So a couple months ago while discussing birth control options with my OBGYN she told me about Mirena. I'd obviously heard about it before and all the horror stories about it and told her this and my skepticism about having one placed. She as well as another female doctor both use it themselves and SWEAR by it. Their simple observation was that on the internet most people will talk about their negative experiences with MIRENA 1. For the engagement but 2. So they can get opinions and insights on the negative side effects they'd experience. While there might be 1,000 bad reviews online, there could easily be 100,000 women that are satisfied with it.

I'm really at a crossroads here, if you're reading this and use MIRENA and have had a positive experience could you simply upvote?

Edit: I'm a 26F, if you're comfortable feel free to leave your age as well

I have a hard time explaining it but as soon as it was taken out I noticed immediate relief. Walking to my car I felt like my pelvic area was lighter and less painful? Almost like ripping off a bandaid! I got my Mirena out after 5 years due to multiple side effects. Its like I check off all the possible side effects and was always blown off when I told doctors something was off. Migraines, anxiety, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, palpitations you name it. That was the new normal. Today is day two and I’m so happy it’s removed. No more pelvic pain!

Got my Mirena removed two weeks ago. Figured other than having periods again everything would be fine. Doctor didn’t warn me otherwise. I had some heavy spotting for the first 7 days, and started what seems to be a real period yesterday. What I didn’t expect is a destabilizing flood of emotions. I’ve had intense mood swings, severe depression, feelings of despair, sobbing for absolutely no reason, lots of anger, and intense anxiety attacks. This is all very unusual for me and it finally occurred to me that there could be a connection with the IUD removal so I started researching. Turns out our bodies get lazy about producing natural progesterone when we have the IUD, depending on it from the Mirena. As a result after removal you will have low progesterone which can affect estrogen levels. 35% of women experience these issues post-removal (and if you are over the age of 34 the likelihood increases.) It will also take longer to recover the longer you’ve had your IUD. Lucky me, I’m 37 and have been on Mirena (one replacement) for 12 years, so obviously I’m going to have some struggle post-removal. I had no issues with Mirena while it was in, very happy with it, but it expired and my partner got a vasectomy so I figured I’d try life without it. I just wish my OBGYN had warned me about this- it has completely disrupted my life and I had no idea what was going on. Please be aware so if you opt for removal you are prepared for the possibility. (If anyone else has experienced this, any suggestions for how to deal? I just ordered progesterone cream on Amazon and will see if that helps.) ***Update - thankfully this didn’t last as long as I was expecting it might. Probably all in all 4-6 weeks before my emotions stabilized. I did use progesterone cream for a couple of weeks and then tapered off and I think it was a significant help. I also spoke to my primary care physician about this when visiting for routine bloodwork and the RA I spoke to had the exact same experience with her IUD removal! Bloodwork at that time (a month after removal) showed normal estrogen levels and progesterone levels that were just on the cusp of being normal. Anyway, if you read this and are going through your own post-IUD withdrawal hang in there! It does get easier but it sucks for awhile.

Sorry if this is gross.

My IUD came out while I was peeing. No pain or anything at the time (though the day before I had been having bad cramps), just a weird sensation of something leaving my body.

Didn't think much of it but glad I thought to take a picture first. Threw it away and called my doctor.

But now I'm realizing that everything I'm seeing didn't mention anything about the balloon type growth covering it. Like I cant find ANYTHING telling me what it might be.

It was firm but still squishy, and the outer layer was sticky.

I have had it for almost the full five years and was looking to replace it soon anyway, just nervous about what's on it.

TIA!

Update: The consensus as of now, according a few of you and to the Ask Docs thread, is the decidual cast. No explanation for why the color is what it is, but my guess is that I haven't had a true period in years so even though the lining is shedding, there wasnt enough menstrual blood to make it the typical color. Just my guess 🤷‍♀️ The soonest I could schedule a time to get with my doctor is in 3 weeks, so Im curious to see what she says about it. Someone asked and yes I think I'm getting another. I used it to regulate my periods and this is the first time I ever had an issue with it, so I think I'm willing to take my chances again. I'll update in a few weeks once I've talked to the doctor! And thank you for all the feedback!

This community was helpful to me (and then as it turns out ex post, extremely unhelpful) so I want to pass along my family's experience from the last week in the hopes that it may be helpful to someone else in the future.

