Mirena IUD Birth Control – To get or not to get?
Posted on | September 23, 2008 | 40 Comments
Since Lily was born I have become progressively more worried about the possibility of getting pregnant again. Obviously the pill doesn’t work for me and, short of tubal ligation, there are only a few other options. When you are breastfeeding you can only take the mini pill. The chances of getting pregnant on the mill pill are 1 in 20, although when you are breast feeding your chances of getting pregnant are much lower to begin with. What if Lily wants a baby brother in the future? 
I’m not interested in getting a shot every 3 months nor do I want to wear a patch. That leads me to an IUD (intrauterine device) also known as an IUC (intrauterine contraceptive).
So, for those of you who are not opposed to taking birth control, here are the facts on Mirena IUD. Some of this information comes from my doctor like the price but most of it is from the Mirena handbook she gave me.
Pros
- More effective than tubal ligation but removable. Tubal Ligation is 99.5% effective while Mirena is
99.9%. - About 1 in 1,000 women can get pregnant in the first year of Mirena compared to the mini pill (which you can take while breast feeding) where 1 in 20 women can get pregnant.
- You can take it while breast feeding.
- You don’t have to worry about taking a pill, getting a shot or doing anything for 5 years. (That’s my favorite part.)
- If you decide to have a baby you can take it out and you have the same chances to get pregnant as someone who hasn’t used Mirena or other birth control.
- FDA Approved. Has been around for 16 years and used by 12 million women.
- Periods can become lighter or disappear.
- Low hormone levels.
- Mirena Does not cause weight gain.
Cons
- The cost of mirena without insurance is about $700 up front. Although if you look at this from a 5 year
perspective it costs $11.66 a month (cheaper than the pill for me with insurance) but if you only use it for 1 year it’s $58 a month (more expensive than the pill). So it’s a better option if you are waiting long term to have a baby. Some insurance plans cover part of the cost of Mirena. For example, my co-pay would be $148. (Update: my co pay ended up being $0. So my Mirena didn’t cost anything.) - You have to have had a child to use it. So this is a con for those who haven’t had a child.
- You have something hanging out inside your uterus for 5 years or however long you have it. The idea of a foreign object inside is a little weird.
- You have to check for it once a month yourself.
- The first few months you period may be irregular and you may bleed consistently. You can also expect to miss your period at any time while on it. This can be scary.
Mirena Side Effects
During the first 3-6 months there can be side effects from Mirena but it says they usually decrease over time. They include: bleeding, spotting, cramps, back pain, headache, nausea, acne, breast tenderness, mood changes (so far nothing I didn’t have on the pill) or ovarian cysts. With the ovarian cysts is says 1 in 8 women may get these but they usually disappear on their own within 1-2 months.
Thoughts?
What are your thoughts on the Mirena IUD? Do you have it or are you considering it as an option? I making arrangements to get it sometime in the next week or two. I will let you know how it goes.
Related posts:
- Mirena IUD Update
- Mirena – I Got It
- The First Week With Your Baby
- Election Issues Affecting Women in 2008: Health Care
- Recovery in the Hospital
- What I miss and do not miss about Pregnancy
Comments
40 Responses to “Mirena IUD Birth Control – To get or not to get?”
Leave a Reply
September 23rd, 2008 @ 9:21 am
My doctor mentioned this to me, but I chose not to get it. I guess I just felt weirded out about having some foreign object inserted in me…
September 23rd, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Great research though!
September 23rd, 2008 @ 10:54 am
I felt the same way about having a foreign object in me…so I opted for a tubal. Hmmm now I have 2 foreign objects in there. Guess I should have done my research before hand. LOL
September 25th, 2008 @ 5:20 am
Does it prevent implantation after conception? That is the rub for a lot of prolifers.
September 30th, 2008 @ 7:25 am
[...] not bad at all. I did a lot of research on it before hand. (You might want to read my post on the pros and cons of the Mirena IUD/IUC.) The procedure took about 5 minutes total and didn’t hurt. Yesterday, after it was put in, I [...]
November 20th, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Everyone, stop worrying about this IUC. It’s not as bad as you think and you can’t even feel anything once inserted. Breathe, relax, you’re good.
December 16th, 2008 @ 5:02 am
I have the mirena….which i probably shouldn’t after reading more about it…i have never had children before, and i keep reading that its not for me…but its been in for two years so whatever.. i hate it. i am SOOOOOOO MOODY, i have gained like 20 lbs, even though my husband is constantly telling me i work out too much and i don’t eat enough, i bleed sporatically and for long periods of time, i cramp constantly….and when i went in for my annual, they said it was in place just fine and normal!!! why can’t men take a pill? i am going to invent the men’s birth control so that we can get some releif!!!
