anyone have Mirena? Off topic obviously

[peach]

I am getting one next week.

I am terrible about remembering to take birth control pills. we are pretty sure we are done having kids so I wanted a birth control that I could basically forget.

Anyone have one? I know there are horror stories and bad experiences with every birth control method.  . . I've researched it and this seems to be the best option for me - just wondering how your experience was with getting it put in - is it painful? Do you cramp and bleed a lot afterward? How do you like it overall, etc?

[kaylie]

I don't have one but I think there are a bunch of people on ML who do, so you might want to cross post there. A friend of mine has an Implanon, the one that goes in your arm and she really likes it. I get a little freaked out when she shows us where it is though because you can see it under the skin (shudder).

[bunnymendelbaum]

I got it a month ago, so 8 weeks postpartum. I don't think it hurt getting it in at all, but I had just had an unmediated birth, so maybe my lady bits pain scale is wonky.

I really like it so far. I have had a bunch of bleeding which sucks especially because I was planning on not having a period for a year like I did while nursing DD1. But, I'll deal with it for such an easy birth control method.

[grey56]

I have it, got it when my DD was ~9 weeks old. It did pinch a little going in, but it hurt no more than an aggressive internal exam. I don't specifically remember cramping or bleeding a lot afterwards, if at all (but again, I was 9wks PP - could have attributed anything to that).

I just got my 1st period (I'm still BFing) and it was light, I only needed 1 liner. I always had light periods though (~3 days). I highly recommend it to everyone!

[ssmjlm]

I had it, but after a year I had to get it removed due to issues. Insertion was NBD. Just popped some aleve before I went in and had some cramping. Since I had my pre-kids, I was already on my period for insertion.

Initially my periods were about every 2 months and pretty light. Then about 9ish months in, I started having monthly periods, starting with about 4 days of spotting, followed by a full blown period for 7 days. Umm, not what I signed up for.

DH is getting snipped after baby girl is born. No more hormones for me.

[jhawks482]

I have had it for 2 years. Obviously insertion is not lovely (comparable to a pap) but I took a few Tylenol before I got to the doctors. I have had no issues at all, it's been great. I'll probably get it taken out later this year when DH gets a vasectomy.

[emoflamingo]

I have had 2 now (well, I'm on my second). I loved it the first time around because after my initial bleeding, I rarely had periods. And so far so good this time around too. I do have a bit of breakthrough bleeding at random, so I just make sure I carry stuff with me and don't wear light colors without spare clothes.

I'm not really sure if we're done having kids or not (H swore yes, we stop at 2, then Baby W was born and he got wrapped around that finger and he's hemmed and hawed since then over it), so I've got 4.5 years for him to decide and get the big V before I have to take this one out.

And yeah, the insertion was uncomfortable (like a pap just like jhawks said), but it was no big deal compared to childbirth.

[hbomdiggity]

Had it for almost five years and love it.

Insertion wasn't too bad (never had a kid) but worse than a pap. I did have cramping after and spent the rest if the day in bed - though this could have likely been avoided by taking alieve beforehand.

Inserted during my period and haven't had another since.

H says he can feel the strings in certain positions.

[jloww]

I had it inserted at my 6 week pp check and thought it hurt like a bitch, but a lot of people didn't have the same experience.

Overall, I like it. I was crampy and sore at first but don't notice it any more. I still haven't gotten a period - just intermittent spotting.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I have a paragard, which is the same insertion process. Insertion was a breeze, and I've never had a kid. I took 4 motrin prior to my appointment. R came with me, just in case it hurt too much to drive home safely. They stuck it in and it hurt like a mofo, for approximately 15 seconds. That was it. I was a little sore that evening, but I was able to work an active job without any difficulty. We did have the strings trimmed a little at my follow-up appointment, and R hasn't complained about feeling them since.

No regrets here.

[stephm0188]

I love it. I spotted for about 6 weeks after insertion, but I don't have a period anymore.

[downtoearth]

I didn't like mine (felt it during sex and had lots of trouble with lost strings, hormone swings/crying, etc.), but I have 3 friends who love theirs.  Despite not keeping mine for more than a year, the actual insertion wasn't too bad. I had a tilted uterus and it took about 15-min and 4 tries to get it in, but it wasn't painful and only a little spotting after.

[katie4253]

I have one.  I had it inserted at 8 weeks.  I had a c-section, so no vag. delivery.  It was painful for like 5 mins and then it was over. 

Most people bleed for 2-6 weeks.  I bled for 4 months.  I OBGYN said, "Don't judge it until you've had it 4 full months."  So, I stuck with it.  It sucked bleeding so long because I literally spotted to regular flow for 6 months (postpartum + mirena).  But, I LOVE it.  We weren't ready to commit to no more kids, plus didn't think making a major decision to snip snip while Gabe was in the NICU would have been a good idea.  So, we'll re-evaluate in a few years when it runs out. 

[katie4253]

Oh, and I'm always super surprised to see people say they had a hormone reaction.  That is super rare.  The does of hormone is so low it goes in the uterus only not the blood stream.  People with clotting issues can even use it.  The other non-hormone IUD options can actually increase your period flow so that was a huge no for me.

[cza]

I have had Mirena for about 14 months. Insertion was not that bad. Normal rough exam. Especially just after having a baby. I nursed for a year so it didn't hurt my supply. I spotted on and off for a few months but it wasn't bad. A couple times I thought it could have been a light period because I was nursing. I have very light periods, DH never noticed it, and I don't have to worry! I love it at this point in my life.