Discussions

Looks like this is my next step towards a hysterectomy. I'm leery about them. Anyone out there that can provide me their personal opinion/experience with this IUD?

Bled for about a month; not overly heavy, but no problems after that; however, only had it in about 5 months total.

It seems for every person that I know that's had one and done okay on it, I know at least one person who has had a horrible time with it. I personally had not had one.  
 
I have had things like birth control pills and IUDs suggested to me to "fix" problems, without them being able to adequately explain to me how precisely it will fix the problem and not just cover it up. Depending on your issue, there are generally other treatment options available but you need to push for them. Most often I find doctors just push the "easy fix" that doesn't actually fix anything.  
 
I'm not saying dont' get one, just ask lots of questions.

Personally couldn't do it... Not everyone's the same though  
Having it put in was easy... But... Then the issues started... Bled the entire time it was in some days heavy others spotting... Always enough to annoy, and never knew when my period actually was or when it was coming.  
Had little to no sex drive (isn't me)  
Wasn't myself could of cared less about family, my work, life in general. Someone could of died in front of me and I would of been like "oh well" literally. Was always in a horrible mood.  
Got infections.  
Could feel the strings. Constantly felt like it was gonna fall out.  
Just wasn't for me. I couldn't wait to get it out. Was like night and day once it was removed.  
 
 
Edited by 4U2NV:0), 2016-02-09 19:39:02

I had it for birth control, bled horribly and abnormally, then got pregnant.

For everyone I have known to have it they have been pregnant and they don't stay in all the time. Hopefully you don't have to go the extreme route of hysterectomy, but depending on you size and what it's for it may be your only option. If you do get an IUD of any kind and don't want kids I suggest a secondary protection.

Had one, hated it. Certain positions (sex), were uncomfortable after, I got hot flashes, and my sex drive was gone

it was fine, left it in for about three years and never bled at all.(no period for three years) The first couple of days after putting it in, I had a few cramps, other than that, not a problem.

Are abnormally heavy bleeding, I'm 45 so babies are not the issue. I have had fibroids for 10+ yrs. Tried a med. made it worse.

Had one for 2 years when I wanted it out it moved and almost needed a DnC also heard of it moving on lots of others. And can you say ACNE!! Barely had any even in my teens after 6 months of having it my face was covered I asked the doctor if it was from the iud and he said it is one of the side effects for some. Took about 4 years but it's finally settled and now I have scars only good things I think are the % of protection and very light to no periods.

I'm sorry for your situation. One of my co workers had the same issues and tried everything, and ended up with more pain than it was worth. Again everyone is different but woman shouldn't have to suffer like we do because doctors don't listen. Only down side to going straight for the surgery is early menopause but if some of the other symptoms of IUDs are menopausal like might not be worth the wait. Just my opinion

I had it put in last June due to very heavy periods that nothing helped. It's going to be left there til I go through menopause. I had cramping for about three days and bleeding for about a week. Now I've been period free since July, I don't even know it is there no problems. And I'm 45 soon and tried meds too that made it a lot worse I don't have fibroids but I do have ovarian cysts that I've had for 10 years.  
 
Edited by TammyH, 2016-02-09 22:49:41

I've had the mirena for 6 & a half years. I know you're only supposed to have it in for 5 yrs. When it hit the 5 year mark, I kept putting it off to have it removed and before i knew it, it had been 6 and a half years since I got the mirena inserted. The only problems I've had with the mirena was when it was being inserted, having minor cramps for one day but then literally nothing after that. I didn't have my period the entire time I had the mirena. I didn't see a change in my mood or anything outrageous. I personally liked it. After a few months I couldn't feel the strings so I never knew if it was in or not. The thing that led me to get it removed was hearing all the horror stories of women having hysterectomies because of the mirena. I'm only 23 so the thought of a hysterectomy scared me. I got it removed within 5 minutes. Literally had no problems with the mirena whatsoever. Would I get it again? Maybe.

I personally loved it. I never got my period. The first little bit there was cramping but that's normal.

Just wondering if it has to be a hormonal IUD? I have a copper one because of all the horror stories that I've heard about the Mirena and other than heavy bleeding to start I've had no problems. If I didn't periodically check to make sure it was still there, I'd never know it was. The generic brand is $70. This is my second: the first I got taken out when I wanted to get pregnant for a second time.

