Mirena & Depression - Five Fucking years of my life!! AIBU to have the rage?

[BeMorePanda]

I've been depressed for 5 years now. I've had depression in the past and have learned how to manage it very well, I know what signs to look out for and how to look after myself etc. Or so I thought.

Then shortly after DD2 was born I became fairly depressed. Not PND, more a general depression. And it became worse once I stopped BF. This was also around the time I left my abusive XP. So I attributed the depression to be living with an abusive arse (and suffering from gas lighting, very abuse, emotional abuse and a bit of financial abuse for good measure for several years).

I did have a wee surge of happiness after leaving him, but generally the depression continued. It was different than I had suffered before - more of a flat line depression.

My self esteem was rock bottom. None of my usual coping/self care tactics worked. I've been feeling so damaged. I've had 2 lots of counselling - nothing has really helped or got to the bottom of it.

Before having DD2 I was in a very happy place in myself, despite my rubbish relationship and difficult pregnancy. It now occurs to me that the only times in my adult life that I haven't been using hormonal contraception, coincided with me feeling normal, myself, happy, in charge of my life and not depressed.

Just last week I had a penny drop moment after reading about the Mirena coil & it's link to depression. And I realised I started feeling this way shortly after having it inserted after DD2 was born. I didn't notice the connection - at first I was BF and had all those happy hormones, I believed the doctor who talked of "localised hormones" etc, my relationship was rubbish and home life difficult and it simply never occurred to me that my "wonderful contraception solution" was actually an evil fucker, messing with me from the inside.

I thought I was one of the people who had got along with it - I loved having no periods, no hormonal fluctuations etc. I thought I had no side effects.

So I've been doing some reading around and I'm pretty sure that the Mirena is contributing to or even causing my unliftable low level constant depression.

It's been like living with a rock around my neck for all my daughters life. What a fucker.

And I just had a new one put in a couple of months ago. I'm making an appt to get it removed asap. Not once at any stage of the process of having TWO Mirena coils fitted did any one mention depression. When I talked to my GP about my ongoing depression Mirena was not mentioned or questioned.

I have read many threads where women have had acute reactions with the Mirena.

But AIBU to think I am not alone in this and there are many other women with similar revelations after a period of time being otherwise happy with the Mirena???

AIBU to think there is no joined up thinking in healthcare?

This thread and others like it make me so angry.

I have never used hormonal contraception but I will never forget going to the GP's with my sister who was experiencing sharp, breath-taking chest pains. She was very physically fit and 23 years old. She had also just started one of the pills (don't know which) and it specifically listed chest pains as a possible side effect, and said to see your dr immediately.

The GP was entirely dismissive, told her to keep taking them, it wasn't the pill etc etc. Oddly though, he didn't seem interested in finding out what WAS causing chest pains in a healthy woman! Funny that.

It's misogynistic gaslighting, is what it is. I'd never ever have any LARC in my body because I don't trust the NHS to remove it if I ask, and I'm not putting myself at someone else's mercy like that.

Oh yeah, and thankfully DSis ignored the GP and stopped. Her chest pains ceased and never returned. Again, funny that!

This thread has been an interesting read - I recently decided to have a Mirena coil fitted after breakdown of marriage (Ex-H has the snip so no contraception required!) and being hopeful of getting a shag at some point in the near future! Spoke to two different doctors, both said it would help me through menopause and reduce my very heavy periods, I asked both about side effects of depression as I have been on low dose anti-d's for several years and both doctors said that Mirena does not cause depression..........Hmmmmmmmm.................might reconsider now!

johnny that is shocking! Thank goodness your sister trusted herself.

This attitude of put up & shut up directed at women experiences serious symptoms from hormonal birth control is making me mad.

Blobby I would advise you to proceed with caution. Yes it is fab in many ways (and no periods is really fantastic) but I believe there is now plenty of evidence to suggest your doctors are wrong about the link with depression.

Keep a track of your emotions - perhaps write them down or keep a log of them and note feelings of depression. Also you might like to do some research yourself and talk to your doctor again?

Always remember my gynaecologist telling me years ago that he wouldn't touch the Mirena coil with a barge pole if he was a woman.

Like some other posters, it was my dp who noticed the connection between my mood changes and the contraceptive pill. Thank God he did because I'm not sure I would have. It does upset me because I originally went to the gp because I had problems with heavy, painful and irregular periods. Sometimes I'd be bleeding for over two weeks. Sometimes I'd have two periods a month, other times none. The pain was so bad, I would be hunched down on the floor, hiding behind the till at work when I worked in a shop and it was interfering with my life. When I went to the gp he just put me on the pill and that was that.

Luckily I don't suffer badly with my periods anymore, not since having dd two years ago. Though I wonder what will happen when I finish breastfeeding. If they go back to how they were and the gp suggests I go on the pill I certainly will not be! And when my dd is old enough I will strongly advise her against going on any hormonal contraceptives.

I want to thank you all again for posting on this thread - it's been an eye opener, a re-awakening, and a great support.

William I will also be strongly advising my DDs about avoiding hormonal contraception. It's not worth the risk. Or if they do choose it, watching them like a hawk for signs of depression/anxiety.

