TMI Questions about the mirena from those who have/had it?

[Mildez]

I think I am going to have the mirena inserted. Main reason is for extreme heavy AF which leaves me anemic every month, dizzy and extremely weak to the point I've collapsed a few times getting up to fast etc. My concern is how will it affect my libido? I haven't been on contreception for about 5years now and love having a high libido. In the past hormonal contreception has really knocked my libido to the point where I would stop taking it for poor DH sake (always happy to put out but its not the same as really having the desire there)
Does it change your CM? Thats the part I don't want to change as artificial lubricant is just not the same. Although I am unlikely to get pregnant due to fertility issues and the fact I have not used contreception for 18months and it has not happened I suddenly feel I am emotionally and financially not in the position to consider another baby at this time so it would have the benefit of knowing I definately wont fall pregnant.
Does it hurt to have it inserted and what about removal? I may want to ttc when I finish my uni degree in 18months-2years time. Is it as simple as a Dr just pulling the string and out it comes without to much discomfort?

[nickle730]

I had a mirena for about two years. Initially, I bled for about 9 weeks but then it was great. After about 4 months I didn't get a period at all. My periods are usually exceptionally heavy and last 8-10 days so not having a period was fantastic. However, the Mirena did ultimately turn me into a fat, moody cow! My moods were simply out of control, literally one minute I would be happy and laughing, the next I would be angry, crying... you name the emotion, it could overcome me in an instant. It took me a good 6 months to figure out that the Mirena was causing my issues and I had it removed. Interestingly, the GP who removed the Mirena told me that she removes several a week for women complaining of weight gain and uncontrollable moods. In all honesty, by the time I had the Mirena removed my marriage was a shambles as my husband struggled to cope with my wild mood swings and I went from loving him to loathing the way he breathed in an instant. If you google 'mirena mood swing weight gain' you will find there are thousands of women with stories similar to mine. Having said all of that, i have several friends who had the Mirena removed for the same reasons I did, but others who have had the Mirena for several years with no complaint.

To answer your questions, the Mirena did not seem to affect for libido... but my moods were not very conducive to a healthy sex life! Who wants to have sex with a moody cow? I did find that I had a reduction in CM and lubrication with the Mirena.

I had the Mirena inserted by my OB under a light GA at a day procedure centre, but I don't have a very high tolerance to pain. Again, I have friends who say that the insertion was uncomfortable but not unbearable but others who say it was excrutiatingly painful. I would recommend finding someone who is experienced in the insertion of IUD's. I had it removed in the GP's rooms and I was terrified of the pain, but it was really no worse than a pap smear.

Do some research before you decide to have the Mirena and be aware of the possible side effects if you do decide to use it. I hope you are one of the women it's perfect for, as not having a period was fantastic as was not having to worry about contraception. Good luck!

[Liviam]

I had a Mirena put in after DS1 was born, removed 14 months later when started TTC DS2 and absolutley loved it.

Libido - I didn't notice any change in my libido at all. I'm not sure about CM as I was also b/f so that was affecting my CM. From memory after I stopped b/f I don't think there was any change in my CM.

Insertion - I had mine put in at my obs office on his table. I didn't have any analgesia before, during or after. I found it like having a long pap smear. It only took about 10 minutes. My ob pushed his chair back and stood up - I thought he forgot something but nope all done.

Removal - Super quick and didn't feel a thing. Once again like a pap smear. No pain before, during or after.

TTC - They wouldn't tell me when my fertility would return but I fall pg first month after having it after (My other two kids took 14 months and 9 months).

Few other things:
- If you haven't had any kids they need to insert it under a GA
- Spotting for up to 8 weeks after having it put in
- It can fall out with your menstrual cycle bleeding so you need to check it regularly
- Don't panic at the size of the box as it's huge! It has the tool to insert it as well.

I loved my Mirena and wouldn't hesitiate to get it again. Good luck with your decision.

[Trillian]

I hated every minute of it. I felt like I had absolutely no control over my body anymore. I know that some women have it and it's brilliant for them, but it's not all tea and roses for everyone who has it. I had mine put in under a GA and had it removed under a GA 6 months later because it was giving me so much trouble. I had constant pain and bleeding, massive bloating issues (I would look 4-5 months pregnant), ZERO libido, I was moody and rude and sometimes even downright nasty to DH. And I couldn't control any of it. I was not myself. I had it removed because of all those things, but when I went back to the gyno to have it removed, it had moved completely into my uterus and was pushing against the wall of my uterus. I should never have been given it in hindsight - it was not an appropriate device for a woman in my situation who had multiple pregnancies and a slightly enlarged uterus because of it. My Gyno told me that my uterus was 'stretched' but did not say how this could effect the positioning of the mirena. So that is something to consider too. I don't know if there are any other options out there for your situation and it may be worth a shot and work just fine for you, but I would be looking at all other options first - including why your bleed is so heavy, such as fibroids etc.If you have fibroids then a mirena isn't ideal as the fibroids distort the shape of the uterus and fibroids are a contraindication for mirena.