Mirena and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 18, 2022

For Birth Control "This is the absolute worst birth control I have ever taken. I’ve had my IUD for 4 1/2 years, and I am done trying to give this thing a chance. I have had no sex drive whatsoever, my mood swings are off the chart. Depression has been an issue for me: headaches, brain fog, and not feeling like myself have been my experience while using this thing called Mirena. My menstrual cycle was heavy and long for the first 6 months of using Mirena. 5-day cycles turned into 14-day cycles and remained until about 6 months in. After 6 months, my menstrual cycle returned to 5-day cycles with 3 days of spotting afterward."

• UGH...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the Mirena IUD inserted in January 2016 due to heavy periods. With the IUD, my periods were lighter but lasted 2 weeks. My moods changed severely, and I had cramping every day during my 2-week periods. I have developed acne cysts on my face, sex had become painful, and I began to bleed after sex. I had become miserable. Four days ago, I had my IUD removed. The string had coiled, and my doctor had great difficulty getting it out. Since its removal, I started with very light spotting. I am on day four, and I have heavy bleeding, and I am passing HUGE clots. I am experiencing gushing, which causes me to fill up pads within an hour. I'm dizzy, have no energy, bloated, and have a constant headache. NEVER AGAIN!!!"

• Loz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2019

For Birth Control "The worst 6 months of my life were on Mirena. Insertion was horrific, but nowhere near as bad as the next 6 months after insertion. Three days after insertion, I began bleeding, and it never stopped. It changed my mood, I became depressed to the point I couldn't get out of bed or do my job, caused fatigue and brain fog. Libido decreased severely. Honestly, I thought I was going to die, and the doctors wouldn't believe that the coil could be causing any of my symptoms. After 6 months, I had enough and had it removed. Since then, life has gotten better, but libido is nowhere near what it used to be, and depression remains. I was a very happy, normal 27-year-old, and it changed my life. I wish I had never had it put in."

• NCD...
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "Absolutely awful. On Mirena, my periods got heavier and lasted longer. My PMS is horrendous. Complete loss of libido. Cramping lasts two weeks at least, even when I'm not having my period. I've put on a stone and a half in weight even though I have changed nothing in my diet or exercise and have kept calorie counting. I honestly wish I had never tried it. The only positive is I haven't gotten pregnant. I also had a bad experience with the bar (had periods that lasted 3 weeks with only one week off between), so if you're like me in that regard, be cautious about getting Mirena. It really wasn't worth the hassle of trying to get it fitted 5 times only to end up completely miserable with side effects that supposedly only a small amount of women get. I've read so many reports from women online after noticing my own negative side effects that I feel this should be talked through much more thoroughly before fitting. The only reason I gave it a two out of ten was again because I didn't get pregnant."

• Dai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "At first, it was great, no periods, and I didn’t have to think about it for 5 years. Then the panic attacks started. I had to start taking anxiety medication and then had to double it. My hair started to fall out. My doctor said it was stress and yo-yo weight loss. I can’t seem to keep the weight off when I do lose some. Started working out and noticed constant muscle aches, fatigue, and no sex drive. Doctors said it was from working out too much, and I’m a mom, so forever tired. I haven’t worked out for months and still have tender spots all over my body no matter how much massaging and physical therapy I do. I started getting cystic acne for the first time in my life. My hair is noticeably thin, and I haven’t been on a diet in months. My GP did some testing and found out I have no testosterone. My gynecologist waved off my concerns and then suggested I get a testosterone cream from the pharmacy instead of trying to figure out why my testosterone levels are too low to be detected."

• Dai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 9, 2019

For Birth Control "At first, it was great, no periods, and I didn’t have to think about it for 5 years. Then the panic attacks started. I had to start taking anxiety medication and then had to double it. My hair started to fall out. My doctor said it was stress and yo-yo weight loss. I can’t seem to keep the weight off when I do lose some. Started working out and noticed constant muscle aches, fatigue, and no sex drive. Doctors said it was from working out too much, and I’m a mom, so forever tired. I haven’t worked out for months and still have tender spots all over my body no matter how much massaging and physical therapy I do. I started getting cystic acne for the first time in my life. My hair is noticeably thin, and I haven’t been on a diet in months. My GP did some testing and found out I have no testosterone. My gynecologist waved off my concerns and then suggested I get a testosterone cream from the pharmacy instead of trying to figure out why my testosterone levels are too low to be detected."

