I’ve been noticing a trend in my practice, which places an emphasis on women’s hormonal health and mental health. Many women are consulting me for treatment of anxiety and panic attacks that have shown up in addition to other hormonal symptoms: painful periods, PMS, headaches, loss of libido, acne and weight gain. It just so happens that these women have also, for either treatment or contraception purposes, inserted a Mirena IUD, an intrauterine device that secretes small amounts of progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) into the uterus.
The monograph for Mirena—produced and supplied by Bayer Pharmaceuticals—claims that Mirena is 99% effective for preventing unplanned pregnancy. Bayer informs us that Mirena can last in the uterus for up to 5 years and eliminates the need for daily pill-popping or condom use (although it does not protect against STIs). In addition, it is also an effective treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. This explains why many women with gynaecological conditions, like endometriosis or fibroids, are recommended the Mirena IUD for alleviating symptoms of painful and excessive menstrual flow. Bayer’s claims, which are backed by evidence, make sense, especially when we consider that fibroids and endometriosis are estrogen-dominant conditions—adding more progesterone to the mix should help to “balance” things out. Incorporating a progestin-secreting device that acts on the uterus can help oppose the estrogen dominance that exacerbates the symptoms of these conditions.
The problem (of course there’s a problem, we’re talkin’ Pharma here) with Mirena is this: while the progestin exerts its effects locally, it does not act on the rest of the body. This may not be a “problem” with a capital P, if we understand that oral contraceptives that contain high progesterone are usually responsible for the “crazy” feelings women have when going on birth control—a lot of the “irritability”, weight gain, water retention and depression that women experience premenstrually is due to high levels of synthetic progesterone. However, we also know that progesterone, whose primary job is to maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy, has positive systemic effects. These effects include promoting mental relaxation and opposing estrogen dominance symptoms, which include weight gain, anxiety, panic attacks, fatigue, PMS, breast tenderness, acne, fibrocystic breast changes, cervical dysplasia, infertility, risk for certain cancers including breast cancer and cervical cancer and worsening of endometriosis and fibroids, which ironically happen to be the two conditions that the Mirena IUD is prescribed to treat.
Estrogen dominance is often not about having high levels of estrogen, but normal estrogen levels with insufficient progesterone to oppose some of its effects. Progesterone deficiency can look like estrogen dominance, when we examine a patient’s symptoms.
In my practice as of late, I’ve had a stream of women presenting with anxiety, panic attacks and heart palpitations that I strongly suspect are hormone-related. When I send them for blood work or salivary hormone tests I find that their progesterone levels are very low. They also may have symptoms of painful menstrual periods, stubborn weight gain and acne. And, you guessed it, all of them have the Mirena IUD. Many patients vaguely remember that symptoms began to rear their ugly heads, or worsen, after they got the IUD. Other colleagues have commented on observing the same trend in their own practices. Could the phenomena be linked?
There are several possible explanations for the progesterone deficiency/estrogen dominance phenomenon in clinical practice—these include, but are not limited to, chronic stress, vitamin deficiencies, impaired liver function or bowel function and exposure to exogenous estrogens such as BPA (found in plastic bottles, personal care products, the lining of tin cans and receipts, to name a few). Yet it seems that Mirena is a common factor in the majority of the cases I’m seeing. The possible reason is that, although Mirena provides progestins to the uterus, its hormones do not reach progesterone receptors in other areas of the body, for example the breasts, adipose tissue or brain, where progesterone normally will have an effect. While oral contraceptives act by preventing ovulation (some women don’t even menstruate while using the IUD), which in turn prevents the secretion of natural progesterone from the corpus luteum (formed in the ovary after ovulation), many of them also supply a dose of synthetic progesterone. Since the Mirena IUD only secretes progesterone to local tissues and therefore only acts at local receptors, it may be turning off the body’s ability to secrete natural progesterone—negative feedback loops might instruct the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands to stop making the body’s own progesterone.
