Mirena and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2012

For Birth Control "It seemed too good to be true. And for me, it was. I loved not having periods and nothing to remember, but it's caused severe depression, insane weight gain, hair loss, and tiredness. I never thought these things were caused by the Mirena. I wish I had done my homework."

• Kga...
• September 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I've experienced all of the symptoms that you don't want to have, cramps, pelvic pain, weight gain. My sister has the Mirena, and she has no issues. However, I felt horrible from the first day up until my removal date, 2 1/2 years later. I experienced severe mood swings, depression, dark thoughts, severe anxiety, pelvic pain and cramping, severe bloating and headaches, dizziness, and weight gain. People would constantly ask me if I was expecting because of the belly bloat. When I went to have it removed, it came out in a way it wasn't supposed to, making my ob-gyn believe it never fully opened up and was inserted incorrectly in me. Overall, I had a bad experience, and I am doing so much better than when I had it in me."

• Mus...
• August 26, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I suffer from extremely heavy periods (changing a night pad every 15 minutes). Mirena lightened my period, but it now lasts 12 days (I’ve had the Mirena for a year and 8 months). I find the bloating unbearable. I also feel very depressed on it. I would much rather go back to the pill."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2009

For Birth Control "I am reading other users' comments because today is the day I have my first Mirena taken out and intend to have a replacement put in immediately. (Hoping it won't be as painful as the first time in Aug 2004 - although this time I might take painkillers before, as some others have reported doing). Of interest to me was the report by some that symptoms started to creep in as the end of the 5 years approached. I have had significant weight gain over the last year or so but put it down to a more sedentary job, eating out, and more regularly drinking wine. I also suffer from clinical depression. Now wondering if both are related to the looming expiry date?"

• Isa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 14, 2022

For Birth Control "Anxiety, fatigue, feeling of extreme tension in body, hair loss, insomnia, bloated belly, acid reflux, brain fog, difficulty focusing, food intolerances, water retention, feeling depressed, dizziness, vaginal health impacted."

• Spa...
• August 16, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my 3rd device, and I have had the Mirena for over 13 years. On my 3rd insert, my gynecologist asked if I have been depressed, and I said yes, thinking it was because I was working full-time, a single mom, and was tired. I finally had counseling and felt good again, but after a few weeks, I was drained. However, during these years, I was deeply depressed and had severe anxiety issues, on medication, and after speaking to my female doctor, we worked out it was the bloody Mirena, all those years of feeling awful. Use condoms instead, trust me, it's not worth it. I am 41 and love being myself again."

• Dia...
• November 24, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "After speaking with my doctor and doing my research, I decided to try this Mirena to control my long, heavy periods. Big mistake. After 6 months of constant bleeding and depression, I've decided to have it removed. I would rather have 5 days of heavy periods than to go 2 to 3 weeks and experience mood swings."

• tif...
• June 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I had this birth control for 3 years now, and it was processed and painless. I barely get periods and cramps. But I noticed I've been gaining weight, and it's been hard to lose. I've been having lots of mood swings and always feeling angry and depressed, but a crazy sex drive."

• ak1...
• May 29, 2017

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got the Mirena inserted to treat heavy bleeding and to prevent pregnancy. Before this, I was taking birth control pills (Sprintec) and stopped because they were causing significant hair loss and depression. Since I have stopped using them, my hair has been growing back in. I have also noticed that I don't feel depressed as often. Mirena has been effective at preventing pregnancy, but the dark brown discharge I get every single day makes me feel so disgusting that I have no desire whatsoever to have sex (it only stopped when I went back on the pill with the IUD but returned after 3 months when I stopped the pills again). To people who have menorrhagia: please reconsider getting the Mirena IUD."

