Mirena and Pain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• pix...
• August 7, 2015

For Birth Control "I had such a horrible time with my Mirena. I wasn't instructed to take medication for pain before insertion. Insertion itself was painful, but as I got home, I was in nauseating pain for 1 hour. I finally took a Vicodin to be able to ease some pain. I did not have a period for the first 8 months after insertion. In the year and a half since I have had the device in, I have gained 40 pounds. I never had weight issues. My mood has turned really aggressive, and I lose it over little things. I am depressed a lot and have no idea why. I had mine removed today, and it wasn't as painful as insertion, but I did feel some intense pressure pain during the removal.... I hope this can help someone!!!"

• hor...
• September 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I tried the Mirena for 1 year. The inserting was not painful for me at all, but the next day I had level 10 pain and was concerned, but all was fine. It ended up completely stopping my periods, which was the only thing I loved about it. About 6 months into it, sex started to hurt really bad with it, and I was also starting to have really bad blackout spells. I actually ended up seeing a heart specialist because they thought it was something to do with my heart. I told the specialist I think it's my Mirena. I would have the Mirena checked on a regular basis by my gyn due to pain and such. One day I ended up getting so fed up with it all I told my gyn to take it out. Since then, I have had no issues with blacking out even, and sex became non-painful."

• A1d...
• October 6, 2013

For Birth Control "I had a bit of pain with insertion (I did it at the wrong time of the month in order to get it covered by insurance), but after that, it has been wonderful. I had spotting instead of periods for the first few months, and then my periods stopped completely. I have had it for a little over two years and no longer have any bleeding or cramping from periods. I am extremely happy I chose to get it."

• Liz...
• April 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 27 years old, have never had children, and was recommended this due to my adverse reactions to other forms of birth control and my naturally heavy, painful periods. The insertion was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. It was comparable to the pain I had when an ovarian cyst burst. I had to stay back in the doctor's office for 3 hours after insertion due to the faintness and heavy pain it caused me. I had ongoing cramps for a month after insertion. I still get intermittent cramping from the device, but due to my incredibly painful natural cramps, I've not been bothered by this. My periods have reduced to very minimal bleeding. As someone with particularly heavy bleeds, I was very happy with 3 days of light flow. However, I have acne like I've never seen before, I have weird swelling in my lower abdomen that has been impossible to get rid of, and I am quite sure it has lowered my mood and caused weight gain (though those two things I can't conclusively prove)."

• pls...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 10, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my very first Mirena put in five years ago. That experience was a little painful. Only because I have never had children and my cervix is quite small. My OB/GYN had to dilate me to insert it. It was only about 5 minutes of intense cramping, but it wasn't awful. After I had it inserted, I spotted and cramped for one day. Fast forward five years later. I just had that one removed and my second one put in. No pain for the removal, just a slight pinch. Much easier time getting the second one. Again, only spotted and slight cramping for one day. For the five years that I had the first one, I only spotted periodically. Nothing more. I have the Mirena not only for pregnancy prevention, but for a medical issue as well. I love it."

• sdf...
• October 29, 2015

For Birth Control "Ok, first I will start with the cons. The insertion hurt. A lot. I would say it was a 7-8 on the pain scale. But it was way faster than I expected it to be. Afterwards, I felt like I had bad period cramps. I took ibuprofen and applied a heating pad, and within a few hours, the pain had subsided. Now for the good parts. My period was somewhat irregular but light for the first few months. By the third month, my period stopped, and it hasn't returned since. It's SO amazing not having to have a period, and not having to worry about taking a pill, needle, etc. It has literally been worry-free. I definitely recommend trying the Mirena if you don't want kids for several years!"

• Aly...
• May 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I was 45 when I had the Mirena coil inserted. I'd never had children, so it was painful but bearable. Everyone is different, so just make sure you talk any concerns through with your GP. I had a very light period for the first three months and occasional cramping, but no worse than before I had the Mirena inserted. After that, I've had 4 and a half years period/cramp-free. No side effects whatsoever. My 5 years are up, so I'm due to have it removed. I've been told I'll experience the same level of discomfort in the removal, so at least I know what to expect, and it literally does only take a few minutes."

• Car...
• July 21, 2015

For Birth Control "Was on Microgynon for two years because of heavy periods, and while it worked, I was awful at remembering to take it. So I heard Mirena could be an alternative, and after a bit of research reading both really positive and really negative reviews, I figured it was different for everyone and I wouldn't know unless I tried it myself. I was a little scared as not only have I never had a child, I am a virgin (age 20). But I took two paracetamol and went in completely relaxed, listening to music. If you stress, you will tighten up and it will inevitably hurt more. Yes, it hurt, but for about 5 minutes. I bled the first day, but not since. It's been three months, no spotting or bleeding at all. Incredible, best decision I made. Pain killers + relax = success."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the Mirena inserted about 2 months ago. The insertion itself wasn’t as bad as I thought, just the aftermath is what sucked. Really bad cramps that lasted maybe a day. Other than that, it has been OK, on and off spotting and brown discharge, cramps sometimes, and I've just been having a constant, coming and going dull ache in my uterus. I don’t know if this is normal, but it is really affecting me. Wish I wasn’t feeling this, or I would have loved to keep it in."