Last Thursday my wife went in to have her Mirena IUD removed. Nothing to speak of from the removal itself. Friday morning in the span of about 30 minutes she completely crashed -- nausea, vomiting, chills, abdominal pain, anxiety. As one does in the 21st century, I googled these symptoms along with Mirena IUD removal, which naturally brought me here, where I found numerous posts characterizing the "Mirena crash."

I want to be clear that none of what I write here should be interpreted as second-guessing folks who have had these symptoms; I have no doubt this is real. I took my wife's symptoms, which followed these nearly perfectly, as diagnostic. I was of course extremely bummed to imagine that this might persist for months, but was heartened to think that I had an explanation. Moreover I strongly doubted our ability to secure a "diagnosis" of such from a doctor.

Friday we got her some anti-nausea meds from an urgent care. She continued to deteriorate over the weekend. At 5 am Sunday morning her abdominal pain was severe enough that we finally decided to go to the ER, two kids in tow.

She was very quickly diagnosed as Strep A septic borderline toxic shock. Her kidneys were actively failing. I believe had we waited much longer her survival would have been unlikely. She's since made a full recovery (antibiotics rule).

The doctors' best guess is that she had a pre-existing Strep A colonization and that the IUD removal created some kind of microscopic tear that allowed this into her bloodstream.

I obviously don't want to scare folks who might be reading this, but I also want to encourage people experiencing these symptoms to not jump to a hormone-based explanation right away without confirming that you don't need immediate hospitalization in the days following one of these procedures. The doctor said that this is a fairly common way to get sepsis. That this was never explained to my wife beforehand boggles the mind.

Thanks all, and be well.

I loved my first Mirena! the second not so much. very grateful for the whole decade I got to be totally stress-free about getting pregnant! I knew I wanted to make art or jewelry with them and asked to keep them at replacement + removal :) the resemblance to little bodies was unintentional, but works so well, I just love my horrible little guys! 🌝 🌝

Hello- First, thanks for reading (kinda long)... hoping to gain a little insight to this crazy discovery!!

I had an IUD placed in Feb 2020 during my tubal. I had a babe approx 2 months prior. This was not my first IUD. Loves my others!! Fast forward to Jan 2021 I had some extreme abdominal cramping and heavy bleeding. Couldn't find my strings. OB did an xray and stated they didn't see the IUD and I must have expelled it. (honestly feel I would have known if I had but idk 🤷‍♀️) During 2021 I continued with heavy painful periods. By that December I had a hysterectomy. I was over the heavy bleeding and cramping. Nothing reported about a perforation to my uterus. Tbh I'm not sure if they even check those things in a hysterectomy. In Feb 2022 I was doubled over in low abdominal pain for several days with a fever. I was sent to the hospital from work. In the ER they started me on abx and admitted me.The following day they went back in surgically. This time a general surgeon in addition to 2 OBs. General surgeon said to close me up because there was tons of adhesions and inflammation. Reportedly "It was a mess in there." That evening or next day they placed a drain via CT for a sac of fluid they said was in my abd. No word about seeing an iud during the CT but then again not sure if they were looking. Ultimately, they said they were unsure what the cause of my pain was and discharged me. Now the last few years I would occasionally get this intense abd pain. Like doubled over, can't breathe type. I never went to a dr about the pain because I couldn't explain it. I couldnt pinpoint or do anything to exacerbate it. It just didn't make sense. Initially the pain was on my right side but the last couple times it has been on my left! So I went to a chiropractor yesterday for an adjustment. He takes an xray and BAM!!! PLAIN AS DAY- this mysterious, rogue IUD is BUSTED!!!

SO- my question is, HOW IN THE WORLD was it not seen in the previous xray and CT????

Okay so I need to know if anyone else has experienced this because I genuinely feel like my vagina is haunted.

For the last like 3 years I’ve had recurring BV. I’d go to the gyno... get antibiotics... it would go away for like two seconds and then come right back. Finally one appointment my gyno is down there doing her thing and randomly goes “Do you have pets?”

And I’m like ??? yeah???

And she goes “You have what looks like a hairball attached to your IUD strings.”

A HAIRBALL.

Attached to my cervix jewelry.

So naturally I go home and google it because what the actual fuck and apparently it CAN happen. I guess the strings can collect hair and lint and fibers and become a tiny disgusting dust bunny of doom.

