I haven't used Mirena but a few of my friends have and all had bad experiences so I think I'll still to my usual BC

How big is this? My bf can feel my nuvaring. I imagine getting stabbed with this thing can't be fun...

I think if it's actually in your uterus, as the article states, there is absolutely no way that your bf could feel it...

I have the Mirena since about three years and I love it.

I had to do quite a bit of convincing with my doctors as usually only women who had babys already get IUCs (at least that's what he said).

Inserting didn't hurt but my doctor is very gentle and experienced with everything he does. I don't feel it at all and no guy has complained yet so I guess they do not feel it either.

I had spotting for one month afterwards but since then NO PERIODs = HEAVEN

Sad about the hormones though. I like the other option better (Paragard), but I will have to ask my doctor for more info. I want something hormone free.

i *love* my mirena!!
ive had it for almost 2 years... i only have a very spotty period... minimal cramps... and nobody gets poked
ive had the nuvaring and the patch but this by far is the best

I have this and it is great. Having it put in was uncomfortable, but not painful. I had minor cramps for about 3 days after I had it put in. But after that, my period stopped completely, so no period cramps for 5 years! Yay!

This sounds so appealing... but the whole "12% of users experience Ovarian Cysts" is way too high for me. No thank you.

I think I'd definitely consider one of these after I have kids. How long can you keep it in for?

Seriously - this thing rocks. Had it for 2 years. Would highly recommend to anyone who like me can't remember to take a pill every day.

I have one, totally love it. The hubbs can't feel a thing. Only a small fishing line string hangs down from the uterus so you yourself can make sure it's still in place. It lasts for 5 years I'm about due to get mine replaced. Which is freaky cause i'm wondering do they just yank it out? Anybody have theirs replaced?

I have mine and I love it. It's so easy and you never have to remember to take a pill. I was wondering about having it replaced too and what that feels like. I usually have really light periods that only call for pantyliners so that is a huge plus. Insertion was uncomfortable but not painful and followed by cramping no worse than normal period cramps. I haven't had any complications from it and can honestly say it made my life a lot easier.

No pain at all when inserted!! Spotting for a few weeks, but nothing major or requiring a pad. CANNOT be felt by partner....only one period since january 1!!! I have nothing but positive comments for the Mirena.

I've had my mirena for about 9 months and I love it. Like the other posters have said - practically no period! Last week I gave my sister my remaining tampon stash cause I don't need them anymore!!! I did have quite a bit of pain at insertion, my doc said that some girls have more nerves down there - yikes! I had heard the insertion was like a more uncomfortable pap, but it was much worse than I expected. That said, I'm thrilled with it now. I had no cramping afterwards, none of the breakthrough bleeding, or any of the other short term side effects. I chose mirena over paraguard because of the super heavy periods my mom got when she tried a copper IUD. And the hormone levels in mirena are miniscule in comparison to BCP and won't cause varicose veins or blood clots.

I have to disagree with the statement that Mirena contains hormones "just like the pill." Mirena contains far less hormones, and they are localized in the uterus so they are appropriate for women who can't do the hormones in pills. I was especially concerned with this aspect, and I made sure to ask several docs and RNs about it, because my mother had a life-threating blood clot while she was on the pill. My sisters and I are likely to have the same reaction.

I've had the Mirena for about 3 years now, and I love it (I have never had a child, btw). The only side effect I've ever had is occasionally I will feel a sharp cramp that last for less than 5 minutes - that probably only happens once a month, if that. Every time it does happen, I think to myself "my god, how did I ever deal with periods on a monthly basis?" Oh, and I don't have periods now, but I consider that a bonus, rather than a side-effect.

