping less and less. I stayed up later and later each night, and slept less deeply as well so I was basically a cranky, over tired mess. Two days after having it removed I was back on a normal sleep schedule (going to bed at 11pm instead of 2am) and sleeping deeply and restfully. So glad I got rid of that and don’t suffer from insomnia anymore!
To Kali:
I am also allergic to latex, spermicide, lubricants, you name it. Since stopping my birth control, my fiance and I have been using unlubricated non-latex condoms. We’ve had good luck with durex avanti bare and lifestyle skyn condoms, and I heard Trojan makes some non-latex non-lubricated condoms. For lubricant, the JO system H20 personal lubricant for women has yet to cause an allergic reaction for me
Sorry for the TMI but it’s a good option if you’re looking for an alternative to hormonal birth control!
Off subject, but why were you not eating gluten? And, why did you start back? (I’m interested because I have been gluten free for several years due to Celiac…)
I had my Mirena removed because we were going to try for a baby. First month it was out, we got knocked up. (Happily!) So be very careful because you are way fertile after removing the Mirena. I now have a happy little 7 week old boy.
I am so proud of all of the noncombative comments posted here – the vibe is very “you do your thing, i’ll do mine”. It shows (A) Rebecca has awesome readers and (B) that you can’t believe all the articles lately about how women are all cyberbullies!! I am just starting to think about conceiving for the first time, and will probably research IUDs after that. Thanks EVERYONE for posting your experiences
I had my mirena removed february 5 after 9 months of hell and felt better immediately. I didn:t realize how much i could feel it until i got it out! I was dancing when i got home! Sex has been awesome, periods back to being heavy-ish for a couple of days, but like you I am so glad to be back to normal! My hair was falling out due to stress even before i has mirena placed, but only got worse on it. Now i’ve got tons of baby hairs all over my head and i couldn’t be happier! Well, i guess when they all grow in all the way, then i’ll be ecstatic, but it’s gonna take a while. Thanks for posting and bringing so many stories together and for this update!
i had my mirena removed around the same time you did. no mirena = my sex drive is rocking. i figured it was a bit absent due to baby #2 but am SO relieved it has really returned. i’ve been using the Cycle Beads system so far and we really like it. hormonal birth control has always been some sort of challenge for me, and i thank you for really helping me to not give up on my research to find a method that would suit my health and lifestyle much better.
and TMI but not just the strings poking was strange, but the ability to have lots of multiple Os was knocked off too by mirena. i couldn’t take not having them anymore.
I have had the copper iud since October (2 months after my Brooke was born) and love it. Nothin weird doin except heavier periods but, whatever. I just buy super tampons now. Everything else is exactly the same with my hair, my body, and my mind! Highly recommend.
xoxo
It’s been eight months for me, after a few weeks of hell trying to get the darn thing out (including, but not limited to: A too-short string, no less than three medical professionals, a surgery-happy OB/GYN, and my very brave former midwife).
I got it out because I hated it. And because I wanted a second child.
I had two miscarriages within three months of having it removed. Which sucked.
Since then, and on the plus side, my acne actually went away. I lost weight. My hair stopped falling out. I stopped feeling like a hormone-fueled wench. Sex drive was never much of an issue for me, but I definitely started enjoying sex more. And so did my man. No more penis poker. (Which led to the too-short string in the first place…) I don’t have uterine pains after certain… positions. Ahem. And I’m not worried about foreign object/hormones lingering in my body. Which may be the biggest relief of all. I can’t say that my lesbo tendencies are any different than before…
AND, three months after the last miscarriage, we got pregnant again. I’m now 10.5 weeks along. Hoping this one sticks and that the previous miscarriages were, in fact, related to the Mirena and not a faulty uterus.
If all goes, well, I plan to either pop out baby number three soon after baby number two… or not… and then the hubs will be getting the snippety snip. It’s his turn to take one for the team, I think. I’m DONE with hormonal birth control for sure.
