Wow. I had no idea. I've had my Mirena in for a little almost 2 months now. No weight gain, I'm still losing, but of course I'm also still BF my son. But I have started noticing some minor swelling in my feet lately, and was wondering if that was from the Mirena. Also, I had high BP after my son was born, but it went away, however, while generally it's excellent (under 120/80) I do find it fluctuates a bit more now than it used to, sometimes getting up to 135/95 (it always goes down again within a couple hours) but wondering if that's from the Mirena as well? Anyone have any advice? I love the freedom it provides, and we really don't think we want anymore children, but we're also young, and don't want to consider permanent alternatives.
I am so glad I found this posting site! I have had my mirena for 2 years. At first I gain about 5 pounds, (no acne). The strange thing was that it was so hard to get off. I have always been petite (5'5" 115-120). After I had my daughter I lost all of my baby weight over a course of about 8 months. After about a year of mirena I had increasingly irregular (albeit very light) periods. My obgyn insisted this was normal and encouraged me to "stay the course." Over the last 6 months I have gained 30 pounds and had terrible acne. I have had thyroid checked, I am on a physician prescribed exercise and diet program with little effect. I have been on this program for 3 months, no luck. I have always been active and been aware of my caloric intake. I am getting rid of Mirena and having a tubal. My husband and I do not want anymore children.
so glad to have found this site. I have 3 children and have my tubes tied. After severe enemia due to heavy periods I was advised to have the Mirena IUD inserted. I am small (size 4) and have all of the side effects mentioned. My GYN had me convinced that I was the only one experiencing these symptoms. Since having Mirena inserted I have experienced weight gain, severe boating, irritability and acne. I fell like you could pop me with a pin! I run four times a week and I maintain a healthy diet. I am having this "foreign" thing removed in 5 days and can't wait to see the results. Thanks to all of you for the great info.
OMG! thank heaven I found this forum! I have been racking my brains trying to figure out why the HELL I keep gaining weight despite my high activity level and reasonable diet. I am making an appointment immediately to get this thing removed! Has anyone had similar problems with the copper IUD?
Yes, that's very easy for you to say...however my family doctor (NOT the doctor who put the Mirena in) says that the hormones do cause weight gain. A little bit of common sense would also tell you that anytime a medication stops or lightens your period that ultimately it would cause weight gain. I don't buy the "exercise and watch what you eat" argument...if you read all these stories on here....seems like the ones who DON't have a reaction are far and few between. I have gained at least 10 pounds since it was inserted 2 years ago and I've never been one to gain weight like this.
Yes, that's very easy for you to say...however my family doctor (NOT the doctor who put the Mirena in) says that the hormones do cause weight gain. A little bit of common sense would also tell you that anytime a medication stops or lightens your period that ultimately it would cause weight gain. I don't buy the "exercise and watch what you eat" argument...if you read all these stories on here....seems like the ones who DON't have a reaction are far and few between. I have gained at least 10 pounds since it was inserted 2 years ago and I've never been one to gain weight like this.