As an naturopathic doctor, it can be hard to know where to proceed! I can try to balance hormones naturally with herbs that help promote an increase in progesterone production. I can also treat the adrenal glands so that they are able to produce more natural progesterone, rather than favouring cortisol production. However, not only might my efforts be fruitless, they may interact with the IUD’s contraceptive effects. I can try to promote the healthy excretion of estrogens by promoting liver detoxification and colon elimination, but the practice calls to mind an image of cleaning a dirty river while sewage pipes deposit their waste into it. How can my patients help their bodies clear out excess hormones while we both ignore the fact that the cause of hormonal deficiency may still persist?
While I sympathize with the allure of a hassle-free family-planning method and relief from the symptoms of heavy and painful periods, I can’t help but shudder when I see the often debilitating anxiety that my patients who use Mirena are presenting with. With regards to birth control, I have written in the past about healthy OCP practices and finding the right hormonal fit. There are also other, natural methods of family planning available, copper IUDs (however, there are other issues with the secretion of copper to local uterine tissue as well) and physical barriers. While other options may not be as convenient, or even as effective, they may promote a healthier hormone balance and improved overall health. It’s worth having a conversation with your doctor about options.
With regards to treating heavy menstrual bleeding with Mirena, natural alternative solutions are abundant! Naturopathic medicine offers a large array of therapies and treatment protocols aimed at treating the root cause: promoting healthy detoxification and elimination, supporting adrenal glands and balancing hormones through diet and nutrition. Not only does Mirena pose the potential for furthering hormonal imbalances, it covers up and even potentially exacerbates the underlying cause of why the symptom is happening in the first place, which is likely a case of estrogen dominance.
For treatment of hormonal conditions—endometriosis, fibroids, heavy and painful menstrual bleeding, PCOS, acne, weight gain and so on—I encourage you to explore natural options. In the meantime, I’ll have to figure out how to address my patients’ concerns while navigating against the current of synthetic hormones.
Want to balance your hormones, energy and mood naturally? Check out my 6-week foundational membership program Good Mood Foundations. taliand.com/good-mood-learn
More from my site
Quack Attack! The Naturopathic Docs are BACK! (Well, actually, we never really left…): An unofficial response to a scathing Globe & Mail op-ed)
An Exercise in Empathy
How to Make Your Favourite Baked Goods Allergen Free
Creating Balanced Meals: The 6 Tastes of Ayurveda
5 Tips for Setting New Year’s Resolutions
Colombia: a Tale of Three Dishes
Excellent article with tons of great information and thanks for posting it.
However, I need to vehemently disagree with what you say about copper IUD’s
You write:
“With regards to birth control, I have written in the past about healthy OCP practices and finding the right hormonal fit. There are also other, natural methods of family planning available, copper IUDs (however, there are other issues with the secretion of copper to local uterine tissue as well) and physical barriers. While other options may not be as convenient, or even as effective, they may promote a healthier hormone balance and improved overall health. It’s worth having a conversation with your doctor about options.”
I got a Paragard IUD at the recommendation of a naturopath and had serious side effects including excessive bleeding, SAD (sudden anxiety disorder), hari falling out in fistfuls, constant tinnitus, extreme insomnia, failing eyesight, etc…. Got it out and 2 days later all of my symptoms started going away. There is much more at play with them than simply an “issue with the secretion of copper to local uterine tissue”.
The copper in the IUD stimulates the production of prostaglandins which in turn cause our bodies to create unpredictable and unregulated amounts of hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. So, the Paragard as the potential of being just as hormonal as (or even more hormonal than) the Mirena.
Then there is the issue of copper toxicity from the copper that our bodies store in tissues, especially our brains and livers. This causes a whole host of issues and further imbalances which can also cause hormonal and mineral imbalances.