• Pol...
• December 20, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have had Mirena now for just over 6 months for adenomyosis and anemia caused by heavy bleeding. I am 50 and hoping it gets me through to menopause. I was offered this 15 years ago but kept saying no. But in the end, pain and bleeding, I gave in and thought I would try before a hysterectomy. I had it put in under a general with a D&C performed. Woke no pain at all, a bit of spotting for about 6 weeks. Sore breasts the first 2 months and mood swings. I have noticed a 1 kg weight gain, but that's not much. I do tend to gain fluid each month in the lower abdominal area when I think I am supposed to have a period. Libido has gone, and I'm struggling to orgasm too. Unsure if I like it or not, not much other alternative out there. I also am having lots of constipation."

• bir...
• May 5, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had Mirena since March of 2009 (so a year and a month total). The insertion was a little painful even though I've had 2 children. The first few months after that, I thought it was great. I was getting shorter, lighter periods, cramping was normal. But, over a year, I started to realize my major mood swings. I went from a sweet person to raging. I started to get severe pains in my right hip and side, severe bleeding where I doubled up on the sanitaries and still bled through, no sex drive, and I have had a few instances where I have lost feeling in my legs. I will have it removed. Hopefully, all of this will go away, and I will be back to my peachy self."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2022

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got Mirena to try and treat my severe stage 4 endometriosis and for pregnancy prevention. I have tried so many methods of birth control in the past and have always had bad experiences with emotional issues and depression with birth control, but thought this would be different because it’s more localized delivery of hormones. BOY, WAS I WRONG! I’ve had it for a little over 2 months, my endometriosis symptoms are way worse, bleeding is heavier, and pain more severe (I didn’t think that was possible). I’m anxious, depressed, moody, have zero sex drive, I’m bloated constantly, and can’t lose the last 10 pounds I need to lose. I have zero motivation, I’m ALWAYS exhausted, and I’ve had maybe 4 days in the last two months that I haven’t bled. I have horrible back pain and frequent headaches, pain with intercourse (when we actually try it), and feel completely disconnected. I’m getting removed ASAP."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2022

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I got Mirena to try and treat my severe stage 4 endometriosis and for pregnancy prevention. I have tried so many methods of birth control in the past and have always had bad experiences with emotional issues and depression with birth control, but thought this would be different because it’s more localized delivery of hormones. BOY, WAS I WRONG! I’ve had it for a little over 2 months, my endometriosis symptoms are way worse, bleeding is heavier, and pain more severe (I didn’t think that was possible). I’m anxious, depressed, moody, have zero sex drive, I’m bloated constantly, and can’t lose the last 10 pounds I need to lose. I have zero motivation, I’m ALWAYS exhausted, and I’ve had maybe 4 days in the last two months that I haven’t bled. I have horrible back pain and frequent headaches, pain with intercourse (when we actually try it), and feel completely disconnected. I’m getting removed ASAP."

• jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I had my Mirena inserted on July 20th, 2015, and since I haven't had any kids (I'm 18), wow, it was painful. The whole procedure was very quick! I waited longer in the waiting room. The first and second days were horrible, I couldn't do much because of the pain even after I took strong painkillers. After a few days, I still had pain but not as much. Oh my goodness, my first period with it inserted was the worst, really bad cramping and I bled for like three weeks. Now, after having it for four months, I occasionally get some random cramps and sometimes some mild cramps after sex, but my period is super light now, and I like that part. I am debating whether to get it removed because I have gained weight and my sex drive is just so low now."

• Jar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2021

For Birth Control "I only had it in for a few months before removing. I bled the whole time it was in, had no sex drive, and gained weight. The worst, though, was becoming borderline depressed. I felt blah about everyone and everything. To say hang in there for it to even out for 6 months to a year? Technically works as a contraceptive due to the constant bleeding and not wanting to do anything sexual due to the low sex drive."