I TOO AM A MIRENA "VICTIM" I HAD MINE INSERTED 19 MONTHS AGO...I BLED HEAVILY FOR 3 MONTHS AFTERWARD, WITH CRAMPS AND BLOATING...I THOUGHT THE BLOATING WOULD SUBSIDE...I GAINED ABOUT 7 POUNDS THE FIRST 2 MONTHS!!! EVEN AFTER THE INITIAL PROCESS WAS OVER, THE WEIGHT KEEPS PILING ON...I AM NOW 22 POUNDS HEAVIER THAN THE DAY IT WAS INSERTED...I HAVE ALWAYS AND CONTINUE TO EXCERCIZE AT LEAST 4-5 DAYS A WEEK...BEFORE MIRENA, I COULD EASILY DIET A FEW DAYS AND TAKE OFF 4-5 POUNDS...NOW, I CAN'T LOSE 1 POUND !!, GOING HUNGRY, EXERCIZING, TAKING CARE OF A 5 YEAR OLD, A HUSBAND, A LARGE HOUSE, CARS, AND DOGS...I AM ALWAYS ON THE GO; I DO NOT EAT FAST FOOD, I AM A VEGITARIAN, AND I STILL KEEP PILING ON THE POUNDS...FINALLY, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH HERE ON THE WEBSITE AND OTHERS, I DECIDED TO HAVE IT REMOVED.... WELL, I GOT TO THE APPT. WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE ORDEAL OF A PAP SMEAR...AND OH BOY, NO IUD TO BE FOUND... AFTER 30 MINUTES OF LOOKING, THE DR. ORDERED AN X-RAY--- TURNS OUT THE IUD IS CLEAR UP IN THE LEFT SIDE OF MY UTEROUS... IF MUCH MORE TIME PASSES, IT MAY BE IN MY HEART!!!!! LOL THEY DON'T TELL YOU THIS STUFF WHEN YOU ARE SEARCHING, SO READ ALL YOU CAN AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE RIGHT KIND OF BIRTH CONTROL. THE DR. STILL SWEARS I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS...I HAVE A BEST FRIEND WHO HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS...SHE IS ALSO GETTING HERS OUT NEXT WEEK...AS FOR ME, I MAY HAVE TO HAVE A D&C!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? THE MIRENA IS VERY OVERRATED...THE COMPANY SAYS ONLY POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE IUD, (AS EXPECTED) BUT, WE, AS WOMEN OWE IT TO EACH OTHER TO TELL THE TRUTH OF OUR OWN EXPERIENCES....I JUST PRAY I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A FULL OPERATION TO GET THIS POISON OUT OF ME!!!!!! GOOD LUCK, GIRLS !!!!!
Wow, its amazing how many people got the down side effects. I originally was just looking to see on average how many people bled/spotted and for how long. I have had it in a month. so far just the spotting and occasional cramp for me, especially after sex. I haven't changed my diet, but I have been running and doing pilates for three weeks...haven't gained, or lost, just the same. But I feel smaller...and I do have the mood swings, but i expected that. They arent nearly as bad as the estrogen hormone birth controls though. I think next I will look up info on the hormone mirena puts out, that may help. Just think, if you had a hormonal in-balance, birth control could help...if its the right hormone; but if you had plenty or that hormone, and added to it using birth control, your body could get pretty wacked up. I would research the actual hormones and their role in the body before i got it removed, or if you havent got it yet, do it before so. Just food for thought...
I have had the Mirena for 9 months and have hained 14 pounds (the weight gain was immediate-in teh first 2-3 months) . My personal trainer had the Mirena inserted but had it taken out after gaining 8 lbs. in 3 weeks. I have not changed my diet and have amped up my routine. I went to have it removed for vanity reasons and was told that it had embedded itself in my uterus. I go in for surgery to get it cut out (hospital-full deal) this Monday. Mirena is not a good choice for BC. I never experienced weight gain on the pill. I should have not messed with a good thing. Also, the Mirena causes acne-noticed on my face and back and I'm 31-never had a problem before. Not a good device. I thoguht that I was different and decided to go along with the Mirena and not I'm not only financially regretting it, but physically.
I am so disappointed that I found this site AFTER I had the Mirena inserted. I saw the commercial on t.v. and researched the pharmaceutical company's web-site. I read all the FAQ's. One of the first questions under the "Mirena & My Body" section asks Will I gain weight with Mirena? The company's response is A. Large studies have shown that Mirena has no effect on weight gain. I am, to say the least, fanatical about my weight. I watch what I eat, do moderate exercise, work full time, and weigh myself every morning. As soon as I notice any weight gain, I immediately cut my calorie intact and can drop it within a few days. Since having the Mirena inserted 8 weeks ago, I have gained 6 pounds and nothing....I mean nothing, is letting me take the weight off. Not to mention that my breasts are so sore, I can't even sleep on my stomach. The last time they felt this bad was 15 years ago when I was pregnant with my second child. I knew the breast tenderness was clearly a side effect of the Mirena but wondered about the weight gain. Well, after finding this site, I am positive that it is. Even though it has only been 8 weeks, I am not waiting around for any more weight to pile on or to develop any other side effects such as the acne, or, even worse, the high bp. Having it removed In three days - can't wait!
