Mirena and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Ale...
• April 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I opted to get Mirena after my birth control pills caused my high blood pressure. The shot made me gain weight and really did a number on my bones. Implanon was just a disaster, and I was running out of options. I was a little reserved since I have not had children, and I knew the risks and side effects. I have not had children, and I have a small cervix. These factors made the insertion very painful. I almost jumped off the table in pain, and I almost passed out. I lost feeling in my hands and was dripping sweat. I was given pain medication after the procedure, but I did get sick about an hour afterward. I threw up as soon as I got home. I bled and was uncomfortable for a week or so, and then it stopped. So far, I have not had any problems."

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 10, 2019

For Birth Control "My experience was not a good one with Mirena. I had high hopes because I heard so many great things about it being helpful for heaviness, which was my reason for getting it. Immediately, I bled on and off for months. I couldn't tell if it was a period or an in-between flow. It was constant. Discouraged with it, I asked my doctor to remove it, and she advised me to give it a year. Well over a year later, still no change. I developed a vitamin D deficiency, which was so concerning my doctor put me on a 50,000 milligram prescription. I also developed chin and jaw acne, weight gain (which is impossible to shed), hair loss, a rash on my arms, pretty severe depression, and exhaustion. Needless to say, after many inquiries to remove it, I finally had it removed today. I would not recommend Mirena."

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

For Birth Control "Just got the Mirena put in today. It hurt, a lot. It's been about fifteen minutes, and I'm still sitting in my car in the parking lot. The cramps are killing me. I'm 45 and was previously on the depo shot, which I hated having. I've had a lot of irregular periods, even month-long periods, and weight gain with the depo. Fingers crossed the Mirena works better. I'll keep my post updated."

• Nat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the Mirena Nov 2018. After the painful insertion, I felt some cramping, but it only lasted about 2 days with minimal spotting. At first, it was smooth sailing, no discomfort, nothing. It felt like nothing was even there, no periods. Fast forward about 3-4 months, it started to go downhill. I became extremely depressed, I gained 25-30 lbs from November to now. My sex life was nonexistent because of the pain I would experience during intercourse. I experienced almost every side effect of this birth control. I'm having this removed first week of August. I would rather set a timer and take the pill than have something messing with my body in ways that I've never experienced. I hope this helps everyone. I wouldn't recommend this at all."

• Jad...
• May 24, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After years of having my periods every 2 1/2 weeks, I decided to try the Mirena as a last option. I've had it in for 6 months. It's so great not to be bleeding all the time, but I'm not sure if it's the Mirena, but I have gained weight and I continue to gain it, and it's freaking me out. I've been exercising and eating really well, but I've slowly crept from a size AUS 14 up and up. I actually probably eat less than before the Mirena. Going to the doctor to suss it out. It's not just the weight gain, though. My hair has thinned dramatically. Next step, hysterectomy."

• Mar...
• August 22, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have had the Mirena since May 9, 2019. I have endometriosis. The first few months were terrible: heavy bleeding, mood swings, and depression, and I gained 10 pounds. Now, however, my mood has stabilized, I have dropped 3 pounds, and I do not get my period. Happy days. We are women, and we weather worse things every day other than a chin pimple or some cramping. I think if you give the Mirena a few months to allow your body to adjust to the hormones, you should be fine, and not having your period makes it worth it. If this does not stabilize, however, have it removed. Every woman knows her own body."

• Reg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I wish I had read some reviews about this product rather than just following my MD's recommendation to have a Mirena placed to control my extremely heavy and long periods (12-20 days). Since I was spending more time bleeding than not, I was confident that anything would be better than that. I was wrong and am seriously considering having it removed even if it means going back to such awful periods. While my periods are now light and manageable, they are still consistently 14 days long. The worst parts are the weight gain and mood swings. Despite training for a marathon, including often burning 1,400 calories in a single run, I continue to gain weight. The bloating is unsightly and frustrating, while the mood swings have a huge impact on family."

• lol...
• December 17, 2016

For Birth Control "After reading the reviews here and seeing women having the same experience I had on the Mirena, I wanted to share my experience too. PROS: Excellent birth control! My fiancé and I have enjoyed not having to worry about babies and just enjoy each other. Very convenient, set it and forget it birth control. CONS (mind you, this is my personal experience and everyone receives this birth control differently): painful insertion, had cramps the rest of the day. Painful menstrual cramps. Irregular periods. Weight gain. Painful acne that left scarring. I am prone to migraines and actually had them more often on Mirena. Severe fatigue."

• kmd...
• August 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena placed at my 6-week postpartum visit in May 2014 after my second child at the age of 25. My husband and I knew our family was complete. I discussed birth control options with my OB-GYN - Mirena, Essure, and the pill. I opted for the Mirena after asking tons of questions, which he was very honest about and told me out of the 5 he puts in, he might take 2 out. I knew that wasn't good odds, but I will give it a try. He inserted it in no time with no pain. I have had it in for about 15 months now and absolutely love it. I haven't had any weight gain, no crazy hormones, no cramping, and best of all, no spotting or periods since day 1. I hope my success continues like this for the next 4 years with it inserted."

• Fyt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using Mirena for 3 years. After initial spotting, I have yet to have a period. Once in a great while, I'll spot a little bit. But I'm having it removed as soon as my husband gets a vasectomy because I am carrying around 15 extra pounds, and my mood swings have been bad for all these years. I work out 5x/week and eat clean 90% of the time but cannot lose the weight. I am sick of it. I can't wait to be free of this. It was a good, convenient form of birth control, just not for me anymore."

• 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!!!"