“throw-down in the ladies-room”
um… I’m game
::sidewaysglance:: Did I just admit my crush on Rebecca? Oops I do.. Yep major girl crush
This has been so helpful! I was on the Pill for about 2 years, but I have a TERRIBLE time remembering to take daily medicine (that’s a problen when you don’t want babies, you know…). I noticed that when I happened to forget a day I would almost certainly get a migraine. I had gotten a few migraines before I went on the pill, but asked my dr. about it. She said that it may be hormonal related (i.e. the change in hormones from missing a pill). So she had me try the Nuva Ring. I LOVE the no daily pill aspect, but I’ve been through 2 plus cycles on it and have since gotten a migraine every time I remove it. SOOO – I’m really seriously considering getting the copper IUD and those already on it are starting to sway me (I don’t want babies just yet, and I’ve never had bad periods / issues, so birth control for me really is just that). Anyone else with similar experiences?
First off, Hollie – to your comment – YES! I have the most AMAZING readers. Respectful and kind and open-minded and completely awesome. No wonder I want to throw-down. I love me some YOU girls.
Re: Gluten, Rebecca. I stopped eating gluten because my mom stopped (for health/autoimmune reasons) and she looked AMAZING. Her skin, her body, her energy… (I have pretty bad skin – awful break-outs, etc and wanted to lose the rest of my baby weight. Cutting gluten was very helpful.)
Re: The Copper IUD – Definitely from comments on this post and others that seems to be the way to go if you’re going IUD.
As always, thank you guys for sharing. I’ve received so many emails, tweets, messages from so many women who appreciate all that you have shared on this topic. You are so helpful. Thank you much!!!
I hadn’t had my period in 17 months due to a baby that loves the boob but two months ago it finally returned and you know what? I had the same feeling about it. I finally felt back to myself–even my moody PMS self. It just felt good to have back to normal. Well, I could due without the acne (and I’m 36).
I just saw this and thought of this thread: it’s pictures of an IUD embedded in a placenta after an IUD fail… I was thinking of getting one but I think I’ll stick with the pill for now..
http://navelgazingmidwife.squarespace.com/navelgazing-midwife-blog/2010/4/8/iud-in-a-placenta.html
it is a placenta, so if you don’t like blood’n'stuff,don’t click!
I had mine removed about 2 weeks after reading your post about losing your hair. Thanks for being my wake up call. I realized that I wasn’t feeling well, and that I was unusually bitchy, but I thought that was due to the whole working mom of 2 boys thing. I felt better the day after I had mine removed – and even better – my bathroom floor doesn’t look like chewbakka died on it. Thanks again lady – great.
I found your blogs while I was wondering if Mirena was the cause for all my maladies…and I got it out shortly after you did, I think. My doctor was supportive of my wanting to get it out, although not totally convinced that ALL the problems were from the Mirena. But she said you can never know. I haven’t really gotten a period yet, some light spotting the first couple days after getting out out. Acne, yes. It’s back. Like high school. Freaking awesome. My sex drive is still up and down, but I have no standard to judge by…since I was pregnant about 2 minutes after being married. So all I really have to compare it to was the honeymoon period, which I don’t think reflects REALITY. But I have enjoyed sex more with less pain since getting it taken out. And as for the moods- it’s getting better. I feel like everything is getting better. And I’m considering the copper IUD, once I get my period back on track. But I’m also kind of not hating the condoms, either. Right on about less mess the next day.
YAY!
I think it is truly time that women were honest about the trade-offs involved with entirely rearanging one of our central biological functions. Obviously, birth control is a good thing. I just wish people talked about the drawbacks more realistically, instead of brushing them aside…as if losing your hair and sex drive and sometimes your emotional stability is of no real consequence.
Also, I actually found myself more attracted to women after my daughter was born. Ahem…meet me in the ladies room about halfway between my place and yours? Say…Nebraska?
Ok Rebecca i’m going to be honest you were definitely the reason I got my mirena removed and my boyfriend and I thank you every single day for that. The side efects for me were so subtle and explainable in other ways that I never put two and two together to realize that it was the mirena that was causing all these problems. and once i got it removed my life was soooo much better! I had the lack of sex drive problem along with vaginal dryness which i didn’t even realize until after i got it out and i had the constant yeast infections where the itching just never went away! then I had about 20lbs of weight gain which i at first had attributed to a less active lifestyle and the fact that i moved in with the bf and started cooking regular (heavy) meals but even when i tried to loose the weight by eating more heathy and getting more active i couldn’t take off the pounds and the strangest thing was that i had gained all the weight in my stomach which was not where i typically gained weight and i always felt bloated. almost imediately after getting the mirena pulled i dropped 5lbs and lost a couple of inches my face which was puffy before slimmed out and i felt thinner and less bloated. a couple months later i’ve dropped another 5lbs without even really trying and i feel so much better! My sex drive is back and i feel more in love than i did before, maybe thats the sex talking but it just goes to show how it really is a necessary part of a relationship, we still don’t do it as much as we used to but thats mostly because we are much busier than we used to be and come home way very tired at the end of the day. overall i just feel more myself and less like a stranger in my own body. so thank you thank you thank you, without you i never would have put all those pieces together. someday i might try the copper one but i think overall i’m done putting strange things in my body.