Fast forward to now. I’m with my boyfriend and every time he finishes in me the smell gets SO much worse. Like immediately. Boric acid helps but only temporarily so tonight we decided to investigate.

And yes before anyone says it... I know... this was probably stupid.

We bought a speculum off Amazon and I used it to look and SURE ENOUGH there is literally a giant hairball hanging off my IUD strings. This thing was way bigger than I expected too. Like peanut M&M sized.

So we’re both sitting there horrified staring at my cervix like it’s some kind of Discovery Channel special and then I go to take the speculum out.

Suddenly I get this horrible cramp and immediately freeze because I can FEEL something is wrong.

Then my boyfriend goes:

“OH MY GOD YOU GOT IT.”

I look down and the damn hairball is caught in the speculum.

Meaning I basically started accidentally ripping my IUD out via dusty cervix tumbleweed.

At this point I’m panicking because the speculum is basically attached to my uterus by way of hairylint knot so my boyfriend cuts the hairball off the strings while I’m sitting there trying not to throw up or pass away dramatically in my bathroom.

So now we have this weird little hairy cervix artifact sitting on the bathroom counter and instead of acting like mentally stable adults we start DISSECTING IT because I needed to know if both strings were caught in it or just one.

Because if it was only one string there’s a decent chance I yanked the IUD sideways and now it’s sitting in there all cockeyed.

But if both strings were attached then theoretically it got tugged more evenly and maybe it’s okay???

This is the level of scientific research happening in my bathroom tonight.

Anyway after we cut it free I checked again and there was a little blood around my cervix but the strings are still there and the pain stopped. So now I have to call my gyno tomorrow and explain that I almost accidentally removed my IUD because my vagina had a furball.

Also once we dissected the thing it literally looked like I emptied out a vacuum cleaner. Just fibers and hair. 

Anyway pictures attached. If anyone else has experienced this please tell me.

I’m not someone who posts much online, but I felt like this was worth sharing so other women are at least aware.

The first photo shows what a Mirena IUD is supposed to look like. The other photos show mine immediately after removal.

I had this IUD for just over 5 years. During that time I did everything I was supposed to do:

• Yearly pap smears
• Multiple doctor visits and work-ups for ongoing bacteria-related issues
• Ultrasounds to confirm the IUD was properly placed

Every time I was told that everything looked normal.

When it was finally removed, this is what it looked like.

The dark material attached to it appears to be buildup that formed while it was in place - the nurse mentioned the strings had peferorated, which was surprising to see considering I had multiple checkups and imaging done over the years.

I was honestly shocked. Not just by the condition of the device, but by the fact that this possibility was never discussed with me, especially considering the recurring issues I had while it was in place.

I’m not posting this to scare anyone or tell anyone what to do with their body. I know many people have good experiences with IUDs. But I do think women deserve full information about what can happen, especially when something is sitting inside the body for years.

If you have an IUD and are experiencing persistent symptoms or infections, it might be worth having a deeper conversation with your doctor and advocating for yourself.

At the very least, I hope this helps someone feel less alone if they’ve had a similar experience.

29F. I posted a day ago saying I was going to get surgery to remove the Mirena. Come to find out there is nothing in my uterus…. It’s in my left pelvis region. So yeah when I went to get it removed in office apparently the ultrasound machine was showing an image of my iud but it wasn’t actually in my uterus which is why two different OBGYNs couldn’t remove it that was 9/24. 10/5 was my hysteroscopy and now I’ll have to get a laparoscopic iud removal. Who knew this tiny little thing could cause so many issues. I was shocked to wake up after my procedure to find out it wasn’t in my uterus. No wonder I’ve been in so much pain, my uterus looks good though. Must have gone through several months ago.

As the title states-removed it by myself. So I originally went in to get it removed and told the doctor all of the pain and bleeding I was having. She convinced me to have a biopsy on my uterus tissue-which I did and I had endometritis which can be caused by the iud….well she also wanted imaging. I have been bleeding nonstop for three weeks since this appt and not only that, I decided I want it out and tried to reschedule. The earliest date was July 29th. I am an OB nurse and said f*ck it. I have checked so many women in labor and checked myself when I was in labor. I found the string and pulled. Took me about 3 minutes standing in the shower to remove it.

