Getting the Mirena tomorrow... Google is bad!

[midnightmare81]

And freaking the F out...I should NOT have googled what to expect! All I found was stories about people who had the worst reactions (excessive pain, weight gain like crazy, ect...) to it or people who had like a perforated uterus. Please tell me all your stories and that it will be ok!

It doesn't help that the only people here who insert them are the family health doctors, not even a gyno, and when I asked about getting it checked in a month or 2, the guy looked at me like "why the f would we do that"

ETA... probably the dumbest question ever, but you can still use tampons, right? The doc said it goes in the same place/area as a tampon, and that made me wonder if they could possibly move the Mirena out of place?

[bullygirl979]

:::ML lurker stepping in:::

I've had Mirena about a year and a half. While I wouldn't say the insertion was fun, it wasn't horrible. And I am a bit of a pus. No weight gain, no real side effects. I would get it again in a heartbeat.

Feel better now?

[Doc_Lobster]

I've had one for a total of almost 7 years. It's fine. It hurts going in and feels weird coming out.

[DotAndBuzz]

I had mine put in around 8 months after I had my 2nd baby, and the insertion was similar to a labor contraction (I got epidurals around 4 cm, so I'm a big wimp when it comes to pain). So very uncomfortable, but nothing I couldn't grip the table and breathe through. I had cramps for about 2-3 weeks after, but ibuprofen usually worked fine. I spotted for a while, and that was annoying, but not terrible.

I had mine checked around 6-8 weeks after insertion (I think?), and then just at my annual exams. It has been in for 1.5 years now, and my periods are finally starting to get really light and farther apart.

You'll be fine, no worries.

[bullygirl979]

Also, this has been discussed several times on SO. Only one person didn't like Mirena compared to, oh, maybe 15 others who did. Agree with PP. You will be fine.

[candreco]

Don't panic. I had one for about three and a half years, no problems with it. Shorter, lighter periods, insertion wasn't that bad. I also procrastinated on the recommended checks and so it was only ever looked at at annual exams. Don't know if you're planning on TTC afterwards, but my periods went right back to normal and we conceived on the second cycle after removal, first trying.

[midnightmare81]

Thanks guys! I kinda figured it was just like anything else, people with negative experiences are more likely to post then those with positive. Thus why I came to you ladies, to get a less biased opinion base.

I am NOT looking forward to insertion, but hopefully it will be worth it to not have to deal with painful periods anymore. Those who do still get periods, are they pretty regular, or kinda whenever? This is the only part I am not looking forward to, not knowing if/when I am going to get it.

[midnightmare81]

O and I don't know if it makes a difference, but I have not had kids

[candreco]

My periods were still very regular, just 3 days vs. 7, and generally no cramps or migraines with them.

[saraandmichael]

I am on my second mirena and I effing love that thing!

The insertion is kind of a bitch, but if you've had kids you understand the sharp pain and just breathe through it.

Take a few ibuprofen before you go and keep them handy for the next couple of days.

And then enjoy your period free life!

[mollz007]

I have a paragard IUD, but my sister got the mirena. Neither of us have had any problems. Im not sure how her insertion was, but mine wasn't too bad (FWIW I have never had a baby.) It was really crampy for a minute and then I had no pain the rest of the day. I have heavier periods now than I did when I was on the pill (when my periods all but went away) but that is typical for the paragard, not totally sure about mirena. And as far as the tampon thing goes, I think it's fine to use them. Some doctors I think advise waiting a few days before using them. But the tampon shouldn't be able to move the mirena out of its place.

Good luck!

[Linie]

Jan 13, 2013 21:26:26 GMT -5 midnightmare81 said:

O and I don't know if it makes a difference, but I have not had kids

I don't have children either and insertion was not a problem at all. The doctor gave me something to soften my cervix, but no painkiller.

After two months, my period stopped altogether and I haven't had one since (5 years).

No PMS anymore, no mood changes, no sensitive breasts, more libido.

