Thinking about getting a Mirena - advice please

[danniellabella]

I've been on implanon for 3 years and in January this year got it removed and a new one inserted.

I've noticed since having the new one put in that I've had really major uncontrollable mood swings and so I'm thinking about having it taken out and replaced with a Mirena.

I've done a bit of reading up on Mirena and TBH some of the side effects are putting me off, as is explination of possible cramps and discomfort during insertion.

I'm also a bit worried about using tampons, I've read that it's ok to, but not sure.

And one final thing, another major side effect I'm experiencing on Implanon is massive dryness down there, is it likely that I'll still have that on Mirena?

[Olive]

ive had the mirena for 12 months and its been good.
yes it hurt to have inserted and i had cramping..
i then only had AF the next month, it was heavier and longer than normal but after that i havent had AF! ive had the occasional smear of pink that all.
i only used tampons the first month obviously, but i found that uncomfy (but i havent had AF since so i wouldnt worry about that)
ive had some some mood swings but that could also be related to lack of sleep
i havent noticed dryness though

[Queen]

I am going to be the bearer of bad news or maybe not so bad, but I think others should know about my experience with Mirena.
It was not really that good, and since chatting to a good friend of mine (who also has an IUD with NO problems) she suggested I post to tell others.
So here I go.

I had a Mirena inserted in early May (I think it was the 15th) and ever since having I could "feel" it.
I could feel it during sex (TMI) and after I would have constant cramps and I could not sit properly on the floor as it felt like my uterus was going to fall out, and when I opened my bowels (TMI) it felt like the IUD was pushing out or something.

I left it thinking it was a "settling" in period and waited almost 4 months . I saw my GP on Friday and he promptly removed it.

Basically, he said that some people can have them and others can not. Just like some women have period cramps and others do not.

Most women can not feel it and this is how it is SUPPOSED to be.

My uterus did not like this foreign body and was trying to get rid of it.
It did this by cramping (contracting like labour) it starts off weak, but as time progresses and the IUD "foreign body" stays in there, the cramping increases.
Also my uterus filled with blood (TMI) in an attempt to rid itself of the IUD, hence the heavy feeling, and because it was so enlarged with blood, it was actually pushing on my bowel, that is why it felt funny when I pooed (TMI).
So if you have an IUD and it feels "funny", got to your GP, because you should not really be "feeling" anything.
This is only MY experience, because I'd heard so many people say how fantastic their Mirena was, or that they hated it but I'd never seen anything saying WHY some people feel what I felt.
If this happens to you, don't leave it - speak to your GP because you could be like me and just not meant to be able to use IUDs.
Thanks for reading and sorry it was so long.

[danniellabella]

thanks so much for sharing your story Queen. I spoke a bit more to dh about contraception because the mood swings i get with implanon make me want to kill him, and the dryness is getting worse & affecting our sex life badly. Thinking about going off any form of hormonal contraception for a while. Especially after reading your story Queen. :-)