Mirena IUD...Update

Updated on April 15, 2008
K.M. asks from Gardiner, ME
15 answers

What has your experience with the Mirena IUD been like? I had it "installed" 6 weeks after the birth of my first child. It was excruciatingly painful for the first three months - like labor pains all over again. Now, five months later, I am having severe pain again, most of the time it's after I breast feed. Will it get better or is this the way it's going to go for the duration? If a friend asked me about the Mirena IUD I would advise her not to use it...did I make a mistake?

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So What Happened?

Thank you to everyone who wrote. I truly appreciate your notes and it's amazing to feel like I have such a resource, like a bunch of girlfriends getting together to chat. Really, I'm very thankful.
The Update: I saw my PCP. She said the IUD seems to be placed well, however, I have a minor infection. That will get treated and once it's cleared we'll monitor the IUD to see if it simply doesn't agree with my body.

Thanks again to all who took the time to write!

With great appreciation -
K.

More Answers

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L.L.

answers from Boston on

Hi, I am sorry that you are having a hard time w/ the Mirena. I've had mine for a little over a year and I think it is great! I didn't have much pain at the beginning and no pain after. I wasn't able to breastfeed so I didn't have issues there. Also, I hardly have a period now which is great. It must just be different with different people. I know a few friends who have it and they haven't had any major pain and would recommend it. One friend even had it for about 2 years and then had it removed and had no problem getting pregnant again. I would discuss your concerns with your doctor. Good luck!

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M.K.

answers from Boston on

I got Mirena 3 months after giving birth and had no problems. The only thing I am having issues with is constant spotting. It's just annoying for the most part. When I was deciding on getting it or not I looked online and read horrible stories, but I'm glad I went through with it.

I agree with the previous post, make and appointment. Even in the aids on tv for Mirena they said that there may be complications from placement. That may just be all.

As for your friend, there are SOO many differing reviews about this IUD. If she is hesitant because of your experience maybe try Paragaurd. I just think that this method in itself is great and would recommend it, regardless of what brand you use.

Good luck!

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C.L.

answers from Hartford on

You should definitely call your OB/GYN. My friend had an IUD installed (I believe it was also a Mirena). She went through one month of severe pain, and the doctor & nurse assured it it was normal (they told her the 3 month rule too).

Well, during the second month, we were going out to lunch together and she told me it felt like she was having labor pains. I urged her to call her doctor for an appt.

She went in that afternoon, and it turns out, she was in labor - she was giving birth to the IUD. Her body was expellling it and it wasn't that difficult for the doctor to take it out because most of the work had been done by her contractions.

Call your doctor immediately!

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A.B.

answers from Boston on

Get It Checked!!! I have had one for 4.5 yrs- no problem. My friend had on for 3months with lots of pain like you. Turns out it had perforated into her abdomen and she had to have it surgically removed. I don't mean to alarm you, but it shouldn't hurt after the initial insertion!

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L.S.

answers from Boston on

I got the Mirena about 2 months after my son was born. At first I had irregular periods, sometimes lasting for weeks off and on, and very painful cramping. I wasn't breastfeeding but I know it's normal to get cramps when nursing. It's been about a year now and I hardly notice my Mirena, although I'm being treated for depression. I assumed it was a little PPD mixed with the tragic death of my 13 year-old nephew, and SAD, but now I can't help but wonder how much Mirena contributed as well. Good luck to you!

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L.B.

answers from Portland on

I had the non-hormonal copper IUD "installed" after my baby was born a few months ago. Have you thought about the copper one? I have not experienced any pain (I have had it for almost 4 months now) I do cramp sometimes (like I have to go to the bathroom) while I breastfeed but I also have some GI problems so I am not sure if it is related. My doctor warned me that it could navigate through the body, I would definitely call your doctor. Also, at least for the copper one there is a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. Good luck to you, I hope you find something that works. I would definitely recommend the copper IUD.

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C.C.

answers from Hartford on

I have a few friends who have Mirena, and they have had no problems. Maybe it was too soon after the birth of your son, and maybe it has something to do with nursing as well?