Mirena is still attached to my person and I’m certainly battling all kinds of different emotions. Literally. I’ve been going through bouts of depression, insanely bad PMS (perhaps PMDD), etc. I’m too adamant about not having any more babies right now though to get it removed. I’m in love with the fact that I don’t have to take a pill everyday or deal with condoms ( I don’t wanna diss the ol’ prophylactic but dude is a buzz kill for sure, single days not so much, but now…). I suppose I’m in an abusive relationship with Mirena. I’m definitely going to reconsider soon though. Maybe it’s time to look at the pill with different eyes.
So, I feel compelled to put this out there…I have a Mirena and I love it. This is actually my second one, so I’ve used the Mirena as birth control for about seven years now. It took some getting used to at first. I think the first year I was really back and forth on it and a little uncomfortable with the idea of putting something in my body that’s changing its workings so much, but at some point I just stopped worrying about it and since then it’s worked out great. So not to naysay, but just to get another perspective out there. Yeah, it’s a little weird to not have a period for seven years, but also…a little wonderful. Plus no pregnancy freak outs in seven years. Yes please. But, of course, different strokes for different folks.
The only problem I had with the Mirena was that I spotted constantly for a whole year. And that was a big problem. But I decided to give it a year anyway and the spotting stopped. Six months after it stopped, I decided to get the thing removed so we can try for another baby this summer. I haven’t noticed any big changes yet (it’s been about two months, I think?), except a bit of acne.
When I went off the pill to have my daughter, I lost enormous amounts of hair (still not fully recuperated), broke out horribly, didn’t have a regular period for eight months (which is when we finally got pregnant so…then no period still for a year-and-a-half – all in all, my “friend” hasn’t been very consistent since ’06).
I’m happier with my withdrawals from Mirena than I was from the pill, but I think I will try the copper IUD after we (hopefully!) pop out another wee bearn.
I had my Mirena removed because of your post. It just sounded all too familiar to me. I thought about it for about three weeks, and getting an appointment was also another week or two so mine was removed a little over a month ago.
Oh happy day.
That reminds me, didn’t I promise you a bottle of cava for that?
I replaced my Mirena with a copper IUD because I just couldn’t see myself with condoms. It’s like you say: if it works for you, great. We’re all different people with different needs and wants.
When I had my mirena I didn’t do any research at all and that didn’t turn out so well, so I got informed this time around. Just like you I was done with hormonal birhtcontrol and that only leaves condoms and copper IUD.
I’m having my first period right now. Oh happy day? Yes and no. Having your periods is not like having a party. I have some cramps, and all this… what is the word in English? “Geknoei” we would say. Maybe it translates to ‘this mess’, because let’s face it: it’s kind of a mess.
But to be perfectly honest, I’m actually glad to have my periods back. This must sound like I’m totally nuts, but it makes me feel like a woman again.
I didn’t gain weight when I had the IUD, but I’ve lost a couple of kilo’s this last month. But that could also be because I’m not having a glass of wine every night this last month.
In the mood for sex? Yes please!
Also not yet like before, but hey it’s only been a month.
My husband never mentioned that he could feel the mirena, but I could with my fingers. With the copper IUD I barely feel it. I already had an appointment because I thought I ‘lost it’ but then a couple of hours later I could feel it again. Did he cut it shorter this time, or is is maybe a different fabric? No idea, but I don’t mind.
A months time is way too short to comment on hairloss or growth, but I can tell you this: my nails are strong again.
I always had short nails because they broke off and I had cracks in them, but ever since the Mirena was removed, I’m having great nails. And when you take hair vitamins, it’s for nails as well so I’m having great hopes!
Feeling like myself again? A month is a short period, but I have to say that I’m getting there. More and more every day. And once again from the bottom of my heart: thank you for that.
I think that writing about it so openly and honestly must not have been all that easy. But you did, and there are loads of women thankfull for that. I’m one of them.
