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@MissPatience: The biggest problems I've seen(I work in healthcare) is they aren't placed properly about 60% of the time. Other than that I've never had one but that was just from observation
I have the ParaGuard IUD, and I love it. It is the copper one, and lasts longer than the Mirena.
I know 2 people with the Mirena, one loves it, one had it removed after a few months.
Do you have children? I don't. I got it about 3 years ago. Had it in for only 2, I had major problems with it. First and foremost, once you have it an are clear for sex, your partner does have the possiblity of feeling it. In fact my FI described it as a hard fishing wire that poked him. He was in actual pain for a few days (no sex until it healed.) I had it taken out since I was so sick, almost fainting, and had the worst cramps I have ever had in my life (I have heavy crampy periods anyway, this way 100 times worse). I don't want to freak you out, just trying to let you know my experience. Also if something goes wrong, the Mirena can actually pierce or become inbedded in your uterus. I am on the Nuva Ring now, I absolutly LOVE it!!! Good luck!!!
I just read abt this on Wikipedia and I do not like the sound of it. Comes with TOO MANY potential complications.
I wanted to get an IUD but my doctor wouldn't consider it since I don't have kids. I ended up with Nuvaring.
My doc pulled me from all estrogen BC's because my body couldn't take them and had lots of those nasty side effects at the end of pill/ring commercials. If you're having problems on Ortho, I would look for an estrogen free bc since it has a very low dose of estrogen. I've had a Mirena coil since last November. I can't tell you how much I love this little guy!
Like @lindsey_k_16: said, my guy had the fishing wire poking feeling. If he felt it, we just changed to a position where he couldn't feel it. It went away after a few weeks to a month when the wire "softened" and just kinda curled around. He never complains about it anymore.
In the first few weeks, I did have cramping and sometimes it was bad but not worse than any period cramps I'd ever had. I think mine's been in long enough to adjust and its great so far.
The piercing thing can happen and is obvious if you can barely stand up after walking but some silly women just keep on trucking to get out of the office. If you're worried about that, ask your doctor how many patients he inserted one for. I can't speak on the embedding thing since I haven't had mine out yet. I know that there is a possibility but I read that its relatively low.
Mine was put in by a Planned Parenthood since my insurance wouldn't cover it. My reg doctor wanted me to either get the Mirena or Implanon. I'm not good with needles and was scared by the stories I read online about your body calcifying it.
Any other questions feel free to ask! 
I have it, never had kids and had a wonderful experience. Mine was easily placed, no complications and a year later I wouldn't have it any other way. The wires a previous posted talked about you're not supposed to feel so if that's an issue talk to your doctor, they will fix itm either but cutting them shorter or tucking them. Definitely talk to your doctor about if it's a good thing for your situation and your body. In my circle 3 childless women I know of off hand have it with no issues at all.
@MissAsB: Forgot to mention, I don't have kids. My doc was willing to put mine in. As was PP. If you do want it and your doc won't because of kids, PP will usually give it a try. You can also ask for a pill you take before the appt that will 'soften' your cervix so insertion is easier. The name of it is escaping me...
I had it for a little while ...i had 2 major problems with it...one FI kept getting poked by the wire...we had the string cut a few times but he still felt it....also...and im not sure if this is related.....3 months after i got it i ended up with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) my doc associated it with the IUD...we immediatly removed it. However i did get 3 more clots over 2 years after that. I am now on blood thinners for the rest of my life ;(....
just do your research.
@MrsStrawberry24: I have a friend from high school that ended up getting blood clots from taking the pill. I think it's a more common side effect.
@MissAsB: Yeah, I ended up in the hospital my senior year of college with PEs from my BC (I was on ortho-tricyclen). Not fun :(
OP: My roommate in college had the Mirena for about 8 months. She suffered from 2 ovarian cysts during that time, one of which was the size of a grapefruit and had to be surgically removed. She had the IUD removed directly after that surgery to prevent any more cysts from forming.
Unfortunately, all forms of birth control have their potential complications. I would suggest looking into the nonhormonal IUD if you go that route, considering all the problems your pill gave you.
@jpalm13:i was on the the nuva ring when i was 18....took it out when i was 19....got preggo with DS....then got on the IUD at 22...got my first PE at 22/23.
@MissAsB: it was the scary...i wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy
I have Mirena and I have mixed feelings about it. I don't have kids, have never been pregnant, and for me the placement was really, really painful. However because it was so painful they did an ultrasound (I was at my ob-gyn) to assure that it was placed correctly. It was and I have to say that took a huge weight off to know that for sure, so that might be one benefit to doing it at the ob-gyn if that's a possibility for you.