I am so glad people are posting on this thread. We need to raise awareness. Is there any chance MNHQ could keep it as a sticky?

Hi all!

Just a heads up, we're moving this over to 'Family Planning' at the OPs request

I have recently had one fitted by a gyneacologist and it was of the first things mentioned and I've been told if it affects my mood I'll have to have it removed!

Having a mirena coincided with 5 years of extreme anxiety, moodiness, irrationally angry behaviour. It's only since I've seen the link with depression that I've wondered if this was the cause. I've had it out for 18 months now and I'm like a different person. Won't ever be having one again.

yay Sloth

thanks Lorna

Owl keep a close eye on your moods and changes in how you feel - I do hope it works OK for you as in theory it's great.

I know it is early days, and I don't want to be presumptive, but I do feel different.

I'm feeling an inner confidence and self belief bubbling up that has been missing for a long long time. I'm feeling it in my work (feeling more equal, valid and assertive) and in my dealings with my children (kinder, more patient, less snappish and easily irritated).

I really hope this is a sign of a return to "normality".

This weekend will be telling. I am child free & usually, despite best made plans I really struggle with doing things I want to do. It is when I am alone that the depression really shows itself - though it is constant background noise too.

Something as simple as going for a swim, or a gallery become impossible or at least very very difficult. Even during the counselling process it was very hard for me to do these simple things.

This thread is really interesting. I was put on the Pill as a teenager to help with irregular and heavy periods, plus pros-related hair growth. It came on gradually so I didn't link it to the Pill but before long I was crying myself to sleep every night and hoping I wouldn't wake up. I was at uni and none of my flat mates wanted to live with me the following year. I almost dropped out. I then got strange pains in my thighs and was told to stop the Pill ASAP. With a few days I was so much better! I've had periods of mild depression since, but nothing that compares to that. Anyway, I found new flat mates, finished uni and got the second highest grade on my course. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the Pill almost ruined my life. I havent taken hormonal contraception since and feel strongly that women should be warned about possible depression so they can look out for it.

I also didn't get along with mirena and would urge anyone who is remotely suspicious that it is affecting their mental health to get it out and see how it improves. I was suicidal and highly anxious and put on a lot of weight during the three years I had it in, and blamed it on external issues, yet within a month of its removal I became much calmer and able to cope with life, despite then facing what should have been a very stressful time;a death in the family and moving house.The difference for me was unmistakeable. I will never go on hormonal contraceptives again, there is no doubt in my mind they seriously mess with my head!

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

I am re-posting the link to the Yellow Card Scheme mentioned upthread - please can those who have had problems with side effects from hormonal medication consider lodging a report of your experiences there. Hopefully it will help with changes to the way patients are treated/advised/etc in the future.

OP - it's great that you're feeling better already, I did too for the first few days after removal, like I was on a high. But then I experienced the mirena crash - google it, it's a thing, unfortunately. I was more depressed than I've ever been for a good 2 months, and even more exhausted than I had been with the coil. So don't want to be all doom and gloom but please prepare yourself for the possibility that it could happen to you, I think if you know it's a temporary state while your body readjusts it's easier to cope with. 3 months post removal and I'm out the other side of it, but it was grim.

Thanks for the heads up. I've not heard of the crash and yes I do feel a little high. Started period today too / first in over 6 years!

Off too google.

Yes, you are likely to crash a few days after having it removed. This is due to the artificial progesterone having left your system, causing a nasty mood dip.

Many women suffer the dreaded progesterone dip a few days after finishing the progesterone part of their HRT, when they use sequential HRT.

littlefluffyclouds and maqueen thanks for the warning about the crash - it explains a lot...

Basically, progesterone withdrawal is what causes your standard PMS. After ovulation, your progesterone levels start to rise quite steeply. Then, if you're not pregnant, they suddenly drop just before your period, causing the PMS symptoms and the bleeding.

It doesn't help matters that oestrogen severely drops at the same time, too.

I think I might need to see my consultant again soon, as my oestrogen might be too high as I'm feeling extremely chilled stoned. This is just how I use to feel around ovulation before I started using HRT.

It's actually rather lovely...but, I'm not getting much done

I stopped my mini pill 2 weeks ago after years on being on it.
My appetite has noticeably reduced.
I used to snack between every meal.
I can now easily just have 3 meals.
Feel so much better in every way.
I am wondering when I'll get my period though?

Ok so I've read up on the crash and will be eating more progesterone boosting foods, which I'm eating lots of anyway it turns out.

I'll focus on foods rich in zinc, vit c, magnesium and omega 3 (I supplement with flax seed oils already).

Interestingly I've also come across a link between Mirena and ibs. I've suffered from ibs for 3 or so years now. Often it feels like insane period cramps. There is probably a link. I've been coping by being on a low fodmap diet since may which has been effective. As long as I stick to it.

I'll shape up a super nutritious eating plan over the weekend.

I'm engaged with this process!

Shopping list:

Mooncup
Pumpkin seeds
Mandarins
Lemons
Kale
Dark chocolate.
Ribeye Steak from the fancy butcher
Spinach

I'll make a loaf of Lifechanging loaf of Bread tomorrow which I love, my body loves, is gut friendly and high in all the good stuff.