Does anyone have experience with the Mirena IUD? My GYN mentioned it as one of my options during my visit with her this morning. I'm not concerned about BC as DH has had a V, but my cycle has become wacky with heavy, heavy bleeding. My other option is the pill, but my doctor seems to favor the Mirena. Frankly, I don't like the idea of having something foreign in my body but I've had problems with the pill in the past. I'm going in for an US and bloodwork next week so we can get a better idea of what's going on. At that point my doctor said she may recommend one over the other (Mirena vs. pill) depending on the test results. I have endometriosis and fibroids in my uterus. Sometimes it's so much fun being a woman! LOL!

By Pamt on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 05:12 pm:

I personally would never use an IUD. I also have really heavy bleeding (the joys of aging!) and have a couple of small fibroids and possible endometriosis and/or adenomyosis, but the only way to diagnose for sure is laproscopy and it's not so bad that I want to go that route yet. Has your doctor talked about balloon ablation as a possible fix? I've known of people who have had some good success with that.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 05:47 pm:

Pam, I don't like IUDs either, but want to research all my options. I had a laparoscopy last year to remove ovarian cysts, and was diagnosed with endometriosis. My fibroids haven't caused problems in the past but they could be an issue now. Tests next week will give us a better idea. No, she didn't mention balloon ablation as of yet. TMI but to give you an idea of what I'm dealing with... My periods have been lasting 2 weeks about every 20-23 days. That's basically 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. No picnic, yet bearable, however, the totally unexpected hemorrhaging is not something I can live with. I'm scared to leave my house. I was visiting my parents and at a restaurant when I felt a sudden WHOOSH. Instantly took over a super + tampon and pad. My jeans looked like I sat in a pool of blood. My Mom had similar issues which ultimately ended with a hysterectomy. I mentioned that to my GYN and she said women didn't have many other options back then. *Heavy sigh*

By Pamt on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 05:57 pm:

Yeah, I'm not at that point...yet. I am passing huge clots and have bled into my pants a couple of times, but can usually feel it before it really happens. My sister and a close friend were both having the chronic hemorrhaging periods, both had hysterectomies and haven't regretted it at all. Hard decision though.

By Kaye on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 05:58 pm:

Trina I have a friend going through a similar issue. They are running a couple of new test next week, but she is probably having a "novasure ablation". Bug yuck, I know she is so less than impressed with this!

By Conni on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 08:07 pm:

My sister went through this and had a partial hysterectomy. She has never regretted it.
I am beginning to have similar issues. Major pitb!! If I have to choose between the pill (blech) or an iud... at that point I will ask for a part. hyst. lol Because I am not going to remember the pills (plus they make me sick) and the iud would worry me all the time.

I am sorry you are going through this and wish you well.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 11:49 pm:

Some people on my dog board have had the ablation procedure done and haven't regretted it, at all! All that bleeding doesn't sound like fun at all.

By Eve on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 08:45 am:

Trina, I have a friend that has one and LOVES it! She siad she would replace it when the time comes. No issues and her period is near gone. I was going to get this one, but they actually ran out at the local office, because 2 other women were getting one and I just never made my appt. again. But, I'm thinking about this as an option for me. This is not the copper IUD's of the past.

I can tell you that I have only heard good things.

By Eve on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 08:52 am:

BTW, Trina. Think of how many foreign things people have in their bodies. Pacemakers, artificial joints....I think there is just a stigma attached to IUD's. I'd be glad to give you my friends email addy.

By Boxzgrl on Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 10:31 pm:

I got the Mirena IUD in September. I've had no problems other than the normal spotting that can occur for a few months after the insertion. I've had no periods but i'm still nursing so i'm not sure which reason would be why i'm not having it yet. Anyways, I love it so far.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 07:46 am:

I used to wear C7 IUD's - I wore them for years, in the 70's and 80's. I have no experience with the Mirena though. But IUD's in general usually cause heavier bleeding and more cramps.

In the 80's I had a laparoscopy and found out I had endometriosis, adenomyosis and a number of fibroids, so at some point then, my X had the big V and I stopped wearing an IUD.

Trina, I had a couple surgeries for the endo, and my problems got steadily worse each year, until my periods were coming every 23 days exactly, and lasting 2 weeks or longer - in other words, I was almost constantly having a period. I would flood through tampons and pads frequently (sorry if this is TMI-I *do* have a point here!) What you described above happened to me on a regular basis at that point in my life.

Then I had an ultrasound because my doc *felt something*, and I had a football size tumor on one ovary. The next day at work I began hemorrhaging and soaked through the super T and a pad every 15 minutes. I ended up having emergency surgery, the tumor had enveloped my left ovary, tube, was attached to my colon, the ovary and tube had to be removed with the tumor, and at that point, a lot of endo was lasered out (again!), etc. I was in the hospital 3 days.

My point - after TMI here - is that you really should NOT just chalk it up to aging, or the fact that you have endo, fibroids, etc. Things can change, and those things can cause some life threatening problems.

We all *think* we know our bodies, but really excessive bleeding and pain warrant looking into further.

I'm stepping off my soap box now!

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 08:12 am:

Yikes, Karen! That sounds really scary!

By Karen~admin on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 08:19 am:

I didn't mean to sound scary, it's just the way it was - and I wanted to let everyone know, even if you KNOW you have endo, fibroids, etc., and you know you will have excessive bleeding, etc., the slightest change in your patterns could indicate something more serious.

At that point in my life, I knew what was *wrong*, so I just blew off the increasing symtoms/problems. I didn't want anyone to think I was a hypocondriac or being a drama queen. Now, I don't CARE what anyone thinks. And - like the point I was trying to make - I try not to take chances now, even if it turns out that I had no reason to be concerned. It's YOUR body, take care of it!!!!!

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 10:26 am:

Karen, I totally understand what you are saying! When visiting my parents my Mom said, "Oh no, it's starting, just like it did for me. Don't mess around with the pill. Talk with your GYN about surgery. I suffered for years before my doctor agreed to a hysterectomy. It was the best thing I did!" At this point I'm waiting to see the results of the US and blood work before deciding what course of action to take.

Thanks for all the feed back and support.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 11:08 am:

UPDATE: Just got back from my US. The technician happens to be the mother of one of DS's classmates. LOL! I was surprised she remembered my history so well and thankful she was so thorough and informative. Apparently the uterine fibroids are the culprit. A new one has appeared and the existing two have doubled in size over the last year and a half. She also told me that I have an endo cyst on my ovary again. At this point I'm doing research and waiting to hear back from my doctor.

By Dana on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 11:46 am:

I've not heard about your health issues, but it sounds like you've been dealing w/ some ongoing pains. Hope you feel better soon.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 11:59 am:

Keep us posted, on what the doctor says. Good luck!

By Karen~admin on Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 03:42 pm:

Trina, I know there is less invasive treatment for fibroids than there was when I had my hysterectomy in 1994. So if I were you, I'd check into all of the options available to you.

I will say this, though: When I had my emergency surgery in 1993, my doc asked me before I went into the OR, if I wanted him to go ahead and do a hysterectomy. I had been separated from my X for just one year, was not involved with anyone, *knew* I didn't plan on more kids, but in an emergency situation, and with what was going on in my life, I just could NOT make that decision. So I told him, see what's up when you get in there, if you can save stuff, then do it.

14 months later I had to have a total hysterectomy, and I was kicking my own butt for not doing it the year before. But my symptoms were just awful. Each person has to make their own decision.

I'm just glad I don't have to worry about cramps, periods, ovulation, fibroids, endo, etc. LOL