Mirena Side Effects, For Women with Side Effects Caused by Mirena

A big thank you for getting this information out to all the women with Mirena side effects.

Thank you all for the support and stories about your side effects,very much appreciated.
Annette.

Hello I have a site to help women with side effects caused by Mirena ,if you need some info have a look.
I had mirena for over 4 years and had BAD Side effects,like thousands of other women,have a look at the site and judge for your self.

MY STORY

My Mirena was removed on 29th May 2008.

I had the Mirena put in four years ago,I had terrible pain the day after, it was that bad I was going to go to the hospital Emergency to get the thing out but I put up(the worst thing I done in my life, Im paying for it now) with it and it and the pain got a bit better,had a lot of bleeding (spotting) for the first six months and then it finally went away. For the first year I thought Mirena was Great but then the problems started.I started to gain a lot of weight,facial hair,Very sore breasts, I also had a lump removed from my left breast a couple of years ago, but I didnt know until recently that it was most likely caused by Mirena. Some of the other problems I had, My stomach bloated, I look like I'm six months pregnant ,I have a cyst on my left ovary,dry skin,acne,strange depression,headaches,and the Worst of all I had to have my Thyroids REMOVED on 1st Nov 2006 and I'm pretty sure that was caused by Mirena as well, so now I have to take thyroid Medication for the rest of my life,I had the Mirena removed as soon as I done some searching on the internet for my unexplained medical problems, mainly my weight as I had weighed about the same my whole adult life and now I had put on a few stone and now I have to try and lose it,as for my thyroid I have trouble getting the Meds right its a real pain,blood tests all the time.I just dont feel I have much left in my life,depressed,sick all the time. I eat well as I have high cholesterol so its not that I over ate,I noticed you do feel a lot more like eating sweet things. I found a site called curezone and found out there are thousands of woman,girls with the same problems as myself and that there is a class action law suit going on to Sue. Its worth having a look at this site it helped me a lot.I feel so bad I dont go out anymore I dont see friends or family I'm to depressed about my weight now. I am in the process of trying to find out if there is a Class Action Law Suit in Australia.If anyone knows of a Class Action in Australia could they Please let me know. After having the Mirena removed about 6 weeks ago I thought I was doing ok only a bit of spotting,but about 3 weeks after having it removed I got my period and the pain was unbearable,I was in agony stomach cramps and I bleed so much I thought I was going to die from blood loss,also the scariest was the huge blood clots,very scary,must of been four years of period in 1 week I couldnt believe how bad it was, I felt really sick and weak,but thank goodness its eased off now after a week. I just hope now I might slowly start and feel like my old self. Im also on medication for heart palpatations thanks to Mirena,I get Heart palpitations (SVT) a few times a week,I had my heart palpitations just after my thyroid removal op and was put on ecg and my heart rate was 176 Beats per Minute I was rushed to Intensive Care and I had to have an injection called Impending Doom (It makes you feel you are going to die) to slow my heart rate,it worked and I was kept in intensive car for 3 days,very scary thing to go through I hope I never have to go through that again,my heart palpitations got worse while I was on Mirena and now I also take Magnesium to help control them as well as Metoprolol which I have been on for some years and I recently read that if you are on Mirena it increases the side effects of Metoprolol.

So if you have had any bad experiences with Mirena please let us know,it will help others with their problems, hopefully. I just wish I never got Mirena and my advice is DONT its not Worth the risk,if the Doctors had of told me about the BAD side effects I would NEVER of had it put in. Sorry about going on so long, Good Luck to you all,

Thanks Net.

UPDATE

I have had it out nearly a year now my painful breasts feel normal again,I hav'nt lost any weight yet, but will soon hopefully,I do feel a lot better but still get some of the symtoms back just before my period,my heart palpitations have stopped nearly I dont get them very often anymore so I KNOW Mirena was causing it.

I get sooo mad when i think of what Mirena done to me and all the other women and how bad some of their side effects have been. I get mad when i read some of the other ladies stories and the terrible things they have gone through ,

Perforations,Miscarriages,IUD's lost in their body,

Hystorectomy,and the rest. I want to wish them all the best, and we WILL get Better and Bayer ,Mirena will PAY some day for what they have done to US..

mirena-side-effects-support.synthasite.com

Latest Update Oct 2010
I had a hystorectomy earlier this year,best thing I ever done,wish I had done it before listening to the Dr and trying Mirena,No more periods ever again :)

I had vaginal hysterectomy,only in hospital for 3 days,it was a breeze.