Now that I have it, my guy has never felt it or had a problem with it, and I love the mindless-ness of it- I'm set for 5 years! I do get awful cramps - stop everything and sit down cramps. My period is much lighter and shorter, which is nice, but the cramps I get around it are pretty painful. They are short-lasting though which is a plus.
There is definitely an adjustment period but the amount of hormone in Mirena is not a lot - for me the adjustment had more to do with my uterus being like "what the hell is that??" and then finally adjusting to it, haha.
I would say go for it - you seem very aware of what comes with it. It is great in that it lasts for so long but it is also easily removed if you have an issue with it - just enough permanency for me. Good luck!
I have the Mirena now, and I love it. I have had it for a little over a year, and have had no complication. I had a scare once because FI couldnt feel the strings, but when I went in she just said they are curled and there is nothing wrong. The insertion was very painfull for me, but after a couple days, I was healed and I didnt even know it was in there. The best thing about it is that I havent had a period since, and I love it!! FI could feel the strings at first when we had sex, so the doctor cut them shorter and there hasnt been a problem since. If you have any questions feel free to PM me!
I have Mirena now also. I have had it for 4 years. Its almost time to get it out. Yes, the initial first few days. You will be a LOADS of pain!! It was for sure, they worst pain I have ever been in. However, the actual insertion is great. I never feel it. FI at first noticed a little, but anymore, he doesnt notice at all. Its such a great piece of mind!! I think it MAY have caused some discharge in the first year. But, the gyno said it was normal and not to worry. In the beginning I personally also bled for about 6 straight months!! It was horrible!!! But, I would say after that 1st year, its been great. I still have a small period. But I havent had any crazy side effects. Maybe a little more moody and I cry easier now. Not sure if its bc of Mirena or bc Im a baby! lol.
I think overall its a great thing to get. I mean, who doesnt want that "satisfaction" for 5 years?!?! And there isnt anything you have to remember to take every week or month or day and after a bit you dont even realized its there. Your just able to live your life.
Good Luck!!
I'm only chiming in because my friend had it put in a couple of years ago. Well, this year she has a new baby. The Mirena started coming out, unbeknownst to her, and she got pregnant. She had to have the Mirena taken out so she could carry the pregnancy. So yeah, her little girl is adorable, but she wasn't really part of the plan...
I've had 2 and I absolutely hated it the second time around. My hair was falling out, I was a hot mess emotionally, my mood swings were nuts... it was awful. I am on the Pill right now which isn't the perfect solution, but for now it is fine. If you have never had kids I would really think long and hard about it.
I had one for 6 months; my experience was positive bar painful cramps from 6 weeks onwards, which resulted in me having it removed after 6 months. Hormone-wise, it was great.
The dose of hormone in the Mirena is very low, and it is delivered locally, so in general the risk of hormonal side effects is low, with most women experiencing few-no side effects, and side effects usually being mild and settling quite quickly. I've been on 4 different hormonal methods: the combined pill microgynon, the depo injection, the Mirena, and now the mini-pill Cerazette. I had by far the fewest side effects with the Mirena; all I had was about 4 weeks of slightly greasier hair, and some spots on my back and shoulders.
You might experience some irregular bleeding or spotting for 3-6 months. This can be a nuisance, but should settle after 6 months, and not everyone experiences this (I think I had about 4 days, 4 weeks in).
Typically, the Mirena stops menstruation; around 70% of women will find this happens within 6 months, and after 12 months over 90% report no periods.
Almost as soon as the Mirena is removed, fertility returns to normal, so it is good for women who might want a family within say 3-5 years, and don't want to have to wait for the combined pill or injection to work its way out of their system.
Fitting is painful, but not excruciating IMPO. I found it intensely painful while the doctor measured my uterus, and intensely painful while it was fitted; this lasted about 3 seconds each time, just enough for me to gasp. About 20 minutes after the fitting I started to get cramps; these were severe, and lasted about 3 hours. I went home and to bed, and the following day they were mild-moderate.
If you haven't had children, usually your uterus is smaller, which can increase the risk of pelvic pain/cramps and expulsion. If you do suffer with pain, give it 6 months; removal is very straightforward if it doesn't work out.
There is a tiny risk of pelvic infection, so keep an eye out for symptoms such as unsual discharge, pain, fever, or vomitting. There is also a tiny risk of perforation. These risks are extremely small, and not smething that would put me off personally.
