I have had very heavy, painful periods pretty much ever since my first cycle. I have been on birth control once before to control it, but I didn't like having to take a pill everyday. I already take 4 pills a day - and you may think, what's one more? - but that's exactly it: ANOTHER pill.
I came across some information on Mirena and it sounds like something I could really benefit from. It is a hormonal IUD - meaning it will control my periods as well as provide contraception - and it lasts for up to 5 years.
Does anyone have experience with Mirena or know anyone who has? Any inside scoops on side effects or effectiveness?
I had a Mirena briefly. I was attracted to its effectiveness & semi-permanency.
So, I was always aware of its presence. I guess I'm especially sensitive, but I always knew it was there. Read: I could feel it. Always.
Also, they left the wire "string" long so I could "keep track of it" & make sure it stayed put, but my husband & I quickly determined it was too long. If you know what I mean. Yeah. So I had my doctor cut it down, but the wire was still... um... a wire. If you know what I mean. Ugh. Just thinking back on it makes me cringe.
Anyway, that all was a dealbreaker. I think if you can walk around with peice of plastic in your cervix with a wire "string" that sticks out in your vagina & not notice then you're pretty golden.
OR maybe you could crush up your pills and snort them.
Haha snorting birth control is definitely an option.
I am not sexually active - I'm 20 and single - so having my partner feel the wire is not of great concern to me. But you said you could actually feel the IUD yourself? That's something I'll keep in mind. Doesn't sound too appealing.
Yeah, I could totally feel it. They said I'd notice it less, but I always noticed it. I never noticed it any less. I'm sure everyone is different... because otherwise nobody would have the things.
The good news is that when I had enough, I had it removed. 5 seconds = done. Expensive experiment. Would have been nice if it hadn't been... um... invasive. But yeah. Try it, you can always take it out.
Thanks for the input! Is it typically covered by insurance? I have BC/BS so I hoping they can help me out with that insane price.
From what I've heard Mirena seems to do really well for people with endometriosis- which is characterized by very heavy, long and painful periods. It works in that regard by atrophying the uterine lining.
It's very effective birth control and it should have the least side effects of any other HBC because the hormones don't go outside of the uterus. It's also progestin only so it's a viable option for people who have issues with estrogen (migraines, blood pressure, etc). It's supposed to be very little side effects. That said every woman reacts differently to every birth control.
I say go for it. Talk to your doctor and see what they have to say. (Also there's this myth about women who have never been pregnant being unable to get an IUD which is just completely untrue.) Good luck!
I have one. I don't feel it. I do have cramps occasionally, but not very often (my periods are now so rare and sparse, more like spotting). The string is plastic, not wire, and mine is long too but my partner doesn't feel it during "those moments". (Maybe freshbakedpi has an especially sensitive - or endowed? - husband). Actually, the mirena is not supposed to be in your cervix, but rather in the uterine cavity - if it were in your cervix, it would probably hurt... only the string goes through the cervix.
I have two friends with Mirena as well, and we're all doing fine with it and like the method. I must say that I did have about 6 months of a slightly weepy mood, for a few hours every couple of weeks, after insertion, but that's gone now (I've had it in over 2 years).
As for effectiveness it is the only method of birth control that is more effective than a tubal ligation (yes, that's right, MORE effective). There is no such thing as user failure, unlike the pill. It's like "declaring war on pregnancy", according to my doctor. But once it's out, you can conceive within a few months, just giving the hormones time to flush out of your body.
I'd recommend it, but again, YMMV, so talk to your doctor. Remember that if you do get it and don't like it, you can always get it removed and you go back to normal pretty quickly.
Also, run a search on the forums for "iud" or "mirena" - we've had these conversations before.
Yeah, my husband is pretty huge. Anyway, the "string" doesn't feel like a "string," it feels like a f-ing wire. Plastic wire, whatever. Sharp. Not string. "String" is a marketing thing, for sure.
Yeah, you can always take it out.
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl =en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS307&q=iud+string+ poke&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f
Original Post by trustwomen:
Also, run a search on the forums for "iud" or "mirena" - we've had these conversations before.
I actually did a search for mirena and didn't find anything...
I would have done a search for "iud" but I wanted to make sure I got specific feedback about mirena.
Thanks, everyone, for your responses!
im a nurse i work in victoria (australia) i work in theatre and on the surgical ward... the mirena is the best thing ever we do them at my work.. it last for 5 years and stops periods all together.. it takes them 5 mins to put it in the best product out there.. a lot of women at work have them.. definately try it...
I've had no experience with Mirena, but I was disturbed to hear these two experiences...
http://malaysia.answers.yahoo.com/question/in dex?qid=20070716114055AAHyPX0
I got one - no issues whatsoever. Insertion was a breeze although there are stories out there. Thank god I never read them before going! Yes you can feel the string but your meant to (and only if you go exploring!) to make sure it is in place it no worse than a tampon. Hubby doesn't feel a thing. No side effects except that periods are nearly non-existent which is what I got it for considering I was just about needing a blood transfusion every month! I think its just brillant and has given me my life back.
Its not for everyone so if you don't like it - its no problem to get it out. Give it a short.
My friend got one as well - she then wanted kids so had it removed - fell preggie within 2 months. She is having it inserted again after birth of baby.
Original Post by muttlover:
I've had no experience with Mirena, but I was disturbed to hear these two experiences...
http://malaysia.answers.yahoo.com/question/in dex?qid=20070716114055AAHyPX0
Ugh, the blatant misinformation in that second response just bugs the hell out of me.
It's not an aborificant and it doesn't destroy the embryo.
