Mirena coil and depression/anxiety?

[Molesworth]

Has anyone else using the mirena coil experienced side effects such as 'brain fog', depression and anxiety?

I had mine put in at the beginning of 2004, and since then I have been incapacitated by depression and anxiety. I've always been prone to depression and anxiety, so I put it down to some traumatic life events over the last few years, but I have never been this unwell for this long. I have mentioned the possibility that the Mirena may be a factor to several health professionals, only to be told that it can't possibly have anything to do with my mental health since the progesterone level is much lower than that of the pill. However, I've come across a recent research study that found hormone levels to be double that of the minipill!

Having done some research on the internet I can see that thousands of women are reporting side effects from the Mirena, some of them very serious. In a lot of cases these symptoms have disappeared or lessened greatly after having the thing removed. Some women are taking legal action against the manufacturers and the FDA (in the US).

I've made an appointment to have mine removed next week. It'll be very interesting to see what difference it makes (if any!). If I make a miraculous recovery I'll be relieved, but also furious that this supposedly harmless device has effectively ruined my capacity to cope with life for four years.

I could be barking up the wrong tree, but thought it worth posting to see if anyone else has had similar experiences with Mirena.

[Sugarmagnolia]

there have been lots of threads about this on here - try searching under health.

[lizjcof]

I have also had my merina coil for 4 years since 2004 and I have funnily enough had depression and anxiety since then which I thought was due to major life events!! I dont want to blame the merina but I have never suffered from anxiety before having this fitted. I am going to make an appointment to get mine taken out aswell. Id rather have heavy periods than anxiety!!! So it will be interesting to see if my moods change after taking it out, and will report back!!!

[psychomum5]

I have had mine since nov 2005, and I have to admit, I am more 'foggy' than I ever used to be, and I was very low for the first 6mths (I begged them to take it out I felt so crap, but they insisted as I had been so ill with endo previously).

I am now not as bad, but I do take st.johns wort now to help with my moods, and DH says my PMT is worse than it ever was (altho, three teen/pre-teen girls in the house.....their hormones are not helping!).

I am due mine out in a year, so I will be very intrigued to know if it does make a difference to my moods.

[expatinscotland]

i have a history of PND and after becoming suicidal on the mini-pill, there's no way i will touch progesten-based contraception again in my life.

i'm pushing for sterilisation instead.

[solo]

Yes, anxiety and depression just some of my bad side effects.

[snowcrystal]

Hi Molesworth,yes have also had feelings of depression and anxiety with mirena for last 2 years.I felt a bit jittery days after it went in and hoped it would settle down.I then had some tramatic life events too and following these woke early in the mornings in a nervous panic I had never experienced before.This has passed now but still find my feelings more intense than before and my mood changes throughout the day.Hope you feel better now.

[honeybunmum]

I have had it for 4months now and am feeling very low. I am having an awful time with my husband at the moment and normally I can cope with anything, but I feel so drained and weepy, do you think I should see the doctor and mention the connection with the coil? (I am juggling 3 kids under 5 and a husband with depression!)

[Lewismia]

Hi
My advice would be go ahead and take it out. I have come to discover any hormonal contraception affects me in this way. Whatever you do make sure you get something else sorted, a baby would make your feelings worse! My GP pushed me to have Mirena and I stood my ground and had a copper coil. So glad I did!!
If you don't feel better in a couple of weeks, see your GP. You may need more help. Good luck X

[claramack]

I had a coil fitted 3 and a half years ago, it really hurt being put in but, I never had a single period once it was in and that was the only perk to having the Mirena.

I started to suffer from panic attacks whenever I had to go to a party, wedding & even my daughters christening! then it was the supermarket, kids parties, everywhere. Because my second daughter was only a couple of months old, the doctors put it down to PND as I had this after my first daughter. I was told that the anxitey was just another way of it coming out?
I accepted this & was given anti d's & beta blockers for the panic attacks. Unfortunately the anti d's reacted really badly & whilst I was on holiday I started to have awful panic attacks to the point where I couldn't get out of bed without wanting to go to the toilet or be sick. I was also having suicidal feelings! Not good. I called the doctor who advised me to stop taking them straight away, which I did but, to continue with the beta blockers.
I tried to continue just on the beta blockers but, it was no good. Eventually we found the right anti d's to go with the beta blockers & I plodded along nicely for a couple of years. Eventually I felt ready to come off the tablets which I did as recommended by the doctor & drugs co. I was fine for a couple of weeks but, gradually went downhill & felt very low. The doctor put me straight back onto the tablets & said I'd need to take them for at least another year.

