I am so glad I found this message and all the responses. (Although, I'm sorry for what we've all gone through.)
I am 43 and it has been a year since my Mirena was inserted. My OB/GYN insisted that I had been on the pill too long and they wanted me off even though I don't fit any of the "high risk" categories. She told me that I would stop getting my period after a few months, so I agreed. What a nightmare. The insertion was extrememly painful and I cramped and bled heavily for several days afterwards. I then had my period more often than not for at least three months...heavy. After that, I did not get my period for two months, but it certainly made up for lost time when I did. I had horrible PMS leading up to it--extremely tender breasts, bloating, anxiety, mood swings, etc... In the meantime, I gained 20 pounds!! I am an athlete that has always stayed in shape, worked out and ate healthy foods and I suddenly found myself seeing a nutritionist and a personal trainer to try to lose weight. I've had problems with my hands and feet swelling so bad that I can't get my shoes on. I have constant vague pain and bloating in my abdomen. I now seemed to have settled into a rhythm of getting my period every 15-20 days for about a week with non-stop spotting in between. I just saw my doctor for my annual gyn appointment and joked that the way Mirena works as birth control is that you never want to have sex! She stuck by Mirena and said I need to "give it more time". I think one year is enough.
My primary care physician told me she is almost positive that my weight gain and other problems are related to Mirena. She said, "it is not for everyone and I don't think it's for you." The only thing that has kept me from calling to get it removed is the fear of what I went through to get it inserted. I don't want to go through that hell again, but I can't go on like this. It has (excuse the pun) cramped my lifestyle long enough.
I would see if there is a Planned Parenthood near you. They will either bill you only a percentage of your income or if your state has a family planning measure for low-income uninsured people they will help you apply for that. I went there while I was in college and working part time and I liked the doctor I saw and found them very helpful.
I have 3 kids and am 43. I first chose the paragaurd (copper IUD) but, with that one I had heavy, heavy bleeding and lots of spotting so I switched to Mirena after 1 year of hoping my experience would get better. I was hopeful the Mirena would end my periods all together. But, it didn't. I still spot with the Mirena pretty much 3 weeks out of the 4. I get about 4 or 5 clean days with no spotting and my normal self. Not worth it! I gave the Mirena 10 months and today I finally had it removed, Hurray!
I will be happy to get back to my normal periods, medium flow and lasting only 5 days. At least I will only bleed once a month!
I convinced my husband to get a vasectomy...whoop whoop!
I've ahead the marina for 3 months now and still bleeding. But haven't had a period. And there's discharge that doesn't smell too nice. It also feels like I can feel one of the arms of my IUD poking my uterus wall. Can anyone tell me what's going on. also A LOT of cramping. I know for a fact I'm not pregnant. Y hubby doesn't like blood so we haven't had sex.
I am 45 and got Mirena to control super heavy periods. It's been in for over a year now, and I have had spotting every single day with the exception of maybe 5 days in the entire last year. The discharge is brownish and thick, but sometimes it is watery. I have gained tons of weight and still experience all of the other negative symptoms associated with a period such as cramps, bloating, painful breasts, and irritability. Basically, I have traded three days a month where I need to stay near the bathroom because of heavy bleeding for non-stop spotting which has put a damper on my sex life (not to mention ruined countless pairs of underwear). Hubby & I have discussed it, and I think I am having it removed. I did not sign up for this!
it might have migrated and scraped your vaginal wall go get checked just to be safe !
i got the iud in march of this year. ive been bleeding heavy every sence now. whent and had it checked 2 times now, its still in place. dr put me on the pill to take as well to see if we could get me back on a reg monthly. so the has been a change, but not a good one. i whent from bleeding 3 weeks on 1 week off to now, im on day 28 bleeding heavy. i just want to cry iv only had bout 4 -6 hours with no bleeding. i aslo started to break out in hives when im ovulating or on my period. Its like im allergic to hormones. ive been breaking out for bout 5 years now when i go to start or eat chicken but now its an everyday thing, thinking i should get it removed... Help please!
i am 41yrs old with endometriosis. i was getting an awful period every 2 weeks so my doctor recommended Mirena. I've had it for 6 weeks now and I've had to wear a panty liner or light tampon every single day since and I'm already so over this. If it is not a deep bright red bleed, its been brown discharge with a foul odor. I've called my GYN and she said it is all normal and could last a while. I'm fatigued, moody, don't feel clean and just very unhappy over all. Not a good choice. Will be removing soon.
I am 50 yrs old and have endometriosis. My dr. suggested the Mirena to help with the bleeding and pain. I've had nothing but spotting and intense pain for three wks and having it removed. The pain and discomfort and inconvenience just aren't worth it.