• Sag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I have my Mirena in for just over a year, it was marketed to me as a hassle-free, effective contraception. However, it personally did not work for me, it caused severe period-like cramping. As well as this, it gave me ovarian cysts. I also noticed that it made me gain around 7 kg and made my skin break out. I experienced no bleeding while I had it in, and it was overall cost-effective (insertion/anaesthetic charges aside). I wouldn’t personally recommend it to people. I got mine removed this week, and I feel absolutely amazing, did really how sluggish it made me feel."

• 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)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been using Mirena for about a year now, and I've been waiting for the awful symptoms to go away, but they have not. Acne, tired, bloated, nausea, cramping, headaches. I've also gained a lot of weight. I thought the symptoms would go away, but they haven't, so I'm seriously thinking of having it removed. Everyone's body is different, and I am sad it didn't work for me. I'm thinking about just getting a tubal. I already have two little boys, and I'm pretty sure I'm done having kids."

• all...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I got the Mirena in March 2015. My doctor informed me of all the symptoms I would probably get during and after the procedure. The procedure was 10 minutes, really easy. I went straight to work after. I didn't really bleed, which was weird since I've never been pregnant. After a month and a half, I started spotting. This went on for like 4-5 months. Sometimes it was daily, other times it was barely anything. It honestly sucked, but my doctor did mention that to me before my procedure. Now I love it. My periods are either super light or nothing. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't like periods and wants contraception, lol. Oh, and I only gained like 3 pounds for how much craving I got."

• hli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I had Mirena for about 2 years before I decided enough was enough. I was bleeding for the first 2 weeks straight, but after that, I never had any bleeding at all. It wasn't until after 6 months that I had severe acne, anxiety/depression, and had gained 20 lbs when I had not changed my exercise routine or eating habits. I'm an aesthetician, and none of my remedies and practices could get rid of my acne. I had zero history of anxiety or depression. It became so bad I started to disconnect completely from my circle of friends. When I removed it, my doctor immediately put me on the pill again, and the doctor was very annoyed that I had it removed. I immediately started to feel like myself again as soon as she pulled the strings out! Avoid this IUD."

• ARe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena inserted at my 6-week postpartum checkup in August 2014. The procedure was easy, no worse than any other OB/GYN experience. The first couple of months, my period was abnormal, but eventually, I had little to no periods at all (which is typical). The only negatives I have about Mirena are that it does hurt sometimes during sex if the intercourse gets a little intense. Also, I am completely convinced that it is the cause of my weight gain. I had lost all of my pregnancy weight and plus some before I had it put in. Since having Mirena, I have gained 40 pounds."

• 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."

• Sup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I need this thing out of me ASAP. Great for not getting pregnant. Gained so much weight it upsets me when I look in the mirror. I go to the gym, cannot shake the weight. Sharp ovary pains, and my doctor doesn't want to have it removed even though I complain about a lot of stuff since I got it inserted. My doc is trying to say it's IBS, and here's some antidepressants and counseling. I'm bleeding much more than before too. Sucks."

• 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!"

• Ted...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I got my Mirena inserted on 9/14/18 and weighed around 120 lbs at the time. I’ve checked my diet logs from before I got the Mirena and was usually between 115-120 for the previous years. It’s now been 4 months, and my weight has gone up to 133 lbs! My diet hasn’t really changed, and now on top of weight gain, I feel puffy and bloated most days of the month. I’m debating whether to get it taken out because it works, and I don’t really have a period anymore, but I don’t like the way I look and feel."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 16, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 27, married, with one child who is 7. I had my first Mirena inserted at my 6-week check-up after his birth. The first 5 years of use were amazing. The insertion did not hurt at all, as well as not having the normal cramping and spotting after insertion. I haven't had a period since. My problems have come from the new Mirena I had inserted 2 years ago. I have had significant weight gain, anxiety, my hair has changed texture, my skin is oily, and the mood swings are horrid. I wish this time around was as good as the first. I hope this will help others because I feel like I am going crazy, and now I know it is not just me."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2012

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm 48 years old and had the Mirena for 4 years now, it totally stopped my period, and I was very pleased due to heavy bleeding. I have had dizziness, weight gain, and lots of acne, hair loss, etc. I'm getting it removed a year early. It took a toll on my body, but everybody is affected in different ways."

• Jad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Had Mirena put in 12/16 for pain/heavy flow. Pill made me crazy. Suggested Mirena for 'much lower dosage.' PROS: 1) Lite cycle, 0 cramps. No pg. CONS: 1) Spent 2.5 yrs bleeding or spotting, or desert-dry down there. NEVER had that problem. 2) Hair shed in excess, like postpartum. 3) Weight gain. Convinced that IUD hormones force body to convert muscle to fat, refuse to let go of extra lbs & obliterate willpower. I'm up 10 lbs & lost ALL muscle tone. 5) Tired ALL THE TIME. Feels like first trimester. No energy. All I want to do is lounge/nap. 6) Other: hot flashes, dryness, flabby belly. OBGYN says fake menopause goes away with removal. Digestion issues: never had a problem with gas before. Spotting with severe itch. No infection. I've asked PCP to run labs looking for thyroid, Lyme disease, etc. All normal. 5 more days till removal & SUPER excited. Can't wait to see what happens going hormone-free again!"

• CNM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I have loved having my Mirena for almost 3 years now. I prefer it to the regular non-hormonal IUD because it greatly reduced (almost diminished) my monthly bleeding. As a health professional (nurse practitioner), I have recommended and inserted this to many women seeking long-term forms of birth control. The initial pain/cramping at insertion was helped by the use of ibuprofen before insertion and for 24-48 hours after. However! I have gained a lot of weight after inserting my Mirena (which didn't occur when I used the copper IUD - lost 25 lbs with that one). So it loses marks for that reason as far as I'm concerned. If you have a tendency to gain weight easily, I'd be careful. I know a lot of women that are happy with it without problems."