Hi, Beta - I have totally read posts from women who have had positive results with the Mirena - can't recall if it was on this forum or another that I found helpful (see link below).

I, unfortunately, did not have a good experience with it. Had it in for nine months and concurrently experienced all the nasty hormonal symptoms that you've read about (had no such experience with the copper IUD). I think you're doctor is correct, that the IUD itself doesn't release enough hormones to cause these issues, but I think that, for some of us, it has a dramatic effect on the natural hormones that are created by our bodies. Specifically, I believe that it impacts the production of testosterone.

What convinced me to have mine removed three months ago was a blood test that revealed dramatically decreased testosterone levels, which (when you check out the effects of low testosterone on websites like the CDC and Mayo Clinic) can cause the same kinds of symptoms that some of us keep having. Testosterone in women is produced by the endocrine system (thyroid - mine was fine) and the ovaries. One of the documented side effects of Mirena is ovarian cysts. While I didn't have cysts, we hypothesized that, for some of us, perhaps it can have other effects on the function of the ovaries as well - hence, the low testosterone.

Within a week of removal I felt considerably better - moods were much better, sleeping began to improve, libido existed. Within a month, my testosterone levels were back within a normal range.

Given some folks' good results, it may be worth a shot - my suggestion would be to make sure that your doctor will support you in removing it PROMTLY, should you feel that it's not working for you. Best wishes! - Jen

http://www.dyspareunia.org/forum/

Heloo Beta

Just posted this response on another thread and then read yours!

Regards

Diana


Hi there

I have to agree with you that the insertion was pretty awful despite the local anaesthetic into my cervix but I had taken Voltaren on the advice of my gyn and after an evening on the couch with a glass of bubbly felt almost normal the next day. Having had a caesarean with our first baby then an induction and episiotomy with the second it was not as bad as I had imagined (I'm a wimp really)

I had a Mirena inserted on 23 Jan 2004 for DUB (dysfunctional uterine bleeding) and we're talking 7 SUPER PLUS tampons in an hour with huge clots - felt like I was haemorraging every month! I was also anaemic due to the DUB and had to take iron tablets daily. I had tried Cyclokapron for the DUB but have an increased risk of blood clots and my Dr warned against continuing with them.

To date I have had the spots/pimples, breat tenderness (mastalgia) and bled lightly for over two months but coming up to 3 mths after insertion think I might have had my period!!! Yay!!! no bloodbaths any more!!

I am already on Aropax for Post natal Depression so that is not an issue. I am fortunate that I have have a great gyn speciaist here in NZ and he gave me all the pros and cons of having the IUD fitted. My only other options were MEA (microwave edometrial ablation)or hysterectomy - yuk!

Overall I am glad I went with the Mirena - will keep you posted. Good luck and chin up ladies :-)

Diana

I just wanted to tell my story before you decide to get an IUD. Perforation of the uterus can happen in 1 out of 1,000 IUD users. My doctor didn’t spend much time discussing this side effect, so I am sharing it with you.
The Mirena is my second IUD. I had a copper T in between my son and daughter. I do believe IUD’s are still a great form of birth control. I got pregnant with my daughter in the first month after I removed my first IUD. With such a great experience the first time, I decided to get another one. My doctor talked me into a Mirena after I told her I didn’t like the heavy periods I got from the copper T. So I had the Mirena put in 8 weeks after my daughter was born.
I was in quite a bit of pain the first day - which is normal. And I had continued
discomfort the first week. I also had some breakthrough bleeding which is normal. About 6 days after insertion, I started to bleed very heavy. Filling a tampon up every hour and I had period-like cramps. I thought it was my period. The “phone-a-nurse” even told me it was normal. But my intuition told me otherwise. So 36hours after the bleeding started, I went back to the doctor. I had an abdominal and intra-vaginal ultrasound…they couldn’t find it. Then they went “fishing” for the strings with a vaginal exam…they couldn’t find it. So I had an x-ray. The x-ray showed that the IUD was sideways, but they couldn’t tell whether it was still in my uterus or not because a uterus cannot be seen on an x-ray.
Surgery was the only option; it had to be removed. I had a laparoscopic procedure under general anesthesia. My IUD was just floating on top of my uterus in my abdomen. The bleeding was from the perforation where the IUD escaped. They were unable to retrieve it through my belly button, so a small incision was made above my pubic bone. I’m just glad I didn’t have to have a hysterectomy, which would have happened it the IUD was embedded into a uterine artery.
The IUD is a great birth control. Just make sure you have all the facts and weigh all the pros and cons before you make your decision!!!