• Eve...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 28, 2019

For Birth Control "DON'T DO IT. I had the Mirena for 4 years. I didn’t get pregnant. At the beginning, my periods were heavy, and after two months, they stopped. I got my periods about once a year. On year 3, I started noticing pelvic pain, occasionally pain during sex, and extreme bloating, which meant I was always farting. The gassiness is painful and embarrassing. I had to have about 10 doctor visits last year. I had about 5 vaginal infections last year with an unknown cause. I had to be prescribed simethicone for the gas, which didn’t even help. I had to have a sonogram because the pain was so bad at one point I thought the device might have moved out of place. There is a constant worry that the device will move and penetrate the uterus or that sex will be painful or that you’ll have a pregnancy out of the uterus. I’m now looking for a better option for birth control."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2012

For Birth Control "My Mirena experience has been awful. It was painful getting it placed, but my physician had prepared me for it and provided medication. I had horrible pain starting right after insertion. It's been three months, and I still have severe cramps, spotting daily, acne, lower back pain, and severe pitting edema in my lower extremities, about a 20 lb weight gain. Definitely decreased libido and vaginal dryness as well. I've spoken with my Dr., and I'm trying to stick it out for 6 months. I'm unsure of what I'll do."

• CCW...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 17, 2022

For Birth Control "I got Mirena after my third child was born around April 2020. I experienced frequent and inconsistent bleeding for the first 2.5 months. After, my periods were very light and would last about four days. My issue with Mirena is the weight gain, low sex drive, and moodiness. I exercise six times a week and eat quite well, but I can’t seem to lose the weight. My sex drive is very low, and I never seem in the mood, not even when I have a drink :/ My PMS seems a lot more intense with increased irritability. I made an appointment to get it removed in two weeks. I want to see if Mirena is the cause of these symptoms or if it just comes with age (I’m 32). Research shows it can take three months for hormones to get balanced. I’m hoping to post again for the results. Now I’m off to convince my husband to get a vasectomy, or condoms it is. Pull out game is no bueno, hahaha."

• pzi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena put in March 2020, and at first, it was great. I was going to put a review here after 6 months but decided to wait. Everything has changed since then. I thought the weight I gained was due to quarantine, but it’s from the Mirena. I can’t fit into any of my clothes anymore, and my breasts have almost doubled in size. I’m extremely dry around my vaginal area, and my sex drive is nothing. I can’t feel anything when I’m touched and cannot orgasm. My period is every 18 days and lasts for 10-14 days, it feels like I never get a break. Recently I have been bleeding even when not on my period (filling a pantyliner every day). I have also been extremely emotional, and it doesn’t take much to tear up. Overall, I’m sure that this works for some, but I’m ready to get this removed. I want to feel like myself again."

• pzi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena put in March 2020, and at first, it was great. I was going to put a review here after 6 months but decided to wait. Everything has changed since then. I thought the weight I gained was due to quarantine, but it’s from the Mirena. I can’t fit into any of my clothes anymore, and my breasts have almost doubled in size. I’m extremely dry around my vaginal area, and my sex drive is nothing. I can’t feel anything when I’m touched and cannot orgasm. My period is every 18 days and lasts for 10-14 days, it feels like I never get a break. Recently I have been bleeding even when not on my period (filling a pantyliner every day). I have also been extremely emotional, and it doesn’t take much to tear up. Overall, I’m sure that this works for some, but I’m ready to get this removed. I want to feel like myself again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the Mirena in me for about 4 1/2 years. It's a love-hate situation. I love it because I never got pregnant off of it and haven't had a period since I got it in. But the longer I've had it in, I feel depressed at times, lack of sex drive, and bipolar at times."

