Mirena and Menstrual Flow

[optissima.livejournal.com]

I've got an appointment for an IUD consultation/insertion on Tuesday. I'm pretty sure I want the Mirena for a number of reasons, but one of its biggest selling points concerns me: Everything I've read about it says it can lessen the duration and severity of menstrual cramps and flow, and can make menstrual flow stop in a significant percentage of women.

I don't want my periods to stop. My periods are very regular and cramps seldom interfere with any of my regularly scheduled activites for more than a day or two. To me, they're a sign that everything's working properly (and that I'm not pregnant).

If you have the Mirena, did it stop your period completely? Are there any factors (like weight or blood pressure or who knows what else) that might make it more likely for the Mirena to stop my flow?

Comments

[vaverine.livejournal.com]

hiya,

I haven't had my Mirena long (4 months) so I can hardly speak to the long term effects, but so far, I'm in love.

I had super regular periods and I really haven't enjoyed the disturbance to them. The first month I spotted the whole time - I wasn't even sure when my *actual* period began. Even now, the spotting has stopped, but I spot maybe 3 days before my period really starts.

However, I also used to have horrific cramps (I'd been medicating for years) and they are GONE! Huzzah!! That precious low dose of hormones is why I chose the Mirena over other models.

The pill and depo both screwed with my weight and emotions, but the dose in Mirena has taken away the cramps, reduced (but no where near stopped) my flow - all without any lasting side-effects.

Again, I'll admit, the first month with constant spotting and near-constant low grade cramps (Advil could kill them, but they were always there) plus the "ouch" factor of the insertion were all unpleasant - but the lack of side effects, eased cramps and high contraceptive efficiency kick ass.

I don't know if it'll work for you, but I just wanted to be a cheerleader for Mirena because I'm totally besotted with it.

[kimberkid.livejournal.com]

i got my mirena in december... i haven't had normal periods since high school due to various forms of birth control and a hormonal imbalance, but i know that my cramping from period stuff actually *increased* a slight amount, as did random cramping. but it's really mild stuff, kinda where you go "ugh. ow." and then it goes away. now, when i get my period, it's more like spotting. it's fairly regular, but it barely requires more than a panty liner most of the time. hope that helps at all.

btw, i am a huge cheerleader for the mirena. it saved my sanity and my sex life.

[mistdragon.livejournal.com]

Did it make you nauseous at all? Whenever I'm on the pill I get so sick I can't move. I want to try Mirena, but I'm scared to spend $500 on something I'll just have to have removed because it's not working out...

[kimberkid.livejournal.com]

i have had *no* ill effects whatsoever apart from the barely-there cramping. the insertion process is no picnic, lemme tell ya (http://www.livejournal.com/~kimberkid/104551.html), but it's totally worth it. it also takes some time for your body to get used to a foreign object in it (like a couple weeks) but after that, goodness abounds.

no nausea, no weight gain, no depression, increased sex drive.

i've been on depo and loestrin in the past, and both were tools of the devil. mirena makes me and my girly bits very happy. (sorry if this is sorta akwardly written. need sleep)

[vaverine.livejournal.com]

I was worried about the cost too, especially since there is a chance (though very slight) that it can reject and "fall" out (yeah, like into the toilet or during sex - yeep!).

But around here it was closer to $300 and my oh-so-basic insurance covered all but $75. It's definitely worth looking into if you have ANY insurance because you can get your gyno to prescribe it as a medical measure for discomfort rather than just birth control. And sometimes that'll get it covered when normally b/c wouldn't be - YAY!

And when you think about it lasting for 5 years, it's really on par, if not cheaper than other methods. But I guess it's just one of those things you have to take the leap on. Umm, yeah - so hope that was somewhat helpful *grin*