Mirena - please come in if you've had it

[vanillacourage]

We're reasonably sure that DS2 is our last baby, but not sure enough to have DH get snipped yet. So I was planning on getting Mirena implanted next week at my first post-partum checkup, but now in googling (including on the Nest forums) I keep seeing over and over again that people had spotting for months. Did this happen to you, how severe was it, and was it worth getting the Mirena in the first place?

[soveryexcited]

I got mirena after my son and I spotted maybe for a month after I got it. After that though; I didn't have a period for about two years which was awesome. The spotting at the beginning was very light; not bad at all. I ended up getting it out because I was starting to have these gross bacterial infections down there which while my OB swore up and down were not from the mirena, stopped the minute I got it removed. But the mirena rocked for the first two years! :-)

[Deleted]

I have Mirena. I had LIGHT spotting for the first week but that's it. I now have a period every 3-4 months. It is wonderful! But I will say it hurt like a mother getting it put in.

[lanyac]

Party pooper here. I had one for 7 months and I bled and cramped the whole time. I wish it had worked, because I got it for free on my insurance! Now I switched to nuvaring.

[justsam]

I had some light spotting for about 6 weeks then one more period. That was 4 years ago. I've only had 1 period since then. I love my Mirena.

[pugz]

no spotting! I had one period the month after it was put in and then no more bleeding of any kind while I had it. Unfortunately my periods did not return after I had it removed last year, but I don't think it was the Mirena, it was likely PCOS, although we never got an official diagnosis.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I've had mine in for almost 3 years.

A year ago I would have told you I love it. Now I'm not so sure.

I didn't have any issues with spotting. I got it put in when DD was about 8 weeks old and I was nursing, so I haven't had a period since before I got pregnant (in 2008). That part is glorious.

But I've been having some issues that may or may not have to do with the Mirena, but they are numerous enough and annoying enough, that I'm about to get it taken out. I'm not sure getting it out will solve all my problems, but I think it's worth a try.

The issues I'm having (each of which I have read can be caused my Mirena) include: low libido, constant bacterial and yeast infections, depression, and anxiety.

If I were doing it again, I'd get Paragard. I'm actually pretty annoyed with my OB (who I have since fired) because when I wanted to talk to her about Mirena vs. Paragard, she brushed me off and told me only smokers got Paragard. Paragard doesn't sound great to me because it can cause very heavy periods, but I'd rather have that than the crap I have going on now.

[evans]

I had light spotting for about a week after insertion. It wasn't bad at all. I have been very happy with mine.

[Deleted]

I just got it at my 6 w pp check. Just stopped spotting 2 days ago but my ob warned me it could be 3 months. I'm glad too because it was so expensive I was willing to spot for 5 years before getting it removed early.

[Deleted]

Oh obvs no ticket..DD is 3 months old today

[LoveTrains]

I have a mirena. I have had it for 4 years now. I didn't really had any spotting but insertion was incredibly painful for me. I get my period very rarely, too - like 2x a year.

[vanillacourage]

Do you think the OB would do the insertion if I showed up buzzed?

I am only slightly kidding.

I've read that it's much less painful if you've had a kid and especially if you've had a kid recently, but between painful insertion & "checking the threads" once/month I'm a little skeeved.

[keh2oblue]

I had it after DD was born, and I did spot for a few months. After that I barely bled at all. I kept it for a year, but had it replaced with the Paraguard because the hormones totally fucked me up and made me more of a raging bitch that usual. DH noticed a difference in my personality within the fist week of having it removed.

[evans]

I don't have any children and it wasn't that bad.

My strings are too short to check but it's apparently no big deal to do it.

[pugz]

yeah I doubt insertion will be that bad since you just had a baby!

my insertion was okay but the cramps afterward were horrible. I pretty much had to OD on Aleve

[FishChicks]

I am going to hit five years with my mirena this December. I had super mild spotting for the first few months, then maybe once about six months later. I've had no issues since, so I've been really happy. As for coming in buzzed, my Gyn gave me anxiety meds before the insertion, so I had roughly the same effect going.