December 16th, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
The IUC is not as bad as people make it out to be. I have it. The weight gain comes NOT eating, which is just as bad as eating too if you’re not careful and don’t watch what you eat. You HAVE to eat small portions and healthier food and work out to lose/maintain your weight.
These days, a girl hormones make you crazy, moody, irritable but it’s gonna happen. Hormones suck! I am the same way. But I do agree that the mirena isn’t right for everyone. It just depends on the body and how your body takes to the IUC. The moodiness can be a chemical imbalance, like depression. Not saying many of you are depressed, just giving you an example.
I have the mirena because I was diagnosed with “polycystic ovarian syndrome”, which causes weight gain and constant bleeding, among other symptoms. The IUC so far ha helped me with the bleeding but for others that it hasn’t helped, don’t lose hope. Read more into this syndrome that cause all kind of negative symptoms. Everyone of those symptoms is what I had/have.
January 7th, 2009 @ 12:27 am
i have had the mirena now in for 1 month and 21days. I had just finished my period now! it was a crazy long time for me i was freaking out wondering if this was normal,and it turns out it is, iam glad i have gotten the mirena. i have less cramps, mostly none. i have headaches but they arent from the mirena, i’ve had these for a while. my back is a little more achey but not something i cant deal with since i’ve had done so since i had my son. overall i think iam happy with the turn out of the mirena. i cant complain with any of it. i am going to the doctors for my first check up since i’ve had it inserted just to be sure everything is fine lol.. the research done on this is amazing! i’ve done my research on it before i have gotten this and i was satisfyed with this. kudos to this information put up here and great work!
January 26th, 2009 @ 10:46 am
I got the Mirena IUD in July 2007. I have no complaints. It’s been great not having to take a pill everyday. I never had any serious side effects. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy form of BC.
February 6th, 2009 @ 9:57 am
I’ve had Mirena for 1yr. I don’t know when my period will come, but when it does I have a week long headache…..which I never had before! My face stays broken out….which I never had before! I find myself to be a little moody at times…..which never happened before! It didn’t take long for the procedure, but it hurt like h**l. So, I was thinking if it hurt that bad going in, how bad is it going to hurt coming out….so I asked my doctor….she said it hurts worse coming out than going in. WOW, so not only did I pay out of pocket for this IUD I was told was great(the Mirena websit, yes I did my research) but it’s going to hurt worse to get it taken out than it going in. Not looking forward to that at all…..but, I have decided if my headaches don’t get better it has to come out and the husband will get a procedure done. HEHE!
Make sure you ask every question before you get this done! While it’s great when it works the way it is supposed to, the bad, for me, out ways the good!
February 6th, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
I got the Mirena IUD and besides missing the regularity and intensity of flow of my period I felt reassured my womanliness, I love it.
I have not had a child yet and was able to get it, no problem.
March 25th, 2009 @ 9:01 am
I really liked the way they came off
March 25th, 2009 @ 10:10 am
I just got the mirena implant yesterday and I am actually home from work today because the cramping gave a horrible sleepless night. Less that 12 hours later I feel fine, but I was indeed hoping for male birth control while gazing at my sweetly sleeping husband at about 2 AM!!!
I wanted to mention that it hurt worse than I had imagined. Apparently the pain is supposed to be similar to a bad contraction (I wouldn’t know as I have not yet had any children) My doctor mentioned that mine was a pretty rough implantation as I have had no children and I am also the proud owner of a tilted cervix. But unless anything else goes horribly wrong I am glad I went through with it. It worked out to be much cheaper and easier than oral birth control. And since I didn’t go crazy on those hormones, I think I won’t go crazy on these….
April 4th, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
I’ve loved mine! I’ve had it more than 3 years now. I’m about to get it taken out next week though cause I want to have a baby
it didn’t costme anything either! I love it! Didn’t feel anything after ti was put in, no serious side effects (I had worse with the pill and depo shot) and I haven’t had a kid yet and they still let me get it! I love it!
May 13th, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
I decided to have the iud after my second little girl. They are only 17 months apart.. and i wanted to wait a while before my last child. I thought it would be perfect. I had it put in.. felt like a contraction. It’s been about 3 months and my baby is 4 months old now. I have horrible mood swings, i cant sleep at night, i’m depressed, and my stress level is threw the roof. Its all i can do to get dressed and out of the house. I have cramps, backaches, headaches, and i have a period about every 28 days but it lasts like 2 weeks… then starts over again. I’m thinking seriously about getting it removed. I have had a cyst due to it and that was painful. Its affecting my life and nothing like the pill. I would rather remember that thing everyday than deal with this thing!
