Hello, I have been thinking about an IUD also, let me know how this goes for you. If you look through the pages you will find some more information about IUD's from others that are using it.
Keep me posted
April3

I have this and love it!
My periods have stopped, and I don't have to worry about it
It is a little uncomfortable having it fitted and also I had a few cramps during the first few weeks (my body was just adjusting to having it in).

My fiance can't feel the strings during sex (which I was initially worried about lol).

Bear in mind the mirena (IUS) is different to IUD's as it contains a hormone. I don't have experience of an iud just the mirena!

I have had the mirena for about nine months now and I really love it! The insertion was painful, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. At first I experienced a lot of irregular and somewhat heavy bleeding, but it eventually stopped and now I don't even get a period. I also experienced severe cramping at times for the first couple of months, but that too stopped. If you can make it through the first few months then it will be well worth it. Everyone has a different experience, but the majority of the initial issues that you might experience in the beginning will probably go away with time. I think it is a great form of birth control and highly recommend it. Hope this helps!

I've been on yasmine for 3 mos and i hate it. do you have any of the side effects of the pill, like weight gain and mood swings?

If you're speaking in reference to an iud, you would need to get a copper wire iud which is not quite as effective in order to eliminate all chances of having reactions to horomones.

However, since mirena is located directly in the uterus, the way the horomones react with your body can be quite different, so who knows?

I'm 54 and showing NO signs of menopause. My doc suggested the mirena to ease my very heavy periods till i do go through menopause. What do you think? But my real question is how does it get inserted? do you have to have your period? and do you end out taking a day or two off work when you do have it inserted? please advise all details! thank you!

To my knowledge, insertion is done in a clinic. You probably lay down in the familiar stirrups, and the IUD is inserted with a special device. There is no anesthesia, and I've heard slight pinching may be felt. Any severe pain should be reported (probably by the patient's loud OW!) because the uterus may be perforated, but that is very rare. Once it's in, the doc shows you how to feel the strings... and you're done! There can be cramping afterwards, but I don't think you need to take time off and you should technically be fine right after.

I have had the merina in three times and three times had to have it removed 1 time heavy bleeding caused by scar tissue tried taking it out first just incase, 2 time Was pregnant on merina 1 in 600000 women get pregnant on this or are pregnant when it was inserted, I was 1 in the 600000 oh well, 3 was just this month that started all my issues with bleeding and among other things. I had to have it taken out due to a uterin infection and short time after myself having it removed my best friend had to have it removed as well for an infection neither of us have otherpartners just our repective husbands thats all. I did how ever like when I girst got no real pain only a pinch with inserction and some spottingand cramping after words. Periods stopped then came back after 2 1/2 years Know idea what happened. Hope this helps you decide. Best of luck. Is there a reason they want you on this IUD up here in canada they still call it an IUD not an IUS. I had to be on merina as I had blood clots in my lungs and this will not cause that
taykare

Actually the pregnancy rate with mirena is 1 out of 1000 not 1 out of 600000 like you have mentioned.

well the copper IUD is 99.4% effective and the mirena is 99.9% effective. The effectiveness of mirena is only very slightly higher than the copper.

I agree w/ you though taht even though the hormones in mirena is very miniscule the side effects cannot be really determined unless a woman experiences it herself. Some women that I know have no side effects except for no periods but some women have some hormonal side effects.

sorry about the number thing my doctor told me it was 1 in 600000 so I just what he told me. Thanks for the update. Where did you find that out are is there any other info about you can give me? Can it cause ulsers?
taykare

The manufacturer's website says so. You can go to www.mirena-us.com.

No, it can't cause ulcers. The most common side effects are:

1. menstrual changes.
2. cramps
3. acne
4. mood changes
5. headaches and nausea
6. back pain

When you get the mirena put in, the procedure is as follows. (or at least how it was for me)

When you are at home, you take 3 ibprofen and arrange for someone to drive you to the doc and back home.

When you get there, The doc tests you for pregnancy and std's. If you have std's, you will not get a mirena until it is gone because of the risk of pid.

The doc lectures you about all of the risks (scary part, but don't let it scare you too much, it's just a legal thing) and you have to sign stuff saying you are ok with it. Then you have to sign a hospital minor surgery form.

You put on your paper outfit and lay down. The doc opens you up just like during your pelvic exam. She is very nice but you are scared, and there is also the assisting nurse in the room.

The doc inserts a ruler (obviously it's a special ruler, not the regular grade school kind) through your cervix into your uterus to make sure that your uterus is at least 6 cm long. If it is not, you will not get the mirena. If you are me, this hurts a lot. A lot. But it is really quick.

