mirena coil and side effects???? anyone else experiencing these????

[missylea]

Had the mirena coil fitted from feb this year and am still staining! I have lack of sex drive and now over the last week of so feel so down and depressed. I do suffer from pnd and am on ad. but felt myself getting better and more like myself only for this last week. I have been crying at everything, feeling really sad for nothing and really irratiable especially with my dcs. Suprise next day i started staining again! Its like permanent pmt or is it my pnd flaring back up again.I cannot take any kind of contraceptive pill as they too make me like this but dr says the hormone is localised to the womb! I always have been getting bad period pains that dr had to prescribe pain killers it was that bad. Anyone else suffer anything similar before i make a decision to have it removed. Unfortunitely it feels like the only other option is sterisation which is very very final but dont feel i could cope with pnd and feeling this low again. ps i have got pnd after every baby ive had, i have 3.

[pink121]

Hi i had a mirena coil put in thus week but I've been getting some stabbing pains under nearth my tummy and getting light headed is anyone had that or is it normal x

[Kadiekins]

I had the mirena fitted in may for medical reasons. Its due to come out next week. My life as been hell on this thing. Everyday since ive spotted. Ive had thrush at least once a month since. Been doctors all test clear. I said could it be the coil dr said defo not. I was 9st 11 when i had it fitted im now 11 stone. Can't wait to have this out my body.

[Jojopugh]

Hi all. I am new to mumsnet.im 31 and I need your help! I had Mirena coil 3 years ago after my second child. It’s been brilliant after the first 6 months of me feeling bonkers. I have continued to have regular light periods throughout which I can cope with. However..... I haven’t had one for around 6weeks (this is a guess but I think I’m accurate). Suddenly over the past few weeks iv has sickness feeling (my girls have been poorly so at first I put it down to that).Tuesday I had really bad cramping in my stomach but not sure why? It even hurt to walk! Then I realised I haven’t had a my regular for a while. I did a test on Friday And a faint line come up. I also did another one and nothing came up. Since this I have done three more which have all been negative, however I have symptoms, feeling sick, bloated tummy, tired, funny tastes, tender boobs. I have no idea if I am or not. Has anyone else experienced this? Could I be pregnant? Could it be phantom? Could I be having a massive hormaonal change? Please help!

[MummorethanDionne]

Hi all,
I had the Mirena fitted 4 days ago and ive had cramps (which i expected and can deal with) but i've been so depressed and negative. I'd not felt great for a while anyway but my mood seems to have crashed over the weekend and i'm in tears all of the time.

The thing that concerns me most though is that i've put on 2lbs. now this doesn't sound major but i've worked hard to lose 3 stone in the last year and i still have another 6 stone to lose. I watch my food intake very carefully and i've had the same as my hubby and his weight has stayed the same (even though he had about 8 pints over the weekend). I find this really difficult, i'm craving shit all the time and trying really hard not to give in but its so hard.

Has anyone else hadd a similar exerience? The medical advice seems sketchy about any of the side effects, but if i'm destined to keep putting on weight this bdboy is coming out ASAP.

[Minimoo13]

Hi ladies I know this is an old post but I'm really worried that I'm either experiencing side affect of the marina coil or I've fallen pregnant! I had it fitted in may at the same time I had a termination, I had serious postnatal at the time. About five weeks ago I started putting on weight and this for me is very unusual and I thought impossible! It's only my boobs and belly, I thought the coil had moved or something coz I had a period that lasted 3 days and that on itself it unusual as I haven't for 6 months but the nurse reassured me she could see the threads although they had moved to the left. I'm experiencing pregnancy symptoms but have done a test and its negative! I'm worried coz I've read the hormone in the coil can give negative tests and I really can't afford to be pregnant as I have 3 children so close together already. Any advice would be greatly welcomed x

[spangleknickers]