Anone suffering from any of these devices can find support at the Facebook Group
IUD Side Effects: Paragard, Mirena, Liletta & Skyla
https://www.facebook.com/groups/iudsideeffects/
The newly formed IUD Awareness also has a Facebook Page and website:
https://www.facebook.com/iudawareness/
https://www.iudawareness.org
Thanks, Tamara for the information. However, there is no “right” or “wrong” answer when it comes to birth control, but the right method for each individual woman, taking into account her needs, lifestyle and particular health goals and tendencies. The pros and cons must be weighed when it comes to each patient, which is why working with a doctor who understands hormonal health is very important. Thanks for your comment!
Very true. My point was that the copper IUD is being mis-represented as a non-hormonal option, because it does not contain hormones. It can, however, have a hormonal effect on the body that women need to be properly informed about before making their choices.
Absolutely. Thanks, Tamara.
My mirena has reached its 5year expiry. I too have experienced extreme anxiety which I never had before, so bad once that my hubby took me to emergency and i was put on tranquilisers (i thoght I’d had an allergic reaction to something) then sent home. Mood swings and depression so bad i started on antidepressants which almost drove me to insanity! Yes -sex drive gone for a ball and tinnitus that can wake me its so loud! I get bouts of painful pimples along my jawline. The feeling of being mentally unbalanced is my most concerning side effect. I am relieved with your article because i thought it was all just me going crazy! Inititial reason i had it inserted was for prevention of endometriosis – no period, no endometriosis. So in that way it has been successful. Have been recommended to do endometrial ablasion now – have you any experience of side effects as a result? Thank you for creating this post.
I had the merana IUD put in, 2 weeks after I started experiencing panic attacks, as they told me in the ER when I went in thinking I was going to die. I had never experienced panic attacks before the merana, I missed work, I felt helpless to this panic,I couldn’t shake the panic feeling and I had only changed one thing in my life since the panic attacks stated & that was put in the merana IUD. I feel every women should know the probability of them having the merana put in and then coincidentally them having panic attack symptoms should lead them to taking out the merana!! Every doctor I saw told me my symptoms were not related to the merana, but I know that is not true!! After 2 days of having the merana taken out, I started to feel like my self again.Hope this helps someone having the same issues I went through. Thank god someone told me to think about if it could be the merana because DR.s don’t want to admit the merana is causing these symptoms for some reason.
Well they kept on sendinme dr after dr once I’d sed I was bleeding heavy non stop some days more than others but arranged I go in an fibroid removal an mirena was best I sed no but eventually on the day I sed go on jus do it. I hd it with n epidural an it made my heart race. An since that day iv had they tel me heart failure so can’t walk. Can’t stand f long heavy swollen legs an only go out now on. Schooter. They took my life away. No more walkin in the rain no more costs ta my sons An take out the dogs completely house bound really. Op gone wrong. ?
Thank-you so much for this article. I have ALL of the symptoms you listed. I have had mine in for 16 months. Everyone kept convincing me it would all balance out after a year. I thought I was loosing my mind. I’m not saying I take everything I read a the gospel but it is hard to find anything remotely honest on the Mirena side effects. I swear Bayer has so much money that they manage to burry the truth. I will be having mine removed. I did fix the 1 issue it was put in for but I have a problem with the 12 side effects. I think your headed in the right direction keep up the research. I bet there are more like me out there. Thanks Again
I find your article informative and helpful, especially in the area of giving a heads up to watch for increasing anxiety and other ill effects, but sometimes a person just needs to stop the hemorrhaging. I thought after I got my thyroid under control with armour it would get better, or after my adrenal fatigue was better, or after I fixed my gut, but it didn’t get better. I tried natural progesterone (caused debilitating migraines) and eating clean. Nothing helped and as my body became more anemic, I got weaker and weaker and needed iron infusions. The mirena became my only option other than disfiguring my uterus or completely cutting it out.
It would be so helpful to people like me if you could give some advice on what to do in conjunction with the mirena to take care of our bodies and help to prevent further imbalances. That information would be priceless! Thank you 🙂
Absolutely! The Mirena might be completely right for you. Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely think of such an article! There’s an article called “Having a Healthy Birth Control Experience” that might open up some more discussion for you. It refers to the pill but can also be extrapolated to IUDs.
