Mirena

Ok I know this has been asked before but I could not find the old post.

I was looking into the Mirena because I am severely moody when on BC pills. I was going to get the Essure procedure done but then thought I may want to try for a boy one day.

I am so scared of the Mirena procdure that I have changed the appointment 3 times (well the last time because I thought I may be preggo but I am not) so I am ready now *maybe*. This would be the best week to get it done as I am told it should be done while I have AF and I do right now. Does it hurt? Please be honest and should I really be that worried about it? Anyone else have problems with pills and found any that worked with few side effects. Anyone have terrible side effects with Mirena or infections?

Thanks for your advice in advance ladies!

I had the Mirena for about 2 years while in college. It hurt to have put in, but it did not hurt at all once in...and I did not have a period at all, so all in all it was good. And removal is not painful.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 Good question!  I just called my OB to set up an appointment to have mine put in. I would like to know about this as well.  My OB told me to take some super strength Advil because my cervix was closing fast and not to come alone with the baby, so it has me a bit freaked out.

I had the Mirena for about 18 months after RNY.  I'm not going to lie, I just about came off the table while the doctor "installed" it.  But I had never had a child vaginally and that makes a difference.  I cramped for about 10 minutes and was fine after that.  I didn't have periods after about 3 months so that was great.  The only thing that I hated about it was that it completely dried me up.  If you have a pretty good supply of KY (I know, TMI), you should be fine.  I had them remove it in March of this year and was pregnant by May so you go back to pre-mirena fertility pretty quickly.

I had one over 6 years ago, before having had a child, and it HUUUUURT. I just had my new one put in a couple of months ago, after having a child, and it was a bit uncomfortable, but not so painful! Expect the insertion to be about as uncomfortable as when your doc checks to see if you are dilated, followed by about a day of moderate cramping.

When I was looking into the Mirena, my sister who has one told me that the it hurt like hell to have it put in, but only for about 30 seconds.  I found that to be pretty accurate.  Think about it kind of like getting a shot.  You know it's going to hurt, it does, and by the time you realize that it is hurting, it's over.  I loved having the Mirena in.  No hassle, few periods.  I had mine removed in August (completely painless) and got pregnant in September.

btw...I wasn't told that you should have it inserted while you were on your period.  I'm sure I wasn't when I had mine put in.  So either it doesn't matter, or maybe it will make it less painful for you if you are.

Good luck.  If you've birthed a child, I'm sure you can handle this! 

...Natalie

I had my Mirena IUD in at my 6 wk post partum visit after my daughter and it was a little uncomfortable- probably because I was still sore from giving birth.   It's a little like having a pap smear, and after you've had a kid or two, you are much looser down there and it's not so bad when they are up there messing around, lol.   I remember before I had kids, a pap smear hurt like no other and now it's like nothing when I have one and not painful at all. 

But other than that, I absolutely loved, loved, and LOVED my Mirena.  I mean I had a period for a week, some cramps for a few days, and then spotting for like 2-3 weeks.   But after that, I didnt' have a period or PMS symptoms hardly at all each month.   I love the fact I don't have to remember to take a pill and then deal with a period each month.   And it's safe when you are nursing a baby too.   After I had WLS though, I would spot for a few days each month (because I had lost a ton of weight and my body was adjusting), but that's nothing really to me.   If you've already  had a kid, inserting the IUD shouldn't hurt very much.  If anything, it'll be uncomfortable for just a minute or two and then that's it.

I totally plan on getting it after this baby and every 5 yrs from then on, I love this form of BC.   When the doc removed it back in May for me, I didn't even know he had done it!  And then I absoultely HATED a few weeks later when I got a real period and PMS symptoms.   I realized how great I had it when I had the Mirena IUD.   I was so glad I only had to go through 2 periods after my IUD removal and got pg the first time that next month when we tried.  

So I totally loved the Mirena and plan on getting it again for BC this next time.   It's probably the most effective form of bc for us as WLS patients (especially RNY and DS due to the malabsorption of the pill) and I love that it lasts for 5 yrs!  GL to you in your decision.

Can you feel it in there? Are the strings hanging out? I dont want DH "down there" and they get in his mouth or something. Sorry TMI

I have now had mine for almost 11 months and I don't have a single complaint! I also had to be on my period when it was put in.  The only thing that "hurt" was when they put a clamp on my cervix to insert it. I did about jump off of the table but only because I didn't expect it when it happened LOL My period stopped the day after I had it put in and I haven't had one since.  I don't know if it is because of Mirena, but I have ZERO sex drive and I have never experienced this on any other BC.

Good luck deciding!

I've had mine since July. I honestly forget about it, which is a first for any BC I've used. No mood changes or hormonal side effects. Spotting the first 2 months and then light periods ever since. I'm hoping I won't have a period at all...eventually.

I was given an adequate dose of ibuprofen (yah, not RNY-friendly) 10 mins prior to insertion. I prepared for the worst after horror stories. It wasn't bad. A quick sharp pinching feeling was the worst of it. A shot of lidocaine hurts more, IMHO. The Dr's were great about narrating the process, which really helped. I was crampy for 2 days afterward, similar to AF.

It's easier if it is inserted during AF, plus my Dr's purposely eradicated tissue during the insertion process so AF was lighter and shorter.

I had to bring my 3 kids (ugh!), but the nurses were great about bringing them out of the room during the procedure (which only took about 10 minutes tops).

If I wasn't so scared of another surprise PG, I would have kept cancelling my appt too! But DH wasn't stepping up to the plate like he promised, so I had to do something. I definitely worried more about it then I needed to.

Good luck and keep me posted!

Hugs,