I had a Mirena coil fitted a couple of years ago. Previously (before having DCs 3-5) I had a copper coil for 11 years with no problems bar a tendency to thrush. PMT increased with each child and the doctors thought the Mirena might help. It caused constant light to heavy bleeding for about 6 months, lower abdom pain, breast pain, terrible low mood, zero libido and a general feeling of bloatedness. I decided to leave it and let my body 'get used to it' and as the bleeding ebbed away I felt slightly more positive. About a week later I went to the loo and experienced a strange sensation of pressure in my bladder, followed by a sinister slithering feeling. In the toilet was what I can only liken to a squid, which was the repelled coil covered with some sort of uterine tissue. Utterly revolting and quite traumatic - especially considering the pain I had suffered during insertion. I am 'back to normal' now which is 2 weeks of feeling OK, one of rage and one of severe pain and bleeding, but that is better than the utter hopelessness I felt whilst the coil was in situ. I would advise a copper coil and if I wasn't such a coward, I would go and have one fitted myself

[Joysmum]

Well I'm glad I had. It was the answer for me when every pull I tried sent me loopy. I've never felt better.

[hillty]

I have a question, why are the doctors so enthusiastic about the mirena coil when all of the things I have read over and over again complain of horrendous side effects. I went to see my GP today, as my hospital gyno has suggested the MC for heavy periods, and she thought I'd gone loopy when I said that I was really wary of it due to all of the horrible side effects that a lot of people have. I have researched a lot and read plenty of forums where most people experience some if not all of the side effects of depression, loss of sex-drive, massive weight gain, hair loss, skin problems, bleeding, bloating, pain, it goes on. Yet so many people have said that their doctors pushed them to have it as though its some miracle cure, and indeed my doctor this morning was the same. She even said to me that she didn't understand why I couldn't see the positives (I'm 45, have about 5 years until menopause, MC lasts 5 years, quick fix). I think in my circumstances, I am in a good place, emotionally and physically at the moment and I would rather continue to manage my periods rather than risk the possible disruption it may have on my family and my body. But still I don't know why doctors are so pro-Mirena when it so clearly has catastrophic side effects which they clearly overlook, its very strange (maybe they are on commission!)

[101Gillian]

Has anyone had issues with mirena coil?
I had the coil inserted 8 months ago and generally am having 2 bleeds a month. One mostly spotting the other a medium/heavy period lasting 6 days. I used to have really heavy periods and take tranexamic acid until bleeding increased due to fibroid. Had fibroid removed and mirena inserted and still quite heavy periods. Seeing consultant tomorrow again. Tender breasts and irritable mood swings too,
I saw an old post saying someone went on the pill instead.
How do you find out you were not receiving enough osterogen?
My doctor suggested going on norethisterone as well as the coil but I have taken this before and it made by breasts really sore and I am sceptical of how they are measuring how much oestrogen / progesterone I should have.

[CharleyFarley16]

I had the Mirena fitted December 2013. It was painful having it put in, excruciating cramps do went back to find I'd developed an infection (didn't tell me what but just put me on antibiotics for 10 days) I should have had it out then but persevered thinking I was told it could take 6 months to settle down. 6 months came and went, I stopped bleeding altogether but still went through the motions (cramping etc). I was still crying over stupid little things, arguing with my partner over nothing, hating my job wanting to quit everyday. Partner told me I needed to see the doctor about the coil, he came with me and explained to the doc what I was like to live with since having MC in. Doctor said it couldn't possibly be the coil, it's my job making me depressed. With that I quit my job, got another and things seemed to settle down, I still felt down but things had got a little easier.....or so I thought. 3 months later it all started again. Despite all this my partner still wanted to be with me and proposed, and we bought a new house together, but I don't feel like I have enjoyed all these moments as much as I should have because the Mirena has made me so down and anxious I just cry and worry about it all.
I have found a little comfort in reading other people's experiences and realising g it's not just me! I am having my coil taken out ASAP now, need to get my life back.

[tb]

I had sludgy black bleeding/spotting for a year. It was too little for a tampon, but too much for a pant liner.

My GP didn't want to remove it because they're expensive, but eventually took the wretched thing out.

[Danaa88]

The mirena made me gain a lot of weight even though I had it for only 4 months. I couldn't lose the weight no matter what. After a lot of research I stumbled upon this video: mirenadetox.com/mirena-weight-gain/ which helped me a lot with losing the weight and getting rid of my excessive bleeding, and finally made it clear to me that the mirena was the cause of all my problems.

