My experience with Mirena IUD(long) - Birth Control Message Board

3boys4me · 09-28-2006, 12:23 PM

I have been lurking on this board for over a year and decided it's high time to finally post

Quick background. I have extremely heavy periods and my doctor and me are "experimenting" to find the best thing that can help me out. I have 3 boys, and DH had a vasectomy so birth control is not really the issue. It's strickly to help me with my period situation.

My doctor recommended Mirena for me and of all the women I talked to had nothing but good things to say about it.

Except for a few hours of light cramping, I didn't find the insertion that bad at all. Immediatly I started spotting and my doctor told me it was normal to spot, even for a few months.

Well let me tell you after 10 months of non-stop spotting, I have finally had the IUD removed. While it was true that I didn't have a single heavy period, I
had light spotting every single day for 10 months and I couldn't take it anymore

. My doctor told me that the most that a patient of her spotted for was 5 months so I guess I broke that record and who knows how much longer it would have gone on for. The removal was a piece of cake.

I am really disappointed because my next option is to go on the Pill which is not a good choice for me because I am really bad at remembering to take pills. Also I have lost 40 pounds (all my pregnancy weights from all the kids) and would be devastated to gain any back. Wish me luck.

Thanks for listening.

caliente · 09-29-2006, 07:48 AM

welcome!

i'm really sorry it didnt work for you. i have had my Mirena for almost a year and a half. i got mine for the same reason you got yours - not birth control, but heavy periods. i was spotting for the first six months, but then it went away and i havent had a problem with it since.

have you considered depo provera for stopping your periods? it could be an option to look into. although i have heard of some women gaining weight while on it, and i completely understand about not wanting to gain the weight (it took me 3 years to lose the 40 lbs that i gained while pregnant with my daughter so i can totally relate!).

if you end up trying the pill, keep the pill package near something that you do or use every day, like your alarm clock or toothbrush. that way, you'll see it every day and remember to take it. i'm not good at remembering to take pills every day either, so i keep my medication next to my daughter's vitamins. i've also heard of some women setting the alarm on their cell phones to beep at a certain time, reminding them to take their pill.

hopefully you'll find something that works for you. good luck.

3boys4me · 09-29-2006, 12:07 PM

Thank you, caliente. Those are great suggestions for remembering to take the Pill.