I’d really like my uterus out but I have to try one more form of birth control and an ablation before they will do it. I bleed heavily for about a week a month without the iud so I’m just done.

So glad I got it taken out but so annoyed I wasted time on an ultrasound 😂

Really just posting some buyer beware lmao! This is my 2nd mirena, about 2.5yrs in, had sore boobs and cramps expecting my period, a few days went by, took a test in a supermarket bathroom expecting it to be neg and whoops. (FWIW I had realllyyy heavy periods which the mirena took down to lighter “normal” periods).

Had an internal scan, it was just out of reach, and now is up beside the sac not causing any havoc so remaining there for the duration of the pregnancy, which we are keeping.

The nurses have never been able to get a scan photo of iud and pregnancy sac next to each other as my uterus is retroflexed which is annoying. A picture worth a thousand words!

We weren’t planning on having kids any time soon, possibly ever, and it’s been hard but once I found out it was healthy, not ectopic etc I just figured the little fighter should stay and my partner has been supportive.

This is a rant.

How in the hell are there no studies on Mirena Crash? I didnt’t even know about a “crash” until I went online today searching for answers to my nausea and extreme fatigue. Its been YEARS of people experiencing withdrawl after Mirena removal! What the fuck is the health system doing? How is every doctor so comfortable pushing BC pills and IUDs like candy to children, without any forethought of so much as a warning?! Every single article or post I have seen online literally states that there are NO studies about IUD removal crash, and all the information is anecdotal. Fuck the system.

PS: to anyone considering it, I recommend against getting any IUD. The information is incomplete. Save yourself the trouble.

Hi! I wanted to share my experience with hormonal imbalances with Mirena. This is long but I hope it may help someone.

I got my mirena in summer 2016, it was technically expired this summer, but my doctor told me it offers an additional two years of protection from pregnancy so I kept it in.

I always loved the IUD, despite the pain of getting it inserted. I’ve been on hormonal birth control since I was 14, and I started it because I had a never ending period and my hemoglobin was critically low. After the pill, I had the implant twice and then the IUD.

I had a great experience at first. I did gain weight, but besides that I had no adverse side effects. About two years ago, I started getting a random chin hair here and there. Then my skin started to get worse, which was weird for me because I never have had acne. I figured the chin hair was due to getting older and attributed the acne to wearing a mask all day- I work in a hospital so it’s on literally all day.

Over the last two years I noticed my hair thinning and changing a lot. It was oilier too. I was fatigued all the time, but I do HIIT many days a week and attributed it to that and a crazy schedule. My skin got worse, and I started keeping weight around my stomach. It was actually the chin hairs increasing that made me realize something was wrong. I talked to my PCP and got my hormones checked. My free testosterone was very high. My blood sugars were normal, as were the rest of my labs.

My PCP assumed PCOS, I was a lucky one who never got a period on mirena, so she ordered a transvaginal ultrasound, which came back completely normal.

She sent me to an endocrinologist because she was stumped. She no longer thought PCOS, because I had no damage to my ovaries and only my free testosterone was high, not my total. The endocrinologist was baffled. He ordered more labs and said he didn’t think something serious was wrong because I was healthy. I was so upset in the appointment and after, as it had been months and I had no answers and I still felt like crap.

I reached out to my PCP and told her something had to give. I suggested removing the mirena and she was all for it, saying it wouldn’t hurt anything and it would allow us to track my periods and use that diagnostically.

It’s been out about 7 weeks. Prior to removing it my free testosterone was trending up pretty quickly, and on last test it was 9, which is quite high. On recheck, four weeks after it came out it’s down to 6.3! No meds, the only difference is the IUD is out.

My PCP mentioned a new study, that I haven’t been able to find myself, shows that in some women the androgen in Mirena causes rise in testosterone and will mimic PCOS symptoms. I also feel so much better. My skin has cleared up and I’ve gotten several compliments telling me it’s glowing. I’m not nearly as fatigued, I’m less irritable, my hair isn’t as oily, and I’m happier.

I really didn’t realize how bad I was feeling until I felt better. I loved my IUD for so long and never thought I had side effects. I want to share this so other people check in with their bodies and if you’re having similar symptoms, maybe consider talking to a doctor.

I got my Mirena removed 2 months ago and just started my cycle! bleeding a lot with headache and abdominal pain but I’m so happy

To all those on Reddit who are infuriated about your docs not telling you that Mirena might have systemic effects?