• kar...
• March 9, 2015

For Birth Control "I had Mirena inserted after I had my daughter, and it hurt for the first day, then nothing, never felt it. Ever since I had it in, I never had a period (which was nice) and never had a problem with it besides I could never feel the strings, but my doctor told me she cut them short on accident."

• Mir...
• April 13, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Minor bleeding for a few weeks after in situ. After that - none at all. Don't even know where I am in my cycle - no pain or bleeding. Only cost $30 for 5 years! Feel sorry for those who don't have one!"

• Rel...
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena coil fitted in August 2018 for heavy periods. I was informed that it would NOT cause weight gain. The insertion was really painful. Immediately, I had major contraction pains that took my breath away. These went on for nearly two months. I also had an insatiable hunger. This lasted for 3 months and then every 2 weeks thereafter. I also bled seriously heavily for the first 3 weeks and then had light bleeding every day. Back and hip pain was also a permanent fixture from day 1 of insertion. I also had mood swings that made me feel very anxious and angry. My stomach was ALWAYS bloated and really uncomfortable every day with mild and sometimes severe cramps. I weighed myself. Despite not putting on weight in the 3 years previous to the Mirena, I'd gained 12 pounds within 4 months of having the coil fitted. It is now January 2019. I've just got back from an appointment to have it removed. My stomach pain has already disappeared. Please think very carefully about having one of these things fitted."

• Rel...
• January 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena coil fitted in August 2018 for heavy periods. I was informed that it would NOT cause weight gain. The insertion was really painful. Immediately, I had major contraction pains that took my breath away. These went on for nearly two months. I also had an insatiable hunger. This lasted for 3 months and then every 2 weeks thereafter. I also bled seriously heavily for the first 3 weeks and then had light bleeding every day. Back and hip pain was also a permanent fixture from day 1 of insertion. I also had mood swings that made me feel very anxious and angry. My stomach was ALWAYS bloated and really uncomfortable every day with mild and sometimes severe cramps. I weighed myself. Despite not putting on weight in the 3 years previous to the Mirena, I'd gained 12 pounds within 4 months of having the coil fitted. It is now January 2019. I've just got back from an appointment to have it removed. My stomach pain has already disappeared. Please think very carefully about having one of these things fitted."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the second Mirena that I have had put in, and I love it. The insertion was very painful, and I had some cramping for a few days, then nothing. I have not had a period in 7 years, no breakthrough bleeding/cramping/spotting. I also have not noticed any significant weight gain like some people do with certain birth controls. Removing the first one after 5 years was also a piece of cake, not nearly as painful as putting it in! I love it! Probably will put another one in (which would make 3) if I still need it by then. I'm 43, not sure what the rules are about age and the maximum amount of years you can have this."

• Mom...
• January 24, 2010

For Birth Control "I got the Mirena two years ago. I love it. With 4 kids at 32, I wanted to keep my options open, in case I win the lottery. At first, it hurt. It felt very uncomfortable as I could feel it inside. My husband said he could feel it at first, but now it doesn't bother him. I suppose it has adjusted or softened somehow, but I feel the string still. The period was annoying, long, short, spotting, and now no period at all! I had success with the Norplant in the past and was looking for an alternative with the similar levonorgestrel hormone. My mood was off the first year, but now wonderful. My weight went up the first year from 153 to 168 but went to 155 at 1 year 6 months, at 2 years I am at 148 lbs. Give it a year!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I am totally happy with getting mine done! I have not had a period at all since getting it done in January 2015. I would recommend you have pain meds readily available before and after getting it done. It does hurt. I have some cramping every once in a while. But totally love it!"

• COb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had the Mirena IUD for 6 months and am pleased with my choice. Upon getting it, I was sore the next day but functional. I had mild side effects for the first 2 months, including spotting, cramps, back acne, and a general blah feeling. The side effects were mild and intermittent. Within 2 months, the side effects never returned. I stopped getting my period, which became less and less each time until I stopped having one after 2 months. My first period on Mirena was heavy and painful, lasting about 5 days. My second lasted 3 days and was mild. My third was light spotting and then nothing since. I have not gained weight, but I haven't lost any either. My weight seems pretty fixed on this IUD. Once the mild side effects were gone, I truly forgot I even had an IUD. Very happy with this choice and glad I stuck it out the first few months. So, no periods, no lasting side effects, no pregnancy, and no need to remember to take a pill... Worth the 2 months it took my body to adjust."