I wish you were my doc. 🙁 i had my first ever migraine less than 10 min after insertion and doc said it was not mirena. I also just got diagnosed with hypothyroidism:(
I had mine fitted Monday, and i made it clear that I was unhappy about it. I had been referred to the gynocologist as I was to be sterilised. They point blank refused to sterilise my – I’m 34, have a boy and a girl,have anxiety, suffer from sever migraines and have experienced hell will the copper coil.
5 days in I’m a hormonal psychotic mess, I’m feeling angry emotional and I’ve had my first migraine in a year. Please just tell me this is a coincidence? X
Thank you for your article, I was on birth control pills (all sorts of different ones) since 17 years old, on/off….well, after being off pills for one whole year due to massive migraines, my husband and I decided we were fine with one child and I would go back on the pills…I got back on the pill and at month 6 found out I was one of the 1% and got pregnant with twins! After their birth I went back on the pill for about a year, then changed jobs, insurance, thus a new doctor, who on my first appointment suggested the “hassle-free” mirena. I was excited to NOT have to pop a pill every day, so I scheduled to have the mirena inserted….I’m now at 17 months with it in and I feel so off balance! My period comes regularly, but then I have spotting for about 1-2 weeks after it stops, then heavy discharge for the next week, then the period again…..my acne around my jawline and chin are crazy…I just feel like I’m always on my period. My sex life is shot due to dryness. I too was told and read that “most” women don’t have a period after a year..well, I’m still waiting!! Right now I am trying to find a natural method to balancing out my hormones..I’ve read to drink Dong Quai tea, which I actually have and was drinking on/off a couple of years ago…any suggestions?
This is a wonderful article, thank you.
I had the mirena inserted over two years ago. I was sold on it because of the possibility of “no more periods”. By the time my first period came around after insertion, it was SUPER heavy and long. Basically I went from a 5 day, regular tampon period I could set my watch to to a 2+ week period of spotting, irregular flow and heavy flow (super-plus every 1.5 hours), anxiety and extreme Pms. When I spoke to my doctor they suggested I give it time, so I did, 6 months in fact. After the 6 months and nothing changed, I had it removed and had the copper one inserted instead.
It’s been a while since, and although my periods have become more regular I pms for a week, spot the next week, heavy bleed the following 5-7 days and cry and/or rage on a whim.
My life is now ruled by hormones. I’ve been prescribed an anti-depressant for the pms and I’m questioning my relationships.
I’m worried that if I have it removed I will still be the same but without the satisfaction of having unprotected sex. I do not want children, taking anything that involves the possibility of weight gain is out of the question and my doctor has refused to perform a Tubal Ligation because I’m 32 “and it’s still possible” >:(
I feel the same way. I so badly want to get my Mirena removed in hopes of losing the insane amount of weight I’ve put on, my anxiety, the migraines, and the acne.
But what happens if I do get it removed and then I’m stuck with all of these things in addition to not protected sex and periods again?
There is so many bad things said about the Mirena and so many bad things said about the Paragard. I can’t decide if I’m willing to make the switch.
This is honestly the worst my health has been my entire life. I constantly face anxiety, rashes, acne, migraines at least 3 times a week, the fact that my weight hasn’t lowered despite EVERYTHING I’ve done, and random abdominal pain. I don’t feel myself. I’m tired of feeling this way.
What do we do??
Hi, D, I would start by consulting a naturopathic doctor with an in-depth understanding of hormones. She/he can assess your case on an individual level, run labs and work with you to decide the best course of action for you and your body!
I am so relieved to come across this article and read what others have written.
I got the Mirena about 4 years ago. I’m 30 now if that is relevant to anything. I was against anything hormonal, but already suffering from terrible periods it seemed like a better option than the copper. Insertion hurt a little..but I felt fine after. I left PPH thinking “Holy sh**! I must be in that low percent of women that suffer from little side affects!” I bought myself a milkshake, and burger (my tradition after all gyno visits) and went home to relax.
