The Mirena for those of you who don’t know is an intrauterine device (IUD) used predominantly as a form of birth control, but also sometimes used to treat heavy periods. There is much debate about the device with many really negative experiences often making headlines (as bad experiences often do).
I thought though, for sake of balance, for anyone who is considering getting one, that as well as negative experiences, there are also positive ones. So, here is my Mirena experience, which apart from discomfort upon its insertion has been overwhelmingly positive.
The Mirena was recommended to me by my OBGYN who said it was a great alternative to the pill for birth control. Unlike the pill, you don’t have to remember to take it at the same time every day. It’s birth control you have inserted and then just leave in for up to five years. Five years without remembering to take the pill, I was definitely interested.
Another positive he outlined was that once it was removed you become fertile straight away. At the time I thought how great this was, if I did decide to have number three, there would be no waiting (notice I wrote at the time – what was I thinking?!)
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I had one inserted after 2nd baby as suggested by my obstetrician. I lasted 24 hours, couldn’t get out of bed, terrifying panic attacks. I had it removed immediately. Doesn’t work for everyone and should come with warnings. I’ve read plenty of horror stories of them causing major problems for women and not knowing for years why.
I've had two, and I agree, they've been fantastic. The first time was as contraception and it was removed to have children again, I ended up getting pregnant with twins and then a singleton. The second time was due to horrific periods, very heavy and painful and I basically went to the obgyn to ask for a hysterectomy, she asked me to try this first and it totally worked. No more periods, no more pain, no side effects.
It does hurt to get inserted though.