Mirena and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 4)

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

For Birth Control "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."

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

For Birth Control "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."

• Ano...
• August 5, 2013

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena in place for a little over three years. I LOVED it. I did not experience any of the severe cramping or pain after getting it placed, due to the fact I had mine placed after a procedure. (I already experienced discomfort due to this procedure). My period stopped almost instantly (no period for 3 years, can't complain). The hormones Mirena released also helped speed up metabolism, I lost close to 30 lbs. My only reasoning for getting mine removed is because of the recurring bacterial infections. What most people are not told is that the Mirena is for monogamous couples, apparently I was the only one in my relationship who was monogamous. Only finding this out after my removal."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 3 months postpartum, I have 2 children. My doctor recommended I get Mirena. I did not want it, but she kept insisting that it was the best option and very safe. The day I was getting it, when she placed the Mirena inside my uterus, my whole abdomen felt a HORRIBLE cramp, which lasted a few seconds, then it was over. I went home with only mild cramps. The next morning I woke up, I was in severe pain, I couldn’t walk or sit. My whole abdomen was swollen and hurt if I barely touched it. My entire body felt sore, I was freezing cold and shaking, I went to the ER. They took my blood and checked my vitals, I had a fever and an infection. They took X-rays and an ultrasound, the Mirena was out of place and one of the T’s was poking into my abdomen. I was getting bags of antibiotics and morphine for pain, which didn’t help my pain at all. The pain only went away after it was removed 2 days later. Now, 4 days after removal, I am still cramping, in pain, bleeding, and very nauseous."

• Kim...
• April 19, 2015

For Birth Control "I just had Mirena inserted a week ago. I was terrified from reading all of the painful-sounding reviews. But I followed through because I really do not like BC pills. I have to say it was not that bad! I took 4 Advil an hour before. Sure, it was uncomfortable and bad cramping, but it only lasted a few minutes. I had no cramping after the procedure, but cramps later that night, similar to a bad period, which I am used to. Mild cramps every now and then for the rest of the week. Spotting the first two days, but nothing since then. I obviously haven't had it long enough to report side effects but will report back soon. I think everyone responds to IUDs differently, and people like to write their horror stories. So far, so good, hope it continues!"

• cle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 15, 2013

For Birth Control "Just wanted to share my positive experience using Mirena. I have always had really heavy periods, accompanied by intense cramping. I've had the Mirena for about a year. My periods are tolerable because they're so light and only last for 3-4 days. Cramps have disappeared, which is like a dream come true. My skin is clear, I have not gained a pound. I don't feel all weird from hormones like I did when taking the pill-possibly because the hormonal release is localized. Initial cost was $370, but if you spread that over 3 years, that's a little over 10 dollars a month. I wish that I had been offered this option when I was 17-better late than never! I'm 28."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2009

For Birth Control "I am on my second Mirena - I had the first one for the full 5 years and loved it. I want to caution about one thing that has not been mentioned in any of the posts I have read. After the first Mirena, my new doctor insisted on an ultrasound before replacing it with a new one for 5 more years. I am grateful she insisted. I had 2 strawberry-sized cysts - one on each ovary. Easily treated with 3 months of birth control. The cysts disappeared and I was able to have a new Mirena. This insertion was very painful. In the hour afterward, I broke into a sweat and almost passed out. It has been 2 days and I'm much better, just light cramping. Please get an ultrasound before replacing. My doctor will also require follow-up ultrasounds in 2 years."

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Tried pill form birth control for a few years before getting off of it because it caused some strange mood swings/anxieties. Felt better off birth control for 1 full year but decided to try Mirena because I was getting my period after like 10 days from stress/etc. I took 4 Advil the morning of, and the procedure was a bit uncomfortable, but it kind of reminded me of getting an ear piercing... it's painful, but it's not like the worst type of pain ever. I just did a lot of deep breathing through it. Had cramping for a few days, but just keep the Advil pumping! Discharge in the beginning, but pretty much smooth sailing now 2 months later. It's great!"

• And...
• December 31, 2014

For Birth Control "I feel like the people who say that they had a painful insertion are only the ones who have either never had a baby or never had cramps. When they put mine in, it was only uncomfortable, not painful. There was some minor cramping afterwards, but I am noticing that I am struggling with losing weight. After my second child, I was able to drop my weight pretty well, but now after my third and having this in, it is really hard, and I feel like I retain a lot of water."

