I had it removed. If I had the stamina to do back flips, I would. I have never been so happy to have a body beginning to function as it is intended to (hello menstrual cycle). But to back up a little bit… in this post I mentioned my suspicion of the Mirena (inserted 3 1/2 years ago) causing my mental health plummet. Never did I imagine that at age 24, I’d find myself feeling trapped at the bottom of the barrel. I won’t get into details or dramatics, but for over a year I felt pretty crappy on most days. And my symptoms started to escalate last Spring. I thought I was losing my mind.
Some common side effects of the Mirena IUD are:
Decreased Focus and Concentration
Substantial Weight Gain
Heart Palpitations
Elevated Anxiety
Decreased Libido
Depression
Irritability
Migraines
Hair Loss
Fatigue
Acne
I experienced all of the symptoms that have been underlined… so much so that I decided to see a Psychiatrist. It was a very hard thing for me to do. The Psychiatrist prescribed meds pretty quickly, which I appreciated because seeing her was uncomfortable enough. But what bothers me is, what if I really didn’t have a problem and I wanted to abuse the meds? How would she have known? Anyway, I took the “happy pills” out of desperation for all of a week and ditched them because they had me trembling in my own home and made me feel like a sad zombie. I did not want to become dependent on them especially if I didn’t NEED them. I didn’t want to dig myself into a hole that I would not be able to escape from.
Before my whole experience seeing a shrink, I had read Mirena Horror stories as I did with Depo Provera, and I finally decided that the contraption had to go. All of the stories were hitting home. My *new* Ob/Gyn didn’t believe that the Mirena was causing these problems, but she accepted my other reason for wanting to have it removed… I wanted more children. She seemed super nice, but I see she’s the stubborn type. Thousands of women are not struggling from absolutely nothing! After she removed the IUD (it didn’t hurt), she told me that the Mirena contains the same medication as Depo. Seriously? Depo? Had I had that little nugget of info, I wouldn’t have had the Mirena inserted in the first place (by another Gyn). I’ve had such luck with contraceptives, I swear. At this point, I.am.done.
Done.
In a few days, I will be starting a detox to flush away any remnants of hormones. I’m also researching fertility charting. It sounds a little scary, but I have absolutely nothing to lose. I need to be more present with my bodily functions. I’m ready to roll with it, miscalculations and all ;-).
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Hi ive only had my mirena for a little over a week. so far ive gotten a bacterial infection (went to the dr yesterday to confirm. and i havent had sex) the dr did say i could get them every month or every now an then.. . and now im just sitting around like a zombi. I keep daydreaming. i was talking to my daughter and just staring into space. she said mommy your in lala land. i havent wanted to get out of the bed this week. i even kept my children home from school for two days!!! i just didnt want to get up. I had my tubes tied so im using it for heave periods. My dr started me on the pill and i was sick for about 5 days do i stopped it, i researched the mirena and almost didnt get it. Dr keeps saying just give it 6 months. but if this just gets worse and im going to have a smelly area every month or so i just want to take it out. but i dont think she will…
Twitter: katjapresnal
I am so glad you did this!!!! IUD was horrible for me, horrible… But pills were worse, I dot blood clots. Why does birth control have to be such a pain?
Katja of Skimbaco´s last [type] ..Live a Little: New Weekly Series to Inspire You to Live Life to the Fullest
Twitter: sheenatatum
I remember how scary it was for you!!!
I am doing soooo much better now that I’m off!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Gurly_Luxury
You just opened my eyes to a lot of things. Especially birth control. I have tried several. Especially THAT depo shot. It was a catastrophe. Girl…I’m just going to stick with condoms. Safer! These days every medications comes with side effects. You cure one thing and end up with ANOTHER illness. I’m done!!! lol
Twitter: sheenatatum
So true! No matter what medication you take, you’ll probably end up having to treat its side effect. pfft
[...] since taken care of those breakouts. The culprit? Hormonal birth control. Over it! I now make time to do my nails. I pay more attention to my hair. In fact, I just dyed 3 [...]
Twitter: jillianalexis87
I had nothing but problems with my mirena. I would never recommend it to anyone. Hopefully you’ll start feeling more like yourself again now.
Twitter: sheenatatum
Jillian, Sorry to hear about your problems with Mirena. It’s a beast! I do feel MUCH better now!