[Suga3]

Thrush was another symptom I had in the early days too remembering back and again I did not connect it just thought it was down to washing products and underwear as I wear trousers for work.

[Suga3]

Had mc fitted and am so shocked reading threads and can relate so much. Due to have it removed soon and I'll be making an appointment first thing Monday. Advised by clinic to have it fitted in 2010 when investigated new endometrial ablation therapy which heats a balloon in womb and destroys lining due to painful heavy periods, fibroids and cramps. They gave me a biopsy to see if I was suitable and I was informed I had abnormal cells with 15-30% chance of cells turning cancerous within 10 to 15 years and the mc could minimise this from happening. The biopsy itself was extremely painful and I thought the instrument was going to come out of my throat. I went back a week later had a second biopsy which I was dreading and considered not having the coil fitted due to pain experienced but knew it was right thing to do as have two children and hubby to grow old with. Results were the same so weeks later went for coil which was even more painful but female Dr was absolutely brilliant and I relaxed as much as possible but had excruciating cramps that they prescribed co-codamol and diclofenac for and advised that there could be several days of this with bleeding but results would be light to no periods after 3-6 months and decrease the cells potential of altering. Periods were all over the place I was constipated a lot and felt worse than trouble I had with periods in the first place. I must of had 1 week of spotting free days in four weeks then my body rejected it in a bc that was like a piece of liver. I immediately contacted them at the clinic and after a bit of persuasion had another fitted. In the first few months this time it seemed okay as menstruation regulated to five light days a month pain free. I experienced weight gain of two stone, heavy achy boobs which felt like lead weights when I took off my bra and really bad mood swing where I was angry sometime for no reason and like other threads read plotting about how I'd cope with 2 kids on my own etc. lucky my hubby is so understanding and thinks I have quite an aggressive nature at times regardless and jokes he only gets a break from my pmt one week a month. This last six months or more though my cycle is again all over the place and I'm wearing pads more often than not but was advised to stick with it and that it may just because I'm nearing the time to have it removed. I think I have stuck with it due to advise for my health and only came across these threads when I looked to see best time to have it removed. It will be good to see if all these symptoms stop when this thing is taken out of my body and if some weight comes off. I managed to lose a stone throught dieting and maintained that loss but no more is budging. Also before this I had lost my 2nd baby weight a went down a bra size but ended up having to buy more as I went back up to the size I was whilst breast feeding and even the pain during that time was nothing like my breast have felt each month over the previous four years. I just thought the changes were to due my age and natural changes as I hit 40 two years ago. I will now research anything in future that may have an affect on my life. Everyone is different but forewarned is forearmed!!

[MsFriend]

I had Mirena for five months. It made my hair fall out, I was highly emotional and found looking after my kids very hard. I think I developed pnd because of it. I had it removed 2 weeks ago and I am still feeling depressed. I am hoping this will go soon as I just want to feel normal again.

[Hotfootit]

I had constant thrush after I had the mirena coil fitted. I had only had thrush twice in the 34 years before that (once at 18 yrs old, and once the week I got pregnant with my first child). I had it removed after 6 months, and no thrush in the 10 years since. I think it must have been a hormonal reaction….

[bakingtins]

kailey how long since it was fitted? It can cause migraines. I had my first one fitted this week and have had a lot of back pain and cramps, now thankfully subsiding 5 days in. It seems to be really marmite - if it's not suiting you get it removed.

[SheerWill]

Hi, I had to have mine taken out. It didn't cause me the pains your describing but very low mood/depression and terrible acne which didn't help either. Once I had it out I was put on dianette pill for spotty teenagers and that's been much better and periods are still lighter than before. I'd ask to see your GP about having it checked out. The symptoms your describing I get if I've had a tampon in too long (sorry tmi).

[kaileymummytokye1234]

I need peoples help ever since i got the coil fitted i have had nothing but pain and feeling down mood swings staying in bed all day because i can not stand baylight and getting really bad head ache help me please thanks

[HanSpan84]

After reading a lot of comments on here and on other forums about the Mirena Coil side effects, I thought it was important to share with others my own experiences.