I think the Mirena can be an excellent choice, and despite my own experience, wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, as you never know until you try, and if it works out, it can be great in lots of ways.
Let me preface my answer by saying that Mirena was almost my last hope. In addition to some other health issues, I have endometriosis. I've had several surgeries. Birth control pills (or at least standard ones) weren't really working. When I had periods, they were several weeks long and quite heavy (my shortest that I can remember was around two weeks). So, I also needed to be on something that ideally would be strong enough to stop my period from occuring. I was on Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) 10mg, twice a day. If you hate the side effects on Ortho, this is the death. I'm still on it, but slowly working off. I had a Mirena placed in late August, and so far, so good. I will say that I went to Planned Parenthood instead of my reproductive endocrinologist office for two reasons (and my RE knows). First, is that the office charged almost 3 times what PP charged, and my insurance would not cover this. Also, even though I don't make a lot of money, PP took some off with their sliding fee scale so that was easier to manage. Second is that my RE's office places a Mirena a week (IF THAT) and PP does several A DAY. Who would you rather shoot a little piece of plastic past your cervix? Alsp. I know that my RE takes forever to do pap's and I can't imagine that w/ a Mirena placement.
The placement was the worst, but very brief. I was glad that I had a dr do it who has been doing them his whole career. They also told me everything they were doing along the way (I asked them to). I took extra meds before hand and some Xanax - highly recommend anything that will help with pain. The worst for me was when they measured my uterus with sounding tools. OUCH. Very intense pain but super short. Some places willl refuse to place a Mirena if you haven't had kids, which is bull. Your cervix is significantly smaller if you have not had kids so it's a little more difficult for the technician (but hey, we have kids commonly laying on our backs b/c it's better for the dr - it is actually making birth more difficult). Also, you're more likely to expel it if you haven't had a pregnancy. I do have a friend who expelled two Copper Ts and she's had no children (but a few pregnancies).
So, after they measured my uterus I was like "Okay, give me a minute here!" they were nice, but had other appts so they were also like "okay whenever...." That was teh worst pain and again, it probably lasted 5 seconds? The tenaculum (ok my spelling is atrocious)that is used to open your cervix is pretty uncomfortable but not painful to me. I have heard that some offices will not only numb your cervix (wish i had that) but also give medication ahead of time to dialate your cervix (my RE's office does this and also px's pain meds ahead of time!). I had neither and lived. They showed me the tube that the Mirena is in (i'm a curious person and a sex educator). They slide it up through your cervix (it's TINY) and then pop it on it. They check to make sure it's in place and send you on your way when you are ready. I probably laid on the table for 2 minutes.
It really wasn't as bad as I commonly heard, but wasn't great. I highly recommend taking that day off. I went home, picked up some panty liners, and used my heating pad. I cramped a little for the rest of the day and was pretty uncomfy. The next 2 or 3 days were also pretty crampy, and then after that very mild cramps. Every now and then my cervix seems tender for a little bit. The dr's have no clue why and have checked placement.
The nice thing about Mirena is that the hormones aren't going through your whole body as with any birth control pill - they are right where they should be. Something like 73% of women stop having a period on Mirena, and those that continue to have one often have a lighter one. I have a few friends whose first few periods on mirena were heavier, but they they got lighter or stopped. I don'thave a period yet, but I'm still taking that awful drug. No major side effects I can tell from Mirena. I do like that if you break up the cost, it's so much cheaper. Oh, and a friend had the strings of hers trimmed and they poked her husband's glans during intercourse.
I highly recommend checking out this site: http://iud-divas.livejournal.com/profile
My SIL and best friend both had them in. Both of them fell out within 3 weeks of each other. One had been in for almost a year and the other for 2 years. Luckily 1 found it when it fell out, but my best friend found out when she went for her yearly appt.
I will be trying a different form of BC after baby comes!
I've had mine for about 10 months. I'm 28, never had children. Got it put in when I moved in with my SO. I was on Ortho for years prior.
I LOVE mine. Yes, it hurt. Yes, it ended up costing more than originally planned because my insertion hurt so bad they thought it had embedded so I had to have multiple ultrasounds. Yes, it was weird at first and the cramps hurt for a few weeks. TOTALLY WORTH IT.
I got it in April, had my last period in August. That takes some getting used to. I had to fight the urge to take a pregnancy test every week in September and October, but the failure rate when inserted correctly is less than the failure rate of Essure sterilization, so now I'm trusting it and all is well.