June 18th, 2009 @ 5:05 pm
Does anyone know if they can insert the IUD while you’re on your period? Anyone do this before?
June 18th, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
DesignGrrrl: yes you’re normally required to get the IUD [IUC] while still being on your period.
July 13th, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
Hey i have a question. My baby is now 3 months old and i havent started my period. Me & my boyfriend have had sex since about 5 weeks after our baby was born but never used a condom he just always takes it out before he gets off. Im really scared but i have occasionally had cramping and i have acne just like a normally do around my period time. But i used to start the very last week of every month so by now im about 2 weeks late which is exactly what i was the last time i got pregnant! HELP!
July 13th, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
Hi Megan!
Thanks for the comment. If you are breastfeeding you may not start your period right away and they say it is harder to get pregnant – definitely still possible though. I actually didn’t start my period until after I stopped breast feeding, which was about 9 or 10 months after I had my daughter.
Good luck!!
Amanda
July 16th, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
[...] September of 2008, I posted about the Mirena IUD and later (after I got it) I posted about that too. They have been so popular and I recently [...]
August 2nd, 2009 @ 4:40 am
Hi! I had my Mirena put in December 2005 and will have it removed in December 2010. I LOVE it! The insertion did hurt real bad and I almost passed out afterwards. I have not have children before but the doctor did mention it was like having contractions. My periods stopped completely after having it put in. I only get the occasional ‘brownish spotting’ once a month, but no actual flow. I forget what tampons look like…lol. So all in all, the pain of having it put in was WAY worth it! I will be having another one put in when I get this one removed in 2010. Good luck girls!
August 9th, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
i have the IUD and it works i have not had a nother baby in 2 yrs.
August 26th, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
I hate my iud. Had it for 9 months want it out.cramps every day, acne like a teenager, so bitchy, cant sleep , headaches all the time, hip and back pain, i feel pregnant. Wish i would have never listened to my doc. Wanted a tubal but bc i had 4 four and umder he said recovery might be bad, but i feel after 9 months im still not recoverd. And the string pokes my husbands who who . Never recomend to even my worst enemy
September 11th, 2009 @ 10:26 pm
I got the mirena about a year and a half ago. It hurt for like an hour when I got it put in, but after that…no complaints. I get my period about every three or four months. Even though you do not know when you are going to get your period, mine is only ever about two days and the first day is always very light. I have no cramps, but my only complaint is that I can not feel my string. I went back to the doctor for the six week check up and he said everything was in place, so maybe I just have a high cervix. Has this happened to anyone else??? Bottom line is that I would definately reccomend this because it is so much easier that any other birth control. I tried the patch which always came off in the pool, the pill which I took faithfully and still had my daughter, and I gained 65 pounds in two months from the depo shot. I love the mirena.
September 20th, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
I have a question i have had the iud for about 6 months and not all the time but sometimes after intercourse i bleed. I has happened more than one time. I also never check it im i really suppose to every month? I remember the doctor told me to check it every month myself but im not brave enough to be puting my fingers in there. Do u think i can get pregnant on day since i dont never check it?
September 23rd, 2009 @ 12:14 am
i have had mirena since march of 08 and everything has been fine until now… i feel pregnant but ive taken tests and they come up negative. it scares me. but i feel sick and my back hurts alot i have chills and dont know if its just side effects or something worse? im not ready for anouther baby yet…
September 23rd, 2009 @ 8:46 am
I would like to know why they don’t recommend it for women who hadn’t had a baby yet?
I am 23 years old. Have been sexually active for the past 4 years. I normally have a very heavy painful period, and wouldn’t mind not having it. I am in a sexual relationship at the moment, and my partner and i doesn’t want kids for another few years.
But i would like the comfort of knowing i am safe and free to have an unrestrained sexual relationship with my partner.
I miscarried 2 and a half years ago. Would that have an influence too?
October 21st, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
I have had Mirena for 18 months….I have had no problems, a little weight gain….definitely do not want anymore children….I am 41 years old and my youngest is 19…..last month I had a couple of days that I “spotted” very lightly…..just wondering is this normal???
November 12th, 2009 @ 9:02 pm
I have had Mirena for right at a year now and I bled for 3 months at first.. then spotted some.. now I never have my period. The only thing is I get small cramps when it should be that time of the month which is fine with me! I am a big baby so yeah it hurt me going in.. guess I am really going to hate getting it took out! I weigh about the same as I did before I got pregnant so no weight gain for me at all. I have always had headaches before Mirena so I dont blame it. I just hate having to check it every month! My cervix is tilted so my boyfriend has to check it because I can barely reach it. It seems to work though and Im fine with it
November 13th, 2009 @ 12:17 am
if i haven’t had a child yet, and get the mirena iud, is there a chance that i would’nt be able to have a child later on when i truely want one???