Had a Mirena once upon a time (after two kids), but after hubby was repeatedly stabbed (LOL) and I began spotting, I called the doc & had it removed. Fast forward a few weeks to an appointment to have another one put in, and lo and behold I had too much scar tissue on my cervix to try to insert another… We opted for birth control pills instead.
Three months later I was pregnant with number 3! LOL Best birth control ever, b/c it resulted in my little girl
And hubby had a vasectomy.
Wait, does toothpaste on the face really work??
SO I got my Mirena removed about 3 days ago. I will say that I owe you partial gratitude because you are definitely part of the reason I removed mine, along with other reasons but you certainly convinced me to finally go through with having it taken out. I hated my Mirena. I got severe post-partum carpal tunnel (which I STILL have and she’s one year old) and the DR.’s told me it was from the way I sandwiched my boob during those initial learning-to-breastfeed weeks. WRONG. The Mirena caused my wrists, hips and knees to be SOO stiff and sore all the time. Sex, which was extremely rare, hurt SOOOO BAD. I didn’t experience the weird anxiety/depression thing, but I did sort of just feel numb. I could barely sit up in bed in the mornings and I couldn’t lift my daughter out of her crib without squatting, reaching through the bars, propping her up and then slowly reaching over the top to sort of slide her out. I’m so glad it’s gone. I feel like a human again instead of a nun with a plastic contraption up in her junk. The IUD is a modern chastity belt, in my opinion, not only does it make you hate sex, but it makes the dude not want you either! LOL.
…and I’ll have a Malibu & Coke.
I do not have Mirena nor have I ever, but I have recently decided to nix my oral birth control. I was taking Yaz, and it was the one pill I had taken over the years that had the least number of side effects, but after a month of missing it due to slacking on ordering it from Canada in a timely fashion on my part (it is HELLA expensive through my insurance- I’m talking $80 for ONE MONTH), I suddenly realized just how much I was affected by it. It was insane! All of a sudden, my anxiety levels (and I have generalized anxiety disorder) DROPPED, and my sex drive came back with a vengeance (I mean, I’m only 24 and I had been seriously considering those KY beads or something…it was like menopause/Sahara desert…not fun). We started using condoms and I have to say, I’d rather bag it than take something that alters my body that much. I think everybody’s body reacts differently (like you said) to different things, but for me, it’s just not worth it if I can do something else that achieves the same goal but without such a crazy price.
I have had Mirena in for just under 1 year. I love the idea of no unplanned pregnancies but it has been a constant weight on my mind that there is something shoved up into my uterus and putting hormones in my body to tell it what to do and what not to do. It doesn’t sit well with me…but my husband and I are not the best at using condoms, as our 2 daughters in less than 4 years together can attribute.
My strings got lost right away and I ended up having to have an ultrasound to make sure it hadn’t traveled its way out of my uterus…super scary thought! So now, when I want to have it taken out I get to have some little tool shoved up there to try and grab the strings and if that doesn’t work it would require surgery to remove. Neither of those excite me a whole lot. I have also had slight periods with it but nothing remotely normal of a period…very odd colored, very thin, and just..weird…and that freaks me out. My uterus has also been super painful during sex and it hurts like hell to get bumped by my husband, something that was never an issue before the Mirena, though I’m not sure if they go hand in hand…? And sex drive, yeah, almost nonexistent which is a total bummer and definitely something that was not an issue prior to the IUD.
I’ve been trying to convince my husband that I need to have it removed but we are both quite nervous about having another child before we are ready for one, so what to do?
thank you for all of your posts on this topic. I really had a lot of anxiety about whether to keep my mirena or not. It’s not like you can yank it and then go back to the doctor and say, “Whoops I was wrong…please put it back.” So I took it out and I feel a lot better. It’s almost like this fog that I didn’t know existed has been lifted. I was tired every morning after I woke up, now I am not. My sex drive has never been anything that would require therapy but my oh my it’s getting better. I really appreciate your original post and this follow up. I was one of the creepsters that emailed you to see how you felt post-removal.
Thanks for brining up this topic. I had the copper IUD for a couple of years and I HATED it. My period was 10 days long every 25 days. The cramps were so bad that if I didn’t anticipate my period and put myself on massive doses of pain killers I would be writing on the floor. Plus, putting it in and pulling it out were painful events. The only good part about it is that I got pregnant literally the day after I had it taken out.:)
My IUD stays intact. If I were married, it would come out. But I haven’t experienced any of the things you did. And the penis stabbing, sheesh, yeah, if that happened I would try to pull the thing out myself!