I check my strings once a month and have only had 1 side effect - some minor flare ups of cystic acne. I had this on higher estrogen BC pills as well (but not on ortho lo). I can deal with that since I don't have to deal with having a period. I just exfoliate more often and it seems to be mostly under control. Checking around to other women who have Mirena and acne flareups seem to be a pretty common complaint.
Hope this helps!
Explusion is uncommon but can happen. Check the strings or have your partner check the strings, use backup and get to the OB/GYN if you start to feel the plastic poking out of your cervix, and you should be fine, however.
There is a community on LiveJournal called IUD Divas which is a fantstic resource:
I did a lot of research before getting mine, and was even on the mini pill for a few months to make sure I reacted OK to the hormone... I've had mine for about 2 years now (maybe closer to three...), and I've had minimal side effects up until the last few months. I have never had acne before mirena but I'm getting it like crazy now, it started slow but after 2-3 years it's really starting to be a problem. The other problem is weight gain... I've been eating crapily so that doesn't help, but I gain weight SUPER easy now, I swear I can look at a cookie and gain... And getting the weight off is really hard! I never had a weight problem before I was one birth control... but I have been on hormonal birth control for almost 10 years, so I'm sure that has something to do with it.
As for the good stuff, I haven't had a real period in 2-3 years... My cramping in minimal where without hormonal BC I would be almost bed ridden with pain and taking 4 ibuprofren every 2 hours and that would only dull the pain. yea, they are that bad. So that has been awesome to not have to deal with that. I don't have to worry aobut taking a pill or missing a pill or ring or patch or anything of the sort.
I don't have children so getting it put in was really painful, I would imagine it is what getting stabbed in the uterus would feel like, but only lasted a few seconds (although it felt like an hour, but they did have trouble opening my cervix so this may not be the case for everyone.)
All in all, I want to take it out. It was great for a couple years but now it's just making me miserable... I'm debating taking it out at my annual checkup next month, but I really don't want to worry about my period or cramps on my wedding day so I might wait until immediately after the wedding... I'm still on the fence. That said, going back in time to when I was debating on whether to get it or not, I would still get it...
In the meantime while you are thinking about it, you should check out the book "Taking Charge of your Fertility"... Once I get off BC I will be using that method (with condoms for the first few months) until we get comfortable with it or want to have kids... After reading a lot about health and wellness I really am uncomfortable with synthetic hormones in my body... and after close to 10 years, my body needs a break.
Good luck with your decision.
Thanks so much for all the input! I was put on the pill when I was 16 because I had some ovarian cysts rupture, and my obgyn said that the pill would lessen my risk of having a repeat as I wouldn't be ovulating. I have read that cysts are rather common in mirena users, and that's kind of steered me away. I have no insurance right now, and taking another trip to the ER while I'm bleeding inside is a little too financially scary right now. Maybe I'll give it a shot once I have coverage again. Thanks so much for your information ladies!
i might be the 1 with mirena in the longest here i just hit the 4yr mark with having it. i recientally starting having cramping with it. im having test ran this week to have it checked. my fi cant feel my strings. we are considering the other iud if im having issues with mirena
My sister got it and was in severe pain, so she had it removed about a week later. I would NEVER get it after talking to her while she was in so much pain.
I have had mine for 2 years and the only issue I have is that it worked its way a little higher than normal so it will be a little more complicated removing it but still not a big deal. I'm in school and this has been great because I certainly don't want any babies just yet. When I had it placed I only had cramping for a few hours and then it was over. Another plus is that oral medications don't interact because the Mirena works more locally. Also, don't look into too much online. People post about problems with anything and everything and if you really look at everything, you will end up not wanting to take anything.
I had the mirena put in 2 days ago but not without a month of research and talking to all my friends that have had it put in. I am 22 and have never had a child.
I talked to my gyno and told her how much of pansey I am and that I haven't had a child.
She prescribed me Valium to relax me before I would come in and 800mgs of Advil. I told her that's fine and I wanted a LOCAL anastetic or she can forget the whole thing. She said no problem. =)
So I went in, she made sure to check everthing out first and then said she you are going to feel a little sting from the needle. No problem with that, it just felt weird where that sting was lol. and then she did the other side and gave me a magazine to read because we had to wait 10 mins for the local to kick in.
She came back and got the sound thing to messure me and then the Mirena. She said I was goint to feel a little pinch. I felt nothing!!! I was like thank god!!!! And then the Mirena was inserted and felt pain for a good 5 seconds lol. And then she said it's over! I got a little dizzy from the shock of the whole 5 second pain so she had me lay there for another 10 mins. After that I was good to walk and drive home.