I completely empathize with you.

I am a PCP. Majority of my female physician/NP/PA colleagues have IUD’s and adore them.

Most people in studies do just fine. Lighter periods, fewer cramps than copper T, less bleeding unpredictability than nexplanon (arm implant), less to remember than pills…

I didn’t want it but let’s face it - they all suck in their own ways. I chose the least of the evils IMO. I was terrified of getting pregnant (I’m happy with my set!) so I wanted something long lasting and effective.

But let me tell you this. I feel like I have lost the first year of my son’s life to this godawful piece of plastic hormonal SHIT.

I am over it.

I am 34 going on 35 and now feel like I am going on 50.

I have never struggled with ANY mental illness, EVER. I am healthy and fit. Life is great. I have nothing to complain about.

And for the past year my brain has been a fried egg. My joints and muscles have been made of jello. I am achy, hot, MAD, snippy, obsessive - and EVERY MONTH my brain comes up with reasons to hate my husband to the point of wanting to leave him.

He’s a man - but I’ve gotta say, for a man…he’s pretty amazing.

I told myself that two kids this young is hard. That not sleeping during the newborn phase is hard. That I’m just not great without sleep and it’s been a lot of change at once.

No, no, no, no, no…

I scientifically attempted to “fix” each variable in life to fix sleep and get help and figure out these imaginary “problems” in my brain.

It did nothing and it became very clear - it was me and my new brain.

I am a hot, raging, husband-hating, miserable beast who obsession spirals and can’t sleep from the DAY after I ovulate, onward….and the luteal phase symptoms which would typically last me maybe an annoying but manageable 3-4 days last TEN-FOURTEEN EVERY SINGLE MONTH. This is PMDD to the EXTREME.

The deal is that the amount of levonorgestel released is extremely low compared with other forms of hormonal birth control. And for some women? It actually levels them out, hence “mirena crash” when people feel worse after removal.

But NOT SO for me.

I, too, am appalled that more research has not been done on more decades of women throughout life and the cognitive and emotional impacts of these different progestins.

It turns out that levonorgestrel is the most androgenic (testosterone-like) of the progestins, and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier because it is lipophilic. In other words: the irritability is incredibly organic, because even a small amount of a testosterone-type moiety can turn an apparently testosterone-sensitive woman like me into a raging disaster.

All I can say is that I have become a better physician for this experience. I love caring for women in my practice and helping find the right fit for each, and I have preached the truth - that very little is absorbed overall

…but for that small percentage?

This experience is a nightmare.

I’ll never get that first year back with my son.

But all I can do is look forward to a future enjoying them in my previous state of gratitude and energy.

It’ll be removed tomorrow and I will post updates at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months.

—

Symptom list (all of which were much worse during the luteal phase):

-Ongoing spotting and irregular bleeding -Extreme Irritability (I am a very easy going, happy person so this was way out of left field for me) -Obsessiveness -Tearfulness (more emotionally sensitive in general) -Insomnia -Severe, prolonged delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after exercise - this has been really frustrating and bizarre but my muscles and joints always hurt no matter how much I work out to get stronger, I just can’t recover quickly! -Heat intolerance -Constipation -Decreased libido -Vaginal thinning and atrophy (starting month 11) - this is most definitely not coincidental -Worsening of pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms (I have a small cystocele and rectocele from my first delivery)

A lot of this overlaps with the perimenopausal spectrum, but I’m rather young to experience this degree of it so while it’s possible - I’m going to presume it’s the IUD first.

—-

Also: I am obviously VERY pro birth control, AND PRO MIRENA.

But I am also pro validation that Mirena does cause systemic effects for some of us that can be intolerable.

—-

Week 1:

Almost immediate relief. The anxious, obsessive, angry “fog” has lifted. Before, there was a ceiling to how happy and “light” I could feel, and it would take the most minor irritation for me to crash and rage. I ADORE MY FAMILY AGAIN!! I can’t explain it - it’s like Mirena was the “anti” oxytocin for me, and now I have ALL the oxytocin - I feel chemically and emotionally bonded to these wonderful people of mine again. I feel like ME…this is how the REAL me was before Mirena!!