Your posts about getting mirena removed were my wake up call to get mine removed after having it for only 8 months. i had no idea how many problems I had were related to it. Sex drive is back yay, my hair is coming back in tufts but is slowly making an appearance. No more cramps, no more weight gain yippee and best bit i am back to happy me.
My strings were lost almost immediately after insertion and spotted for 4 months which I hated, so removal was painful but oh so worth it. The day I got mine removed the nurse told me three other girls were having theirs removed too and that they see lots of women with complications from mirena . . .well wish they had told me that before.
I just want to say that I love you for item 6. Hilarious. Also I got mine removed recently and nothing has changed, except my gloriously period-free five years of freedom are gone, and that condoms are not nearly as bad as I was afraid that they would be.
mm,, I had the copper IUD after lots of research.
And i hated it.
Blood, blood, more blood, eventually was menstruating 3 out of every 4 weeks. And bend-over-in-agony cramps.
Terrible.
Which sucks, because hormones make me all “hey buddy, scoot over!” in bed, instead of… you know.
my copper IUD just fell out.. it was scary and it hurt.. I had it for a little over a year, I got it after 6 months I had my baby and this month I was feeling weird and pregnant.. I got my period last week, heavy, a lot of cramps, clogs.. and today I was taking out the tampon it hurt a lot and my IUD fell out
I talked to my dr and she said it happens to 5% of the women that has an IUD.. 5%!! thank you.. I was so happy with it, really I`m no good with hormones and it was perfect for me but my body expelled it. it sucks..
you continue to remain so awesome. seriously. anyway here are my 3 cents:
.01: Had a copper iud then had it removed for kid #2, then after he was born, had another copper iud put in. its great. heavy periods in the beginning but whatevs, it was worth it and no complaints from me otherwise. and i love to complain.
.02: my hair always falls out in clumps post-partum, my hairdresser cousin suggested using “nioxin” shampoo & conditioner for thinning hair. TOTALLY worked for me, and trust me, i had like 3 strands of hair when i started.
.03: another product suggestion since i assume you are a product person like me: “mario badescu drying lotion.” better and less sticky than toothpaste.
I’m so glad you posted this. I had mine for just about a year and was tired of feeling “off”…I went to get my mirena out and it was STUCK. Had to get an (internal) ultrasound, then saw a specialist to have the thing removed. Freaked me out and really confirmed that I’m not up for another device.
Thankfully, it is out. Husband is no longer getting poked and I’m feeling more like myself. Hooray!
Maggie, your story sounds similar to mine: BC pills and Nuvaring really messed with me. The biggest symptom was complete lack of sex drive. Mirena has worked well for me, to my surprise… I was worried that the slight bit of hormone in Mirena (in comparison to Nuvaring) would still affect me, but the sexing, it is awesome. I would have gone for the copper straight out, but I was a few months post partum and done with bleeding.
It did take a year for everything to settle out, but I’m now almost a year and a half into my Mirena, and I’m pretty happy.
Obviously, different strokes for different folks.
Crazy about the copper IUD falling out, Thili!!! MY GOSH!
I had mine removed in October after having it for a year. For the entire year I had it my sex drive sucked, I couldn’t lose any weight after months of diet and exercise and my moods were completely erratic.
After having it in for about six months, I went to my gyno to discuss these things and she said it was IMPOSSIBLE that the Mirena was a part of any of them- the amount of hormone in my bloodstream from the IUD was comparable to a spit in the ocean, she told me. She had my thyroid tested and suggested trying 1 hour of cardio five days a week (!!!) and maybe looking into therapy. I felt silly for thinking something with “such little hormone” could be doing anything weird to my body- oh wait, except completely stopping my periods and making it so a baby can’t live in my uterus!
I stupidly left it in for several more months as my bad moods turned into full blow OCD. I was cranky constantly and if the house was slightly messy, I was a complete wreck.
Then, at the end of last summer, the whole left side of my body went numb and I could barely walk. I was worked up for MS, epilepsy and stroke, but everything came back normal. Turns out some kinds of migraines can cause this craziness, and what contributes to such scary migraines? Artificial hormones, apparently even spit-in-the-ocean proportions, in my case.