November 20th, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
@ s – You can have children after you take Mirena out. I think the effects are like any other birth control.
@ Holly – I believe spotting is normal. I stopped getting my period after a few months on mirena but sometimes have spotting around the time I am supposed to have my period.
@Marili – I am not sure why they don’t recommend it for women who have not had children. Some of my readers say they have been able to get it and have not had any children.
@Nayeli – I think checking it makes sure it is still in there and in the right position. If something happens to it then you could possibly get pregnant. However, I am really bad about checking mine too!!!
@Megan Gray – I am sure you know if you are pregnant by now since you posted your comment a few months ago! However, after having a baby your period can be irregular, especially if you are breast feeding. I didn’t have my period until I stopped breast feeding my daughter.
Thanks for all of your comments ladies!!! Have a great day!
November 24th, 2009 @ 4:31 am
I’m looking into BC. I have two children and I’m done!!! I’m looking at two options right now tubal and mirena. My GP told me that having a heavy period means that when I get the tubal my periods will be even heavier.
I don’t know if I like the idea of not having much of a period I do belive its good for a women to bleed it’s cleaning her body. Ive taken birth control in the past and it makes me crazy. I don’t want to go through that again. And what’s with this string? Will my Husband notice it inside of me when he’s making love to me?
Im on the fence when it comes to mirena.
November 25th, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
CHIA…I’ve had the Mirena for almost 2 years. I’ve had headaches from out of this world and irregular bleeding. My doctor wants me to wait the full 2 years before I decide to get it taken out, she says things may get better and since it cost me over $600 to get, she didn’t want me to be wasting my money taking it out if my body will adjust to it. My husband does fill the string when he’s making love to me, but he says it’s ok. I one of the few women that like having her period once a month so my body will clean itself out, with the Mirena it is slowing going away and I never know when I will start bleeding, it just shows up whenever. I have a little under half a year to go and will more than likely be getting it taken out.However, my GYN had one and she loved it. She told me she’s heard no inbetween, her patients either love it or hate it. Really depends on how your body will except it. I do wish I never had it inserted and she did tell me that it would hurt worse coming out than it did going in, which is another reason I haven’t gotten it taken out yet. Good luck, just trying to help.
I wish I never crossed over the fence!
November 25th, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Thanks for your comment Contesss. I agree, I feel it is natural to have a period each month. That is one of my issues with Mirena also – in addition to the added hormones – it is the only reason I don’t like it. Other than that I have been ok with it. I personally wish I would have looked into the copper IUD. Thanks again for your insight.
November 25th, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
Hi Chia! Thank you for your comment. The nice thing about the IUD is that is it just as effective as tubal. You can also look at the cost comparison. I am not sure how much tubal costs. The string isn’t so bad. I could feel it at first and so could my husband. However, I don’t anymore. My doctor said it can be adjusted/cut if it is too long. It doesn’t hurt, you just know it is there. Kind of like a slight poking? Not sure how to describe it. I don’t feel it anymore though. Good luck!!
December 9th, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Hey, i have a question.
I had my son in may.
I asked my doctor if the insertion would hurt really bad and she said no?
All you can feel is cramping right?
And do you have to still use condoms after you get on it?
December 17th, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Hi Lindsey,
The insertion does not hurt that bad at all. I guess it depends on your pain tolerence. But if you’ve had a baby then it won’t feel more than a pinch.
After you are on it you do not have to use condoms. There is some bleeding at first but that goes away.
Thank you for the comment!
December 17th, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
I have the morena and its great! The reason you shouldn’t get it if you haven’t had children is that it is extremely painful to insert. I had my first morena before my daughter was born and it was as painful as labor! Plus your body is more likely to reject it. I had it out to get pregnant and I just had another one put in today. It was so easy, took 5 min and barely any pain! It works by not allowing sperm to reach the egg so it’s not like you get pregnant every month and it just doesn’t implant or something. Although that would happen if sperm could reach the egg but it’s not likely. Also the hormone only works locally and hardly gets in your blood stream.
December 28th, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
I had to be dialated(spelling might be off) and it hurt real bad… And the first week was aweful and my Dr told me it was normal. It is not. I got laid off and now I can’t figure out how to get it out. I can’t afford insurance or the Dr bill and I am freakin out a little.