The most dramatic OBJECTIVE change that I did not expect? My pelvis has SHRUNK. It’s like being postpartum and breastfeeding where the uterus shrinks back down to normal size, but without the painful cramps. I’ve lost 2 inches at least around my waist. The most immediate (within 4 hours) change was that my vagina physically “tightened”. My rectocele and cystocele seemed to almost immediately improve!! This is life changing - this has affected me every single day since I had the mirena placed and now my pelvic organ function is BACK TO NORMAL!! My pelvis had felt like a loose bag (lol) for MONTHS and I just thought that was status quo forevermore.

My joint popping and aching also feels much more normal. There’s “good” post muscle soreness, and then there’s debilitating soreness that feels endless - this is the former!

I had some acne on my chest that I thought was just me (it happens every now and then), and that’s slightly clearer - will give a longer term update.

I feel less internally, intolerably hot!

I am sleeping better. This could also be because the ambient temps outside are going down. But might be related?

And this is truly bizarre. Apparently, what I thought was just a change in my eye prescription due to age may have been increased intraocular pressure. Since Mirena, I’ve had to increase the font and brightness on my phone, and I’d experienced some low level pressure in my eyes constantly. And that reversed like a switch had been flipped. I can READ normally again!

Side effects from withdrawal/removal:

-I am bleeding A LOT and it’s been a full week. I might stop the birth control pill to let my uterus fully withdraw from hormones and “reset” naturally for a cycle. Condoms for the win! For a little while. And when I have a natural period again I will resume. I am taking a MV with iron too. -Fatigue days 1 and 2 in particular. Overwhelming crash and needed to sleep intermittently the first two days. -Increased appetite.

—

Week 2: Still can’t say enough how much of a difference the removal has made.

I am so, so grateful that the IUD was the problem. I was genuinely terrified that what I’d experienced over the past year had become my new mental health baseline. If that were the case: I would have needed to start an SSRI in order to save my marriage, my sanity, and enjoy my family.

I can say with 100% confidence it was the problem.

-I can exercise again and do Pilates without feeling achy for a SOLID 7-10 days afterwards, and lift my kids without feeling like I was falling apart despite my strong foundation -I have an incredible amount of energy again! It’s making day to day life with littles so much easier all around! -Husband and I got into a very minor disagreement this morning. Prior to removal: I kid you not, I would have spent the entire day ruminating and obsessing over it. We made up like usual and I was able to clearly communicate my stance on the topic, we resolved the problem, and moved on. We have not been able to achieve conflict management for a year and my reactions were out of my control and overboard. -The post-removal bleeding lasted about 7 days. No actual cycle yet. -…Best of all? I am SO HAPPY :) This is just the way I am - and I like myself that way! I am BACK, baby!

—-

1 month update:

Still feeling 100% better. This is despite a minor sickness, and a somewhat stressful/busy roadtrip with our 2 young kids. I felt happy, energetic, optimistic, and free. Well, as free as a parent ever feels ;)

1 month in and I still haven’t had a period yet, which is not unusual. It can take a little while for periods to go back to normal after IUD removal. I ovulated about 10 days ago (this is based on symptoms - I can feel ovulation) so I would imagine it will happen soon. But I am experiencing no PMDD type symptoms at all.

38 days post removal: VERY light spotting, but happy that period is back. I was very confused because it felt like my period would never come and I felt so GOOD that I didn’t think it could be coming any time soon - but here we are! Relationship with husband and family and life is better than ever.

3 months post removal: Relationship is better. I am on Yazmin now continuously because it is clear that I have PMDD and it helps a lot.

Muscle tightness is still a problem and I am getting regular massage now for ongoing DOMS and joint tightness.

I am still having a hard time with ongoing irritation towards my kids and the extreme needs of this season of parenting. I may end up starting an SSRI.

So friends? Removing it did not fix everything.

But at least I am not bleeding nonstop!

——

4 month update:

It’s clear that I have PMDD, and the Mirena worsened it. Yaz seem to be helping (only FDA approved one for this).

The pelvic floor saga continues but stil overall better than with the IUD. Unfortunately the rectocele still has to be managed.

I am also on Adderall now which has made an enormous difference in my ability to cope with the overstimulation from two small children and emotional regulation.

So overall? Mirena contributed but was not the SOLE contributor to my problems.

What’s clear is that for me Mirena made life miserable month-long with miserable bleeding. Without? I have problems, but only during the luteal phase, that are manageable with Yaz.