Its now April 2011, I had surgery (ablation) on my heart to stop the palpitations a few months ago,so far it seems to of worked I haven't had palpitations since. The op involves having wire put into a vein through your groin and up into your heart and they heat up the spot causing the problem and that fixes it, a bit scary as you are awake while having it done and you have to lay flat on your back for 8 hours after, but I'm glad thats done.
I am still having trouble loosing the Mirena weight, I'm working on it.
I'm still warning women of the possible side effects even years after,because of what it done to me......

Mirena IUD can harm you for life.

The list of complaints grow daily on www.Mirena-Side-Effects.com ,medications.com,curezone.com, and hundreds of other side effects sites, it like a never ending story. The complaints range from never ending bleeding to having the iud trapped somewhere in the body . If an iud perforates the uterus no doctor will want to touch it not even the insertion doctor,so think twice before you get Mirena inserted.

Facebook Group Mirena Side Effects
If you are on Facebook, feel free to join the mirena side efffects group I started there,
you can add me as a friend if you like. Link is Below.

http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?id=760567999#/group.php?gid=19596215325
Posted by Annette Robins

Mirena IUD may lead to Vaginal odour, auto immune diseases, breast cancer, uterine cancer, joint pain , athritis, and high blood pressure,heart palpitations, hair loss,depression,suicidal thoughts,thyroid problems.
FDA slaps down drug companies for unfounded claims

January 14, 2010

Posted In: Dangerous Drugs , Product Defects/Recalls

By Robert M. Kisselburgh on January 14, 2010 9:51 AM | Permalink

Drug companies slapped by FDA

The FDA slapped the hands of some drug companies who just couldn't help themselves by claiming their drugs could do things that had not be proven, from unproven weight loss to better looks. The best one, as highlighted in the article, was Bayer which claimed women were "looking and feeling great" when they took its contraceptive Mirena. The FDA, not amused by the claims, told Bayer:

FDA is not aware of any evidence suggesting that women who are using Mirena for birth control look great or feel great. Patients using Mirena may experience various side effects, such as irregular bleeding, ovarian cysts, back pain, weight increase, breast pain/tenderness, and acne, in addition to the side effects indicated above.... If you do, in fact, have data to support these claims, you should submit them to FDA for review.

Keep up the vigilance, FDA.

Reported by Robert Kisselburgh, Mississippi Injury Attorney

Pasted from /www.mississippiinjurylawyerblog.com/2010/01/fda-slaps-down-drug-companies.html>

I am 29 and had the Mirena put in 6 weeks after having baby #2. ...

Read all Mirena side effects

Posted at 12: 9 PM on Oct 15, 2009 by kelliportland

I am 29 and had the Mirena put in 6 weeks after having baby #2. I thought it was a great idea and my OB said "NO SIDE EFFECTS". I have been bleeding heavily since it was inserted, cramps, sharp pains in my uterus area, bloating and headaches at night. I don't know if this is their form of birth control, but if your bleeding everyday you can't have sex! I run 3 miles five times a week and was losing weight steadily, until I had the Mirena put in. I watch what I eat obsessively and I am gaining weight! I am emotional all the time and find myself losing my patience with my kids and my husband all the time. I am getting it taken out today! I'll update how it went and the side effects going away. I would rather deal with another pregnancy than go through this. Follow your gut feelings - the Mirena won't work for everyone and obviously there are quite a few of us!

Pasted from /www.medications.com/effect/view/45184>

http://www.themummychronicles.com/2009/10/im-losing-my-hair-is-my-mirena-to-blame.html

Monday, October 19, 2009
I'm Losing My Hair. Is My Mirena to Blame?
It's typical to lose your hair after you have a baby. It happened with TD and then again with The Comedian. It's also typical to see your doctor for birth control options post-baby if you are not willing to get knocked up again.

When I encountered the Mirena IUD it seemed like the perfect option. One quick doctor visit and I was good to go for the next five years. If I wanted more kids in that time I could have it removed. I read all the brochures, did some research and talked to friends who had used Mirena as well. It was my golden ticket to no thought birth control. Yippie Skippy!