• Kru...
• February 3, 2020

"This is my second IUD. First time was fine, no true problems. Now this second time around is a whole different story. I’ve had issues nonstop. Had it put in again Dec 23, 2019, and have had nonstop spotting for over 1 month. I did end up having my period too, which was awful, extremely heavy. I did start having horrible lower back pains, I never thought it would have had any association with the IUD, but it did! I also had terrible stomach issues, bloating, decreased sex drive, mood swings, depressed. I did go back to my doctor to make sure the IUD was in place, which indeed she said it was. Like any other doctor, they will say that it’s normal and your symptoms should get better with time. Well, no thank you. The IUD is out now! Trust your body."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2018

For Birth Control "I had Mirena for 1 year. After having the device put in, I had mild cramping, etc. Side effects that came after were terrible, I had extremely bad mood swings, depression, and my hair became brittle and fell out! I have always been a good weight, but in a year I gained. I was 120 lb, and by the end, I was 140 lb ... I couldn’t get the weight off. I also had terrible pain in my uterus, fever and chills, and felt very tired. I then got it removed and feel way better!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had the Mirena for 3 1/2 years. It was very painful to have it put in, but I haven’t had a period since-well, up until 2 months ago when I started cramping and bleeding. I went to the doctor, who told me this is normal and nothing to worry about. Now I have my period every month for a few days again, like clockwork, but lighter and shorter than before I had it put in. I have recently started gaining weight (could be age/diet/activity), and I have always dealt with anxiety and depression, which hasn’t increased or decreased on it. I wish they would have the warning that you can get your period again after so long, so I knew not to freak out."

• Pra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2018

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have almost constant bleeding since insertion in October for treatment of adenomyosis and menorrhagia. I finally stopped last week after a 17-day period, and then 4 days later I started again with sudden, super heavy bleeding; i.e., no spotting to start, straight to frank bleeding with big clots. I have been unable to tolerate other BC methods, either bleed more or get depressed. I was hopeful this would work for me. I'm 38 and have 3 kids, so if just like a hyst at this point."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena placed in March. It was a little uncomfortable, but only during the procedure. My period was light almost immediately. Fast forward until today, and I’ve had an increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, went to the ER and was told it was anxiety and dehydration. Nothing in my life has changed since March! Everything is dry. My eyes, my skin, my hair is brittle, and I feel like I shed like a dog, my hands and toes always feel like they are falling asleep. I bruise like crazy. The mood swings and dark depression suck. It may be that I cannot tolerate this amount of hormones, but I can’t feel the strings anymore and will see the doctor on Monday."

• adv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2019

For Birth Control "I wouldn't recommend the Mirena to anybody! To say this was recommended to be contraception with the least side effects is scary. I've had this in for 3 months, and I've constantly bled heavily. I've experienced mood swings, depression, and acne on my face and body. I've booked to have it out next week, even though the nurse said all I've said above has nothing to do with the coil. Really?"

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Absolutely terrible experience on Mirena. I bled 120 days straight, gained 30 pounds, became severely depressed, and was in such a dark place within my mind. I called my doctor for a removal, and she refused. I got it removed anyway, which was totally painless. My gyno wanted a note from my psychiatrist showing it was causing my symptoms before removal. I only started seeing a psychiatrist because the depression was so bad in the first place. I can’t wait till the hormones get out of my system and I get back to normal."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "This drug quickly eased the horrible pain and bleeding of endometriosis. I felt free...but very slowly, I started to develop depression and anxiety. It’s all so slow and subtle, it’s hard to put two and two together. It took me about 6 months before I was thrown into a deep depression. I had it removed yesterday. This morning, I awoke with no anxiety and grateful to get my life back. Everyone is different, and hormones affect people in different ways. Just know this can happen...you’re not crazy! Good luck!"

• ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2012

For Birth Control "I live in the UK, so hooray for the NHS. Anyway, I wanted to write this little review just because most of the time you only hear reviews from people that had a horrible experience! I would just like to say that yes, the Mirena hurt when it was put in for like a minute, then I felt a bit sick after and then crampy for the rest of the day, gradually getting better (I've not had childbirth!), but I don't regret having it one bit. My periods have stopped altogether, and I don't even need to think about it. I used to get really depressed on the pill for no reason, but now I just feel normal. It didn't work some amazing magic and make me lose a load of weight for me or anything like that, it just did its job, which is awesome."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2015

For Birth Control "Every month, bleeding twelve plus days. I've had it for three months, and no sign of it stopping. Very bad cramps, like stabbing. A lot of chicks like this, but I don't think it was worth it at all. Had me more depressed. I wanted to get rid of periods that lasted six days, now forget it, two weeks... Hate it."