The only side effect I had was greasy hair for 3 months and a little more hair loss than before.

GL!

[Deleted]

I get 1 day of bleeding every 6 weeksish. Before pregnancy off bc it was 3-5 days w heavy bleeding and every 28-45 days.

I definitely recommend it. Had it for 8m so far.

[walterismydog]

You'll be fine! I'm on my second and I love it. I don't think I could ever go back to another form of BC.

I have a fairly regular period now. When I first started, I went over a year without one.

[mortomo]

I've had mine just about 5 yrs and am getting it removed the end of next month. I'm probably getting another one put in. I use tampons and any side effects that I had subsided within 2 mos. I'm glad that I got it and have no regrets.

You'll be fine!

[looseseal]

The IUD is an intrauterine device, so it's inserted into the uterus. There will be a string, but it is typically kind of folded under the lip of the cervix. A tampon shouldn't interfere with the string of the IUD at all. Maybe you'll be lucky and not need to use a tampon at all! I loved my Mirenas, and will continue to use it as a method after I have this kid until menopause. I had only spotting once every two to four months, and it was unpredictable but not that bad.

[Deleted]

I've had mine in for a year and I'm getting it out today. I had no problems with insertion, and I don't have kids. The only problem is the weight gain; despite my dr. assuring me it doesn't cause weight gain, I gained 45 pounds in 3 months. And I can't get it off. So, it's coming out today. I'm really sad though, because I've otherwise had no problems. No periods, sex drive is great. Just the weight

[bluetopaz]

I have no advice, just wanted to wish you luck. And complain that my insurance won't cover it. Grumble....

[mortomo]

As far as my periods go, I mostly got the Mirena because I had really heavy periods that lasted about 10-15 days. Up until about 6 mos ago (about 4 yrs in) I would get a little spotting every couple of months. Didn't even need to use anything and it would only last a day or two. I did get cramps every month, but no actual bleeding. In the last 6 mos I've been getting a period every month for about 2 wks at a time and the last 2 mos I've had to use tampons most of that time. I'm getting mine out about 4 mos shy of the 5 yrs because of this. I'm going to most likely get a new one.

[midnightmare81]

Thanks guys! One of the reasons I am getting it at this current time is to get it while H is still in the military and its still covered. Once he gets out I am going back to my dads insurance until I get a new job with insurance, and his doesn't cover it, and the pill is CRAZY $$ on his plan. I have wanted one for a WHILE but was always too scared. Now I need to just buck up and get it done! I am SO afraid of weight gain, but am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have an issue! Has anyone had an issue with the pill killing their sex drive and it coming back after getting Mirena? I have always had very minimal drive, but I blame it on the fact that I have been on the pill for medical reasons since LONG before I was sexually active. I enjoy it once I get into it, but am really hoping to have more drive as a result of getting off the pill

Do you get ANY warning when your going to get your period? Or does it sorta just "come"?

[screwedup]

I have the Mirena and my only complaint is how much insertion hurt (I have no kids and do have a tilted urterus). I'm getting Essure when this puppy comes out.

[midnightmare81]

So I am back chilling on the couch for the night yearning for a glass of wine but figuring its not a good idea... Whoever suggested the 4 advil, your a freaking genius and I cannot thank you enough. They had to pry then and force dilate my cervix open (sorry for the TMI), which hurt like hell...I almost jumped off the table. The measuring hurt quite a bit as well. I didn't feel the actual insertion though, probably because I was distracted by that point. After all the fun and games were over they had me lay down a bit (apparently my skin color matched the sheet). I feel eh now, sore for sure but not dying. They gave me percocet for pain if needed, but I didn't end up picking it up, the line was crazy long and I did not feel like sitting there for half an hour. I can pick it up later if needed.

Thanks for all your guidance, its kinda the only thing that kept me on the table, knowing it could very well be worth it. Now I just hope the dam thing stays in and works out for me!