Dear Megs, I'm so sorry to see another Mirena victim! Having the IUD removed is generally not a big issue. Acne/chin hair are classic hormone imbalance issues. It's not surprising that you have both. Please, please get the IUD out ASAP and PLEASE PLEASE never have a new one put in. There are other women here who can add to this advice. I've got the flu right now, so I can't say much more at this point.

Keep posting,
Take care,
Diana

Hi,

So sorry to hear of your Mirena difficulties. Today I had mine taken out after 4 1/2 years. Insertion hurt like a mother probably b/c my only pregnancy was a c-section. I heard it hurts more if you've never dilated. My experience with the iud was better than most I've read. No periods is a plus. I, too, have had cysts especially in the last couple of years and horrible headaches. I had it removed today hoping that my migraines will cease with no more hormones in my system. (at this point, I am not sure if there is a direct correlation between the 2)

I don't want to freak you out but removal for me was quite painful. When it was in, each year I needed an ultrasound to check the location of it b/c the doctor couldn't feel it. The doctor combined with the ultrasound technician had to poke around to find it. I was told by the tech that this was her first time in 15 years that she saw a case like this. (my doc said that I could have went under for the procedure...but that is a more expensive option. I was willing to be brave to have it removed)

Overall, I am more than happy to have had no periods the last 4 years. I am very curious to see if living iud-free will aid in clear skin and be migraine free!

Good luck and check with your GYN to see if there are any financial programs to assist on your removal.

I've had a similar experience, I had the mirena and left it for far too long and had to have it removed under a general anaesthetic (don't know if this was because of leaving it in or not but that's what happened) anyway I digress I then had a second put in.

With my first I got the cysts but didn't know why, I tried everything from American Acne treatments to essential oils, nothing worked but with the first this was infrequent so but so bad. With the first that was it with regard to side effects except having constant flare ups of vaginosis bacterialus. Then I got my second mirena and that's when the nightmare began.

I gained 2 stone, 2 bloody stone, u went from a UK size 8 to a 12. But had skinny ribs and fat belly and skinny legs. The cysts got worse painful and sore and I just lost my vavavoom (can't explain it any other way.) So I went to the doctors about the cysts, told them they made me depressed, I'm a teacher do have to be on show, they said it was make up but they gave me Acne cream which didn't work, so I went back. They gave me dianette (a mini pill) after I broke down and cried, so I was taking hormones on top of mirena! This tablet has serious health warnings it's frightening, the Acne went but my belly didn't. Every three months I had to take a break from dianette so the cysts came back :( I went through that for three years! I also had a couple of instances where I thought I might be pregnant, aversion to food, achy boobs and morning sickness, strange!

I decided two years ago that I would try loose weight, I'd always been a runner but thought that I'd just not been training hard enough. I weighed 10 and a half stone. So I went in a diet and exercise plan, for two tears I've done thus and remained the same weight, in on a triathlon training programme, I've built zero muscle and lost absolutely nothing.

I had it removed on Thursday last week, it didn't hurt and had a smear done, doctor was very understanding and told me that I was making a wise choice :) she was lovely. Since then I've had a bit of a crash but no bleeding at all, keep thinking it will come though! I feel a bit low and been a bit blah but nothing shocking. Oh I also felt on a number if times list for words, like I couldn't think of a word I wanted to say and I couldn't remember anything at all, the memory loss was scary!

For the whole time I had no periods - yey - but that was the only positive, my husband complains about my chronic hair loss, not noticeable on my head due to my naturally thick Irish heritage hair! My skin post mirena is greasy but I think that's kinda normal due to my hormones getting back to normal. I don't hate mirena, I just think it didn't work for me very well and because I wasn't informed I wasn't able to join the dots.

I've not list any weight yet, I don't know if my belly has reduced either but am hopeful :)

I know that your in the US and I can't believe how lucky I am, able to go the the doctors and get this sorted for free (both times) I must say that the UK NHS is amazing! I really feel for you regarding insurance and would love to help in any way I can, I hope that you have been able to, I know having it removed for me was the right thing.

Good luck and I hope my post helps xxxx