PS - when I had mine inserted, the RN told me that by the time my Mirena was set to "expire" at 5 years, they'd probably be approved for 7 year use and I'd be able to get an extra 2 years out of it. I haven't heard anything further on that though.

ufshutterbabe my doc said the same thing about 7 years. Apparently in Europe Mirena is approved for 7 years versus 5 in the US, she tells all of her patients to keep it in for that long.

i seriously just wanna get this to stop my period..
but all those side effects sound horrible =[

xx

i seriously just wanna get this to stop my period..
but all those side effects sound horrible =[

xx

My gyno told me that there's no reason women who haven't had babies can't have it and that it's just basically that the drug companies think women who haven't had babies are sluts who engage in risky sexual behavior. (As if giving birth automatically stops those who engage in risky behavior!)

I did feel a good deal of pain when it was inserted and some cramping for several days, but now it's been a week, and I feel fine.

I'm feeling encouraged by a lot of your comments. I have been on the pill (Yasmin) for a year and have had positive physical side effects, but I'm a depressed, emotional wreck so I am looking into Mirena. I have an appointment with my gyno in a couple weeks.

I'm planning to get this next month! My doctor explained the "rule" about it being for women with children as:

-if you get a vaginal infection of any sort while you have the IUD, your chances of there being a fertility-influencing side effect are increased. Note that these infections increase issues with fertility in general, but with an IUD the risk increases that the infection may impact your fertility. Therefore, the makers (and some doctors) have touted the IUD for women-with-children as a way to cover their asses- it would be risky for them to not have this disclaimer on the product because it carries a very slight chance of taking away someone's reproductive capability.
-Not for people who have multiple sexual partners (which is why they frown on giving it to younger women)... this is because if you're with multiple people, you're risking more exposure to infections, which- as just said- increase chances of major complications.

I am 22, no children, and married, with no history of vaginal infections/STIs. Thus, my doc says I'm a fine candidate for the IUD. Its a big deal though, I've read up a ton on it. To anyone considering it, check out this website: http://www.rxlist.com/mirena-drug.htm (A very detailed description which is the product information your medical provider would have on the Mirena).

Good breakdown, chocolat! I'm glad you doctor confirmed what it kind of looked like my research suggested. I did get my Mirena 2 weeks ago!! I'm 24, married, no children, no history of STIs etc. so a similar "candidate". The insertion wasn't as bad as I thought it would be so that's the good news! Not gonna lie though...that evening and most of the next day I had INTENSE cramping (my doctor said that sometimes your uterus freaks out because there's something foreign in there, and it tries to DELIVER the IUD...ew) and I've been on my period ever since, but I'm already starting to feel more "myself" without the hormonal birth control and I'm hopeful that this will be a huge improvement.

Jacrabbit- yay, congrats! Glad to hear it is going well so far. I have also pretty well determined by tons and tons of medical sites and customer forums that the first month is basically guaranteed ANNOYING! (cramps, extended period, bloating) Those side effects drop hugely after the 3 month marker (to the point of being virtually non-existent, we're talking like 3% of women complain about it), so hang in there! I'm looking forward to the reduced hormones and 5+ years of no pill-taking, myself.

I have had the mirena for a little over 6 months and as of yet I have no complaints about it. It did not hurt when I got it. Then again I had just had a baby 3 months prior. It does not always stop your period either. It is different with ALL women. Mine has slowed down a lot but sometimes it's really weird and i spot for a week straight instead of having an actual period. There are no hormones in the Mirena. You can take antibiotics without having to worry about it interfering with your birth control. You can have worry free unprotected sex with your significant other without having to worry about getting pregnant...there are some women who have bad reactions but no complaints on my end.

Mwoodrome, there are hormones in the Mirena, they are just much lower levels than a typical birth control pill and they are supposedly concentrated in the uterus (not going into your bloodstream).

I've the mirena for 3 1/2 years. I got it at my 6 week post partum check up. 1 week ago I learned it had moved and they had to do an ultrasound to find it. No big deal right... turns out wrong. This is not uncommon and for the most part no big deal. The iud continues to work even if it becomes embedded in your uterus. Only, my dr. says in my case it is more serious. my skin has actually grown over the iud and now i'm scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks.

how did you find out that it had moved? Were you doing a routine checkup, or did you have some kind of symptoms?

