Removing My Mirena is going to help even just a bit?

[HeadacheEarthquake]

Posting for traffic

I've been on some form of progesterone since I was eleven due to early periods and horrific dysmenorrhea. No period pains, or cramps, none of the usual stuff. I did get horrific migraines, vomiting, fainting, hallucinations, frozen right leg and sciatic pain.

Through adult life since, I've had depression, blood clots in my lungs, hemorrhaging cysts on my ovaries, (pills, injections, implant) and since the mirena coil, unexplainable weight gain. 3 stone fell off when I had my first mirena removed, then 2 went back on when I got my second coil.

I've been physically training harder than ever and eating excellently, in calorie deficit and on plan, recording every mouthful and macro, but it keeps creeping on. I've had thyroid and bloods tested, no conditions or anything, all perfect stats. Last thing to check for is PCOS again but I don't have any other symptoms of this either.

I've decided to ditch my 2nd mirena early to see what happens.

Might I be less depressed and find the weight might be easier to shift? The benefits are wearing off anyway and my DP is happy to just use condoms if I have a shot at feeling better. 20 years of hormones may have ruined my 20s, and left me on SSRIs, Anti anxieties, blood thinners and much else. Is there any hope? For the record, I am not obese, just a stone overweight and absolutely sick of it. Although I still suffered mild depression, I was a lot happier at a lower BMI and it wasn't hard to get there and maintain between Mirenas.

I'd really love to hear some stories. Some women found they lost weight whereas many I've seen videos from didn't lose weight but did lose the 'belly bloat' that many reported having struggled with during Mirena. I'm painfully aware that there is little research on this. Watching and reading all anecdotes I can find online. Appointment in 6 days. Please be kind, I am losing weight VERY slowly already but tired struggling with my body and mind.

I had no problems at all with the Mirena, but in the mid 80's my GP changed my Pill to a lower hormone one (sorry, can't remember brand names) and I piled weight on. I was ok going from a size 8 to 10, unhappy but not concerned at 12, but when those clothes started getting tight (and I had huge stretch marks on my thighs which reduced me to tears) I went back and got another brand. Weight fell off again, there were no differences in my eating or excercising habits throughout. All this happened in the space of six months, and I haven't been bigger than a 10 since.

So yeah, the Mirena might be the issue for you. I can only extend sympathy.

Thankyou @HirplesWithHaggis it's a scary way to live and it feels like the odd occasion where you might have a treat is going to set you back half a stone every time! I'm glad you noticed a specific improvement after changing your contraception -

I’ve gained 5 stone in the 6 years I’ve had the Mirena fitted. I’m so depressed and I look grotesque. I’ve unsuccessfully tried to lose weight many many times and I have wondered if it’s the Mirena as before I had it fitted I could lose weight easily if I needed to lose a bit. I do have PCOS.

Mirena has been in just over 6 years now but I’m terrified of having it removed. It was put in under general anaesthetic while I was having surgery for endometriosis.

@EllenMonte

I’ve gained 5 stone in the 6 years I’ve had the Mirena fitted. I’m so depressed and I look grotesque. I’ve unsuccessfully tried to lose weight many many times and I have wondered if it’s the Mirena as before I had it fitted I could lose weight easily if I needed to lose a bit. I do have PCOS.

Mirena has been in just over 6 years now but I’m terrified of having it removed. It was put in under general anaesthetic while I was having surgery for endometriosis.

@EllenMonte oh my god you poor thing. If it's any consolation, having it put in was painful both times but having it removed is completely painless!

I'm so sorry about your endometriosis. Women's health has a pitiful research history. I'll report back if I find a difference after removal

I blamed my Mirena for loads of things. Hair thinning, weight gain, huge belly, mood swings, anxiety, loss of libido.

So I had it removed last year. Nothing has changed whatsoever

I’ve never even thought of this.

I struggle to lose weight, no matter what and ended up putting it down to being on and off steroids for some 20 years.

But thinking back the majority of the weight gain (and subsequent inability to lose it) is over the last 15 years (and 3 mirena coils).

Hmph.

@SingleHandSue I'm sorry! :( that must be really disappointing, have you been back to your doctor to inveestigate?