That was until I started losing my hair. I didn't pay much attention to all the hair collecting in my brush, shower, comb and sink. At first. I did notice that I was cleaning them all out quicker than before. My hamster on a wheel brain pushed it aside. There were stubby pieces of hair that stuck out and refused to be tamed too. I didn't know it was from re-growth (a good sign) because I had lost that whole section of hair. Maybe it was from coloring my hair myself? More recently I thought-maybe it was from the grilling accident of 2009 ? When I went to my hair stylist this past week she seemed concerned.

"Is everything OK?" She asked as she combed out my just washed hair. I nodded yes. "Are you sure? Are you feeling OK? Stressed? Not sleeping?" She probed. I looked at her in the mirror and paused. "I am tired. The kids haven't been sleeping well. I would like more work too... Why?" I asked. "Because you are losing a lot of hair. The baby is almost a year. You should not be losing this much hair. I don't want to freak you out but when I was coloring it there were whole sections that are gone. It's so thin. These spiky pieces..." She went on and on. She told me about women with thyroid problems and my heart raced.

WHAT THE HELL?! I'm going bald?

I began to think about all the hair I had seen floating around my bathroom the last few weeks. I talked to my mother who said, "I didn't say anything but at lunch today I could see through your hair."

Heart seizes. Again. WTF?!

So I googled. 'Hair loss and women.' 'Thyroid symptoms'. 'Thyroid problems in women'. I don't have any symptoms except hair loss. I'm one of the healthiest people I know.

Then I had a thought. What if it's my IUD? My body has never agreed with any birth control/hormone option I have gone with and the Mirena is a low-dose hormone IUD versus the no hormone, copper Paraguard IUD. I googled 'Mirena and hair loss'.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The search was scary, sad, heart-wrenching and my gut instinct went wild. I wanted to claw at my abdomen and get the thing out of me stat. The idea that I now have to search for another form of birth control pisses me off. I'm so sick of dealing with this issue. It's been almost fifteen years of this and no option has ever been a good one for me. I just want it gone. I want my hair back (six months post-removal is the typical time frame for regrowth) and I want Mirena to come clean. I never read about hair loss in my research and brochures. My doctor didn't discuss this as one of the side effects. I'm angry, sad and feeling futile.

This topic of birth control seems to always bring this about in me. Anyone else out there feel this way? Anyone?

I am 29 and had the Mirena put in 6 weeks after having baby #2. ...

Read all Mirena side effects

Posted at 12: 9 PM on Oct 15, 2009 by kelliportland

I am 29 and had the Mirena put in 6 weeks after having baby #2. I thought it was a great idea and my OB said "NO SIDE EFFECTS". I have been bleeding heavily since it was inserted, cramps, sharp pains in my uterus area, bloating and headaches at night. I don't know if this is their form of birth control, but if your bleeding everyday you can't have sex! I run 3 miles five times a week and was losing weight steadily, until I had the Mirena put in. I watch what I eat obsessively and I am gaining weight! I am emotional all the time and find myself losing my patience with my kids and my husband all the time. I am getting it taken out today! I'll update how it went and the side effects going away. I would rather deal with another pregnancy than go through this. Follow your gut feelings - the Mirena won't work for everyone and obviously there are quite a few of us!

Pasted from /www.medications.com/effect/view/45184>

Comment by Anonymous on October 10, 2008 - 10:33pm
Let me tell you after trying the pill after my first child, I switched after my second child to the copper iud, which was painful for me the first couple of months but after I was used to it; My periods were regular, some cramping now and then. Finally after 5 years I had it removed. I gave birth to my last child and the doctor said the only option for iud was the mirena, I expressed my concerns about hearing bad things about it but he said it is the same as the iud. So I went for it. After having it inserted I went to the doctor for the last check up 2 weeks after insertion, the doctor checked my mirena and he was surprised. He ordered an XRAY right away to find out if the mirena was still in place. I went for the x-ray, they told me I had nothing inside. So I was like GREAT IT FELL OUT. This is what the dr said as well. It must have spilled out. I was a little concerned as i never remember anything coming out, but with the pain I had those first 2 weeks I was glad it was gone. Then I went to a different place, to get birth control.....back to the pill. I tried that for 2 months and i was getting tingling in my legs arms hands, feet and face, so they adv to stay off the pill for a month and we would try something different they gave me condoms and "films". So I told my husband and he said that was fine, he was like we will have one last child. (since they don't have to carry them *wink wink *) Believe me we tried "like rabbits" for those 2 years and I would just get more depressed each month as I took pregnancy test after test. I seriously had thought that maybe they did a tubal litigation and I did not know anything about it. I mean as far as i have tried I have always been able to get pregnant, I as so depressed this was back in fall 2006. After the baby i had lost 20 pounds I had put on. Now we are in fall 2008 since then I have gained more weight and am at the heaviest i have ever (NEVER) been 265lbs . For those of you who know how m