• Sar...
• February 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I was talked into the Mirena by my OBGYN at 19, and it ended up being one of the biggest regrets of my life thus far. The insertion was painful but short-lived. A few months into having the IUD, I developed terrible acne, something I’ve never experienced since I had been taking the generic version of Yaz starting at the age of 15. I went back to my OBGYN with complaints, and she convinced me it wasn’t my Mirena to take more medicine (spironolactone) to fight my acne. And within a month, my face was 70% cystic acne. I couldn’t go outside or act like a normal college student because of my severe insecurities. I still have some deep acne scarring three years later. Other side effects I noticed with the implant: on one instance during intercourse, I felt immense pain that I assumed to have been my Mirena shifting. I went from a size B bra to an A with the Mirena. Now back on Yaz, I’m a size B again."

• Mam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2016

For Birth Control "I was super nervous for my Mirena insertion and for no reason! The process from start to finish was about 2 minutes, and I had zero pain. The most significant discomfort was the speculum, which was mild. I highly recommend Mirena to anyone looking for long-term, low-maintenance birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Insertion painful but bearable and recovery time was fine. But, Mirena gave me severe acne and pretty bad pelvic, lower back, and uterine pain. During intercourse, it would cause nauseousness because I could feel it moving (even though the website and doctors tell you that’s not possible). I was so confused because all of my friends who had them loved them. Went in for regular and vaginal ultrasounds to test for endometriosis, tested negative. Finally, after 16 months, decided to get it removed. All of the symptoms listed above went away. I’m not saying to never use the Mirena (no horror story here and many people love it), just if you have gotten it in and are unhappy with it, trust your gut, your body is trying to tell you something. Better safe than sorry."

• Jav...
• February 14, 2020

For Birth Control "Worst choice ever, wouldn't recommend to worst enemy. Got placed in August, and now it is February. I am still bleeding since the day it was placed. Ovarian cyst caused by it. Pain from wearing a pad day in and day out. Cost from buying pads/tampons to use daily, which in turn lately has off and on caused peeing to hurt from the pad causing injury. Loss of interest in sex, all good things. Now need to go to the doctor on a regular basis, which costs money to get ultrasounds for that. Pain and discomfort want the stupid 'insert curse word here' out. The reason I was put on it was misdiagnosis from the nurse practitioner, who said because of the epilepsy medication I was on, it would cause me to need an abortion if I became pregnant, which was incorrect, which annoyed the OB-GYN to no end. So it's the nurse's fault I am where I am, gave medical advice she had no business giving as she clearly didn't have the knowledge to give. Sure, before the thing, I had heavy periods that needed double protection, but at least it didn't last seven months straight and with other issues."

• Nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 20, 2021

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the Mirena to help control heavy periods. Having it put in was a little painful and some spotting for a few days. Although it helped with the heavy bleeding, I had terrible pelvic pain. I spotted almost every day, and I never knew when it was coming. The cramps were unbearable at times, I couldn’t take it. When I had it removed, it was like a relief off my body. I had it for like 10 months hoping something would change, but it just kept getting worse. I’m so happy I got it taken out."

• Lin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "My reason for being on Mirena is endometriosis and pelvic floor dysfunction. I’m on my second Mirena IUD since 2016. I’ve had 6 surgeries due to my endometriosis and done pretty much everything FDA-approved as well as a clinical trial. I was diagnosed 16 years ago. My first Mirena was inserted during a surgery I was having. I bled for about 6 months after, but my pain wasn’t as constant as it had been my whole life. I was also on the pill so that I only had a period once every 3 months. My period was still terrible pain-wise, but it was only unbearable during my period. It got expelled at the end of the summer, and I got my second one put in about 3 weeks later. Every body is so different, so what works for some people might not work for you. I will say that the one treatment that changed my life, aside from the Mirena, is pelvic physical therapy."

• Dee...
• October 30, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had Mirena inserted on 10/7/15 for heavy vaginal bleeding. I am 50, have had 2 children, and have to say the insertion was painful. Since insertion, I have been bleeding nonstop along with heavy cramping and low back pain. The side effects have been horrible for me. I have had major mood swings, anxiety, decreased appetite, and no desire for sex whatsoever. I have recently been experiencing a stabbing pain in my right side, which leaves me doubled over in pain for a short time. I had an ultrasound to make sure the Mirena did not move and was causing this pain to occur. Thankfully, all results came back okay. I have an appointment on 11/3 to have it checked, but I am going to ask the doctor to remove it at that time, not worth it to me."

• Sun...
• July 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I got this birth control because it was free for women under 25 in Canada. It seemed the simple solution to birth control. I had my Mirena inserted in early August 2018, it was very painful, and cramping lasted the night. It’s now July of 2019, and I’ve been bleeding heavily since. If the birth control is designed to make you feel so filthy you couldn’t imagine having sex, then it works perfectly. Who knows if it works because I haven’t had sex since my insertion? I’ve had a handful of days where my bleeding was light. I’ve had enough of having tampons in, pads, all of it. I’ve had my Mirena checked at 3 and 6 months, it’s in the correct place without complications, and I have no explanation as to why I’m still bleeding. The cramps got better, but now that I’m 10 months in, they’re coming back. Horrible, I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Get more info before you have something inserted into your body."