Mirena for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 4)

• Kat...
• June 10, 2014

"I got my Mirena 3 months ago by recommendation from my gyno and a few friends. I was warned how painful the procedure is, but I have a high pain tolerance, so I wasn't concerned. Mine was inserted when I wasn't on my period because my period was random and lasted 2 days. The procedure only took about 2 minutes. 1 minute and 50 seconds of that time just felt like hard pressure, more irritating than painful. Then the last 10 seconds were pretty traumatic. I felt like I was going to vomit and almost passed out. However, it's only 10 seconds. Later that day, I went shopping and ate and was fine. Now I have 5 years of no period (it's already gone) and no taking the pill! Couldn't be happier!"

• Rez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2021

"I had the Mirena for 3 months. In those 3 months, I experienced the most horrific symptoms ever, and it was definitely the Mirena as I didn't have it before, and I was tested for many other things, which all came back normal. I got it removed today, and almost instantly my lower back pain disappeared, along with constant cramping, and even the headaches I started getting from it have subsided today! I became HIGHLY, dangerously anxious on this thing. I got into a severe manic depressive state on it, had such bad anger problems and outbursts over nothing, not to mention the weight gain and sudden migraines/headaches, joint pain, and pressure in my skull! I am actually furious as to how much this messed me up, but I know not everyone had bad experiences on this, which I find so shocking due to the things it did to me."

• zja...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 17, 2015

"I just got my second Mirena inserted today - I will seriously never do anything else. I've tried other methods (patch, NuvaRing, pill), and nothing compares to Mirena if you want longer-term birth control! Yes, it is fairly painful upon insertion, but it lasts for only about 40 seconds max, but it is so worth it! Both times I didn't have bleeding or cramping afterward. My first time I didn't even have spotting, my periods just completely stopped for all 5 years. I am crossing my fingers for the same this time! I never had weight gain, and my skin was amazingly clear. For those who are interested in low-maintenance, long-term birth control, I cannot recommend Mirena more!"

• jes...
• October 18, 2014

"Love, love, love it... Coming up on year 5 and about to have it replaced. Tiny pinch getting it placed. My periods were painful and heavy before, and well, I haven't had a period in 3 years. I lightly spot for a day or less every month when I can feel changes and a period is supposed to be present. No weight gain, no moodiness, higher sex drive... Only one downside is that my husband says he can feel a sharp poke when he penetrates deeply. Reason being the OB that placed it cut the threads too short, so instead of wrapping around the cervix, they stick out straight... Also, some cramping after sex on occasion."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2017

"I've had the Mirena IUD for 5 months now, and so far, I've loved it! I haven't had any weight gain or acne symptoms that everyone talks about in their reviews. I bled for maybe three days after the procedure and haven't had a period since. The procedure sucks, but it's bearable. It felt like intense cramping for maybe a minute, then it's over. I suggest taking 800 mg of ibuprofen before and after because I did have cramps and dizziness for the whole day. I switched to Mirena from oral BC because oral BC made me absolutely crazy (crying at every little thing, irrational, emotional, blowing up at people for no reason, etc.). Ladies, don't let the reviews scare you because every body reacts differently. You truly have to try it out for yourself!"

• xra...
• September 23, 2013

"Having read all the reviews here, I nearly canceled my appointment to have Mirena fitted. I was terrified not having a high pain threshold. Anyway, I decided to go and have a chat with the doctor first. I took 500 mg of naproxen an hour before my appointment. My description of it is this: to start with, it feels just like a smear, then slight stomach cramps (not as bad as my usual period pains), then another bit of cramping, then done. I was so shocked at how quick it took and how little it hurt. I really was expecting to be in a lot of pain. Now, 2-3 hours later, I've got no bleeding and a bit of a dull ache like period pain. I'm really glad I plucked up the courage to go, it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2009

"FINALLY! It is relieving to see positive comments after finding nothing but negative remarks. I recently got the Mirena, and yes, I have experienced a few side effects. However, from what I understand, they are nothing out of the ordinary. I am not overly excited about the acne or the nausea, but I think the key for MOST of us that have recently had the Mirena inserted is to give your body time to adjust. Hopefully, the majority of us will have a positive experience. One thing to keep in mind: It is possible to experience side effects with most medications. That doesn't make it a horrible drug for all."