No, I didn't have any symptoms. I've never had a period while using the mirena and I still don't. It was during an annual exam I learned of the problem. The Dr. said I could choose to leave it in... but I'm not sure that's a good idea. Their afraid they will tear my uterus during removal and know that I would like to have more kids. Of course I don't know how I would get pregnant when I'm not having a period and the iud is still working because of the low dose hormone. And maybe it will be no big deal to remove. The Dr. says it has never been reported of this happening before. I just like to be difficult!

Yikes...good luck with your surgery!! My only complaint so far is random, intense cramping but I've heard that's pretty common in the first few months.

I've had the Mirena for going on 5 years and I must be the exception to this thing. It hurt like crazy going in and in the five years since I still get my period every month for about 2.5 to 3 weeks at a time, it's a light flow but still there! My followups show nothing is out of place, I must just be "lucky". Now that I'm close to the five year mark, I've made an appointment to have it removed. I did like that I didn't have to worry about BC but the bleeding 3 weeks out of the month almost makes having that convenience irrelevant!

Oh my, being on your period 60-75% of the time, I'm sorry!! Going on 3 months of having my Mirena and my period is starting to calm down (my cycle has extended past 2 weeks, yessss - here's hoping for a normal 28+ days!). Still have some random spotting and cramping, but it seems like my body is starting to adjust. Are you getting another one, Majorgirl, or going another route entirely?

I have mirena and it will be about 7 months that i have had this iud.. I get pregnanat very easily and am very fertle. this has by far been the best bc that i have ever had.painful being inserted and cramping afterwards for about a week. Afet about a week my periods were normal but i think has stopped now. I am not pregnant but didnt get my period. so i do love this. I havent had any modd swing or anything either.. Which is great especially when you do have kids you dont want to be upset with them because you feel horrible.. I am very forget ful because i do have two kids so close in age (16months apart) In taking my bc so this is a godsent gift to me... I exercise dailyand am very active and have never ever had any uncomfortable issue the only thing my doctor toldme was to not let my kids bouce hard on my stomache so that is a bit upsetting consideringmy daughter is a wild baby girl...

asdf

I do not suggest the Mirena based on my experience. I used the Mirena for 2 years and will never do so again. My body did not react well, at all, to the synthetic progesterone. I went into acute rages...my level of tolerance became zero, especially around the menstrual time...and I'm normally very even tempered. I also experienced being the most depressed I've ever been. I just felt crazy & out of control while I was on it. I didn't have a period most of the time...no bleeding or cramping. Sometimes I would spot a little bit and maybe pass blood, during those times I actually felt the most normal. I finally just had to have it removed...I regret that I waited to so long to take it out. I could tell a mild difference within myself after 2 weeks. And after a month I felt even better just like before I had it in. So it didn't work for me. I had a friend that tried it at the same time as I did and she reported the same effects as I mentioned above. So I think that is note worthy.

I had Mirena inserted 6-13-08, I cramped for a few hours, but not too bad at all. The very next day, I hosted a HUGE 40th surprise party and felt AWESOME! My periods were a little heavier and longer then normal for the first 4-5 months then were down to 2-3 days and LIGHT. Now GONE all together, wonderful! Couldn't ask for more! My ex husband and I are going thru a divorce and this gives me the sense of security to be with my boyfriend and not worry about making a baby. We're not ready for that, but we are ready to enjoy are relationship multiple times a day, and this gives us that security!

I've had mirena since April 09. Getting it inserted was so freakin painful I could barley walk, I had to use a heating pad for cramping for the next week or so after. My periods are extremly light now & hopefully will soon disappear! I recommand Mirena to all. Mirena is very affective, yes there's a little discomfort in the beginning but we'll go threw more pain then that in our lives.

but recently I just had a period that was there but wasn't there at the same time & now since the period is over I've been having uncomfortable cramping ever since, has anyone had this problem?