[csquared]

I had mine inserted when DD was 12 weeks old. It seemed great for another year (I was still nursing and didn't get my period). DD weaned at 17 months and I gained 15 lbs right away and could NOT lose it despite a lot of exercise and calorie counting. I had a really low libido and just didn't feel like myself. I ended up getting it taking out and felt SO much better a few weeks later. I'll get Paraguard after the next kid. Hormonal BC just didn't agree with me (pills before DD and Mirena afterwards). I did spot for about 2 months after insertion (not too bad, just annoying) and regularly got my period after DD weaned (though it was light). Insertion didn't hurt too much for me - just a pinch and some cramping afterwards. I couldn't ever feel my strings, either, but it was still in the correct place when my gyn took it out. GL!

[cahabalily]

I've had it since last April. I spotted off and on for about four months, anf haven't had a period or anything close since. Highly recommend...

[friskypanda]

I had light spotting off an on for a few months 4-5 maybe, and now have no period. I've had a little bit of spotting recently (4 yrs in) too. None of that would make me change my mind about, I love it.

[caramia17]

Love mine. Still nursing my DD, but no horrible insertion pain, spotting, etc. After about 6 mos I started getting my period ever other month or so. I got it 6 weeks PP.

[Kore]

I had light spotting for like 6 straight weeks. It was light enough that I only noticed when wiping.

It's been 100% worth it. I have zero side effects, & I haven't had a period in months. I used to have insanely heavy, painful periods.

[StJess80]

2 months max, if that. Actually maybe just a month. Then like every 6-8mos I would spot just the tiniest bit. The pros definitely outweighed the cons. I loved mine and want to get another but I am waiting to see how this bc thing goes because I work for a Catholic university.

[vtdiamond]

I have had my Mirena for about a year and a half. I've never had a child before, I found insertion to be uncomfortable but not unbearable, I did have cramping for a few days afterwards.
I didn't have any spotting after insertion but have had regular monthly periods, wasn't one of the lucky ones to have no period.

[Deleted]

I've had mine in for 4 years. No problems. I had it put in about 6 wks PP. No real spotting and I haven't had a period in 8 years :-)

[bunch]

I did not have spotting for long at all. I will definitely get another one after the next kid.

[bunch]

May 10, 2012 21:22:32 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

Do you think the OB would do the insertion if I showed up buzzed?

I am only slightly kidding.

I've read that it's much less painful if you've had a kid and especially if you've had a kid recently, but between painful insertion & "checking the threads" once/month I'm a little skeeved.

Mine did not hurt at all.

[lishie]

I had Mirena inserted a few months ago after I quit nursing my second son. It's the best thing I ever did. I hadn't been on BC for 5+ years and I didn't want to worry about taking a pill every day. I had spotting for a few days after insertion, and since then, nothing. No period of any sort either, which for me is an added bonus.

[Morningmania]

I got my Mirena a year and a half ago to help with my heavy periods. I spotted for 6 months. My OB ended up giving me some hormones, and that stopped the spotting. Now I just get really light periods (only require a pantiliner) every now and again.

I should have gone to my OB sooner than the 6 months and complained, she even told me that once I did get in. I was just busy and it wasn't that big of a deal to me.

The insertion was a little uncomfortable, but I really only flinched for 30 seconds, and it was done. I don't recall any cramping after or pain. I have had two children, if that matters.

[hannamarin]

I had 2-3 pre baby. Their insertion killed (advil took care of it). Post baby- no pain at all. To the point, I thought she did it wrong. There was minimal spotting on the other insertions but post baby, it lasted 8 weeks. Gone now.

[mrsbro]

I did not spot at all or receive my period while on the Mirena

{whispers} however i did conceive #2 while on it