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A.B.

answers from Hartford on

Your body is talking to you. This doesn't feel safe to me. I encourage you to listen to what your body is telling you and get it out. If you research past complictions of IUD's in general you will be clear. I think 6 weeks was too early after childbirth to have any procedure. Hope this helps.

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T.S.

answers from Providence on

I had a Mirena IUD "installed" about two months after the birth of my second child. It was extremely painful from day one. At the follow-up appointment later that month, they discovered by ultra-sound that the device had gone through my uterus and was floating around in my belly. I needed to have surgery to have it removed. At this point, I had a 4 month old and 3 year old at home. When in the hospital, the pre-op nurse told me the same thing happened to her and she had seen this more times than she could count. I'd never get one again. I had done some research before getting the IUD and there was no info regarding having it put in so close to a pregnancy and very little about continued pain and the chance of it being expelled. Good Luck -

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A.B.

answers from Providence on

Hi K.,
I also had a Mirena put in when my son was about 3 months old. For the first 3 months I spotted on and off but since then (2+ years ago), I think I've only had my period a handful of times and it was so light I barely noticed it was there! Back in January, I was experiencing some cramping, nothing too bad, but when I went for my annual checkup with my OBGYN, I told her about it so she ordered an ultrasound to make sure the IUD was still in a "good" place. Everything was normal and the cramping has since stopped. My doctor did say to pay attention to when the cramping may occur because it could be happening when I'm "supposed" to be getting my period. I'm happy with my decision to get the Mirena IUD. But I would definitely talk to your doctor if you are feeling uncomfortable about it or have questions. Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from Boston on

Everyone's different. It works really well with no problems for most women. Others have some issues. I spotted a lot for the first 4 months. Then I barely got a period and had pretty much no problems with it.

You have to take into consideration that every woman's anatomy is a little different. Your uterus might be a little smaller than some others, so it hurts when your uterus contracts (which happens while breastfeeding).

However, that being said, if it's still causing pain, I would see your OB/GYN for an ultrasound to make sure it's still in its optimal position.

I wouldn't advise people not to try it, because, like I said, everyone's different and most women do fine with it :) And, it's as effective as having your tubes tied and your periods are much much lighter (which was a blessing for me!)

Hope you feel better! And please make an appointment with your doctor, OK?

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G.D.

answers from New London on

Whe you breast feed your uterus contracts. Breast feeding helps your uterus go back to its normal shape and is why it slso benefits us as well as many other things. I had my IUD put in after I was finished and after the first month I don't even feel it. The only time I did really feel it and actually had some spotting was when I sat on those birthing/excersize balls. Wierd but true. You may also want to call your DR because it could be moving around and need to be taken out or worse. My Mom ended having hers removed after me and it wasn't the real problem, her intestins were getting all wrapped up in themselves. If it is nothing, what I would do is take a bit of tylenol through out the day while your still breastfeeding.

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K.C.

answers from Providence on

I *hated* it. Had it put in 3 months after my baby was born and six months down the line I had gained 10 lbs, was bleeding every single day, and had other little issues that I thought were unrelated until I got it removed, and all of it stopped shortly thereafter.

I would not recommend it either.

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S.T.

answers from Boston on

As another person already posted, I think 6 weeks post-partum is much too soon to have it "installed". My doctor made me wait something like 4 months for my uterus to shrink back to its original size. I have had no pain from my mirena at all, other than 5 minutes of pain during insertion. I have two friends who have the same one and they have not had any problems either.

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J.T.

answers from Hartford on

I have had mine for just over two years now, and yes, they go away. I have never heard of anyone else having the same pains-there were a few times when I thought "Oh my Gosh, I've punctured my uterus." Never the less, I would call your Physician to make sure that everything is all right. Maybe there was been some shifting or something is not in the right place. The fact that they happen after you breast feed makes me a little uneasy. Now that the pains have stopped, I am grateful to not have to worry about shots or pills or any other ridiculousness. So have it checked out, and if everything is where it should be, I would hold out another few months before thinking about removal. Good Luck:)

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