My Experience: Mirena IUD Birth Control

My Name is Stephanie. That's me in the picture on the right. I made the choice to use the Mirena IUD as my method of birth control back in June of '07. I researched everything about the Mirena birth control except actual mirena experience. Perhaps if I had I may not have chose to get the Mirena birth control due to all of the Mirena side effects there seem to be but nonetheless, I do not regret my choice.

I chose the Mirena IUC birth control because I am terrible at remembering to take medications. I wanted a no fuss, no work birth controlthat would allow me the security of knowing that for the next 5 years unless I decide otherwise, I will not be having any more children. I didn't want anything permanent but I do want the option to have children later on if I choose to do so.

The Mirena IUC is an estrogen-free intrauterine contraceptive device that is 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy. The small contraceptive device is inserted by your doctor into the the vagina, passed the cervix and implanted in the uterus. The Mirena IUD is a T-shaped plastic device that slowly releases small amounts of the hormone Levonorgestrel. It works by:

• Block sperm from reaching or fertilizing your egg
• Make the lining of your uterus thin (this may also result in benefits like less menstrual bleeding over time)
• Stop the release of your egg from your ovary (but this is not the way it works in most cases)

The day I went to have the IUC inserted I had no idea what I was in for. I have dealt with some pretty serious physically painful experiences but this definetly found it self up near the top of the "Sh** that's painful" list. Put this one up for my first Mirena side effect Now, the Mirena Website says the following in their faq:

^{Q. Will it hurt?}

^{A. Some women may experience some discomfort while Mirena is being placed. Uterine cramps, which feel like menstrual cramps, and dizziness may also occur, but typically disappear within a day or two. Notify your healthcare professional if pain and other symptoms persist.}

The registered nurse at my doctors office was a wee bit more accurate and told me "some women say it just feels mildy uncomfortable, others will grip the table and scream" Which one do you think I was? I learned that day from my mirena experience that I am a gripper and a screamer. The nurses at the nurses station just outside my room, also learned this that same day.

It hurt, it was painful, and I was cramped up for hours afterwards. I could not tell you what the pain was, but I do remember saying the same thing I said during the 13 hours the doctors tried to induce my labor. They had incorrectly inserted the inducement medication causing the most extremely uncomfortable feeling I've ever had. My catch phrase? "I am never doing this ever again" Of course, in about 4 years one of these will happen again. Time will tell which one wins out.

After the 2 months of heavy spotting, my periods disappeared. Only once a few months later did I have any sign of a period and that was just some light spotting caused by a medication I was on. I terminated the medication for other reasons, and the spotting went away again.

Other then that, thanks to my Mirena birth control, my period is non-existent. I consider this Mirena side effects to be a good one. I never have any cramping anymore, and I rarely even think about my IUD contraceptive. I've heard some stories from women very unhappy with their IUD's and say they experience many Mirena side effects. Me, not so much. The first 2 months were an inconvenience, but I don't regret my decision to get the Mirena IUD contraceptive.

However, with that said, I hesitate to recommend the Mirena IUD birth control device to my friends. If you have serious trouble remembering to take your birth control, then yes consider Mirena for your contraceptive needs. If you can remember you birth control, do the research before you opt for this method

The Mirena site makes it very clear that "Won't cause significant Mirena weight gain". Significant must be subjective. Over the past 2 years, my total Mirena weight gain has been 25+lbs.. This most likely is also due to some stress experienced this past year, but I do beleive Mirena Weight gain plays a key role.

I was lucky to have a understanding and patient boyfriend while going through this process with getting used to the Mirena IUD. More then once we had to stop because he could actually feel the plastic strings of the Mirena coming through my cervix during sex.

The Mirena strings are in place for removal and HAVE to be there, but they didn't have to be that long. The same registered nurse was able to cut them a little small and curl the ends. Only twice since then has he ever made comments about them.