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IUD contraceptives are Toxic Pesticides! *Levonorgestrel in IUD is Toxic Pesticide!

is Toxic Pesticide!

The intrauterine system (IUS) is a long acting reversible hormonal contraceptive device that is placed in the uterus. An IUS has a hormone cylinder that releases a progestin (progestogen) called levonorgestrel. The only brand currently available is the T-frame LNG-20 IUS, marketed as Mirena Coil by * Schering Health and * Berlex Laboratories (*Bayer).

The term IUS is used in the United Kingdom to distinguish the hormonal intrauterine contraceptive from copper-based intrauterine devices (IUDs). In the United States, all intrauterine contraceptives are referred to with the term IUD.

Progestasert was the first hormonal uterine device, developed in 1976 and manufactured until 2001. It released progesterone, was replaced annually, and had a failure rate of 2% per year.

As of 2007, the LNG-20 IUS - marketed as Mirena by Bayer - is the only IntraUterine System available. First introduced in 1990, it releases levonorgestrel (a progestogen) and may be used for five years

Norgestrel

Norgestrel is a progestin used in hormonal contraceptives. Norgestrel is a mixture of two stereoisomers, dextro-norgestrel (CAS# 797-64- and levo-norgestrel (CAS# 797-63-7). Only levonorgestrel is biologically active. Therefore, while some medications may contain dextronorgestrel, they are often labeled in terms of their levonorgestrel content only, ignoring the inert isomer.

Mechanisms of contraception
The Mirena (*IUD) is intended to initially release a daily dose of 20 micrograms levonorgestrel (a progestin).

PAN Pesticides Database search:- Chemicals
Proposition 65 - Notices of Intent to List

B. The following chemicals have been determined by OEHHA to meet the criteria set forth in 22 CCR, Section 12902 for listing based on a formal requirement for labeling or identification as causing reproductive toxicity:

Toxicological Endpoints: female reproductive toxicity

Levonorgestrel implants identified as the "most toxic" of a set of pesticides

Notice to Interested Parties
Notice of Intent to List Chemicals: 31 Chemicals
[12/05/97]

also try:
The Pesticide Chemical Search and type in: Levonorgestrel
PAN Pesticides Database: Chemical Active Ingredient Search
Proposition 65 - NOIL

Norgestrel Indicates high toxicity in the given toxicological category

Developmental or
Reproductive Toxin

PAN Bad Actor
Chemical 1

Reproductive or developmental toxicants, as designated by the state of California's Proposition 65 list.

Reproductive and developmental toxicity

Some pesticides are known to cause birth defects or interfere with normal development. Weight-of-the-evidence evaluations of this type of toxicity have been conducted by the State of California and by the U.S. EPA under its Toxics Release Inventory program.

Many pesticides that disrupt endocrine functions also cause reproductive and developmental harm, as well as other adverse effects.

California Proposition 65 List

Pesticides determined by the state of California to cause reproductive and developmental harm, e.g., birth defects, infertility, sterility and impairment of normal growth and development. A list of chemicals "known to the State to cause reproductive and developmental toxicity" is maintained by the State of California under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).

