It's been 8 months since the wonderful (albeit scary) arrival of Riley. After my 6 week checkup, I had the Mirena IUD put in because I could not go back on the birth control pill (35 yrs old and a smoker) and needed some form of birth control cause hubby doesn't like condoms and doesn't have much luck using them.

I have not experienced any discomfort aside from my menstral cycles. Serious cramping (painful jabbing on one side), belly tenderness, spotting (break-thru bleeding) that can last for 1.5 weeks prior to full cycle, nipple tenderness (almost painful), fatigue, and general body aches. Bascially really rotten PMS.

What is most annoying is my hubby and I have sex and then I start spotting for several days afterwords. I do not feel any pain/discomfort during sex, nor can he feel the IUD so I don't think it has shifted.

Anybody else experience anything abnormal with their IUD or other forms of birth control? I am going to see the family doctor in February when Riley goes for his 9 month checkup.

Your thoughts
Correna

Amber is a minera baby, mine vanished.

It made my periods quite heavy and painful (always made me think it was trying to jab its way out). I had it in 3 years that I can work out, then my periods got a lot lighter and pain free which I though was me finally getting used to it (then it must have came out, I have no idea when this happened).

Speak to your GP about another form of contraception if you are having problems, there are alternatives.

I don't actually check mine (though I should), but they told me when I had mine put in place to check it myself (with my hands) to see if it was in place-- basically feel for the strings etc, then every 6 months - 1 year go to the doctor and have your doctor/nurse etc check its position.

I have had zero problems with mine, none of what you've described, I know everyone is different but to me it sounds like yours could possibly be out of place. Like the various birth control pills, some people will not be er... "compatible" with a Mirena iykwim.

its nice to hear both sides of it, I'm having mine put in on Friday.
Ravelyn, from what I've read in the past couple days, I'd suggest calling your doctor, it may be out of place.

Here's a thought, what if its put in wrong, and you need to replace it? These things are expensive, my doctor ended up getting me a sample through her drug rep, so I lucked out, but I don't know that I would be able to afford another if it comes out.

^ My extended health/drug coverage took care of it, it had always covered my birth control pill. They approved the Mirena because over time it works out to the same or less than the BCP, depending on how long you leave it in. Otherwise it costs $350 with no coverage

Its $500 here in BC, at least thats what my doctor told me.
And I unfortunetly don't have extended benefits. Perhaps its time to look into it.

I have heard of people getting it covered by OHIP if they had bad menstrual cramps or heavy periods and their gynos recommended it, so if you have concerns like that, you may be able to get it covered? Not sure how it will vary province to province.

Ive had mine in for 3 months and have exactly the same problems, I was really worried so went and got mine checked as i was certain it had moved and was in the wrong place. But it was absolutely fine.
My doctor said all of those symptoms are normal as my body is still getting used to the coil being there.

If you are worried then just go get it checked to put your mind at rest.

yeah its def nice to h ear from both sides. im getting mine put in next week.
im kind of nervous to get it put in because i heard its a little uncomfortable.
but other then that im hoping my body will get on ok with it because im horrible with taking pills!

I had mine in for over a year and it was great for the first little while... I didn't know it was there, my periods vanished and it was great. Then like, 4 months before I got it taken out I started having really bad cramps that literally lasted 12 hours, they kept me up through the night. I would bleed for days straight and then take a 2 or 3 day break then bleed more. I dunno if it maybe slipped outta place or what? but I won't get another one back in.