Over the course of my time with Mirena I had three different doctors tell me that Mirena, in essence, has no side effects.
Finally, I actually just listened to my body and decided to have it yanked. The doctor begrudgingly did it with a warning of, “I just hope you don’t decide in three months that none of this was from the Mirena and then think you want another one. It’s just a waste of money.” Thank you, I’m good.
Six months later, I feel so, so, SO much better. Sex is way better (although the dry spell with Mirena has probably permanently lowered our expectations for how frequently we could be doing it), my husband doesn’t think I’m certifiable, and I’ve had no more terrifying migraines since it came out!
Gin and tonic, please.
I have a paraguard copper/no hormone iud. I hope after reading Rebecca’s “trauma” that people aren’t afraid of iuds. For me, it’s been a great option.
I had tried the patch, depo, the ring. I liked the ring best. Progesterone made my hair fall out(similar to what the mirena iud did to Rebecca) and I already have what I refer to as female pattern baldness.
That being said, I had migraines and with minimal health insurance I was shelling out $55/month for the ring. To get the iud it was a one time payment of $120.
I’ve had the iud for almost 3 years now. My bf could feel it at first, but I went back and had them cut the string a little shorter. My periods were heavier for a bit, but now they are stabilized to pre-hormonal bc status. Migraines are gone. I do have teenage acne which I NEVER had as a teenager and it is disturbing, but eh, I deal. I do wish someone would have told me before I went on hormones that acne would occur when I went off. Also, wild crazy mood swings-gone.
Anyway, I just thought I’d throw a positive experience out there. The paraguard iud was the best decision I could have made for myself.
I read now through all of the comments, and it really strikes me that so many peoples doctor are denying that mirena has these side effects. My doctor also mentioned ‘a busy life’ as an excuse, but when I insisted he admitted that a lot of people had this complaint AND that in a lot of these cases the symptoms disappeared after having mirena removed.
In the comments I also read that some people with a copper IUD have heavy bleedings. Well, my period lasted three days. So appereantly my body loves the copper IUD. My mind does as well! Although now I’m a little worried that it will fall out.
I guess there is no such thing as a perfect birthcontrol method.
Danny, when these posts started way back when, that was among my primary complaints – I went to a midwife, a nurse practitioner and an ob-gyn asking to have mine removed and EACH ONE (All women, btw) kept trying to tell me I should just stick it out. My midwife, while I was in the stirrups, without asking first, just grabbed a nuvaring and stuck it in me and said the extra hormones would help. Hello, violating? And they didn’t help! And then not only did i have a damn IUD poking my husband – I had a plastic ring, too. My vagina had a friggin obstacle course in it.
I felt like there was a damn conspiracy with a freaky secret iud lobby or something. Finally I was like, “I dont want to TALK about this, I just want it REMOVED. I don’t like this birth control!!!” It was ridiculous.
Ok, I still have to let this go, clearly.
Christa, no wonder you have to let it go. It’s almost a horror story!
I mean having to consult people on that area is difficult enough, let alone them putting stuff in there.
If it’s not on your own request or with your consent, damn I’d feel a angry too!
It’s really a shame that you had to fight people over having it removed. I mean, it’s your body right?
It should be your decision.
I agree. When I called the doctor to ask about my low sex drive and mirena they (I say they because I got to tell the receptionist, the nurse’s assistant and finally the nurse herself) said that I was the only person in their practice to ever complain about mirena and low sex drive. Really? A downtown Seattle doctor’s office (Not really a small group of people we’re sampling) and I am the only person? I was really confused after that conversation and frankly felt pretty stupid but after talking with a friend who has mirena who said, “yeah, my sex drive went down when I went on mirena” I finally just did it. I don’t understand why the nurses didn’t want me to pull it. I just don’t get it…
i’m glad you posted this. my ob was trying to convince me to get an IUD, because we don’t want another kid for five years. instead, i chose birth control pills and condoms. i’m glad i did
I agree re: The Mirena Conspiracy. My OB is AMAZING but even he pushed the Mirena from the beginning and was surprised to hear I wanted it out. I have heard from TONS of people who had the same issues with their doctors pushing Mirena on them. WTF?
I actually spoke to one of the nurses at my OB and she said that the average lifespan for Mirena customers = one year. That right there was all I needed to hear.
Because… yeah.
