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.

Hi there
I thought I was going mad, and can only put it down to the Mirena coil, i have been on it for 10 months now, my moods seem to be getting worse, I have just got my dream job, a lovely man and yet I feel so unhappy, angry, paranoid, withdrawn, lack confidence. Although now I have no periods and are pain free mentally I am starting to feel unstable. So I suppose I have to weight up whether I want to be physically ill or mentally ill????? Any suggestions or any suggestions for other hormone treatment??
Thanks

back last september i had an infection that caused severe anxiety. nothing i had ever experienced before. i started seeing a therapist and it was relieved, to the point that i was feeling the most content and happy i have felt in years. then, i decided to have the mirena fitted in the beginning of this month. i cramped for about 3-4 days and then was feeling ok. then, this five days ago and i had the worst anxiety take i think i have ever had. tight chest, racing heart beat, constant negative thoughts. it was the day before i was supposed to get my period. i have been a nervous wreck since. i found this site and decided to go my doc and see what is up. my doc. wasn't in but the nurse assured me that there is no way the mirena could be the cause. but it just doesn't make any sense to me. way too much of a coincidence. i feel horrible, haven't slept well in days, and don't see an end in site. i have another appointment coming up in two weeks, but don't want to wait that long to have it removed. i am calling again this morning and am putting my foot down. i actually originally went in for a copper coil due to the fact that i get migraines, but they talked me into the mirena instead. now i truly regret it.

sorry, i meant to say anxiety attack!

what do u mean by brain fog?????i av had the mirena in now for about 3-4 yrs....got it fitted because i was having very heavy periods....at 1st i thought it was the best thing ever as i had no more periods an my pmt had disappeared but now i suffer from cramps an spot bleeding.....could it b finished or could it of moved???? but my worst problem is what i would describe as a swimming head.....have them a lot....is this what u mean by brain fog??????????????help

I had mine removed after reading threads on here and I am sure I feel much better. I agree about brain fog, the inability to make a decision or remember anything. That has gone now as has some of the anger and black moods.

Just be warned, I had the period from hell 2 weeks after it came out and bought a mooncup to cope with it!

Hi I just wanted to right a little message to you all because i think you all saved me from going completely mad !! I had my coil fitted in feb this year and to start with i thought it was great no periods and no effects as i thought i may get! But then a month after having it fitted i started to feel anxious when i went socialising and my head constantly felt foggy and i couldn't think straight!! This has been getting worse and worse until the point i have be vomiting before and while i have been out because i am so anxious my body would feel heavy and my palms start sweating it had got so bad that taking my daughter to school was awful and i would feel emotional drained by the time i got home!
Anyway after searching the coil and anxiety i found this page and that evening i went back to my family planning clinic sat there for 3 hours waiting !! Had the coil removed after nearly arguing with the doctor that this is the right decision for me ! And this morning my head feels a lot clearer then is has done for a long time and i feel a little less anxious as well ! I'm not saying i am totally cured overnight but i would say the coil has a lot to do with the problems i have experienced for the past 7 months ! I am now hoping that in the next few weeks my anxiety will totally disappear and i can stop taking my tablets my doctor perscribed to me for panic attacks!

I really hope these side effects that obviously a lot of us are getting will be reconised by doctors and something is done !

Thank you ladies xx

Hi, I have fitted my coil 3 months after the delivery of my third child, since then I have been experiencing a bad depression, hair loss and tiredness, I have gone to see a therapist who has prescribed me an anti depressant (which has dilated my pupil as a side effect). Now my son is 20 months and my health is getting worse and worse,I am not enjoying life as before, I can't stop these negative thoughts, I am really suffering...
After these posts, I can't wait till I take an appointment to remove it. I really pray God that the reason is the COIL.

Hello all, I am a husband and father of three children. My wife had the coil inserted 7 years ago and it has destroyed our marriage. She left two weeks before the coil was due to be removed after 5 years and I think has had another inserted since because it regulates her flow. As a person on the receiving end of all the anger and blaming for most of the last 7 years, I have suffered so much I can't describe. We are due before the family courts next month, but I have done all possible to reconcile. My wife does not accept that the coil is to blame as its all my fault as she sees it. i believe this device has ruined countless relationships world wide. At first, i didn't get the economics for the medical industry to sell a one per 5 year product, when they could sell the pill continuously. Then I realised...they get you on the anti depressants! Probably made by the same manufacturer as the coil (Bayer). Also, on the product insert they claim breast cancer as a side effect with "frequency unknown". Should they not be researching and surveying to find out? For us it may be too late. Unless a miracle takes place like my wife goes to the doc, has the coil removed, realises I'm not the devil incarnate after all and comes home, our family will be torn apart forever. Any help that can be given by anyone is most welcome. My wife, the kids and myself have suffered enough already.
God bless,
D

Hello
I had the mirena coil fitted 8 weeks after having my premature baby , I had no post natal bleed after delivery or major post natal depression , however as soon as the mirena coil was fitted I bled everyday ,& continued to until today when the coil was removed due to excessive bleeding and passing blood clots the size of a saucer, I suffered pre eclempsia at the end of pregnancy which has left me with severe hypertension and heart defect. I suffered severe mood swings, depression permanent pmt, aching ankles knees and back, exhaustion and weight gain. My poor suffering husband has had to endure 3 years of he'll with me and I have been unable to physically cope with my baby, I blame this mirena coil without a doubt, as apart from feeling a little sore from the coil removal I feel a ton of bricks has been lifted from my shoulders and guess what not a drop of blood has been passed since the removal at mid day today! Coincidence ? I feel not. Be warned don't bother with this coil unless you feel the need to suffer both physically and mentally.