Norgestrel/ Bayer...~IG Farben

Tammrah TheTammarazzi
I haven't written out all my symptoms or my story on here yet. Its painful to remember and i try not to think about it until one of my old symptoms Rears its ugly head. It's been a long time since I've had the Mirena removed. Approx a year and a half. I...too, only had it in for 3 months. And it was 3 months of agony.
I agree with what Robin is saying about the Mirena not being the direct cause of the symptoms because when someone finally did listen to me they said my body was having an auto-immune response. It was so severe that I couldn't walk for over 2 weeks. That same doctor who finally agreed to do an emergency removal for me said this. She said she couldn't prove the Mirena caused all the symptoms but my body was definitely going through an auto-immune response (attacking itself).
Immediately after she took it out I felt better. Then 2 weeks later things started to go in a better direction. Now a year and a half later I still can get some symptoms without warning.
That same doctor also told me that the hormones from it were stored in the body's fat cells. I had gained over 20 lbs in three months because of the evil thing. So when it was finally removed and the weight started coming off...the symptoms started dissipating. So she may have been correct. I feel for all you women out there who are only going through this now. I'm so glad my ride through hell is over. I'm praying that there isn't going to be any longterm, permanent damage but who knows. My advice to you...don't get the evil thing in the first place. And if you have it already GET IT REMOVED IMMEDIATELY! you are not going crazy! The Mirena is evil and no matter how many times they try to convince you that the Mirena isn't at fault for your symptoms...it really is! GET RID OF IT! the sooner you do, the sooner you can start to get back to being yourself.
Someday I'll be able to write out my story here. But right now it's still too painful and I am not willing to re-live my experience. Reading all of your stories is painful enough.
Having gone through this has changed my view and faith in doctors and the health care system. I will never again put my trust in another person just because they have a PHD attached to their name. My doctor was a woman and she should be ashamed of herself! I have never gone back to her. I have so much anger towards her still that I find it impossible to even tell her how wrong she is. I know I am NOT the only patient she had coming back to her and begging for help because of the agony the Mirena causes. And yet she's still there pushing this horrible device on more and more women everyday. It makes me sick to think of how many she's convinced, like she did me, to fork out $600 to have evil inserted. I swear she's getting a payout from pharma on how many she can sell. As far as I'm concerned shes no better than a drug pusher with a fancy title. They should all go to jail for this. They should all be paying for the hell and destruction they've caused. But this is the real world. And nobody ever seems to have to be accountable for anything. Big pharma and oil & gas rule the world. If we think we have a say in anything, we're only fooling ourselves. I can guarantee that my female ex-doctor did not write any of my experiences in my file. Covering her own ass of course. Every time i came to see her begging for help she would tell me its all in my head and i needed psychological help or anti-anxiety drugs. She refused to send me for testing. And she absolutely REFUSED TO REMOVE IT!!!! Which is unfreakingreal if you ask me! I even tried to remove it myself after that because I was so desperate! And I know my own body. And after I lost the use of one of my legs, my boyfriend at the time, (that 5 year relationship was also destroyed by this evil thing) wheeled me to a women's health clinic downtown. That female doctor DID do testing and said its definitely NOT in my head and I was having a severe auto-immune response to something. She could not prove it was the Mirena. She DID however agree to an emergency removal! She didnt deny the Mirena caused the auto-immune responses, just said there was no way to prove it! Funny how the symptoms went away after removal. So how does one go about making them pay? It's not possible. They make sure of that. Pass on your knowledge of this evil thing to everyone you know. That is the only way to beat them and the only way to make them pay. If everyone stops using and starts refusing this product, then it won't be financially viable for big pharma to keep it on the market. The only way to make them pay is for all of us to make a big enough noise so everyone hears and stops buying. There is no other way. The doctors are bought slaves who will forever back the hand that feeds them. Good luck to all of you. And please...believe in yourself and your own body. You're not going crazy and it's not all in your head!

