Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Can you give me your thoughts on Mirena?
Hey guys,
So, I've actually been with my husband since I was 16 years old. And I started on the pill at 16 because my periods were SO heavy and ridiculous. (We also started having sex at that age. I know, soo young) Anyways, we got married a year and a half ago, and I have been on birth control from 16 till just about 3 months ago when I just stopped taking it. I meant to mention, on top of the pill, we ALWAYS used condoms, because we've been way too scared of getting pregnant when we aren't ready. (I also always felt ovulation when on the pill, and i know you're not supposed too, so I figured it was never actually working) I've tried like 4 different types of the pill.
ANYWAY, we are now 24 years old, and we have NEVER had sex without a condom. I obviously would like too, and he definitely would like too! It seems more intimate and just seems to make more sense. I talked to my Dr about Mirena, but she said it was $500 (i think, at least $400 anyway) to get it put in. I want to know your opinions, if it's worth it or not! I've read really good, and really bad things about it!
I honestly just want to have sex with my husband without a condom! lol!
(PS, going off the pill has made my sex drive a million times better, I am always thinking about it and wanting it now, which makes me want to get this Mirena (or something) even more!)
EDIT: I guess i shouldn't say i "feel" ovulation, but I get cramps in the middle of the month, right when I would be ovulating. I track my ovulation and I have mentioned this to my doctor. I told her I get cramps/pain when I'm ovulating and she said "oh that shouldn't happen when you're on the pill, that means you're ovulating, and you shouldn't be" That's why I keep switching pills. "Ovulation cramping" I guess I should call it. I don't know much about Mirena, so that's why I ask.
Re: Can you give me your thoughts on Mirena?
If you didn't believe the pill was working (and I'm going wtf about 'feeling' ovulation... uh, no, not possible*) I don't see how Mirena is supposed to give you peace of mind given that it uses the same hormones.
*You can chart with temps/mucus, but not when you're on the pill because it prevents ovulation. And seriously, you're my age and you really honestly think you 'felt' ovulation every cycle on the pill for 8 years?
If having a physical barrier makes you feel safer from pregnancy, perhaps you could consider a diaphragm or even a non-hormonal IUD (a copper one instead of Mirena)
Hey, thanks for your advice! I know it sounds weird, but I've mentioned it to my doctor. I guess i shouldn't say i "feel" ovulation, but I get cramps in the middle of the month, right when I would be ovulating. I track my ovulation and I have mentioned this to my doctor. I told her I get cramps/pain when I'm ovulating and she said "oh that shouldn't happen when you're on the pill, that means you're ovulating, and you shouldn't be" That's why I keep switching pills. And it's actually not impossible. I've read about it, and talked to my doctor about it, since it happens to me, and it is possible. So please don't assume it's "not possible" when it's something I deal with. I guess I should call it "ovulation cramping".
Anyways, the point is, is that I want to know everyone's thoughts on Mirena.Thanks guys!
Mirena has been great! I haven't had any cramps or side effects. The first few weeks is an adjustment as your body gets used to it, but after that, you're out of the woods for the next 5 years!
I got it about 3 months ago. Insertion was pretty rough. DEFINITELY take pain medicine beforehand.
Some folks with outdated literature will say that you should only get Mirena if you've had kids, but we now know that isn't true.
The only drawback to Mirena is the string that dangles down. Don't mention to your husband that there will be a string, because as soon as he knows its there, he'll be able to feel it. Also, if he does start feeling it, look into getting a diaphragm to cover up the string during sex. Lots of people get the string cut so short that they need surgery to remove it.
I LOVE my Mirena! I've had it two years, and have been entirely happy with it. I haven't really had a real period since I had it placed, and my crazy high sex drive didn't decrease at all - both good things. The downside: insertion was awful. It took an unusually long time, and was quite painful. Afterward, I had SEVERE cramping for about a day, and then moderate to severe cramping for almost a week. However, Motrin cut down the cramps to an entirely tolerable level, and all cramps were gone within a week or so. My BF has never noticed strings or anything, so it isn't necessarily a problem for all couples - I won't speculate on why he can't feel it, lol.
Oh, I wanted to add: my understanding is that no one is exactly sure why an IUD works, but, again, just my understanding, is that it is NOT because of the hormones. The other popular IUD (Paragard) doesn't contain any hormones at all, and apparently has an extremely high effectiveness rate. My doc explained that women with the Paragard IUD tend to experience bad cramps and heavy periods, and the hormones in Mirena help to counteract that - the purpose of the hormones isn't to prevent conception.
Like you, H and I used BC pills and condoms every time we had sex because we wanted to make sure we didn't get pregnant.
I had mirena inserted in February and I love it. The insertion was a little rough and I took some aleve beforehand. I had major cramping the day of insertion. The cramping continued for another week but wasn't has bad as the first day.
We have not had kids yet and my doctor recommended that I try mirena because of my heavy periods and bad cramping that I got while on BC pills. Check and see if your insurance covers any of it, as mine did, and I only ended up paying $275. For me it was definitely worth it since my BC cost so much a month that the mirena would have paid for itself after 6 months!
I'm very happy with the mirena. I still get my period and some cramping but it's very light compared I when I was on the other BC. My doctor said after after a few months my period could stop completely (which would be great). Also I've noticed my sex drive is back, my old BC decreased my sex drive a lot.
