anyone here try Mirena?

820 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by crazy_eights, Jul 9, 2005

ccasanova

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2005

hi all! has anyone tried Mirena? What was it like when it was inserted? and how has it been with the afterpains? I'm really interested in getting it, since it's good for 5 years and it sounds a lot better then taking pills for 5 years (i'm scared of the side effects pills could have, and from what i understand, mirena has only progesterone like the mini pill) So hopefully someone here has tried it and liked it. thanks!

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nonconformnmom

· #2 · Jun 17, 2005

I've had a Mirena IUD twice. I got it the first time in January 2003 after the birth of my now 2.5 year old. The only side effects I had was spotting for about six weeks and then, gradually over time, my periods became less and less and by August I had virtually no monthly bleeding. I loved it! I had no complaints whatsoever. It felt like a little pinch when it was inserted, but it was a really quick procedure.

In Nov. 2003, I got the crazy idea to have another child. So I had the Mirena removed and my cycles returned in Dec. and I was pregnant by February.

I got my second Mirena in January 2005. This time, I had spotting for quite a bit longer, about 3 months, but then it stopped. I still have not had a period but I'm bf my 7 month old. I have no side effects from the Mirena; I absolutely love it.

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acrathbun

· #3 · Jun 17, 2005

I've had my Mirena since my youngest was 11mos old (he's 20mos now). It was mildly owie going in, not really a big deal. They like to put them in when you are either postpartum or on your period...and I've heard it hurts less then.

I had not yet started having pp periods, so we just went ahead & did it.

I had mild spotting for 2-4 days (can't really remember now, tbh) and then have had no bleeding at all since. No periods. I am still nursing my 20m old, and usually don't have periods until my children are totally weaned.

I love, love, love my Mirena.

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mrzmeg

· #4 · Jun 17, 2005

I was one of the rare moms who have side effects from the Mirena (though it uses very low dosages, the progestrone does enter the bloodstream). It gave me severe headaches, mood swings, and depression. I hadn't realized that the Mirena was responsible for all of that, but it became clear when all of that reversed within a week of getting it removed...I also dropped 15 lbs within the following month. I've had bad luck with other hormonal birth control (only gave this a try because of it being low levels), so maybe I'm just predisposed to that.

I didn't have any discomfort after the insertion, though, and didn't get my period back until after having it removed.

JME.

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AllisonK

· #5 · Jun 19, 2005

I had the Mirena inserted at my pp appt after my son was born (he's now two). It was a bit uncomfortable going in but was a very quick procedure. I had spotting for several months (not the whole time, it would stop here and there). My period never went completely away but I went from a 7 day heavy period to 3-4 days of very light spotting. I did get ovarian cysts every other month but I don't know if that is from the mirena or not. I started getting cysts when I started the pill, so who knows. I just had it removed about 3 weeks ago and getting it out was so easy I expected it to hurt but it just felt like a tugging. I did bleed for a few days after that and now have my period back right on schedule. But I am back to my normal 7 day cycle

. I was worried about the hormones as when I took the pill (all diff kinds) and depo I was so messed up. I would cry when people said hello. Can you say nuts

But I had no side effects emotionally.

My DH could feel the strings in certain positions though. Sorry prob to much info. :LOL

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crazy_eights

· #6 · Jun 19, 2005

I had one for a year and had spotting, acne, weight gain and decreased libido (like none). Other than that, I loved it. Caveat emptor.

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time4another

· #7 · Jun 19, 2005

Had it for 2.5 years so far and I have a love/hate relationship with it right now. I love it because its super easy and effective. It is a wonderful form of b/c. The only reason why I don't like it right now is because we are thinking of ttc and well, instead of throwing out my pills or not getting it refilled I actually have to go to the dr and have it removed sort of a pita. I thought we were done after #2 came but now we really feel the pull of another baby, someone is missing from our family. It sort of has caused us to "overthink" our family plans, there are many days I wish that the decision to have another was already made for us. Insertion was quick and just a bit uncomfortable, I took 2 advil before insertion. I bleed (spotted) after for a few days and the 6 months afterward had unpredictable spotting, which was rather annoying but didn't last that long. I haven't had an actual period in about 2 years. Overall would I get one again? YES, I think I would....

Heather

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ccasanova

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 19, 2005

well it sounds like it's worth it, but now i have to ask...was it really expensive and do most insurances cover it? not just insertion, but the actual iud?

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crazy_eights

· #9 · Jun 20, 2005

It depends on your insurance. With mine it was totally covered, my friend's insurance covered nothing.

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marilynmama

· #10 · Jun 20, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccasanova
well it sounds like it's worth it, but now i have to ask...was it really expensive and do most insurances cover it? not just insertion, but the actual iud?

You can check with the health department and Planned Parenthood as well. My friend got a Mirena for only $25 at the health department (she LOVES it btw, every single women I know irl who has one, just LOVES it). I'm using the NuvaRing right now which is fantastic but I want to get the Mirena at some point as well. I think if you have to pay for it on your own it is pretty expensive up front, but then again that is all you have to pay for the next 5 years so if you break the cost down it's no more expensive than any other bc.

My friend got one inserted the other day and she said it didn't hurt a single bit and has had no cramping or bleeding/spotting after insertion.

HTH

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kater07

· #11 · Jul 8, 2005

Insertion was just a little uncomfortable. I only noticed bad cramping afterward for a couple hours. That said, I had it inserted on CD4 and here I am on CD 12 and I am still spotting. It's annoying. I am hoping that it will go away soon.

I liked Mirena better than Paragard b/c it's less likely that I'll become pregnant on Mirena. With Paragard, you chance a pregnancy each cycle, but you just can't carry, so you'd probably miscarry a lot of babies (according to my doctor), where the localized progesterone in the Mirena is supposed to inhibit fertilization.

I think that outright, the Mirena is about $350. Our insurance paid all but my $40 copay. Over 5 years $350 comes out to $6/mth approximately. My minipill (which I HATED) cost me $5/mth for the generic and $35 for brand name. Over 5 years, the Mirena will cost me $.66/month.

HTH

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crazy_eights

· #12 · Jul 9, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by kater07
I liked Mirena better than Paragard b/c it's less likely that I'll become pregnant on Mirena. With Paragard, you chance a pregnancy each cycle, but you just can't carry, so you'd probably miscarry a lot of babies (according to my doctor), where the localized progesterone in the Mirena is supposed to inhibit fertilization.

Yes, there is a slightly higher chance of getting pregnant on the Paraguard, but I think your doctor is not informed of research on IUD's. It is not believed that the main mechanism is the action as an 'abortifactant'. There seems to be an immune response that prevents fertilization and implantation even with the paraguard.

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