I had the Mirena in for 3 years. I am a sook and had it inserted under a light GA! Initially I bled for about 10 weeks, then had a couple of light periods, then nothing at all. Everything was OK for a couple of years, DH couldn't feel the strings and not having a period was fantastic. The last 12 months the Mirena was in, I gained about 10 kilos despite exercising and watching my diet. Worse than that, I was MOODY... really, really moody! My temper was terrible, I would cry at the drop of a hat, then I would be flying high. It literally felt like riding a roller coaster, I could feel my mood plummeting and rising, changing by the hour. Stupidly, I didn't consider for 6 months or so whether the Mirena might be the cause, I guess because I had had it in for a couple of years with no problem. Ultimately, I went to the GP to ask her to check my hormones to try to figure out what was going on with me. As soon as I told her I had a Mirena she said she removes at least a couple a week for exactly the reasons I was describing. I had the Mirena removed and within a few weeks my moods stabilised and I lost the 10 kilos within a few months. Honestly, I think the Mirena almost cost me my marriage as I was impossible to live with. I was a moody, unstable mother and I hated myself for it. I would NOT personally recommend the Mirena, although I do know others who have one without any problem.

Oh, taking it out was no worse than a pap smear. Uncomfortable, but OK even for a sook!