About 30 minutes after arriving home, I threw up said milkshake. I spent the rest of the day on the bathroom floor with severe cramping. The next two weeks (off and on) weren’t any easier. I remember having such a terrible Thanksgiving dinner because of how much pain I was in. I had those sticky heating pads stuck all over my body, and no amount of ibuprofen seemed to help. I made an emergency appointment to get it checked out/removed, but they said everything was fine and that my body was just getting used to it, give it a few more days.
Here is where it gets confusing. The next three years were amazing. Worth all of the pain. I don’t remember any significant episodes, I had no periods, i suffered from little to no PMS.. It was a dream.
Until about 10-12months ago.
I have started getting cramping back, the worsen as I get closer to year 5, random half ass periods, but most significant to this post: my moods and depression are off the charts these last few months. Paralyzing. I had talked to the Dr. about the cramping and periods, and they had come to the same conclusions as I had come to on my own..that the hormones were tapering off because I was on year 4.. and that this was common.
But what about my severe depression, anxiety, fatigue, and insane mood swings? I don’t feel myself. Not to mention my sex life is dead. dead. I didn’t even attribute it to the Mirena, because it had been such a dream the three years prior (minus insertion).
I saw a naturopath yesterday that essentially said that I have the look in my eyes of hormonal imbalance. She could sense my frustration and told me other stories of patients with similar problems on birth control. However, contrary to your statement about showing low levels of progesterone (progestin), she had mentioned that perhaps its cumulative, which could be why after 4 years its finally starting to mess with me?
I would love to understand this more on a scientific level. Or just get some validation that this is what is happening to me. I’m losing my mind and have the same concerns as many of you other ladies. What if I get it removed and nothing changes?
My naturopath prescribed me some herbs to help with the “Mirena Crash” i’ve read so much about, and to help me get back on track hormonally. The herbs I think are typically prescribed for liver cleansing, but in Chinese medicine, the liver and uterus are very related from what I understand. I have an appointment to get this thing out of me on Friday, and hope to hear back about my blood tests. We will also be taking more blood in a couple of months to check things out after the removal, and herbs.
What a nightmare. I used to preach this device, but now I just can’t wait to get it out of my body. I’d love to know if anyone else has had the same experience with affects so much later in the game.
Hi, Cassi! Thanks for sharing. It seems like the Mirena “crash” is the tapering of hormones that your body is missing since it’s not making it’s own. Mirena can typically cause progesterone deficiency in your actual body since it’s providing the synthetic “progestin” via the IUD. It could be that, for you, you have to get Mirena switched every 3.5.-4 years rather than the standard 5 before the hormones start to drop, if you decide that the pros of being on it outweighs the cons. 🙂
I had a similar experience. I absolutely loved my mirena for 4 years then began to have Javier periods and increase weight gain. I attributed it to the progesterone in the coil depleting. I have my mirena removed 4 months ago and have felt very ill since then. I’ve gain 10 lbs on these last couple months, fatigue, bloating, dizziness, anxiety. Just terrible . I know it’s because my progesterone levels are low from so many years of being pumped with it that my body is being lazy at making it at this point. But when will these symptoms end??? ?
I am just starting to research all of this. I am on my second mirena. LOVED IT for 7 years total. NO problems, no periods, no cramps (other than day of insertion) I have 4 kids ages 7-24 We are done with babies. why now after all these years? I am a PMS, hormone, angry freak! My mother has horrible mental health issues and I am always worrying about that being hereditary. Why after 7 years are things changing so drastically?
I am so happy to FINALLY find some posts that are similar to my own experience- LATER onset of symptoms and side effects from the Mirena! I had similar issues as Cassi at insert, although not nearly as severe. I had some cramping for a couple of weeks, and I bled, at some points just spotting, but non stop for about the first 6 weeks or so. Then things leveled out…periods were regular at 28 days cycle, but did not require more than a panty liner, then required nothing and would only notice when using the restroom and wiping, and until eventually (maybe about a year???) no period AT ALL. Similar to everyone that has replied to Cassi’s comment, I LOVED my Mirena. UNTIL…nearing the 5 year mark and needing replacement. I actually went a couple months too long before getting it removed and a new one put in.
