When you started using the IUD:
I had in inserted during a laporoscopy as a treatment for endo in December 08

Any issues with insertion?: None, I was under a GA already.

Any side effects or problems?: I had most side effects. Weight gain, severe bloating (up to 4kg of fluid retention during a bleed), zero libido, intense pain like hot pokers were being pushed into my uterus), bleeding for 3 weeks out of every 5 and a feeling of being totally out of control of my body to name a few. I decided to have it removed in March (after the recommended 3mths wait) because the really was no point in keeping it in because it didn't settle down at all and upon seeing my gyno to have it removed, he couldn't find the strings. I could never feel the strings and assumed that they were cut short and I just couldn't reach them. He gave me a trans-vaginal ultrasound to see if it was still there and not just fallen out and it was there - the entire IUD had moved inside my vagina and was pushing against my uterus and there was some growth/scar tissue around it. He said it probably happened due to having had 4 children and my uterus not being as small as that of someone who had no children etc so the IUD had room to move in there whereas it should be held in place by the uterus. I had to have it removed under a GA and have a D&C as well. I was booked in for April 24. Over that time things still did not improve at all. About a week after having it out I started to feel better again and more like myself - plus my libido returned. The first bleed I had afterwards was shocking. It was as heavy as initial lochia - with gushes and large blood clots like you wouldn't believe - I would shower and they were literally falling to the bottom of the shower. I was really concerned about it and at one point I felt quite faint and dizzy. The bleeding stayed heavy for the next 3 days and I did feel light headed, but I started taking iron tablets and once the bleeding slowed right down I felt better again. The following few periods were quite heavy, but not as severe as that very first one. Things have settled down now to what I call normal for me.

Would you recommend to others? Why?: Honestly I think Mirena is evil BUT I would reccommend it to others because again, it is one of those things where one person's experience will be different to another person's and you just don't know until you have it in and a lot of women have it in for the full duration and not have a single problem. I was at the point where I had to at least give it a try because the endo was starting to affect my life as well and I had nothing to loose by trying it.