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
Thank you so much ladies! All of you! I am glad I have a heads up about the pain and that I should take something to ease it. I also had no idea about a string hanging down lol. I feel weird about something being in there just hanging around, im paranoid i will always feel it in there or something! I also feel like not having a period seems totally unnatural though.. but obviously I'd like that too! lol. Unfortunately I don't have any insurance
I am currently looking for work. BUT I am returning to school this fall, and i will have insurance then. maybe i will wait until then to get it done, if it is partially covered.
Anyways, thanks again so much! I'm glad to have a heads up on a few things now and I can be a bit more prepared!
Did your doctor give you information about Mirena before you got it or take the time to explain to you how it works? It is well known why IUDs work to prevent pregnancy.
Is it well known? Even the Mirena website says it could be one of a number of factors, and speculates on what those factors could be??? Or maybe I'm wrong.
I guess it didn't matter to me a whole lot how it worked, just that it does work, and what the side effects are. I didn't give a whole lot of thought to the 'how.'
I've had the Mirena for 3.5 years now, for similar reasons that you've indicated above. I got pregnant twice on the pill (yes, using it as directed) because it didn't stop my ovulation. Like you, I tried multiple different brands/doses with the same results: 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off.
I'll give you my opinion on the Mirena in a second, but I just wanted to make it clear that *YES* a woman is capable of feeling ovulation in some cases. Not every woman, and not every month. But I most certainly feel when I am ovulating and I don't track mucous or temps or anything like that. This particular sensation has gotten stronger since going on the Mirena.
My experience with the Mirena has been a love/hate relationship. I love the freedom. I hate the pain. I get painful ovulations now, and I've started getting ovarian cysts (common side effect) which is what makes them painful for the most part. It only lasts a day or two and then it's gone, but when it comes it can be debilitating. I can't sit properly, laying down doesn't stop it, using the bathroom hurts. The fact that I'm not getting pregnant is most certainly worth the pain (in my opinion) for the time being though.
I had breakthrough bleeding and an unpredictable cycle after getting it in when our youngest was 4 months old. I was breastfeeding and hadn't had a cycle yet, but started with regular spotting. It lasted approximately 6 months. I then got my period for another 2 years, every month like clockwork. It was SO much lighter than before though, and I didn't get ANY cramping with my period at all (I used to get really heavy, painful cycles) so this was a definite bonus.
After 2 years of regular cycles, all of a sudden I couldn't locate my strings and my period stopped. After some minor freaking out, I got an ultrasound and was told everything was properly in place, but not really given a reason why I couldn't feel my strings any more. My doctor suggested it hadnt been in the right position for the 2.5 years prior and that it somehow "pushed up" into place on it's own (I had cramping and pain during this time). I think that's a load of you-know-what but they don't pay me the big bucks for that.
I went for almost the last year without a period (verrrrrrry light spotting every 2-3 months occasionally) and no issues with ovarian cysts. Then, 2 months ago I started getting light cycles again. Now my cyst pains are back.
My fiance is going to get a vasectomy and I'm very happy about it. It's not that I haven't "enjoyed" my experience with Mirena, it's just that I'll be glad to get it out of me. I'm a bit nervous to start having 'real' periods again (that they'll be painful), but I'm looking forward to not having anything hormonal in my body for the first time since I was 15 (other than my pregnancies).
There's loads more details and opinions I have on it, but as you can see, I've already written a short novel for you. If you have any questions or concerns about it, feel free to PM me about my experience.
I've had mine for almost 5 years and after we have our baby next year will have another.
They're safe, effective, and wonderful. Mirena doesn't have any proven effect on fertility, either.
I've had it for three years now and I love it. My periods are shorter. (my friend says she doesn't have them anymore, she's had Mirena for 6 years, (Two because they only last five years)
My doctor had me take Advil before getting it inserted. (which helped with the cramps that happen as your body adjusts the first day) So check with your doctor to see what they advise.
Good luck.
Omg I LOVE my Mirena. I'm on my second one since continually using one since April 2006. They have to be replaced every five years as previous OP stated. It's great. 20% of women don't get their period with it, there was just a study that came out that said it's EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE than previously thought - as in it's EVEN better than twice as good as tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied) yet it's reversible, and after the insertion which sucks pain wise and the spotting you have for a little while (in my case about a month - nothing more than a pantyliner worth the first time and only one day the second), you don't have to think about it. Plus, it's cheaper than pills in the long run and you can get pregnant faster than pills after it's removed.
I can't imagine spending my now closing 20s without Mirena. It's been great for a very busy lifestyle with only recent desire to think about pregnancy. I plan on keeping my current one for the next 2 years and then really don't want to think about new methods should we be fortunate to get pregnant once or more than once in the future.
I had my Mirena for a little over a year. Getting it placed was not the best thing I've ever gone through. It was uncomfortable and somewhat painful. I cramped for a day or two. My doctor told me that it might happen bc your body is adjusting. I did bleed for about a month after it was placed. After that, I had no issues. I got my period regularly. My doctor told me he cut the strings fairly short and did not have to have surgery to get it out. Getting it out was less painful than getting it put in. It took about 2minutes.
We have been TTC for almost a year now, my doctor has informed me that its normal for it to take around a year. So I'm not too worried that it hasn't happened yet. I'd definitely get it again, the relief of not having to deal w/ taking pills every day is way worth it.