I've had the Mirena for about 5 months. Besides random stabbing cramps occasionally, I haven't had many problems. I like not having a period. I feel like a little female eunuch. It's awesome. I do have this bloat, however. I haven't experienced weight gain, but I just feel full and bloated. I can't explain it. My stomach feels tight. I've stopped drinking alcohol completely, I work out, I play sports, so what the hell? What is this? I can't lose weight, either. I don't need to, but I'm not eating, because I'm tired of feeling bloated. I do 45 minutes on the elliptical every day - it claims I'm burning 700+ calories.. This, combined with being a strict vegetarian and eating only about 500 calories / day = wtf.
I am childfree; I do not want children. Yet I am not allowed to have a tubal. I've asked during after every pap since I was 16 for a tubal. Doctors want women to pollute our bodies with hormones, instead.
I am childfree; I do not want children. Yet I am not allowed to have a tubal. I've asked during after every pap since I was 16 for a tubal. Doctors want women to pollute our bodies with hormones, instead.
I had the Mirena put in March of 2005. I turned 31 in January, just a couple of months before. It's now April of 2008 and I just got smart enough to have it removed. I've gained 15-20 pounds within that time frame. I've blamed it on age, diet (which hasn't changed) and on being busy and not paying attention to my body. Well, my best friend has a Mirena (we got our put in within the same month) and can not loose weight. We both have two kids. She has always fought with weight but it's worse now. She excercises everyday eats very light and healthy and still can not shead the weight. I have another friend who had hers put in 4 months ago and is having hers removed because of weight gain. She's a size 8 and now she's a size 12. I wish I would have thought of this sooner. If you go to the Mirena sight it says nothing about weight gain. I think it's wrong. And Shorty-1682, do you work for the company or are you a man because your reply about the Mirena sounds like a reply from one of the two.
How are you feeling now that you have the Mirena out? What about bloatedness in your stomach area? I too have gained 10-12 pounds and have only had it in about 9 months. I work out and eat well. I've been seeing a nutritionalists for about 6 weeks and still no change. My husband has noticed how my body has changed in my upper thighs up to my belly! I'm seriously considering having mine taken out soon. Have you had major periods since having yours out?? That's what I'm most afraid of right here before summer and vacations.
NOW what?
NOW what?
I am getting Mirena putting in tomorrow, but i am very afraid now that I heared so many scary stories . I really don't know what to think, my main concern is mood swings and weigh gain. This will be my first time trying a birh control like this one, so I'm hoping I don't have a bad experience...
I had the Mirena IUD inserted two months ago (February 2008) due to heavy periods. On the positive side, I only had spotting for 30 days, after my first period it stopped. On the negative side, (also after my first period), my legs started to swell (particularly my right leg) and my stomach (to the point it throbs after eating), and when I put myself on the scale this week, I had gained 7 pounds. I have been the same weight for the last 20 years (even with the birth of my daughter 11 years ago), I work out daily, I eat a very healthy diet and there is no reason why I should be gaining any weight at all.
I had inquired about the side effects of the IUD, was prepared for up to six months of spotting, even my face breaking out, but when it hurts to eat and wear my clothing, something is not right. I commend many of you for giving it longer than I have, but I have an appointment to have my IUD removed next week. There must be another way to regulate one's hormones. I would love to hear your collective thoughts.
I had inquired about the side effects of the IUD, was prepared for up to six months of spotting, even my face breaking out, but when it hurts to eat and wear my clothing, something is not right. I commend many of you for giving it longer than I have, but I have an appointment to have my IUD removed next week. There must be another way to regulate one's hormones. I would love to hear your collective thoughts.