I switched from the copper to the Mirena 3 years ago and I couldn’t be happier. I hated the copper one because it made my periods EXTREMELY heavy. I don’t typically have heavy periods so dealing with that was a really unpleasant shock. Now on the Mirena I never have a period at all WHICH IS HEAVEN!
For the record, my OB recommended the copper over the Mirena.
I had mine removed last Tuesday, couldn’t take it anymore. It was making me a total psycho and I looked four months pregnant from the bloat. I felt better immediately and have already lost four pounds. (I gained weight with it.)
DEATH TO MIRENA
I have to tell you that your experience definitely influenced my decision to not get an IUD. I changed my pill instead. I wasn’t comfortable with a pogo-stick-like apparatus in my hoo-ha. I’m not sure how I feel about messing around with my cycle to only get a period every three months, but so far, so good.
I just posted to let people know that it can happen, I don`t mean to scare anyone.. I didn`t know a cooper IUD could fall out
I`m ok, talked to my dr twice and I don`t think I`ll have a new one, because maybe my body will expel it again..
I was very happy with it, no complains whatsoever.. maybe my body is trying to play tricks on me to get a new baby, now that my baby girl is almost 2
I got a copper IUD put in about 8 months ago, have never had Mirena. It definitely results in heavier periods and bad cramps at the beginning, but 8 months out, those are pretty much back to normal- relatively little cramping, and I think my period seemed heavy bc after being on the ring/other hormonal BC for so long, I kind of forgot what a normal period was like. Sex drive is back in action and I love not having any (extra) hormones in my body. Well, let’s not get started on all the estrogen in the environment. The best part of course is not having to think about BC for 12 years. Whoa!
My roommate just got a Mirena put in last week and I’m a little worried she will eventually take it out bc of all the problems your readers mentioned. Also, while I’m sure it’s perfectly healthy, the idea of not getting my period every month still freaks me the hell out. Oh well…to each her own. All this is to say- gogo copper IUD!
I’m so sorry, but the quote from Christina, “My vagina had a friggin obstacle course in it ” made me laugh out loud. Your experience was truly horrifying, but that last sentence just put me in stitches.
I have tried the pill and the Nuva Ring, both of which caused insane mood swings and weight gain. I’ve been back and forth between the Mirena and the copper Paraguard for the last 2 months. Two weeks ago, I finally made an appointment to have the Paraguard implanted. I think sometimes ladies forget that periods are natural occurrences. I’m OK with having a longer, heavier, crampier period if it means I don’t gain weight, my hair doesn’t fall out and I’m not prone to yeast infections and insane mood swings that make my husband want to divorce me.
We used the ‘rhythm’ method for 2 years as our natural birth control, but it failed one time too many and we ended up with a wonderful, yet unplanned baby boy who is now 3 year old toddler. As much as we love him, we are absolutely adamant about not having a another child within the next 2-3 years and cannot afford another ‘oops’ by failing to use a condom or using the method again.
Alas, the Paraguard is our last hormone free option and I hope it works!!!
I had a copper that was removed last fall. I feel so much better now its ridiculous.
I had the copper IUD for 8 years. I only got it out cuz new hubby had the big V before we met. You still may get the stabbing with the copper one. There’s got to be a way around that? I know my strings were (accidentally) cut very short, so it was only a problem sometimes. Of course, there was also the occasional freak-out cuz I couldn’t find them and thought it had fallen out.
Your periods will be (a bit) heavier and last (a day or so) longer. You will never have to worry about vaginal dryness again! (I’m not saying you do now, but the copper IUD increases vaginal discharge during the rest of the month too. This was a HUGE plus for me, but maybe not for everyone.)
Otherwise, it was awesome and I loved it.
I heart you. I just had to say that.
And I love that you talked about finding women more attractive since the IUD came out. Since giving birth, I’ve had more sexual fantasty dreams about women. Hmmm…
Copper IUD – I had one before having a child, so some of my complaints are probably due to a tiny uterus protesting the insertion of a foreign object. I had horrible cramps. I got an infection. I finally said, enough, and had it taken out.
Also – I love that Fable is the reward for you and Hal sticking out the bummer period of your marriage. Which is exactly what my daughter is for my husband and I – it’s a lovely way to think of her and our relationship.
Thanks for writing!
P.S. You’re 28? STFU. You look it, but your writings imply maturity beyond your years.