Another...
Jennifer Jang
Hi everyone!! Brutal how a device can ruin your life! I have had my mirena for just over 2 years! I was a healthy 33 year old woman with 4 kids and a husband who wasnt eligible for a vasectomy. I had just started for a year (without 1 day off) a career as a transit operator! My life was on a good path! After the insertion of this device I was off for 3 weeks due to excruciating pain! I went back to a job that I loved and was damn good at! Well things started to change... I started to hate my job and slowly fell more depressed and withdrawn as the days passed. I became moody, temperamental, and overwhelmed by any single thing that was off! Before I had a insatiable sex drive and now I have none! My once beautiful, long hair is lifeless and thinned out! This past oct, I was diagnosed with shingles, and then went on to develop severe nerve damage. I am on many different high dosage of meds, including some for major depression! I have researched and researched why this could have happened to me, due to my not fitting the criteria of shingles being so young and not healing well!! Nothing seemed to make sense! Even every dr, pharmacist, neurologist, say that i am a very rare case and they have never seen this at my age. Well now finally it seems to make sense! I am horrified yet grateful to read all these stories, and there r sooooo many more blogs with woman from every race, age, color and country!! I have made an appointment to have mine removed in 2 days! My dr has no choice but to remove this from my body! My family and I have had 2 years of hell and this matter NEEDS to be acknowledged! There r wayyy too many woman with the same issues for this to go on without recognition!!! Please include me in any fight to have this device banned! I will keep u updated on how the removal goes!! I am soo excited to have my life back!!

Case report

A 33-year-old woman, para 2, with a long standing history of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea and tiredness was referred by her GP to the hospital (2002). At the time she was treated for anaemia and felt tiredness. Also she was suffering from dysmenorrhoea; her periods had been regular although in the previous few months she was bleeding PV continuously. Her periods had become heavy after sterilisation (1996). She was anaemic. Cervical cytology had always been normal. In the past she had undergone a laparoscopy for pelvic pain for suspected endometriosis (1997), an appendicectomy (1997) and she was diagnosed with duodenal ulcer (1996). For management of her menorrhagia, she opted for Microwave Endometrial Ablation which was done in August 2002. After that she had an ultrasound scan for erratic bleeding which showed irregular endometrium. The patient was booked for hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia. The procedure was attempted in September 2003 and was abandoned due to difficulties passing the hysteroscope through the endocervical canal. The hysteroscopy was repeated in January 2004 and few intrauterine adhesions were reported. A Mirena IUS was inserted under the same general anaesthetic.

A month later she was admitted to the hospital with right upper quadrant pain and a problematic bleeding pattern. Ultrasound at this stage showed a normal size uterus but the Mirena IUS was not obviously in situ. It was assumed the Mirena IUS had fallen out and the patient was booked for vaginal hysterectomy, which was performed in September 2005.

In January 2007 was admitted to the hospital with right upper quadrant pain again and all investigations including chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound scan and blood tests were normal. She had an upper GI endoscopy which showed a gastric ulcer (Cardia).
Fig.1 Abdominal X-Ray with the Mirena IUS (arrowed).

She was admitted again 1 year later with pelvic pain. An abdominal X-ray showed the lost IUS (fig. 1) and the CT scan showed the IUS to lie anteriorly under the rectus muscles and adjacent to the dome of the bladder. In April 2008 the IUS was retrieved laparoscopically. The omentum was adherent to anterior abdominal wall and the Mirena IUS was found in the omentum, (Fig.2). This was felt to be unlikely to be the cause of the pain. The IUS was removed easily from the abdominal cavity laparoscopically. The right tube and ovary were adherent to right pelvic side and they were freed up. The procedure was uneventful and the patient was discharged the same day and symptom free since.

Bayer Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the Mirena IUD, has teamed up with the Mommy marketing site "Mom Central" to sponsor house parties to sell women the Mirena IUD.

According to a warning letter sent to Bayer by the FDA about the worded content of the events -

The Mirena program is a live presentation designed for a consumer audience of "busy moms." The program is presented in a consumer's home or other private setting (e.g. private restaurant party) by a representative from Mom Central (a social networking internet site) and a nurse practitioner (Ms. Barb Dehn). The Mirena program submitted to FDA also references a presentation given by a fashion stylist (Ms. Angela Hastings) that immediately follows Ms. Dehn's presentation regarding the use of Mirena. The script of Ms. Hastings' presentation regarding fashion tips was not submitted to FDA.

This story is about how I got the Mirena IUD and ended up having it surgically removed, as it tore a hole through my uterus, entered my abdmen, leaving me unable to have any more children. If you are thinking of getting the Mirena IUD, please read this article and do your own research. Don't listen to your doctor if you think there is a problem, trust your instincts and get a second opinion.