• Ser...
• June 22, 2008

For Birth Control "I have had Mirena for a year now, and I love it. The only problem was the incredible pain involved in insertion. It only lasted for a few hours, and cramping for a couple of days. I have not had a period in 8 months, and it is very easy to check that it is in place. When this one gets removed, I will definitely get another one. My husband can sometimes feel it, but it doesn't bother him. This is the best thing ever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2016

For Birth Control "Ladies! Do yourself a favor and stop reading these. Everybody is different, and we all have different insertion experiences. I just got Mirena inserted this morning. I am 24 years old, and I've never had a baby. I was extremely nervous, as this was my second attempt at inserting Mirena. I went last week, and my cervix was too tight, so they sent me home with a prescription that was to be put in my vagina the next week before I go in again. The second time (this morning) was a lot easier. Yes, it does hurt a bit, but nothing I couldn't handle. Honestly, the worst part for me was the cramps afterward. I had bad cramps for about 5 minutes and ended up throwing up. After that, I felt much better."

• Ali...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 16, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’m so annoyed. It seems like most people have a wonderful experience with getting the IUD. I had a feeling my experience wouldn’t be great, but I tried to give it a chance. March will be a year that I’ve had it, and I still get my period every 2 weeks, and it lasts 2 weeks. I’m over it. My Gyno wants me to give it a year because I’m at the point now where I’m just ready for a hysterectomy because I’m sick of not getting a break from bleeding. It’s unfortunate because I have only so many options since I have to do progesterone-only birth control because I had P.E. in the lungs. I originally got on birth control because of a horrible period, which is why I said at the onset I almost figured this wouldn’t work, but I had to give it a try. It does, however, at least seem like my cramps and flow definitely aren’t as bad and heavy. I just cannot handle bleeding this long and for so many days out of the month, whether it’s minimal bleeding or not."

• joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I had a Mirena placed 2 years ago for heavy periods. I was 38 at the time, and it had been 16 years since my last child. The doctor said it can be maybe more painful the longer you wait after having children. However, I had no pain with insertion. I had some cramping for a few days, as well as spotting. After 6 months, my period stopped completely. I have no issues with Mirena, from extremely heavy periods to none, and I didn't have to get a hysterectomy. I would recommend it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the Mirena put in 6 weeks ago to help control heavy periods. The actual procedure was uncomfortable, but not 'painful,' although I did take paracetamol and ibuprofen beforehand (as recommended). Week 1, I had no symptoms at all. Then, week 2, I started to bleed. Now at week 6, and I haven't stopped bleeding since week 2. When my 'period' was due, I had double the duration of my normal cycle (where a tampon was required), but the other weeks have been pad only. I haven't had any mood swings or cramping that are any different from before Mirena, so I'm going to bear with it and hope I come out the other end with the intended result... lighter periods. Watch this space!!!"

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to write my experience because I was scared to get the Mirena after reading all the horror stories. I'm 37 and have 3 kids. I got the Mirena inserted yesterday on my lunch break, I work at the hospital where my doc's office is. It took less than 10 minutes. There were 3 bad cramps, the second one being the worst but only lasted 30 seconds. I did not cringe, cry, curse, or anything like that. My doc told me when I would feel each cramp. I was back to work 20 minutes later and felt fine all day, spotted a bit but only wore a panty liner. I took 4 Motrin 1 hour prior to insertion and haven't taken any since. I hope this helps because I really do feel some people come on these sites and try to scare you. Good luck to everyone!"

• May...
• April 3, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I just got the Mirena 2 days ago. I was very worried, but it wasn't too bad. I do feel some bloating. I had cramping and some spotting, but the spotting has stopped already. I was able to walk/jog after the insertion. I'll re-post after a few weeks, so far so good."

• Lex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2014

For Birth Control "Went on Mirena as it was one of my only options for birth control due to hormone issues and aura migraines. It hurt pretty bad having it put in. I suggest 800 mg of ibuprofen a half an hour to an hour before insertion. I have never had a child. Right after insertion, I felt great, no pain for a few hours, then the cramps began. Nonstop terrible cramps with a little bleeding for 3 full days. I finally called the Dr., and she wrote me a script for Vicodin, so I could go to work. No sleep for those 3 days due to terrible pain. The cramps finally subsided, but then the stabbing pain started. Terrible stabbing pain in my abdomen. I think my body was rejecting it. I had it removed. Feel much better."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have 3 children and just had my third Mirena put in today. The cramping has already stopped. I love the Mirena because the last 2 times my period disappeared. Also, my libido is usually good, and I don't have to worry about taking the pill. The only problem is that at the 2-year mark, because of my endometriosis, I start to get really bad cramping."