It wasn't until I'd spoken to a friend about this that the coil even came up. She said that 2 of her friends had the mirena inserted & began to suffer from depression which stopped once removed!
I started to look at these forums & couldn't believe how many woman have suffered like me.

I had my coil taken out 2 weeks ago & have felt much calmer, I've not had a period yet but, am really praying that the anxiety disappears. Does anybody know how long it takes for the hormones to get out of your system?

I'd love to know how others have got on after removal & what to expect xx

[Blondey1]

Hi there, I too have endometriosis and had the coil fitted 5 years ago, to begin with (for the first 6 months) i was still having a nightmare with period/pains/moods etc. but after that time things chilled out a bit and was fine until the last year of having it (which is this year) where i felt it was (if they do?) 'wearing out' so all of the symptons came back, went to the doctors to get taken out but they had put too large a size (i didn't know you even got different sizes!) in me so was sooooo painful when they took it out but was a short, sharp pain! I have had another put in as far too scared of what will happen if I don't (i have tried every pill known to mankind and they never worked at all!) and although my periods and the cramps have got a lot better my mood swings are terrible so am going back to doctor today but feel they don't really know what to do either!?! (especially listening to everyone else on here!). I recommend trying this for people with endometriosis for the fact that it allowed me to get on with a 'normal' life but i suppose like with anything, you have to take the rough with the smooth and weigh out the pros and cons! :0)

[luckylady74]

Mine has only effected my moods in it's 4th year. For 4 years I have had no periods, no pmt and most importantly no endemetroisis!

However, in the last 6 mths my periods have started to return as have my mood swings - the dr explained it's because the hormone is wearing out so localised to the womb - still an effective contraceptive, but none of the lovely (for me) side effects.

Sounds bad for you

[webstermum]

I had mine taken out in November but had to go to a FPC clinic to have it removed as my GP wouldnt do it - GP refused to believe it had caused depression & anxiety. I can't say I've been fine since it was taken out but am a lot better than when I had it. It was recommended by my GP because I reacted badly to hormones in the pill & she said it was a MUCH lower dose, however dr at FPC told me the does is like taking a pill every other day instaed of every day so not that much lower dose. Interestingly my friend went to have her old coil removed last week & asked for a Mirena & they said they're not using them any more as so many patients have suffered bad side effects

[orangina]

While I was pg with #2, I got very bad ante natal depression. My consultant was aware of it and kept his eye on me, as did my gp. After birth of ds, I felt 876876876876876 times better and I was sure it was completely hormonal (I felt as though a toxic tap was being switched on in my body, it was that extreme). At my 6 week post natal check, my consultant suggested that I think about using a coil and I panicked... I really didn't want any more hormones introduced to my body, especially as I was feeling great NOT being pg. He said he would DEFINITELY not recommend a Mirena, he felt I was absolutely not a candidate for that, due to my a-n depression. I had an ordinary coil put in and it's been great. No effects on my moods, no problems at all in fact (and not pregnant either, so clearly doing it's job, fingers crossed.....!)

Take it out. You shouldn't have to live with anxiety and depression....

[orangina]

(Sorry, have read your post again and realise you are having it removed next week...)

[LucyEllensmummy]

Really? Are they not using this anymore???? That is really worrying? I think im going to have mine removed but im so worried about getting pregnant again. My doctor is point blank refusing to accept that my depression is due to the marena - i think it is.

[MitchyInge]

A psych nurse once suggested that my Mirena was responsible for my mental health difficulties (hypomania, mania and depression), but as I'd previously had 3 admissions prior to it being fitted and an extensive family history of bipolar I didn't take it too seriously.

[freakyfeelings]

To all previous posts I thankyou for saving my life!!
I have just had my 2nd mirena fitted 3 months ago and even after 4 and a half years of depression previously I had never linked it to the mirena I had inserted in 2004. Since my last incertion I have been alot worse!
We were on the verge of splitting up because of my dark dark moods and anger all the time towards my husband. I was shouting at the kids what seemed like constantly! I just wanted to hide away from friends and family gatherings. Last night I cried and cried and felt like I was at the bottom of a pit looking up to never climb out. This morning something drove me to google depression and mirena and BINGO! I find others out there with the same feelings! I am phoning for an appointment to get this thing removed....hes gonna get the snip...lol

[daphne24]

hi all,

I have a similar story as Freaky Feelings. I got the coil after my daughter was born and i decided that i had enough of heavy periods and moodswings to die for.
As i am on med's for depression i was not allowed what i wanted, which was a hisectomy. Because the HRT would counteract with the depression.
So as a good alternative the doctors told me that the marina coil would be good for me. Well it is now more then a year ago since i had this coil planted.
In that time, i have gained a couple of kilo's, sorry i only do metric. And have had the worsed depression ever. Blaming my partner for everything, anxiety problems, that he does everything to annoy me and just get into my hair. However i know on good days that it's not true.
I am happy i am not the only one, of course most of u have all ready have it reversed and i am thinking about it now too.