Why I got the Mirena:

I found out while I was pregnant with my son that I had a blood clotting disorder. As a result I was warned that I should not take oral birth control. My OBGYN told me about the Mirena, a "safe" device inserted into the uterus that would prevent pregnancy for upto 5 years. It sounded like the best option for me, given that I couldn't take the pill. I read the pamphlet of information that she gave me and read through the information on the website. Everything seemed very safe and effective. Words like Uterine Perforation, Fertility Issues, Side Effects, were not listed on the website at the time, but have now been added at the top of the webpage. Not to mention the fact that my doctor was really pushing me to get it done. She recommended that I get it just 5 weeks after giving birth to my first child.

Painful:

My red flag was the extremely painful insertion. The doctor and the website said, " slight discomfort, similar to period cramps" NO WAY. When they put it in, it was so painful that I screamed and cried. The doctor gave me a pillow to cry into because I was disturbing the other patients in the office.

For weeks afterward I had stomach pain, bloating and bleeding. I went back to the doctor twice and she said it was normal.

Start of the Side Effects:

Second red flag, within a few months after it was inserted I started to notice the changes. Spotty Periods, changes in flow, pain, mood swings. I thought all this was just apart of my body getting back to normal after having a baby.

Over the next year I noticed that I never got a regular period, sometimes it was 2 weeks apart, 5 weeks, nothing for months. My sex drive was really low, sex was painful, I had a really hard time losing weight and I had massive mood swings, my husband said that it was probably stress and I disregarded it.

My Fault:

At my annual checkup I discussed my side effects with my doctor and she said it was all normal. But I didn't believe it, I just didn't feel like myself. I think I knew something wasn't wrong, but I trusted my doctor and my symptoms didn't seem to really be affecting my life, clearly the Mirena was working, as I was not pregnant. I just ignored the side effects and problems rather than getting a second opinion or pressing my doctor for more answers. I just assumed they were the after effects of having a baby.

The lost Mirena:

I have to admit that I missed my second annual exam because we were living abroad, but when I came back I went in for my 3 year check up. My OBGYN was shocked to hear that the side effects were still happening, she also couldn't find the Mirena upon examining me. So she sent me in for an Xray. The xray showed that the Mirena was no longer in my uterus but floating dangerously in my abdominal cavity. Noone could be sure how long it had been like that, but it wasn't where it was supposed to be.

The surgury:

I felt so scared when I found out what had happened and to think that now my health was in danger because of this little device. I felt betrayed by my OBGYN, that she didn't believe me, and disappointed in myself that I didn't push back to more answers.

I decided to find the best laproscopic surgeon in my area to perform the surgury as my OBGYN had only performed the surgury twice. My OBGYN was so mad that I didn't choose her to perform the surgury. I realized after that I was glad I had stuck to my instinct about finding my own doctor to perform the surgury.

I was in surgury for 2 hours, they finally found the IUD embedded in the lining of my abdomen. A dificult surgury for even the best laproscopic surgeon.

The recovery:

After 5 days I was able to move around again and was left with 3 small scars.

The worst scar of all was coming to terms with the fact that I would never be able to have more children. I regret that I didn't trust my own instincts and just lived my life ignoring what my body was trying to tell me.

Lots of women tell me that their bodies have changed so much that it's hard to know what a normal feeling and whats just changes that we come to expect with being a woman.

If you can take away anything from this, it's that you should keep asking until you get an answer that you are happy with. Do your own research don't let anyone tell you that you are overreacting or that things are normal when you think they aren't. It's your body, you know it better than anyone else.

My life has returned to normal now, I had my tubes tied to prevent any miscarriages that I was warned would happen as a result of my torn uterus. My hormones, periods and sex drive have all returned to normal. I no longer feel like something is wrong all the time. My body finally feels normal again. I feel like it is my responsbility to warn women, and although it may work for some, it may not work for all.

If you experience any side effects, seek help from your doctor and don't feel pressured to keep the device it. Just do what YOU feel is right

Please pass this story on to any women that you think should hear it. I wish someone had done that for me.

This is my actual Xray, the IUD is upside down and outside the uterus. When they finally operated it was up near my ribs stuck in the lining of my abdomen.

Function

Both IUDs cause the endometrium to release white blood cells and prostaglandins, creating a hostile environment for sperm and eggs. This makes it difficult for the sperm and egg to move through the reproductive tract and join together. They also change the cervical mucus, making it less likely that the sperm will enter the uterus. In Paraguard, the presence of copper also has a spermicidal effect. Mirena contains the hormone levonorgestrel, a common ingredient in oral contraception. Mirena may stop ovulation entirely.

