want off Mirena - need suggestions/advice

[Anonymous]

I had my Mirena put in about a year ago (about 3 months postpartum). We have two kids and do NOT want a third in the near future, undecided if we want #3 at all, but definitely not for about 3 years. I was on the Pill for about ten years with no issues. Prior to taking the Pill (this was in high school), my periods were fairly heavy and came with heavy cramping. Because of this, I thought going on the Mirena would be better. I'd heard horror stories about the periods/cramping with Paraguard. I wasn't concerned about the hormones with Mirena because I'd been on the Pill with no problems.

Fast forward a year and I just hate the Mirena. I wasn't one of the lucky ones with a disappearing period... in fact, I get it every 4-6 weeks and it lasts for like 10 days. While light, it's enough to need to use a tampon the whole time. Unlike when I was on the Pill, I have NO idea when it will come - which drives me nuts. On top of that, I have noticeable PMS which I have NEVER had before. I just become bitchy and MEAN and I hate it and I'm overly emotional... plus I'm so bloated and feel enormous but I can't stop eating. Maybe others deal with this on a regular basis but I've never had PMS before and I'm over it.

So - I am wary about switching to Paraguard and, while I like the convenience of an IUD, I don't know if I want to switch to another one. I searched the boards for Paraguard posts and I don't think it's a good idea for me. The Pill makes me nervous because I don't want the risks of having #3 (missing a Pill) to fall in my hands, but I guess I'd be willing to do it again. Anyone have a great BCP they can recommend? I was on Ortho-Novum before and it was just fine... but I'm also willing to look into other non-Pill alternatives.

[Anonymous]

If you were on the Pill for 10 years with no screw-ups, you can probably handle it, right? I'd go back to the pill, if I were you. Bummer the Mirena isn't working out for you.

I was on Ortho-Tricyclen and then Loestrin back in the day. Hard to say if they were "great" -- I think different women have different experiences.

[Anonymous]

OP here... I'm thinking the Pill is the way to go but I was curious if anyone had any advice to give re: Nuvaring, Depo shots, etc... something as convenient as the IUD.

[Anonymous]

Depo made me depressed, and I gained a ton of weight, ring was ok but killed my sex
Drive.

Have paragard (7 months pp) and like it, but don't take my word for it since I haven't gotten my cycles back.

[Anonymous]

I agree that people have different experiences with different brands of pills, but I can tell you that when I was certain I didn't want any more kids, I did not follow my OB/GYN's suggestion to switch to one of the newer, low-dose pills. I knew 3 women who became pregnant on Yasmin when it was supposed to be the latest and greatest thing, and now women are having all sorts of problems with that pill.

The last pill I took before my DH had a vasectomy was Levlen, and it worked well for me.

[Anonymous]

Have a paraguard now And like it, but pre-kids I had a nuvaring and loved it. I started having issues with hormone based BC and thus the paraguard choice, but for you it sounds like ring could be a great option.

[Anonymous]

I've done depo shots and nuva ring. I'll NEVER go back to the pill.

Both helped me to keep a healthy weight - depo even better for that. They cleared my skin and helped a lot with TERRIBLE PMS I used to get w/o BC or on the pill.

I went period free for almost 10 years! 7 on the shots and 3 on the ring. BEST DECISION EVER! I got pregnant as soon as I removed my last ring, didn't even get a period. It was a huge surprise for us since doc said it would take several months to get all those hormones out of my system.

[Anonymous]

I had Nuvaring, period was never regular. I had Paragard, period was like clockwork, yay-hormone free, but evil cramps. I considered Mirena but heard the spotting was ridiculous. I needed an estrogen free option due to bp issues. Before Bp issues, Loestrin worked well for me. I wouldn't do Depo because if you do want another child, it can take quite a while to get your menstrual cycles back to normal.

If you don't want more children, I would consider ablation, especially if you have bad cramping/heavy menstrual flow.

[Anonymous]

I have the Mirena and also had very long but lighter periods for quite a while. However, I've had it almost 4 years now, and over the past year or so my periods have become so light that I barely need a pantiliner. And they got shorter too - the last one only lasted a couple days. Mine are pretty regular, but not as regular as on the pill obviously.

[Anonymous]

I have the Paraguard and my periods haven't been so bad--they are different-- I'll have a couple of light days, one crazy heavy day, then really light days. Cramps are less than before. But I'm sure it varies a lot for different people. My previous OB wasn't a fan, but my current OB thought it was a great idea after baby #3.

[Anonymous]

I just swallow the swimmers now, but I'm planning on getting ParaGard sometime next year.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for all the advice... here I am starting my period, yet again, today and I just had it four weeks ago for about 10 days. Have cramps today, too. A year into Mirena I surely didn't think I'd be at this point... a little annoying. I'm going to see my OB this week and have a chat with her.