Then the doc inserts the mirena through your cervix into your uterus. This feels slightly worse than the ruler did. But again, it is quick.

The doc cuts the strings (because they start out really long). They are like fishing line. The doc tell you how to feel for them and may let you feel the cut ones so you know what you are feeling for.

The doc goes to get your husband and instructs you to sit for 15 minutes so you don't faint when you get up. She also leaves a pad in the room for you because you might have some bleeding right away. (Bring one in case your doc isn't this thoughtful.)

She comes and checks on you 15 minutes later and you leave. On your way out, you schedule a follow up exam where she will just take a peek and maybe cut the strings shorter if they are bothering your husband.

I'd suggest at least taking the day off of work, or be prepared to load up on painkillers.

If you are me, you never get a period from that day on.

If you are me, in the next 5 months, you gain 20 lbs, relive your teenage acne problems, and fight a lot with your husband. And cry a lot.

If you are me, 9 months later you realize you cannot take the debilitating cramps any longer and you get that evil thing removed from you.

**Most people find that they have less side effects with the mirena because the hormones are more localized. You will not know if you will have side effects until you try it. I represent the worst case scenario, really.

My doctor told me that if the iud did perforate my uterus, I wouldn't feel it. It would cause problems and I may start having other symptoms, but I wouldn't actually feel it perforate (the uterine wall doesn't have many nerves, I guess?) The way to tell is if the strings disappeared. Check the strings when you have your period. There is a risk that it may fall out within the first couple of days especially if you haven't had children (although I can't imagine how feeling how it went it) so check it often in the first month.

You have to reach really deep to find the strings and sometimes they tuck themselves between your cervix and vaginal wall (you cervix kind've pokes out into your vagina and forms a crevice around it), so you might have to dig around.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Hey, that was a cool way to explain the procedure

Hello. Can anyone help me out? I can't find an answer to this... i JUST got the Mirena IUD last week, and my husband and I had sex for the first time last night. He could feel something 'poking' him at the tip and it was very uncomfortable for him. This is REALLY concerning to me, and no one told me it may be a possibility. Anyone know anything about this? I am thinking it could be the string, but that sounds a little worse than 'string pain.' Not sure what to do about it. Thanks.

more than likely it is the strings. My husband felt that and I went to doctor and he shorten them and the pain or poking for my hubby went away. Just call your doctor it will take about 30 seconds to shorten and the you can have all the "fun" you would like with your hubby
take care
taykare

Thank you so much. I feel better just knowing it could be something simple. I have felt as if I have 'buyers remorse...' with the spotting and then this. I just need to hang in there with it, and check in with the Dr. it sounds like. It has been pretty easy going so far, but I do not think I considered the 'invasive' nature of having something permanantly inside of me. I am hoping to get used to it a little more. We have 2 kids, 16 months apart, and just need a guarenteed break for a few years. Thanks again, L.

I had the Mirena for 2.5yrs. I had it inserted at my 6wk post partum checkup. It does hurt some because the dr has to put a clamp on your cervix to insert it but it's not unbearable. Just unpleasant.

I drove myself to and from the dr. I had some bad cramps that day (which my dr had warned me might happen). I spotted the first couple of months a little but then my periods started getting lighter and lighter. I almost felt bad calling them periods because they were more like spotting after about 6months. I loved it!!!

But then (yes, there's a but) about 2yrs after getting it, I started spotting all the time. At one point, I thought I got my period 3 times in one month! It was bad. I started getting cystic acne (which I have never had a problem with before). I started becoming an angry wife and mother. My fuse was so short, it really took nothing to set me off. My libido was not only dead, it was cremated. And I was slipping into a depression.

I started wondering if it was the Mirena and talked to my dr. We did ultrasounds and pregnancy tests to make sure that it was still in place correctly. I tried for a couple more months to just deal and then decided that I just could not live like that anymore. I had it removed 4 months ago and feel like a million bucks. I started on Yaz and though I can't say I am completely sold on that one, at least I am not a hormonal lunatic anymore!

So while I first started out loving Mirena, I ended up hating it. I thought I was going crazy because the website never lets you know that this can be possible side effects. It made me feel very alone and like I was just blaming a BC for all the problems in my life.

My advice, you should try it. Maybe it will be fantastic for you. But be aware that there are a lot more side effects out there than the company discloses. And if you are feeling wierd and not yourself, you might want to consider having it removed.

The good news is that removal is quick, easy, and painless. At least it was for me.