Please read my message , this is so typical of this coil I suffered terribly until mid day today when I finally had the bloody thing removed and guess what ... No bleeding no dizziness no feelings of deep depression no aching joints and no passing clots so go get it out and start living your life again, it's an awful coil and I wouldn't be surprised if it's use is withdrawn in the very near future and you and I may meet in a lawyers office when we sue the pants off the company , good luck and make that appointment tomorrow .x

Hi I had the Mirena put in in March 2010 and have also started to suffer from general anxiety which I never had before. About nine months ago my GP prescribed Mirtazapine I took it for a few months but hated the way it let me feel (numb) so weaned myself off it, but it's strange some days I'm OK others like a nervous wreck, tight chest, palpatations worrying over odd things. I have an appointment this evening with my GP and am seriously thinking of getting it removed, give my body some time to rid of hormone and see what happens. I am so glad I am not the only one suffering from these symptoms, for a while I really thought I was going crazy!

Hi everybody,

I had my coil removed 3 weeks ago, and you can't imagine how much I felt better, even my therapist was chocked to see the change, she couldn't believe that mirena coil can cause all these problems.
For Disndat: please try to show your wife these posts, may be she will be convinced. Good luck

It's insane so many women are suffering with this contraception method, I went to my GP yesterday and she said it was strange as I was not the only woman that had been to see her with similar problems. She has suggested I see a physiologist for six weeks to see if anxiety clears if it doesn't she has agreed to remove it. Had a sense of relief with her plan, anxiety is horrible and really debilitating. Also all the other side effects, just want to be back to my old self!

Jul1967 I totally agree, I think it suits a small minority of women but for the vast majority it has too many side effects. Glad tour feeling much better, looking forward to the day that I do too!

THANK YOU. I NEEDED TO HEAR THIS.

I had the Merina put in 8 weeks ago. I have had depression on and off for 7 years since birth of DS1, had been off medication since November last year (longest time ever and really thought I was through it). I had a great pregnancy DD born end of Jan and have been having a great time with her, a few blips when I stopped breastfeeding at the end of August - but nothing abdormal. I had a Merina coil put in September and suffered a really rapid spiral downwards almost immediately. Was ready to go back on to tablets as thought it was depression again - I went back to my counsellor last week and she said it seemed to her that it was a chemical thing rather than psychological. Having read through through all these comments it's given me hope.

I'm going to have the coil taken out today and see what happens with my symptoms. It started after a couple of days with anxiety (like too much caffine, when I never get a chance for a cup of coffee before morning walk to school and suddenly on a bright sunny day with the boys on scooters I would feel hugely panicy.) Since then have been having massive mood swings - very tearful, unable to face anything, huge rages that are almost impossible to contain, then dreadful guilt and wishing the world would swallow me up/ or that I could dissapear. I have also put on about 10lbs with ridiculous comfort eating over the past couple of months.

I have an appointment for a scan today as at my check up GP couldn't find coil threads - but I am going to ask her to remove it. I will check back again in a week or so and let you know how the symptoms are. I'm so grateful for this discussion, it's given me the confidence/reassurance that it isn't just me and that maybe it isn't depression. Fingers crossed. It's great to know that I'm not alone in this.

Thanks, after reading all the above after googling mirena and depression I have booked to get mine out (docs are making me wait 19 days due to lack of staff!). Had it for 7 months and have suffered with low self esteem, irratibility, depression, paranoia and general negativity and anger, which is getting progresively worse (and which I too put down to other things). I am about to start councilling. With it out I'm hoping to return to my old self and save my marriage which has been on the verge of breakdown for several months. Just hope I dont get pregnant again cos I have 2 both through using the withdrawal method (or not as the case may be!) and due to staff shortages at the surgery I cant get a copper coil fitted at the same time they remove the mirena.