Because I was under tremendous work related stress- long hours for weeks at a time meeting deadlines, w/limited or no sleep for a couple weeks at a time, and sporadic eating habits as a result, over the course of a couple of years- I attributed my hair falling out and my eventual weight gain to adrenal fatigue. Or possible further complications w/my being hypothyroid and maybe needing my meds adjusted.
But once that period of stress passed and I had my focus back to healthy eating and my regular exercise routine (ashtanga yoga in the a.m. / weight training and spin evenings 4-5 days a week) hoping to lose the 10lbs already gained, that’s when I noticed the weight realy coming on, and I began to research weight gain w/the Mirena POST insertion, ie: after 4 years or nearing the end. I found NOTHING.
I was also working to correct through adaptogens my adrenal fatigue…for months I took a litany of herbs in tincture, tea, and pill form. But I had gotten my Mirena replaced w/a second one. I am now coming up on my 8th year. (side note, the adaptogens seemed to help some w/my overall wellness, but no effect on weight or mood).
And I think I am peri-menopausal, if not actually menopausal. I am 42 years old and have been thinking I may be having symptoms for about a year. It has just recently gotten worse in the last month w/added new sypmtoms.
I have scheduled to have the Mirena removed. But now I am nervous about the Mirena crash, and if I am actually menopausal, the hormone imbalances and if it will actually all be WORSE than w/the Mirena. That the weight will continue to be a struggle to get it off (total about 30lbs now), and that there may be new side effects to deal with! Not to mention, if not menopausal, the need for a new solution to prevent pregnancy…and the return of my period! (Mirena spoils you in this regard!)
I am HOPING that getting it out will be the magical solution I have read others have had (but they have been younger at removal and not w/menopausal sypmtoms). But I am still hoping for the immediate lifting of the foggy head, the shedding of pounds and bloat within the first 2 weeks following removal, and the return of feeling some mental stability and less irritability. A girl can hope, right?!?
Any suggestions on natural means of what to take to help mitigate any hormonal crash or how long to wait after removal to check hormones and w/the doctor on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated! Or if you think it is not advisable to take it out? But I doubt that is the answer….
I forgot to post about getting this thing removed.
I felt like a fog had lifted after a few days.
My random fits of rage seemed to decrease, and my paralyzing depression isn’t so paralyzing anymore.
I actually went to my naturopath today to talk about the changes in my body post removal. It seems now I am in the second stage of adrenal fatigue. I’m not sure if that can be directly related to some hormone imbalances, but at this point, and after everything i’ve read and experienced, I feel like it could be.
I’ve had two periods since the removal, both pretty normal. Note: my periods were never normal before the Mirena. Wonky timing, and painful. I’m due for my next one any day now (if they are to remain normal); fingers crossed.
I should also mention that I was taking a pretty strong Chinese herb during removal to help my body avoid the crash (Chai Hu Shu Gan). Maybe this adrenal fatigue is my Mirena crash? I’m back on some herb tonics to help. Just started this morning. I’ve been having a terrible time sleeping through the night and feeling super tired in the morning. A little foggy, but nothing like towards the end of the Mirena.
does this work? I just spent an hour writing a post and it never posted!