• Mam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2020

"I had a great experience with Mirena! Spotting maybe once every 3 months. No period for 5 years has been great. Insertion was easy because I had it inserted a month or so after having my 2nd kid. Now my 5 years are up, and I’m due for it to be removed and a new one placed. My husband wants a vasectomy, so we don’t have to worry about birth control anymore. I want the Mirena because not having a period is wonderful. I had no side effects from Mirena that bothered me or I was aware of."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2015

"I'm so glad I didn't read these reviews before getting the IUD inserted- I would have been terrified! Everyone is saying how it's so painful.... Umm? No. I'd say minor discomfort for a few seconds, and that's it. I've had a little spotting since it was inserted, but nothing crazy."

• H20...
• March 22, 2014

"Many horror stories on the web, but here's my positive experience 2 weeks in: - note I never had kids, been on pills for over 15 years with no side effects, but want the most effective and convenient option. - took 800 mg Advil 1.5 hours before. It was a day before my period. - key is finding a very experienced doctor who uses local anesthetics and cervical dilation, which I think really helped. I barely felt anything, similar to a pap. - some cramping afterwards but not bad as I continued with Advil for 2 more days. Spotting once or twice daily but nothing too bad. No side effects at all yet. - everyone's different. Don't be scared off by reviews!"

• Che...
• January 20, 2021

"I can honestly say that the Mirena IUD almost ruined my life, and even now, 4 years after having it removed, I'm still having problems that I never had before I got it inserted. I had the Mirena IUD for a year. I noticed drastic changes in my mood. I had the worst depression of my life, and it shattered my sex drive entirely, to the point I didn't even want to be hugged by my boyfriend. Not to mention, the string never softened as I was told it would and constantly cut my boyfriend during intercourse. Within a month of removing it, my mood drastically improved, but I didn't start getting my period again until 2 years later. I now suffer from incredibly irregular periods that I didn't have before. Sometimes I go half a year without one. Recently, I had a horrible month-long period where I was bleeding through the highest absorbency tampon you could buy in less than 45 minutes, as well as menstrual cramps where the pain reached all the way up to my chest."

• gmb...
• December 13, 2014

"I had Mirena inserted 5 months ago and am still having very heavy periods with horrible cramps. Periods are lasting about 3 weeks, and then I only get a 2-week respite before it starts again. I've also gained quite a bit of weight these past 5 months. Thinking about having it removed. After reading and hearing others' comments, I have noticed that those who have not had children are having more issues and side effects than the women who have had children."

• TRM...
• March 10, 2013

"I got the Mirena in August of 2012 after having our 3 little blessings. Since then, I've had weird periods. One month, I bled almost a month, then wouldn't have one for 2 months, and when I did have a period, it lasted over 10 days. The past few months, I bleed after intercourse, and it is very painful afterwards, and hubby doesn't understand why I don't want to anymore. Also, sharp, constant pains in my lower abdominal area."

• Coo...
• January 29, 2013

"I had Mirena for a year. Insertion was a small pinch and not bad at all. I spotted the whole time I had it in, experienced more headaches, lower back aches, and cramping. The spotting wasn't really a lot, but I always had to wear a liner. My sex drive was low, and I would get panic attacks and have horrible mood swings. I also gained like 15 lbs. I had it taken out today, so I am hoping I feel better. My husband is happy I am getting it out, he said I just wasn't the same with it."

• KJ1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 27, 2014

"I'm 40 years old with two teenaged children. I was tired of taking a birth control pill daily and had trouble remembering to take it sometimes. I had the Mirena inserted last month, and it was a painless procedure. I had some minor cramping for the first day or two, but no bleeding. I did not get my period this month, and I'm hoping I don't get one ever again! I highly recommend Mirena."

• Vic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 31, 2021

"I’ve had Mirena for 8 years. The first one was for 3 years, and I’m 5 years into my second one. I wouldn’t ever go back to oral birth control. My emotions became much more stable, my periods became less heavy, and I never gained weight or suffered any adverse effects. As someone going into my 30s and not planning on having kids soon, I’m so glad I found and decided to use Mirena."

• Pat...
• December 13, 2014

"I had Mirena inserted 3 years ago. Only a little cramping after insertion, periods stopped within 2 months, no acne, but a little lower back pain and weight gain. Mirena is still worth it, though. Very happy with this product."

• AJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2021

"I had severe headaches and horrible vomiting monthly from having the Mirena. After I had it removed, all the severe side effects stopped. My husband suggested the Flo app, which tells you when you’re ovulating, and I’ve actually gone without contraceptives, and it’s worked wonderfully. I wish I would have known about all the negative effects of Mirena before I was talked into getting it. It’s been 3 years since I took it out, and I’ve been wanting to write a review so people know the truth of what could happen. My experience was horrible."

• cat...
• April 6, 2014

"I am a 21-year-old, no kids. I was on the pill for a couple of years-absolutely nothing wrong with it except for the fact that I hated worrying about taking it every morning (especially on trips, weekends, staying over at my boyfriend's house, etc.), such a hassle! So I got Mirena about 3 weeks ago. I absolutely love it so far. It was semi-painful to insert, I felt cramping for a couple of hours and very tired all day long, but woke up the next morning and felt almost 100% normal! The cramping and expected bleeding/spotting stopped after about a week, and I literally have noticed no side effects since. Also, I have dropped 5 lbs, I believe, due to the lack of hormones from the pill, so I'm back to my normal weight! Love this and would recommend it to all."

• Kel...
• December 27, 2013

"I have a 5-month-old and just had the Mirena last month. It is amazing! Did not hurt whatsoever when they inserted it. I have had no side effects, cramping, nothing! I even have noticed I have lost a few pounds versus the weight gain of traditional birth control pills. I read reviews for weeks that terrified me for no reason, it was painless. It is worth every penny, and I am so pleased with the results."

• aca...
• January 2, 2012

"I'm 25 years old with no children, and I have Mirena. I absolutely love it. The pill gave me acne, weight gain, mood swings, and nausea. The NuvaRing gave me blood clots. Mirena has been a dream. Insertion was no worse than a bad period cramp (again, I've never had kids, and it didn't hurt that bad), and I spotted for a few days. No biggie. I've had oily skin and acne my whole life but am able to control it. Mirena has made it no worse at all. I work out every day and have even been losing weight. So, Mirena has not made me gain weight. I just want to be a positive voice out there for Mirena. Before I got it, I read message boards, and it almost discouraged me from getting it. Thankfully it didn't because it's been the best birth control ever."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2014

"I had this birth control in for 2 years and have had it removed. The only benefit was the fact that I didn't have to take the pill every day. I spotted all the time on this and got really random heavy periods. The side effects were unbearable (they creep up on you)! I didn't notice any major problems at first, but by year two, I thought there was something medically wrong with me (I have been seeing a specialist, my normal doctor couldn't figure out what was wrong with me). I had really emotional PMS, the sharpest, worst cramps (I could feel the Mirena poking me from the inside), and no sex drive at all. I had difficulty focusing, was tired all the time, super sore body, and I gained 27 pounds with no major lifestyle changes. Insertion and removal hurt!"

• Ris...
• March 19, 2013

"Last August, I had the Mirena inserted. I was 20 at the time and knew that I did not want any children for the next 5 years. I was really nervous about getting the Mirena because I've never had any children before and heard that the pain was awful. The GYN doctor that I was seeing prescribed me Misoprostol to insert into the vagina to soften the cervix. I also took some Ibuprofen an hour before the procedure. During the procedure, I did have a lot of pain (as expected), but nothing that was not bearable. I experienced a lot of cramping pain during the dilation and insertion of the procedure and also 2 days after the procedure. I love the Mirena now and no longer have a menstrual cycle or cramping. I've not had any complications so far!"

• Jen...
• June 28, 2013

"I have never had kids and am not in a position to have kids anytime soon. Mirena was a perfect solution. Having it inserted hurt like hell but only for a few seconds, and then I had a good 2 months of on-and-off cramping, but it's been a year and a half, and so far, I love it. I really don't get a period anymore, which is amazing considering how heavy my periods were before. Best thing ever in my opinion."

• mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2014

"Had my Mirena inserted July 30, 2014. I am giving it such a high rating at this point because I have nothing but positive experiences so far. Unlike most people, I had it inserted after having no children. The insertion was slightly painful but just felt like a bad cramp that went away quickly. The cramping stopped 2 minutes after insertion, and then I had some mild cramping later that day. Spotting is minimal to null, only noticeable on bathroom tissue. For anyone thinking of getting on before they have had a kid: I was given misoprostol vaginally to soften the cervix and took ibuprofen for 24 hours before to help with cramping. The misoprostol did not cause me cramping or discomfort as I feared it would."