Not gonna lie, I did cramp the rest of the day. But it stopped at night? I thought that was weird but I was thankful because I could sleep. But I am doing great now. And the spotting has almost stopped too. =)
MAKE SURE YOU DEMAND A LOCAL!!! if they say no, just go to another place.
i have one, I love it. But when I had it done, I hated it, I haven't had children so I wasn't 'stretched' and the receptionist at the Dr.'s office told me to only take an advil. I found the insertion was pretty painful(the sound hitting the top of my uterus almost sent me through the ceiling) as was the week- 2 weeks following. Like very bad severe cramping. I also spotted for almost 3 months. Now it doesn't hurt, and I haven't had a period since the first month, just light spotting for the first three. I swore up and down when I had it done I wouldn't do it again after the 5 years was up, but honestly, with no periods, I think I will.
I am at the tail end of my 5th year of Heaven.... Oh I can say that insertion hurt enough that i certainly remember it. I had the dreaded 2 month period afterward and had to have the strings clipped twice because my DH kept getting poked 
. I have spent the following 4 yrs and 10 months with periods that last a day or 2 s few times a yr. They are so light that they are never an inconvenience at all.
I will be having this one removed and a another inserted in 2 weeks so I will certainly update and let you know if the results are the same. Wish me luck because I cannot even imagine going back to my formerly heavy long periods and subsequent headaches from other forms of BC. BTW I am in my 40's and do have 3 children.
I have had the Mirena for just over a year and I have to say, I love it. I haven't had a period in about 9-10 months. I had nonstop "spotting" for the first 2-3 months, which was very inconvenient, but thereafter haven't had one.
I do get some cystic pimples now and then, which sucks, but other than that, I've had no problems. My strings softened and cannot feel them anymore, nor can SO feel them.
I don't anticipate having it in for the full 5 years, as I want to have children, but for now, it's wonderful!
@MissPatience: I am personally on the mirena and have been for almost 3 years! I absolutely love it! I rarely get periods now and if I do notice that I am on my period, it is very light. There is actually some research now that says the Mirena helps women with heavy menstruals and help decrease fewer ovarian cysts. I tried Mirena after my daughter 3 years ago and absolutely love it! Good luck to you!
I've had it for 5 years and it's WONDERFUL - Hardly any periods... At first, SO could feel the strings but as time passed, they became less obtrusive. I plan on getting another inserted this year when I get the current one out! Its the best!
I have mirena going on the 5th year now... it wasn't painful at all to put it in.. just like a touch of cramping for like a second. The first year was amazing! I had no periods at all ! Then I guess my body adjusted to the hormones and I started to get my period again in the second year but they are still really light (Before I had really really heavy periods)...but they seem to go on forever. Like always brownish spotting... Since putting in mirena.. I have noticed a change in mood though... I am considering going off hormonal BC all together... because although I love the no periods and no babies.. I just don't feel like myself very much.
I gained thirty pounds in the first six weeks that I was taking it. I had horrible cramping, got acne and eventually it fell out (wasn't placed properly). I had been having horrible mood swings and could barely get out of bed.
The weight came off, my moods returned to normal and the acne went away (I did not even have acne as a teenager!)
I did some research in the weeks following and it seems that 90% of the reviews are absolutly horrible (women not able to conceive for YEARS after having it removed) and only a small percentage reported good results.
It is a roll of the dice and if the pill works for you then stay on it!
Oh btw, when I told my Obgyn about my concerns regarding strings.. she said that those women who experience problems during sex because of the strings need to have their strings trimed because they are no short enough. Like to check it now, I really have to dig up in there lol
I'm really thinking about getting one now. Just need to find a doctor that agrees. I don't really believe the bad reviews much, since most people go online to complain instead of going online to rave about something like like or something that is okay with no problems.
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Hello bees!
My guy of 5 years and I have been talking about trying Mirena. I have heard both wonderful and terrible things about it, and I know that every woman is different. I'm on ortho cyclen now and it is great now that my body is adjusted. At first I threw up like every day, had horrible hormonal headaches, mood swings etc. I expect the same kind of thing if I switch because of the withdraw from hormones. What have been your experiences with mirena? If you've switched from another kind of bc did you keep mirena long enough for your body to adjust? Could your guy feel the strings and if so did they hurt?
Ps. I know it will hurt to have it placed, that doesn't concern me. I'm talking long term stuff :) thanks ladies!