IUD Mirena causing Vaginal Infections

I have had the mirena for 3 years now and ever since I got it.. I have had a BV like every 3 months.. I went to the doc NUMEROUS times about this also. The doc I saw said it had nothing to do with the Mirena. The first one I had was SOOO bad that she said it looked like I had a severe chemical burn!. and let me tell you, it hurt!. I am wondering if this is possibly caused by the extreme lightness of periods with mirena... I get the cramps and all.. and BARELY spot.. so I am wondering if maybe that blood is sitting in there and causing infection?? It is something I plan on asking at the next doc appt but wont know at least until then. I am also a very clean person and it bothers me that this continues to happen because my husband is starting to think CRAZY things!.. I hope this maybe helps and if anyone else is going through this and going to the doc SOON.. you should ask that ? for me and let the rest of us know! :) Thanks

I have had my Mirena for 5 months (June 2012). My main worry, however, was not to avoid pregnancy but to stop my period which had not stopped for more than a few days since December. This was awful for me because until I had my first child 9 yrs ago my periods lasted 5-6 days and were every 6 months. After biopsy and ultrasounds to determine there was no cancer or other problems two gyns (one male and one female, who had the same IUD) suggested Mirena as a means to treat my problem. Since June my periods have gradually returned to normal. This month I had a normal period that lasted 5 days. I am shocked to hear of all the VB and yeast infections caused by this. I suffered one yeast and then VB one right after another until my periods became regular after my first child. So not having a period makes sense to me as a reason for yeast/VB infections. I don't however see how bladder infections could be caused by this-? With the Mirena I have not yet had these issues. I have a lot of itching at the time of my period but it goes away as soon as my period stops. It is usually limited to exterior skin and I feel like it is because of the pads I use but I never had that problem before the iud. Maybe it isn't so much the IUD causing the yeast/VB but the lack of period?

just a thought!!! If you don't get a period then the body can't naturally cleanse itself and things can get stagnant possibly causing the yeast and bacteria issue. I had my IUD out for 4 weeks and I have to say I feel great. I was convinced that the iud was causing recurring yeast/bv every month and sex was stressful and uncomfortable. I'm glad I had it removed I would much rather my period than constant yeast and bv.

i have the same thing omg

I certainly know what you mean . I to have a mirena iud and I have been having the same problem for years and I didn't realize that it was the mirena iud and the health clinic didn't either. I have experienced everything you mentioned and I am so glad that now I know why I have been having the BV so often , so now I can get it taken out as well , before I got the mirena I had the one that last 10 years and it cause me much pain , real bad admonial pain and I had to get it taken out as well. I certainly thank you for your post it has helped me a lot. God Bless You!!!

recently i was in hospital i could barely walk and was in tremendous pain. i had the mirena taken out because it created an effection in my body. it was horriable and im still suffering from the effects it has caused its also has affected me emotionally  and i am struggling with life. please take it out it might ruin your life like it has done for me. (2012, Tash).

Hi Ladies, I too have been expereincing problems with the Mirena IUD. I had the IUD inserted a year ago to help me with the excessivie bleeding. the doctors informed that the bleeding would stop after 7 months, however, the bleeding has continued to this present day. In addtion to all of this the vaginal odur was a concern, which I thought would go away. However, when I entered into a recent relationship, the smell during intercourse was horrific and unpleasant for myself and my fella. the whole expereince wass very embarrasing. The smell was resembled an odur of something rotten - quite gastly. I have since been to my gynacologist and GP and its been decided that the IUD will be removed. within the next 10 days. My GP informed me that yes women do have bacteris in the vagina, however the loose strings attached to the Mirena IUD attacks bacteria from inside our vagina and therefore becomes a site for bacteriel infection to cultivate. I am now on antibiotics to clear the infection - 5 tablets in one dose. I will not be sad to get this IUD out of me. To manage the bleeding I will now be undertaking an endermetrial ablation (burning the outer lining of the cervix). I am hoping this will help my 'bleeding' situation'. If anyone knows information on this, I would welcome your conversation. I will let you know how things turn out for me.

Did you ever get it tookout and did it help. I have the same problem :(

I am so happy that I found this information. I've had my Mirena for 3 years now. It was horrible for the first 6 months with the bleeding and pain, it even caused severe cramping anytime I flew, but it eventually became normal with some discharge every couple of months. About 8 months ago the pain during sex began as well as the bleeding during or after any sexual act. When I went to the docter with questions she could not find the strings and I had to have xrays to check  for the device. It was in place correctly but I had cysts on my ovaries that may or may not have anything to do with my birth control. I've been in twice since to check on the cysts, they have become smaller and seem harmless as I have not had any discomfort because of them. My docter did not attribute the cysts or the pain to my mirena. The pain during sex never went away and caused many problems with my ex. To make matters worse I have noticed that I have developed a discharge and a smell that is disgusting, basically what everyone has been describing so far. I have never had this problem before and only once have I ever had a yeast infection and that was many years ago. Basically reading all of your posts has helped me decide to make the appointment to get my mirena taken out. I would much rather worry about birth control pills or condoms than be self conscious about a really horrible smell (no matter how faint or "manageable") or have to suffer during sex especially when starting a new relationship. My advice is to avoid this form of birth control, over the years the benefits have not been worth the sacrifices. Thanks to all of you that have shared your stories I really thought I was alone in this!   

I have had the Mirena out for over a year now and still sometimes get that smell and have to use treatment for a bacterial infection.

I too had the Mirena, in 2007 after I had my son. In my case I didn't keep it in for no longer than 3-4 months, because i was bleeding too long for comfort. Ever since I took it out I’ve had yeast infections on the regular. My life has not been the same clunk of white discharge. I get a yeast infection almost every month before or after my monthly cycle. I’ve gotten so tired that I said something is definitely wrong. The itching is so bad that I cannot help my tears from flowing, with that said I saw a commercial on TV of a civil suit against Mirena IUD, which lead me to do some research. Upon doing this research I ran into your post. My GYNO isn’t making sense with what is happening to me.  I’m so glad I saw this posting for all this is make sense, including the civil lawsuit commercial which I saw on TV.

I am 19, and got Mirena three months and have had two yeast infections. As relieving as it is that many other women have this problem, and I am worried because I also have unprotected sex with my partner and do not want to go back to other methods of birth control. I am going to see my OB/GYN next to ask her about my options. If the yeast infections persist, I think I will take it out in a few months. 

Wow this post is so helpful and eye opening. Ive had mine for almost a year . Ive had at least 9 yeast infections. It itches so bad that ive scratched so much i lost my pigmentation . I had gone to the gyno and when i told him i thought i was getting a reaction to my IUD he makes me feel like im crazy and dont know what im talking about. He keeps telling me that has nothing to do with it. My periods are loooong and heavy and it smells like something died..  After reading these post i know im right. Im getting removed ASAP. Back to the pill for me :?

i have had the same problem i got the mirena about a year ago and since then ive had bv 5 times and a thrush i think im going to get the mirena removed this week, i cant cope and its really embarasing around my boyfriend. Thank you so much at least im not alone

i have had this same problem since ive had the iud inserted after the birth of my son. before my son i have never had any issues with yeast infections, and after the mirena ive had nothing but problems with smell, discharge and yeast infections. i originally thought it was just a change in my body due to having a chilld but after reading this im pretty certain its the mirena. did you have your iud taken out? and are your problems gone if so?