• 4...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena IUD in place for 4 years and just had it removed today, so hard to tell if I’m going to feel better or “back to normal” after removal. However, there are a lot of people saying they gained weight with the Mirena IUD. I honestly lost about 15 pounds (went from 135 lbs to 120 lbs) in the first year I had it in. Kept the weight off until about year 2/3 and gained back about 5-10 pounds and can’t seem to get the weight off no matter what I do. Anxious to see how it goes now that it is removed! Otherwise, had frequent headaches, extreme fatigue, complete loss of libido, and moodiness while on Mirena. Excited to see what the future holds without this device!!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the Mirena on November 16th, 2017, and just got it removed today (June 8th, 2021). The insertion was extremely painful. In November, when I first got it, I weighed in at 116 lbs at 5'3, after 6 months, I weighed in today at 131.4 lbs. This was without a doubt a result of the Mirena. In addition, I experienced horrible cramps for 3 weeks every month, my digestion was off all of the time, worsening acne, water retention, increased appetite, extreme bloating, a rash/hives all over my chest, lowered sex drive, sex was very painful and would restart my period, the skin on my nipples started to peel, and I could feel it poking inside of me 24/7. I hated it, I won't recommend this to anyone."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I got the Mirena on November 16th, 2017, and just got it removed today (June 8th, 2021). The insertion was extremely painful. In November, when I first got it, I weighed in at 116 lbs at 5'3, after 6 months, I weighed in today at 131.4 lbs. This was without a doubt a result of the Mirena. In addition, I experienced horrible cramps for 3 weeks every month, my digestion was off all of the time, worsening acne, water retention, increased appetite, extreme bloating, a rash/hives all over my chest, lowered sex drive, sex was very painful and would restart my period, the skin on my nipples started to peel, and I could feel it poking inside of me 24/7. I hated it, I won't recommend this to anyone."

• eto...
• January 21, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have Mirena for over 6.5 years due to my heavy periods because of uterine myomas. I just replaced the new one over a year ago. I had a natural delivery of 3 kids, so extraction, even with hysteroscopy and insertion, was a 'piece of cake' for me. Did not sense anything. The plus sides are that it does the job and I have no excessive bleeding nor get pregnant or have any physical discomfort at all. However, I have several other side effects: bad mood, low sex drive, weight gain of over 25 kg and never gone down (I gained 10 kg in the first 3 months after the first insertion), insomnia (cannot sleep at all without a sleeping pill), my migraines have worsened, all body swelling-particularly face and eyes (like I was heavy crying)..."

• Ano...
• June 30, 2019

For Birth Control "Well, for pregnancy, I give it a 10 for effectiveness, but for side effects, 1. I had it 2 times for a total of 9 years. The 9th year, I was struggling with not being able to lose any weight, no matter how hard I tried. Hindsight is always 20/20, so looking back, I also had low libido for years, never knew why. Not to mention the 70 lbs I gained. I got it out in January 2018 because of the weight gain. I immediately lost 10 lbs in the first 2 months. I did get pregnant in April and still continued to lose, even pregnant. I was not even sick. Now (post-baby), I have lost a total of about 30 pounds. I'm in my mid-30s, so I thought it would be harder to lose weight than when I was in my early 20s (when I first got Mirena), but it's been easier since removing Mirena! Never again. I now have a copper IUD, which is causing heavy bleeding. So I will give it about 6 months. Hopefully, it gets better, otherwise, I'm going for tying my tubes. Don't get this if you're susceptible to gaining weight easily."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had my 2nd Mirena IUD removed NOT to get it again. I have had the Mirena for 10 yrs. The mood swings were horrible, hair loss, I was tired all the time with anxiety, depression, weight gain (125 lbs) that I could not shed with the IUD, no sexual desire, vaginal dryness, yeast infections. You name it, I had it. My doctor at the time would just tell me it was depression (I was going through a lot, so I fell into 'this is my life now' and went with what my doctor told me). We moved, I was tired of being tired. I went to see another doctor and had my IUD removed. I didn't need it, my husband had a vasectomy 6 yrs ago... I just loved having no periods. It was not worth all the other medical problems it brought. LADIES, PLEASE do your research!"

• sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2012

For Birth Control "I am 17 years old, mother of a five-month-old girl. I had Mirena inserted six weeks after she was born. Even since, I have been experiencing increasing hair loss, an increased appetite, daily fatigue, lower sex drive, mood swings, unexplainable sadness. Also, I bled heavily for three months immediately after I got it with lots of cramping. After it stopped, I didn't bleed at all for 2 1/2 months until now, and it's very light, but heavy cramps. I sometimes felt like I was pregnant, despite negative tests. I gained 20 lbs and have headaches."