Mirena IUD - Fenton,MO

Updated on October 10, 2007
J.D. asks from Fenton, MO
5 answers

I got a Mirena IUD put in a few months ago mainly to try to help out with my migraines. The main reason for my migrains is hormones. When I was pregnant with each of my children, my migraines would go away. So, we know they are definitely hormone induced.
Well the IUD hasn't helped out with my migraines but it sure is convenient birth control. However, I have noticed that I cannot feel the strings. I have tried several times. I did have it checked a month after it was put in with my Dr. and it was fine. I have noticed that my periods have each month gotten lighter and lighter as they are supposed to. When I talked with one of the nurses, she said that I could always come in to have it checked out just to be sure but that she said everything should be fine.
Now....here is the complicating part. My headache specialist added continuous birth control pills to see if that would help out my migraines. So, now I do not get my period at all. It is really driving me crazy not to have a "starting point" to say....OK.....I know for sure that I am NOT pregnant especially because I am taking a lot of other drugs to try and control my migraines. I get migraines about 15 days out of the month. So, I take a lot of drugs and if for some reason both the IUD and the pill would fail, the drugs would be very harmful for a fetus and I could potentially not know for a long period time.
Curious.....Does anyone else have a Mirena IUD and regularly check for the strings? Does it make you nervous at all not to have your period or that starting point?
J.

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J.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Hello J.. I also have the Mirena IUD. At first I would try and check and wonder if it was in place because I couldn't find the strings. The literature clearly states that you should check it monthly to make sure it's in place. However after worrying about it and then going into my doctor and telling him about it he told me that I probably wouldn't be able to find the very fine silky strings inside my vagina. He told me that it would be more likely that I would feel that it had shifted (which is very unlikely by the way) inside my uterus than it would be for me to notice that the strings weren't in place. I don't worry about not having a starting place. I still get monthly dizzyness, tender breasts and headaches. I've just started thinking that there is a definite pattern so I am going to start recording them. The chance of you getting pregnant while being on numerous forms of birth control is extremely slight. I'm not worried about it at all and I just have Mirena. You will hear horror stories about people that have had babies unexpectedly while on an IUD, but a Mirena IUD is not only the IUD but also a contraceptive (or hormones) and most of the stories that I hear are generally just the copper IUDs.

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B.A.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi there- I'm new to the site, but saw your message first thing. I just got my IUD in July. Every once in a while I check for the strings and I can usually feel them, though sometimes ( I guess b/c of positioning) I don't feel them. The first time I didn't feel them I was nervous, but shifted my position and felt them. I haven't checked for them in a while now, but I don't think it's a problem. If you have doubts don't hesitate to see your doctor. As far as IUD for hormone treatment, I though it didn't have any hormones and that's why I chose that method, because I was nursing my son at the time and couldn't use a hormonal birth control.
As far as the period goes, I haven't had an actual period since I had My son (he's 6 mos). I had the initial bleeding from after I had him that was about 6 weeks and then I had a short break, but started continuously bleeding again (though very light) after I had it placed. Hopefully that will subside VERY shortly :) But because I know I'm not supposed to have a period, I am not nervous about it.
Sorry I'm long-winded. Hope I could help.

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A.G.

answers from Rockford on

I had an IUD put in after my eleven year old daughter was born. I thought it was a good thing until about two years after when my system went crazy and I wasn't having any relief from my monthly cycle. I was miserable so I had it removed. The best birth control I have used is the shot. And I also suffer from migraines bad. I have tried a lot of different meds. Including prescription. The one that I have noticed that works well is Excedrine Tension headache. There is also one that you get from the doctor, it starts with an R I can't seem to recall right now. You have to have good insurance. It is really expensive. But It also works like a charm. If you can't feel the strings of the IUD, I would have it checked out, because if it moves then they say it will have no effect. I hope this is a little helpful.

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H.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I've had the Mirena for the past 4.5 years (minus a year in the middle when I took it out to have my second baby) and have had absolutely no problem. I can't feel my strings either and my doctor has never voiced any concern other than to be sure I'm doing an annual exam to check on it.

The first time I had it inserted, after my first baby, I basically had no period. Pretty much 1/2 day of light spotting. This time around after I had my second one put in after my second baby, I'm not so lucky. It's not quite as "turned off" as it was before, and I actually have an extremely light period for almost the regular time. Still much, much better than my "natural" heavy week-long period, but I liked not having to worry about it much at all the first time. I wasn't worried about getting pregnant, as the chance is so miniscule. Especially if, like you, you are on additional birth control...

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R.B.

answers from Springfield on

I am kind of crazy with the hormone thing...mine rage constantly. I have a nutritionist who helps me deal with mine naturally, and I feel amazing! She talked me out of using birth control (after my 4th) becuase of all the side affects. I personally think it is crazy to use the IUD AND birth control. I think I would rather have the IUD checked and get to the root of the problem with the migranes. Talk to someone who deals with natural remedies (homeopath or an osteopath) and get some good supplements that can help you balance your hormones naturally without adding synthetic hormones that will screw up your system. My family has battled some pretty horrible illnesses in the last 5 years and we swore by the supplements that we were taking. My husband went through chemo...meanwhile he changed his diet and took some amazing supplements to help maintain his system. He came out of it without losing his hair, gained weight and then we had baby #4. The doctors couldn't believe it! I have two friends who could not get pregnant and the doctors didn't even do a hormone panel...once a homeopath did the panel and put them on supplements, they were both able to get pregnant and deliver healthy babies. It can't hurt to try!

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