I posted previously about the Mirena, I have had three sessions with a therapist and still didn't feel any better ..... So went back to doctor and told her to remove it! She did there and then..... That was a week ago, I felt a huge sense of relief, the first couple of days had no bleeding but then I started to bleed heavy with some clots it seems to be tapering off. My anxiety is a lot better don't feel so nervous, constant ache in my chest is gone, feel clearer in my thoughts, no sense of dread, it's early days and still feel 100% but do feel better than I did when I had the Mirena in!

what is the difference between the copper coil and the mirena, DOES THE COPPER COIL HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Sorry to hear people having bad experiences with the mini pill, but it's kinda comforting to know others as are in the same boat as me.
I started the mini pill (Micronor) about three months go, and for the last month or so have been experiencing a bit a depression. I'm usually a very happy and positive person, but have been feeling really out of sorts, kinda numb and not enjoying things I should be (was in Disneyland last month and walked about miserable). I have a bad habit of over thinking things and feeling the way I have been has made me over-analyize everything and its driving me crazy - feel like i'm going to explode sometimes. My GP doesn't really take me seriously and prescribed propanolol, but to be honest I just want to be myself again, wihtout the aid of medication. I've also been crying at the drop of a hat and had a but of acne which I didn't really even have as a teen. Sorry for the rant, but just had to offload :).

Hi Guys,

I am having extreme symptoms in the past couple of days and really need some advice as I think it is very abnormal and I am a bit nervous about going to the doctor about it.

I feel like I am having the start of anxiety attacks as a result of thinking about having the mirena coil. I have been having strong stomach pains and I am getting extremely anxious about it. I got so panicky about it I even tried to take it out. I am really distressed and can't think clearly. I googled it but nothing seems to match what I am experiencing.

I tried to call the doctor to organise an appointment to get it removed but hung up as I am embarrassed about going there and saying "I want to get it out of me as it is making me freak out."

It is just so strange even writing this and thinking that it is there is making me freak out and start to hyperventilate.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

please can I have some advice? I am seeing gyno on tues ,referred by my gp because of heavy, increasingly more regular periods.( 3 in 6 weeks) I am 48 and had my tubes tied 15 years ago(I have 2 kids). Since then have had endometriosis and heavy periods. I never suffered with any gynae problems before tubes tied. I think I will be offered a coil of some type or hysterectomy. I read terrible things about the coil and I really dont want to make the wrong choice ,any thoughts? I have never had depression or bad mood swings or hot flushes. Just heavy periods which are really interfering with my work ,social and home life.

Just to say thank you very much for sharing all this, I feel absolutely elated. I had the mirena fitted about 14 months ago while I was still breastfeeding. I put a lot of the symtoms down to still being hormonal after the pregnancy, but over the last 12 months I have started to wonder whether I am loosing my mind. I have never suffered from depression or anxiety before and am known as a "coper", but have seriously considered seeking help after getting to the point this year where things felt overwhelming and difficult to cope with. I have a busy, but happy family and work life and usually thrive on this busyness, so I thought maybe some old childhood traumas had caught up with me. The there was also the weight, I have always been a size 12 outside of pregnancy and have always returned to this fairly easily when I had finished breastfeeding (4 kids). This time, I have exercised, followed restricted calorie diets, then exercised more, e.t.c.. I have toned up, but I haven't lost an ounce, I kept thinking maybe it's because I'm getting older (37), but it just hasn't felt like me and I couldnt' get an angle on it. I more than a stone heavier than I have ever been and the moment I stop harshly restricting my diet I start putting weight on. My body has never done this! There are a few other things I have spotted which some of you have reported as side effects, which in a way I am now really hoping they are side effects for me also. One of them is real having problems with my joints, my knees are really bad and again I have been putting it down to age, but the weird things is that they have been fine in pregnanct despite all the extra strain. I am now fairly certain that at least a couple of these things are directly related to the coil and am having it out asap. My christmas present this year is my husband having a vasectomy. I just can't believe it has taken me so long to join up the dots, but then the "fog" hasn't helped with being able to think clearly.

I had my Mirena changed about a month ago. The first one which I had for 5 years was fabulous. This time around I'm going mad, acute anxiety, weepy, can't breathe, can't stop feeling awful. The big question, is it this coil or just the awful weather and pressure of Christmas. Was mildly anxious before but out of control now. Yuck.

Hi everyone, I am due to have my mirena coil out this afternoon, and hopefully be able to go back to my work, as it has destroyed my life during the last 2/3 months. I have hot flushes and the consultant put this in, and put me on a gel as well. I would suffer the hot flushes anyday. I am in constant suicidal mood, and go up and down, crying at nothing, and I am running away from these thoughts constantly.... This was a very slow downturn in my symtoms, as I just began to feel very edgy and nausea about everything. Couldn't seem to lift myself out of it, so have been off work for a month now, would rather be back at the daily routine. Feel awful all the time, have tried and tried to ignore the awful sickness and depression about nothing. Will let you all know if it is the Mirena, as I am pinning my hopes on, if it isn't I will be phoning the samaratians, as I simply don't know what to do with myself.....

Silverlace, thanks for your reports on this awful thing, I am now nervous and pannicking in case I am going mad, and it is not the Mirena Coil......but your message is comforting..... how I long to be back to my old worrying self, and back out to work.... my employer is coming out to see me on Monday, I will hopefully be able to tell them I will be back soon.....