Thank-you for this article and not being afraid of Big Pharma to speak out. So many doctors are dismissive to ‘us’ and do not in anyway believe our symptoms are Mirena related. Especially if you are like me and are 5 + years post Mirena and still suffer. Inability to lose weight despite diet and exercise, fatigue, brain fog, word retrieval issues, inability to concentrate, widespread body aches off and on, heart palpitations and being dx with a BBB in my heart (which no Dr has explained or seems concerned about, it scares me) I have been bounced from Dr to Dr to Dr. have been offered antidepressants despite me saying I truly do not feel depressed more times that I can count. Don’t get me wrong I feel that antidepressants have their place but are way over prescribed and are usually just a band-aid fix to a bigger issue. Have been told its likely my diet and that I’m not eating the right things , or not eating enough or not really exercising as much or as hard as I should or that I am sensitive to gluten, dairy, sugar….UGH!!!!! I currently do see a ND she did order a salivary hormone panel and am on a plant based progesterone cream to re-balance my hormones but none of my symptoms are resolving. Thank you again for this article I hope to see many more in the future. So many, too many woman are needlessly suffering because there”is no medically based information “to substantiate the claims and doctors are dismissive that the IUD is the culprit.It is beyond frustrating.I hope more doctors wake up and speak out!
Hi, tonia, check out the article on thyroid health on this blog. it might help point you in the right direction with your ND and healthcare team.
thanks for commenting!
Hello Talia
This article has been such a relief. I have literally just returned from the clinic following the removal of my first Mirena IUD.
I had it fitted 8 weeks ago on the recommendation of my nurse that it will suit me far more that the POP pill (which was already a struggle for my body to tolerate) as it “doesn’t travel via my liver”.
Within one week I was suffering severe migraines. Within 2 weeks I was in tears at anything. Within 4 weeks I no longer recognised myself – my normal happy, healthy self was existing in a cloud of anxiety and depression.
Every instinct in my body told me it was the effects of the Mirena – I am normally very sensitive to any stimulant (I cannot drink alcohol or caffeine for example), and I could almost “feel” the Estrogen taking over. I also gained 10lbs in 6 weeks, adding to my depressive state.
After a tearful discussion with my husband I called the clinic and begged to have the Mirena removed. “You need to allow it time to settle” they said “…everyone has an adjustment period”
But I stuck to my guns and arrived 30 mins early for my appointment to be absolutely sure it would be taken out! I cannot describe the relief I felt once it was removed from my body…once again I was in tears! So unlike the “normal” me.
I am now allowing myself a day or two to adapt to my natural m
self – do you have any recommendations on anything I can take to help stimulate my progesterone release, or to heal from this horrendous do us ordeal? I cannot imagine the poor ladies who suffered months and years.
I am 100% convinced that the Mirena was the root cause of my problems – I do not dispute that it is a wonderful option for many, many women. I, sadly, am absolutely not one of them.
I am now awaiting an appointment for sterilisation – I want to be as natural as possible from this point in!
Thank you for any comments and/or advice.
J.
Hello Dr. Talia and thank you for your insights!
I’ve had the Mirena for two years and while I’ve enjoyed its many merits, I’ve been devastated to have lost half of my hair! Supposing strongly that the Mirena and the hair loss were correlated, I got my IUD removed today. In the past 5 hours since removal I have seriously second guessed myself until reading this article–do you suppose that estrogen dominance and low progesterone levels can lead to hair loss? I’ve read on other sites that estrogen dominance can lead to hair loss but I’ve also read that androgen dominance (like DHT) can cause hair loss.
Thank you for your time and your wonderful brain!
OH my gosh this is me…. 14 months and I feel loopy. tired all the time and just plain cr*p. A spotting period ever 2ish weeks and permanent discharge. I put it down feeling down and emotional all the time to moving interstate but after reading this I don’t think it is. So glad I have booked to get it removed.
Thanks
Just wondering, I had bloods taken and my the despair that they class ladies that hit level 100 as menopausal,.. Could the mirena be affecting these levels????
Oops that was suppose say that my levels were 85
I just need to know after I get it taken out will it all go away plz someone talk to me I’m all alone in this world I feel like I can’t breath very well every my anxiety last 247 never any relief ever I’m so tired right now but can’t sleep cuz I think I’m going to stop breathing and die I don’t want to die no one believes mW at all
I got my Mirena in May 2015 and got it removed in April 2016. It was the worst thing I have ever done to my body. I know it works fine for many of my friends but for me very slowly I started getting panic attacks and anxiety along with extreme fatigue. Prior to insertion I had none of these problems now I’m back to the old me and so relieved. I feel very sorry for others like me who don’t recognise the link between Mirena and anxiety.