First of all, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.
Not everyone will react in the same way and there is no telling for sure how any individual will react.

I had the Mirena Coil fitted back in 2010. I asked for some contraceptive advise from my Doctor and queried about reducing the heavy periods I was experiencing. I attend and worked at a lot of festivals then, so finding something that will reduce periods whilst camping was more than ideal.

Fitting:
Having the Coil fitted was quite painful and uncomfortable. I was told that once it had been fitted, I would be able to go straight back to work, no problem. However, I was cramping all day. Possibly some of the worst cramps I had ever experienced. It was more than just the usual cramps, these were more sharp. I kept having to sit down and curl up. I followed Doctors advice before the fitting took place and took paracetamol, but this didn't really do a lot.

After:
Quite soon after having the coil fitted, I noticed a change in my behavior and mood. My libido almost instantly went out of the window. I did try with my other half, only one night my hormones seemed to go into over-drive and I embarrassingly ended up crying during sex! For honestly no apparent reason too. I felt down a lot.
I was spotting and having irregular periods for about 6 months after I had the coil fitted. I did expect this to happen. Eventually my periods became lighter and lighter and after a while stopped all together.
Although I did not have an actual period, I was still cramping around the time that my period would normally take place. Unfortunately the cramps were much more painful than normal. I even had this checked out by my Doctor to ensure the coil was still in place as the pain was quite intense at times. Not even paracetamol was working for me. I had a few x-rays, but everything was where is should be, it was just my body cramping more because it didn't like the foreign object that was put up there ..which I feel is perfectly understandable!

1 year after:
My mood swings were more intense than ever. I cried a lot more. I also cried at things I wouldn't normally cry over, like adverts, songs, chic flicks etc.. This is normal for some, but not for me!
I found my Job a lot harder to deal with. Anxiety levels went through the roof! I couldn't even get up in the morning without feeling sick.
I started suffering from panic attacks and my mind would not shut off. It was on panic overdrive!

2 Years after:
I quit my Job. I can't guarantee that the coil was the cause of all the anxiety, but it definitely wasn't there before I had it fitted!
I went up 2 dress sizes too. I heard that the coil can cause weight gain. My diet and activity did not change since having the coil fitted, yet i was noticing a considerable weight gain. Bye Bye size 10! -Also noticed thick dark hairs growing under and around my chin. So plucking away at my face became a daily routine.

3 years after:
Things did start to settle but definitely not 'normal'.. I became more used to the mood swings. I'm lucky to have a VERY tolerant partner who put up with me throughout all of this!! The cramps were not as intense and it was absolutely fantastic not having to even think about a period. I didn't have to carry around any essentials like tampons in my bag as a 'just in case'.
However, my libido was at an all time low. I had no interest in sex and actually found it quite off putting.
I went to get help about this as this was really putting a strain on my relationship with my partner. The Doctor said that it was unlikely to be the coil, but they wouldn't give me any further advise which was unhelpful. I also asked about the weight gain, but they also said it was unlikely to be the coil. I mentioned the depression and anxiety, the answer was also 'unlikely to be the coil.'
No alternative help or therapy offered!

4.5 years:
I had enough... The crying and depression was getting worse. My partner was pleading with me to consider having the coil removed as he had noticed a change in my character since having the thing fitted. I was reluctant to have it removed, as the doctor was so adornment that the coil had nothing to do with how I was feeling. I just figured we were going through a rough patch and maybe we should even re-consider our relationship with each other!
I read many other forums and read about everyone else's side effects. There were some side effects that I had experienced more strongly than others, and some that I had not experienced at all. As mentioned before, everyone is different! But reading about what others had experienced confirmed that having the coil removed would be a wise idea.
I had to see 1 doctor and 2 nurses in order to finally book the appointment to have this coil removed. They were all very reluctant to take it out. This was what I wanted and it was MY body, yet they initially refused to take it out.
Eventually, I gave up and lied to them. I said I wanted to have another baby. And it was only after I said this, that they took it out of me. FINALLY!