The last option for me was to have a hysterectomy and it was the BEST thing I ever done,I wish I had done this instead of listening to the Doctor and getting Mirena.if you don't plan on more children you can now get a vaginal hysterectomy, that's what I had,only in hospital 3 days,no big scar as your uterus is removed through your vagina,and a few tiny cuts from the keyhole surgery above pubic bone,I cant even see where they were anymore .I had to have my ovaries removed as well because of constant cysts.

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's uterus. It may also involve the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Once a hysterectomy is performed, a woman can no longer have children or menstrual periods. Hysterectomy is used to treat a number of conditions, such as excessive menstrual bleeding and cancer. In Australia, around 30,000 women undergo this operation every year.

Conditions that may require hysterectomy
A hysterectomy may be performed to correct various gynaecological problems including:
Heavy, irregular or abnormal menstrual bleeding
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Uterine prolapse
Cancer of the uterus, ovary or cervix
Pelvic inflammatory disease.
Medical issues to consider
Apart from cancer, many of the gynaecological conditions assisted by hysterectomy may also be successfully treated using other methods. If, after discussion of all options with your doctor, you choose to have a hysterectomy, there are several things that your doctor should discuss with you before the operation. These include:
Your medical history (as some pre-existing conditions may influence decisions on surgery and anaesthetics).
The pros and cons of abdominal surgery versus vaginal surgery.
Your support options after surgery.
Your feelings about the surgery.
You will have a range of tests, including a complete blood count test to check for problems such as anaemia.

Operation procedure
You will have an intravenous drip inserted into a vein in your hand or arm, and will be given a general anaesthetic. The operation may be performed via a lower abdominal incision (cut) or through the vagina.

Abdominal hysterectomy
For an abdominal hysterectomy, a cut is usually made horizontally along your pubic hairline (and your pubic hair will be shaved around the incision). For most women, this results in a small scar. Some patients may need a vertical incision in the lower abdomen.

Vaginal hysterectomy
A vaginal hysterectomy is performed through an incision (cut) at the top of the vagina. This may or may not involve the use of a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a slender instrument used in 'keyhole' surgery. During a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, surgery is performed via three or four small incisions in the abdomen. It is completed through the vagina.

Vaginal hysterectomy is a preferred option for many women as it avoids the need for a long abdominal cut. An abdominal procedure is generally recommended when large fibroids or cancer is present.

Types of hysterectomy
There are four variations of hysterectomy, including:
Total hysterectomy - the entire uterus and cervix is removed, but the ovaries are retained.
Subtotal (partial) hysterectomy - the uterus is removed, but the cervix may be retained. While removal of the cervix is generally advised because it is a potential cancer site in the body, some women consider that it serves a purpose during penetrative sex. If the cervix is kept, regular Pap smears are necessary.
Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy - the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed. This operation is performed if cancer of the ovaries or the uterus has been diagnosed. It may also be performed for severe infection or endometriosis.
Radical hysterectomy - the most extensive version of the operation. It involves the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, upper part of the vagina, and associated pelvic ligaments and lymph nodes. This may be performed if cancer of the cervix, ovaries or uterus is present.
Immediately after the operation
After the operation, you can expect:
There will be some soreness around the operation site - your doctor will prescribe pain-killing medication for you.
You may experience 'wind' pain for a few days.
Depending on the procedure and your condition, the intravenous tube in your arm will be removed sometime during the first few days.
The catheter (drainage tube) in your bladder is usually removed within 24 hours of surgery, unless the bladder was traumatised during the procedure.
As soon as possible, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and go for short walks around the ward.
Depending on the type of surgery, you can expect a hospital stay of between two and seven days.
Recovery is generally faster after vaginal surgery than abdominal surgery.
Following surgery, it is important to start pelvic floor and abdominal exercises as soon as possible. These exercises strengthen the muscles in the pelvis and help maintain normal bladder function and vaginal muscle tone. Your doctor or physiotherapist will let you know how soon you can start these particular exercises.
You don't go in to early menopause unless they remove your ovaries too.