Mirena (Guys Beware!! It's about periods)

I have no experience with IUDs, hormonal or non-hormonal.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for saying PERIOD instead of TOM, or Aunt Flo or some other ungodly, juvenile name for our periods. I refuse to click on posted topics by adult women who can NOT say PERIOD.

HA, I've seen some females around talk about the hormonal birth control options cause weight gain, or weight stalls. But, I have zero experience. Best wishes, the other one side effect I've been seeing more and more on the forums is slight depression. YAY for lighter periods, boo to feeling depressed and loss of sex drive which was discussed around here and on the sex forum a few weeks ago.

I'm on my second Mirena... have only had one period in 5 1/2 years (lasted about 6 days starting a couple days after I replaced the first one). My period used to be insane, lasting anywhere from 8 days to 8 weeks with usually only a one week break in between. I was anemic and exhausted.

I'm pre-op and I weigh ~20 lbs more than when I first got the Mirena in 2006, but it's been a gradual thing more appropriately attributed to my behavior.

Have you been on hormone B/C before? Experience weight gain then? I think that's probably the best indication you have to how your body will react.

Good luck.

I LOVE my Mirena! I've heard the weight gain thing, too... but I mostly attribute mine to things like brownies, fast food, and frozen yogurt, LOL.

Honestly, I've known SO MANY people with it (who haven't gained anything) it makes me wonder if the 7-10lbs gain is just slow gain (because you're now 5 years later/older).  Funny thing, I've never heard of anyone say the weight *came off* after they had it removed, so who knows.

I have had it for almost 6  years (on my 2nd) and I don't really have a period (just a touch of spotting for a few hours, if at all). I still get light PMS... which is great, as I have PMDD and the mood swings/bloating/cravings/drama were severe before.

I HIGHLY recommend it, and will absolutely continue after my VSG (6/27... only 11 days away!)