• nit...
• October 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my 3rd child last year and wanted effective contraception I didn't have to think about. I thought it was so great I recommended it to my sisters. I was very concerned about putting on weight after my third child, so I definitely asked my doctor if it was a concern regarding my Mirena, and she definitely said the risk was minimal. One year on, and I have put on at least 13 kilos after my pregnancy!!!! I also feel quite depressed and emotional. After checking in with my two sisters who had also got Mirena, we realized we'd all gained weight since getting the IUD. Not happy!"

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2011

For Birth Control "I am 23, with no kids and have had the Mirena for almost the full 5 years now. I got it inserted when it first came out, so it was new to the doctors. The actual insertion was uncomfortable, but about 10-15 minutes later the pain was unbearable. I had to call my doctor (I actually thought I had to go to the emergency room). Anyway, after THAT, I loved it, until now (I had never read any more reviews after I got it). But now for the first time today I have, and I can tell you that I am going to be getting this out as soon as possible. I am very depressed, hair loss, absolutely ZERO sex drive, moody, tired ALL the time...and the list goes on. I wish I had read these reviews sooner to see that people are experiencing the same symptoms. I want to feel like myself again."

• Hea...
• August 14, 2015

For Birth Control "Been on Mirena for almost 2 years now. Insertion was painful. Felt like very bad cramps and was bleeding for 2 weeks, but after that, my period completely stopped. It was the best thing ever. Did not have many side effects. I am a very active person and always conscious about my weight. Since the beginning of this year, I've started to notice watery discharge, heavy mood swings, depression (cried about everything and anything), constantly feel like I've swollen a balloon, no one is allowed near my tummy, and picked up about 5 kg in one month. Went to the doctor yesterday and Mirena caused a very big cyst filled with hormones - no wonder! Could not get it out yesterday so I'm scheduled for an operation today. Just want to feel normal again! Would not recommend!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2012

For Birth Control "So glad I looked on here. It's been 3 months, and I have also lost a ton of hair, no acne, but really depressed and high anxiety! I did just have a baby, but I was doing great up until I got the birth control. I feel like a hot mess, and I need to be put in a padded room. I was losing weight before Mirena, and now I'm gaining (not happy about this). I feel tired and sad. I'm calling my doctor as soon as."

• Sno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Had the IUD inserted as it seemed an easy, safe option. Low-dose progestin dosed directly in the uterus where needed. At 42, the 5 years of birth control sounded great. My symptoms started 2 weeks after insertion, which proved painful but manageable. I suffered from horrible fatigue. I had the worst lower back, leg, and hip pain for a couple of weeks. Then the constipation hit. I dealt with that on and off for two months. I suffered gallbladder attacks, but the ultrasound and functional tests came back clean. I lost my appetite from the abdominal pain and nausea. Then the depression, anxiety, and panic attacks hit. Hoping to recover. It did stop my periods and prevented pregnancy."

• Ann...
• September 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been a size 8 all my life, never putting weight on. However, after getting the Mirena coil, I put on 3 stone that I could not lose despite belonging to a gym and eating very healthy. Other side effects included terrible mood swings, debilitating migraines, depression and anxiety, hair loss, and some spots. I had never suffered from any of these conditions before the coil. Blood tests show my hormones are totally out of whack, which certainly explains my symptoms. When I had the coil out, the strings had been cut too short, meaning I had to have an instrument pushing through my cervix into my womb, the pain was so bad I cried. I was never told or advised about possible side effects/removal issues. I think health care professionals push these things onto women without giving them all the objective information needed to make informed decisions over their own bodies!!!!"