You have no problems after? Lucky you. I had it in from jun 15 to mar 16. Anxiety is still here and depression came along (including chest pain, lump in through). It really got me…
I feel very sorry for others who don’t link it as well…
How long til you started feeling better?
Hi, it honestly took me about 5 months to truely feel better but I think it took longer as I went on the pill straight after which I hadn’t taken since pre-children. After Mirena my body does not like any form of fake hormones….after going natural most of the anxiety left but the week before my monthly I can get a little anxious so no coffee and I take some St. John’s wort which works for me…..good luck you will get there and ask for help and support if you need it. I’ve never appreciated or understood how much hormones can effect your mental health until this journey. We are often stronger than we realise within if you believe in yourself and your journey to recover the old you Xx
i am 51 years old.was suffering with very heavy periods which came early too(21days cycle). often felt dizzy during periods.became anemic (Hb 8 ).was diagonosed with endometreosis.got a D&C done and mirena inserted after aweek.it has been four months now.was taking sevista 60 mg twice a week for 3 months and once a week for next 15 days.every thing is fine (Hb 13) EXCEPT
during last 4 months i have started worrying more and more.ifind it difficult to sleep because i am thinking too much.i start crying while talking to people.i know ,i should not be crying but cannt help it.am heading for a depression? what to do?
Thanks for this post, I am feeling so relief to know I am not alone. I had Mirena in on the 20/05/16 and had it out on the 18/10/16.i have experienced all the symptoms above and more. I thought once this was out that would have been it but that when my nightmare began. Five weeks on and I am still suffering with anxiety and been placed on Propranolol and diazepam for anxiety. I would love to feel like me again, don’t know how long I am going to be like this just hoping to be back to myself soon. I would advised any woman out there not to used this devil Mirena, it is so dangerous for you.
It is great to know I’m not alone. First I went on birth control in September. Birth Control was something my body didn’t respond well to in high school and that’s the reason I went off of it. I had terrible mood swings and was so not myself, my mom actually asked the doctor to switch me because of it. Now, 2016 and 6 years later, I went back on the same birth control because of a serious relationship. This, again, caused me to have terrible mood swings and a slight feeling of depression but more so that I was foggy and unmotivated, not as emotional as depression might feel. Three doctors, including an OBGYN all agreed that the Mirena IUD would help. I had my hopes so high it would help me, but once I got it put in, I had a legit breakdown three weeks into it. I felt completely depressed- I didn’t leave my bed or room for days, forcing myself to eat, lashing out at my boyfriend and friends, not eating, and in a really dark place. I realized right away this wasn’t normal, this wasn’t me. I got it removed about a week of feeling depressed and anxious. Once it was removed, I started to feel better almost instantly. I could wake up and not feel groggy or emotional or unmotivated. Then I had 2 week-long periods within a week of each other. That’s three total in the span of what should have been one in a month. And now, I feel as though I had a breakdown again. Same as I did the first time with the Miren where I felt hopeless, out of it, isolating myself, and extremely emotional where it’s not rational. I wake up crying, cry all day, and feel like I can’t handle this. I have the Mirena out but I truly feel like this is the “mirena crash” everyone is talking about. Three periods in a month and feeling extremely depressed? Before this I have never had any mental issues, in fact I’m a really happy person and people always comment on that. My periods were always regular and never bad PMS. I don’t know what else to do now, I’ve gotten it out and I’m taking multivitamins everyday, probiotic, and a herbal antidepressant for when I get this way. This needs to stop, I need some relief! And I’ve lashed out at my boyfriend of a year so mych these past few months, we’re on a “break” right now and I don’t know if we’ll ever get back together but I want him to understand that this isnt me!!