@Singlebutmarried - I was in denial about it a bit too I think! Who knows until they fund some bloody research into women's health

I’ve been on the mirena for 11 months now,
I’ve gained about 12lbs even when I diet I lose extremely slow then gain it back as soon as I sniff a biscuit 😂
I feel awful like I constantly need a good period, my stomach is heavy and ovaries ache, covered in spots. Low mood... but this could just be because of my weight.
Thinking of having it taken out and just having the copper coil x

@to92

I’ve been on the mirena for 11 months now, I’ve gained about 12lbs even when I diet I lose extremely slow then gain it back as soon as I sniff a biscuit 😂 I feel awful like I constantly need a good period, my stomach is heavy and ovaries ache, covered in spots. Low mood... but this could just be because of my weight. Thinking of having it taken out and just having the copper coil x

Have you changed anything else that could have caused weight gain? I'm thinking copper too but going to try flying solo for a couple of months first

I had two mirenas which spanned 7 years and I went up 7 dress sizes, insomnia, developed eczema, constant sweating, acne, back pain, facial hair, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Had it removed and all side effects disappeared within a few weeks, my depression and mood noticably better even the very next day.

I have the weight to lose and am pcos, but getting there, I will never have another implant or iud again!

@HouseIsOnFire oh my god that sounds horrendous

Are you working on the weight or just waiting to see?

I'm sitting in the waiting room now waiting to have it out.

Been feeling suicidal, have lost weight this month from excersise and diet but lower tummy still looks and feels pregnant.

@EllenMonte - get it removed at a sexual health clinic, rahter than your GP
I had mine inserted under gen anaesthetic - when I wanted it removed 6 years later (was concerned it may be the cause of repeated UTIs - it wasn't) GP receptionist said that experience nurse had retired, she wasn't sure if the new staff had been trained to do this, but she'd ask them if they wanted to have a go Not bloody likely.
Sexual Health clinic staff will be far more experienced with the procedure.

I am overweight, but Mirena make me put on weight, or make it harder to lose weight.

Mirena didn't* make me put on weight - crucial difference

Well it's gone! So time will tell

@musicteachersussex am working on it, i lost a dress size in the 2 months of it coming out but stalled cos of other health problems, start again start of august and its coming off now :)

I’m so tempted to have it removed. But……I was passing out with the heaviness of my periods, so it’s more for that rather than contraception (not that I want anymore kids now). I’m worried a copper coil will just mean heavy periods again.

@Singlebutmarried that's one reason why I had it in the first place and I worry it will start to happen again, but I got so sick of the side effects, it took a lot for me to make the decision to lose it

I got the mirena fitted in April after years of really heavy periods. I really hate it. My mood is terrible, I feel heavier in general, both mentally and physically and my stomach is bloated and rock hard. I walk 5 days a week and do two weight training classes but my stomach won't budge. I've had some bleeding but nothing like what I had before. I really want it out but don't want to go back to being bed bound with my period for three days a month again.

@EllenMonte
Get it taken out!!! It’s completely painless honestly. I couldn’t believe it, you don’t really feel anything and takes literally seconds! Just get it out. Life is too short!
I had mine for a year and it was like I had permanent really bad pms. 2 weeks after I got it out I started to feel like me again!

thankyou all by the way for joining me to talk about this

I felt instantly lighter after the cramps yesterday, but then felt terrible and dizzy that eve. Didn't even finish my dinner or glass of celebratory prosecco. Feeling ok today, going on a hen weekend so i will see how i feel next week once i've settled into empty cervix life

Whelp. I've lost a stone with my normal healthy eating and excersise. No more depression or migraines. The condoms are a minute annoyance but I feel like a human again.

I had a coil worst 10 months of my life after 10 months of shear agony I walked into a and e two months later removed under GA. one more bout of pain then a whole year has gone by very little pain think periods are getting less now I’ve noticed over the last few months.

@Holothane

I had a coil worst 10 months of my life after 10 months of shear agony I walked into a and e two months later removed under GA. one more bout of pain then a whole year has gone by very little pain think periods are getting less now I’ve noticed over the last few months.

I'm with you... worst 9 years of my life