This really annoyed me. Not one doctor would help me with my anxiety and depression when I had the coil in. And when I finally had enough, not one doctor or nurse would take the thing out of me!

From a medical point of view, they cannot confirm if the symptoms you feel are related to the coil for you as an individual. They are also reluctant to remove them as they are quite expensive in the first place!
But I had no warning from any doctor about any side effects (like what I experienced).
The coil certainly did its job. I didn't get pregnant and I didn't have any periods anymore which is fab! However, I feel that if I looked this thing up on forums and saw what other people were experiencing, then I may have reconsidered and gone with another form of contraception instead.
Maybe I shouldn't just take the Doctor's advise from now on!

2 weeks after removal:
Libido is back! :) ...and i have a smile on my face. Anxiety has also decreased.
I haven't seen any noticeable signs of weight loss yet, but it has only been two weeks. But over-all I feel more 'normal' again.
It will take a little longer for all the hormones to return back to how they were before the coil so I still have a way to go yet. But I have noticed a difference in me. My periods are not back yet, no idea when they will come back (this part i'm not looking forward to as much)
So fingers crossed, I get my life back very soon!

I wish this worked out better for me. And I wish I was one of those lucky few who had absolutely no unwanted side effects what-so-ever!

Would I recommend it to a friend....??? Probably not.

[MyChildDoesntNeedSleep]

Yeah, GPs are loathe to take them out. They've been brainwashed by the sales reps that it's the best thing since sliced bread. But it's your body, so if you want it out, insist on it. They can't force you to keep it in.


I had the constant spotting and a weight gain of 2 stone in 2 months. As someone who doesn't struggle with my weight, I knew it was the Mirena.

[Cailindeas35]

Hi all.
I have the mirena in 3 years and i hate it. Ive tried on and off to get it taken out. But gp seems to think its the best thing ever invented.
I feel like im constantly grumpy nd can fly into a temper over nothing. My boobs are very sore and ive put on a good bit of weight arnd my tummy (spare tyre).
I want it out but dont know what to replace it with. I was using dianette for years with no side effects. So may go back to that.

[Yardley]

Im so glad I've seen this thread! I had mine put in a year ago as I was having very heavy periods that lasted two weeks.I've felt dreadful ever since, depressed, tired, not on the ball at work or home.I have continued to spot and stain constantly bar about a month, and have Put on a stone on that I can't shift.I also seem to be growing a bloody beard.
I asked for it to be taken out after 6 months and the dr wouldn't and said give it more time to settle.Ive got an appointment tonight and Im not leaving until he agrees to remove it! I can't believe they don't tell you about these side effects!

[Bunny39]

hi im new to the site. i was just reading some of the coments and after reading only a few ive decided to have my mirena removed. i had it put in nearly 4 years ago after having my second child, it was reccomeded by my gp,as i had heavy periods but also wanted something where i didnt have to remember to take it,like the pill, and also something that was pretty reliable as getting pregnant again would be life threatening to me. yes admmitedly my periods got much lighter, but instead of the normal 5 days they now last 2 weeks, i also had a history of depression in the past and suffered with migraines since early childhood,which the coil has made worse, my moods are up and down more than a yo-yo and feel ready to explode at the slightest thing.i have also put on over 3 stone after my weight being steady for almost 20 years. My hair is constantly falling out, and id rather have a bar of chocolate and a good book than even think about sex. I'm also on my second coil within 4 years as i had to have the first one surgically removed as it got embedded in the wall of my uterus, which i also found out afterwards had probably only given me limited protection for however long it had been like it. i want a contraceptive that is non hormone based but permanent and am now considering hysterectomy. i would appreciate any feedback from anyone else that has also gone down this route. THANKS. :-D

[Roobear40]

I had a mirena coil fitted in feb 2012, after being diagnosed with Endometriosis following a larpraoscopy. After quite some time of constant bleeding the endo symptoms have really settled down, no periods, no pain - that side is fantastic and couldn't recommend it enough. However, since I had it put in I have felt like I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I have cried over the smallest things, without cause - I wasn't a tearful person pre mirena, but I am beginning to consider having it removed. I am really not sure what to do, but don't think I can go on with this crying lark!