I need to change to a birth control without estrogen due to high blood pressure, so I was thinking, instead of pills which are only 85% effective, to use Mirena. I would like to know if anyone has used the IUC and what they think of it. A few questions I have are:
How is the insertion, did you take anything before?
How is the cramping afterwards?
I suffered from severe cramps when I was not on "the pill:, so is cramping an issue?
How long is the bleeding and is it heavy?
Did you have any emotional problems due to no estrogen?
I read that the hormones in Mirena are the same in Norplant, which has been removed from the market due to ALOT of problems. ( I once used Norplant)
I hope someone can answer my questions. I would ask the ob/gyn but she does not use Mirena and I wanted to know from a personal experience.
Thanks!
BTW Happy New Year!
Acidreignn

I have the Mirena IUD and have had no problems at all with it. I have had it for almost a year, no side effects whatsoever, with the exception of having no period or a period lasting 1/2 a day or so and very light. Which is fine with me, because at one time years ago I had endometriosis that was so painful during my peiod. The initial insertion takes about 5 minutes and only feels like a pap smear, some pinching, there was some minor cramping the first 24 hours, but nothing that you couldn't function with, I just took Motrin. As far as the no estrogen, I haven't noticed any difference than when on the pill, I have lost a few pounds, which the doctor said I would, actually 10 pounds without doing anything differently.

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You lost weight? Wow! I have read that some people have gained a significant amount of weight. Well we're all different. Thanks for your input. Anyone else?

I have had the mirena twice. I currently have had one for about 3 months. The insertion for me was painful but only lasted a minute or two. For me it was worse than a pap smear pain. I have had two c-sections and my cervix has never dilated so that may be why it was more painful. The first few months both times I have had irregular spotting. I pretty much wear a thin pad every day. Eventually it goes away except for a very , very light period every 6-8 weeks. I love it even with the crazy spotting. Normally, my periods are very heavy and last 7-10 days.

I have not lost or gained weight with it.

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Shelley
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~Mom to Andy-11/3/05 and Ryan-7/31/08~

I just got the Mirena IUD little over a month ago. The initial pain is a bit much. Definitely take some motrin either before you go or right afterwards. I didn't have any cramping throughout the day luckily. I actually went right back to work after the procedure. My biggest problem is that I'm having my 1st period since having the IUD put in, and it is extremly heavy & long. At first it was light for a few days, but after about a week and half it had gotten extremly heavy. I think I'm just over 2 weeks on my period. A good friend just had one put in this week....I had her ask the Dr. about the heavy and long period. The Dr. said it was normal just the body thinning out the lining in the uterus. Each person is a different, so I think it will affect them differently. I'm really interested in hearing more reponses on this.