[forevergold]

molesworth did you have yours taken out?

[shrove]

I was recommended the mirena coil the year after the birth of my second child for irregular and heavy periods. I had no problems but did wonder about weight gain especially as had lost all pregnancy weight easily and have never had to diet ( I know - cow!). I recently had second coil fitted and am now on waiting list (8mths) for hospital appt as Dr who'd fitted it couldn't detect threads at 6 wk check up. But I'm suffering from mood swings, I feel no joy in life, everything is a hassle, no engergy. The worst was some sort of panic/anxiety attack at work a few weeks ago and since then I have had 3 further episodes of tightness in my chest that come on without warning. My GP thinks it may be the start of the menopause - I'm 45 - and has suggested beta blockers. I think this is simply treating symptoms not the cause and may create further problems. My friend who is only in her late 30s is experiencing similar symptoms. Why are GPs so keen to dismiss the possibility of side effects (my GP did when I asked )but quick to blame the menopause? Anyone I know who has had problems with the menopause don't seem to be self aware or to think rationally - usually made worse by GPS doling out anti ds like sweets. Yet when I read messages about the coil all these women are rationally talking about the fact they know something is very wrong. I'm due to go back to dr again. I'm seriously thinking about taking my chances and getting it out.

[sb9]

Oh my god, I didnt know this was a side effect? I have been on it for a year now and my depression has got worse. Dont know how i would know if its the coil though as i did have depression before. I put it down to the pressures of having a baby, not sure what to do now as the pill affected my moods so thats why i didnt want to go back on it....

[sb9]

Got to add more here.. Do people think i should come off it as i suffer with depression? Not sure what to do now as the past year i have been very irritable and angry with my husband, is it this or is it other issues. Plus not idea what contraception to have if i come off this as didnt like the pill.... Can anyone help?

[beckbok]

hi,i had the marina fitted 7mths ago and a couple of wks ago i startd suffering from heart palpitations, iv sufferered from anxiety in the past and thought it had reared its ugly head but jst 2days ago i noticed my coil strings were gone?! have bookd in 2 have it removed nxt week IF they can find it!! gonna go bak on the pill as its always workd 4 me,jst a pain havin 2 remember it sometimes, really disappointd that i went thru that pain 2 hav it fitted n prob more pain nxt week while he routes around looking 4 it,lovely!! x

[Molesworth]

ooh wow, I'd forgotten about this old thread!

Beckbok, I hope you feel better after removal. I could never find the strings on mine either tbh, but the doc removed it with no problems and the removal was quick and painless.

Just to update from the original post: I remember posting this thread and I was really in a bad way at the time. I did have it removed and the first feeling was massive relief, because by that time I had convinced myself that the Mirena was at the very least a contributing factor to my MH problems. Within a couple of months my periods had returned to normal, my psoriasis (which was so bad at one point I couldn't walk) and my depression/anxiety started to get better.

I will never know with certainty if the Mirena caused these problems or if it was a combination of factors. I'll never know if my recovery was placebo effect because by that time I'd latched on to the idea that the Mirena was the problem. All I can say is that I now feel normal again. So my advice to anyone out there who suspects Mirena is the problem is to have it removed, use another form of contraception and see what happens.

[XCandyX]

Hi all, i had the mirena fitted 4 years ago for heavy periods and to be honest at the time felt very little pain when inserted. After a few months my bleeding did slow down but i seemed to have spotting all the time. Over the 4 years i have developed all these symptoms bad cramps, headaches, unbelievably sore breast, feeling sick, unable to focus, suddenly i developed bad anxiety and would panic for the least wee thing. I mentioned to the doctor that it was just since having the coil in that i developed these symptoms.I was told no chance that it would have this effect and was given pills for anxiety cause he thought i was stressed (DIDN'T TAKE THE PILLS). Then going to the nurse a month ago for a smear test and coil check (which they couldn't find my strings) a blood presure check was done and it was high as well. I mentioned to the nurse do you think it could be my coil as i had trouble with high blood presure when i was on the pill. I was firmly told AGAIN that there was no chance it was the coil. Now atfer reading the side effects online i'm pretty sure it is the coil. Needless to say i have an ultra sound to find my coil and make sure it is still there next week, even though i know it is because my bleeding would be very heavy and clotty if it wasn't. Then the first thing i'm doing after that is getting an appointment for as soon as possible to have it removed. I would rather have heavy periods and the odd headache when i get my monthlys than a whole list of things all through the month. I just want to feel like my old self again.