I had one for 3.5 years. The only good that came of it was that I didn't have my period. When I first had it put in I was in serious pain for about a week. I bled for 6 months. Things seemed to settle down until I had no interest in having sex again. When I did have sex it would cramp like a cramp in your calf. I developed a lot of cysts which caused more pain. Towards the end, I was having terrible hot flashes and dizzy spells. My skin was always itchy and I was having terrible headaches. Upon having the mirena taken out, many symptoms subsided but man, the acne came like crazy and boy was I moody! My period is now so irregular. This is my story. I think everyone ends up having their own dealings with it. Hopefully you will be a lucky one where everything goes well.

I was offered the IUD and heard the horrors stories too. Didn't know which way to turn and thought a hysterectomy was going to be my only option, then my gyno suggested the Novasure ablasion. OMG! life is bliss, no bleeding, no pain, an absolute lifesaver. I know I was on trial for Novasure and I wrote to the BRHA to urge them to keep it. Hopefully they did, if not see if you can get a referal to Wpg or somewhere that has it, I had the standard ablasion first and that made things 200% worse, so glad I gave the Novasure a shot.

ParaGuard IUD and I personally don't like it. Going to get it removed asap.You can go to your doctor and get a prescription, Go to public health downtown and they will give you your prescription for free, Then you take it back to your doctor and he can insert it for you. ANYWAY I personally hate it, cramps are worse, just generally uncomfortable, and no period so you never know when to expect it.

I am on my second Mirena and I love it. 6 months into the first one o got bad acne but it subsided. Crampy for the first week it was in. Still had my period but very light. I'm a yEar into my second Mirena and have no issues. No period either so that's an even bigger bonus. I can't say enough good things about it. You won't know until you try. Best part is if you don't like it they can remove it.

Some clarifications from above posts:  
Copper IUD (not the Paragard brand) are available through the Sexual Health Program for women who don't have health benefits and/or who can not afford to purchase contraception. An appointment must be made to meet with an RN, it's not like a pharmacy where you just take your prescription there and then pick it up. Not all doctors in Brandon insert IUDs, only some of them, so you will need to check if your doctor does or if you will need a referral to an OBGyn or other doctor.  
A copper IUD will NOT solve the problem that the OP is having, if this is an option the doctor has given her prior to a possible hysterectomy.  
The Mirena is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancies. That's one in a thousand who will get pregnant while using it. There are possible side effects, as with any medication. There are 'stories' out there about bad experiences. Like with anything, the few people who have problems are much more likely to be vocal about them that the the many who have no issues - so sometimes wthe stories we find online are skewed toward the problems.  
I am a primary care provider, and have literally had hundreds of clients over the years who have had a Mirena inserted. Of those, only a handful have had side effects that warranted them requesting removal, even fewer have had one fall out, and none have gotten pregnant while it has been in place.

I have seen it ruin several years of someone's life and another couple who removed it before there was serious trouble. It seems that if you have any type of stress disorder like anxiety, depression, panic attacks, that is when it is not good for you. Some others say they were ok. Good luck with whatever you decide.  

It is a lifesaver for me. After years and years of irregular periods and heavy bleeding I got a mirena and it stopped immediately. I have not had a period in 3 years and I am dreading losing it in 2 more years. Different for everyone but I find when you ask you often only hear from those with problems and rarely from the 90 percent who have no issues

If the OP is having bleeding and fibroid issues, and her physician is suggesting surgery, that might be the best option. My SIL had a hysterectomy in her late 30's for fibroids, and it was a good choice for her condition, they left one ovary intact so she could still have the hormonal function and not be in forced menopause. Her only complaint was that they had to take her cervix too, but it was necessary in her case and they do try to leave it when they can. She's a nurse that works with women's health, so I know she researched all her options before making that choice.

DSopinion said "It is a lifesaver for me. After years and years of irregular periods and heavy bleeding I got a mirena and it stopped immediately. I have not had a period in 3 years and I am dreading losing it in 2 more years. Different for everyone but I find when you ask you often only hear from those with problems and rarely from the 90 percent who have no issues "

while you have a point (the people who have had problems will be the most vocal about the IUD), I find it funny that women would not be okay with a 10% risk of pregnancy, but are okay with a 10% risk of horrendous side effects from a device (assuming 90% have no issues).