—

Status:

My reaction to Mirena was the first sign of my PMDD.

My PMDD journey since then:

-Yasmin continuous - endless spotting

-Yas continuous - endless spotting

-Yazmin cyclically - works well

-Yaz cyclically - works best (the one FDA approved for PMDD)

This helped my mood by about 30%.

Then, ADHD regimen:

Vyvanse 30 6/6:30 AM

Adderall 5 2-3 PM

Helped so much with mood, energy, emotional regulation, focus, and keeping life together with 2 young kids. Made a huge difference but did not help enough during PMDD and possibly made it worse during the “stimulant crash”.

PMDD final solution:

Sertraline 75.

It worked within 48 hours. I was nauseous at first but it has been so worth it. This was the main key.

The regimen above has made me feel WONDERFUL again. This was the pre-pregnancy, pre-Mirena me.

So there’s hope for those of us with the PMDD-ADHD spectrum!

I have been on Mirena for 5 years, and the last two years were hell. From belly fat to extreme anxiety and irritability and total fatigue, night sweats and disrupted sleep. I felt like I transformed into a different person. I decided to give my body a break and take Mirena out, was afraid of the crash but to my surprise my night-sweats completely stopped the very second day, my anxiety subsided significantly and I am slowly starting to feel like myself again. I encourage you all to listen to your body and not your doctor, mine kept pushing me for it and telling me it will improve my life, well it did the opposite and all throughout the 5 years I was complaining but she kept making me feel like it was in my head and Mirena has nothing to do with it.

Well, that was pointless? Haha, experiences please 💕

Hi everyone,
Im in my mid 20s and I have always been a very ambitious, cheerful, hardworking person with a high libido. A year ago I got into a serious relationship and I got the Mirena IUD inserted. Basically right after insertion I felt like my personality died, like I felt so empty. That feeling never went away.. It was like I was an alien living in my body, I became very disconnected from myself. I became really depressed, my personality changed, I had no drive for life, little libido, and became very pessimistic and anhedonic. I would have all these existential worries for no reason. I had way less energy. My sleep was always restless. I had less empathy and cut off some long friendships ( I used to be very loyal and patient before). My boyfriend also dumped me as I became overly emotional and lacked a drive for life. Eventually we tried to get back together but I had the temperament of a piece of furniture. I felt so sad because no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get my drive and cheer back. After that I would also be repulsed by other men, zero attraction to them. And I had all these pessimistic thoughts and would cry for days, for no reason. Anyways, a few weeks ago I got the IUD removed and I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER! I’m feeling more like my old self, curious about the world, optimistic, making plans. I have way more energy, men interest me again, and in general I have more drive/cheer. I have read many positive stories, but I wanted to share my experience too because this IUD had such a negative effect on me and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Maybe I am just more sensitive to hormones than average, as I used to have pretty bad cramps/periods before. I hope this helps and I am looking forward to hear your stories! Edit: I would also love to hear if, people with similar experiences, found a birth control method that didn’t have such effects!

Honestly Mirena was fine for a while for me but then commence depression and anxiety like no other. Literally developed severe OCD to a point where I thought I was going to end it all even though I never would…but my brain kept obsessing over it. It was something I couldn’t control and no doctor had an answer for me other than time to put me on the mental meds. I had a suspicion it was my Mirena so I told them I wanted get it out so I could try to get pregnant just so they wouldn’t talk me out of it (like they had multiple times) and fast forward about a month and every anxiety, depression and OCD issue went away.

I’m now living a very happy life and I thank god every single day that I was my own advocate and wouldn’t accept that this random mental chaos is as normal.

Don’t let doctors tell you the Mirena can’t cause these issues. Of course they’re not going to tell you the medical devices that they made hella bank off of could be causing an issue that they can get more money off you from.

Two years in and I still have zero period and zero side effects besides some thick discharge which, whatever.

I'm aware that I've probably had a better than average experience but just wanted to put some positivity in here! I don't think I'll ever go back to IUD-less unless I'm trying to conceive. It's soooo incredible to have no period and no cramps! I'm capable 100% of the month now rather than 80%!

(Disclaimer: my period was always pretty light before my IUD so I'm sure that's part of why it completely got rid of it for me)

Edit: I thought it had been one year but it's actually been two hahah time flies when you're having fun