• NoB...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 27 with no kids. I do not want kids and never have. I wanted something long-term that was more reliable than the pill and wouldn't mess with me in the way the shot does. I've had Mirena for several months now. At first, the cramping was odd and painful, nothing I couldn't handle, it would happen sporadically and would subside after a few minutes. A few months into it, it's pretty much gone. No periods and minimal spotting. It was literally, for me, 'stick it and forget it.' I'm very happy with it. No weight gain, no acne, no mood swings. I'm still my regular self. For the insertion, I was really scared, and my OB gave me something for nerves. Honestly, it just felt like a deep cramp. I didn't feel the pinch, but it's different for everyone."

• Nat...
• November 18, 2014

For Birth Control "I wanted to share my experience with the procedure. I am 19 and never have had kids. When they put in the Mirena, it didn't hurt like many women on the reviews said. It felt like a quick cramp, and then it was all over with. It's been about three days, and so far I have had light cramping about 3 times a day and spotting."

• ZEN...
• June 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my 1st child in November 2014 and got Mirena in January 2015. I spotted for the 1st month and a half. I've had cramping, no sex drive, lack of energy, acne, hair itching, and gained 20 pounds in 4 months. I finally got Mirena removed today, 6/17/2015, and I already feel better. No cramps. I've been able to work from 5 am to 1:30, go to the gym, go shopping, and play with my baby without fatigue. The RN was giving me a hard time and stating my research is wrong and Mirena doesn't make women gain weight due to such low hormones, but I told her everyone's body is different, and this was not the right birth control for me. I told her even all my coworkers that have it right now are experiencing the same issues, so what does that tell you? She acted like she had an attitude because she couldn't talk me out of removing it, but I don't care, it's my body, my choice. I hope that this helps someone. If this is what it costs to not have a period, I'd rather have mine!"

• kma...
• May 12, 2011

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Mirena was inserted in 7/07; I was 38 with two kids. During placement, I felt light cramping for 2 hrs. The doctor explained the uterus naturally tries to expel it with light cramping for up to several days. After the initial 2 hrs in '07, I haven't had any cramping, no spotting, and no PMS. It has tremendously affected my life for the better, as I was completely useless but had no choice but to function for at least 4 days a month during my heaviest flow. I'm a full-time working woman, mother, and wife; there was NO SENSE in suffering like that every month. The doctor was ready to do a partial hysterectomy and decided we would try Mirena instead. My fibroids and cysts have also shrunk. I love Mirena!"

• mmw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2014

For Birth Control "Age: 24; Births: none; Previous contraceptives: none; I just got Mirena inserted yesterday with no anesthesia. I took 800 mg of ibuprofen before my appointment. I experienced two sharp pains that lasted about 10 seconds each-one during measurement and one during insertion. I just tried to relax my bottom and breathe through it. The pain immediately subsided after she inserted the Mirena. I did feel crampy for the rest of the day, but I returned to work and even went to the gym and did a 2-mile run on the treadmill. So it wasn't terrible. I can only comment on the insertion experience since I just got it inserted yesterday, but hopefully this will be helpful for those of you who (like me) are feeling anxious about the insertion."

• Aus...
• August 17, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 49 and have had heavy bleeding, big clots, terrible cramping all my life. With the heavy blood loss, I had very low hemoglobin and anemia. Twice I had to have a course of iron injections in my butt, leaving stains for years. Had Mirena put in by my gynecologist when I was 45. She said to give it at least a year to settle and it will be worth it. She was right. The first 10 months, my periods were all over the place compared to before, a regular 28-day cycle all my life, but the flow got less and less. Cramping reduced a couple of months after the insertion of Mirena. Definitely, by 1 year, my periods had stopped."

• Nee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I’ve had the Mirena coil for 15 months now, and in my experience, it’s been awful: tender breasts all the time, period pains pretty much all the time. The heavy bleeding did settle after 6 months of it being inserted, however, I never know when the bleeding might start again, as sometimes it’s every 2 weeks. The last period I had was so bad it scared me as I was losing big clots and soaked an extra super absorbent tampon within 5 minutes. I’ve since been to my GP, who has confirmed the strings are in the right place. Swabs came back fine. Now got to go for a scan before I can have it removed to make sure I haven’t got a fibroid. I did persevere with it for this long in the hope it would settle and make each month better. Unfortunately, it’s just made me more miserable and can’t wait to have it removed. I’m going on holiday tomorrow, and I’ve been awake since 3 am with excruciating cramps."