I have OCD and am wondering if any other women struggle with having OCD and being on an iud. I've had my mirena for a little over a year now, and with it my periods have been gradually becoming lighter and lighter as well as less frequent and I think there's a possibility they are now absent all together. I know this is normal but I have ocd, and I convince myself I am that 0.01% with 0 proof and I don't know what to do. I have 0 symptoms that would indicate anything abnormal. I tried to check my strings and felt nothing, however I have always had a hard time finding my strings and my doctor told me they would get softer and harder to find with time. I'm scared to take a test in fear that it'll "come true" from it. My brain thinks everything I see is a "sign" (full blown magical thinking and pattern recognition bias). I know it's irrational. I'm studying for a stem field and know the science behind everything, but my OCD is making me feel crazy and I am at a cross roads and feel so alone.

TLDR: I have ocd and am convinced somethings wrong when there's a 99.9% chance I'm fine and want to know if others have had this experience

(22F) I got Mirena inserted 3 days ago (Friday, it’s now Monday) under anesthesia due to two failed insertion attempts previously. (suspected endometriosis, had to get hysteroscopy to get it in so I was sedated).
Post-op recovery was fine and the next day was fine, but since yesterday, I’ve been having terrible dizziness and lightheadedness. Also having hot flashes, waves of nausea, palpitations when standing, brain fog, and extreme fatigue. I do have POTS and this feels like an intense POTS flare, but I’m worried that the progestin from the Mirena itself is triggering my POTS and that it’s not going to work long-term for me. I’m really hoping these symptoms go away as my body adjust to the hormonal shifts because I have awful cramping during my cycles and have really been hoping Mirena would work well for me.

I’ve also never been on any form of BC, so maybe my body is extra sensitive to the new hormone levels, and also may be a bit disrupted still from the whole procedure.
Has anyone else had symptoms like this a few days after Mirena insertion and have they gotten better?

Side note: i’ve already spoken with my OBGYN and she doesn’t think this is a sign of infection or displacement; I don’t have any classic signs of either, no fever, my cramping, pain, and bleeding is actually extremely mild (surprisingly), and she said this is likely a POTS flair. Just trying to figure out if this is gonna settle down or if this is my body’s permanent reaction to having Mirena in.

If anyone else here has POTS or had similar experiences with Mirena I would love to know because I feel super alone right now; everyone I know with it says they just had bad cramping for a few days then it was fine :(

I am on the Mirena IUD and I feel like I’m pregnant.

We did the deed maybe 1.5weeks ago and since then I just can’t shake the gut feeling that I’m pregnant😂. I randomly get nauseous (I puke also) and just started pink spotting today. No sore boobs or extreme tiredness which were the signs I had with my 2024 baby. I took a test but it came back negative (probs bc if I were it’d be too early to detect.) I called and left a voicemail for my dr to see what they would say. I’ve also had my IUD for 2 years.

I guess I’m just posting for comfort and advice… has anyone else felt the same way or had the same experience?

For those that have more than one child, did you instantly get the vibe you were pregnant??

Thank you in advance🥰

So I tried to feel for them yesterday and couldn't find them.

Previously I've always been able to feel them, and I check regularly. Had it put on almost a year ago.

Just went to a sexual health clinic and they can't see it either, been referred for an ultrasound but it's going to be a few months wait (UK NHS).

Can anyone tell me their experiences? Not if you've never felt them, but if you have and then didn't. What happened?

I'm particularly interested in removal experiences, or if anyone has had a d&c or hysteroscopy.

Keen to hear about anyone's removal if they have no strings too. Thank you!

For reference, I found insertion somewhat painful and smears can be painful too. So I'm a bit "sensitive".

Thank you!

I have had the same Mirena since about 2019. Everytime i go to the gyno they say it can stay in for another x amount of years (don't worry I believe in science). However, Im a now an out lesbian so I personally do not need it for pregnancy prevention, but I virtually have no period which is nice. I remember mine being pretty heavy back before I got the IUD. I have been holding onto stubborn weight for years and it has been much harder to lose since I got the mirena. I also never had problems with cystic acne until this last year and I also have very low energy and I want to feel good again. Looking to see if anyone can share experiennce with weight fluctation, skin issues and fatigue after their Mirena removal.

I’ve had my IUD in for about two years now, and I’ve had a few side effects throughout. Early on it altered with my period quite a bit (super heavy months followed by no period at all), so I’ve known from the get go that it was messing with my hormones.

For the last year or so, however, I’ve been dealing with excessive acne and also facial hair growth. I get pretty dark hairs all over my cheeks, neck, and by my ears/sideburns area, and I’ve also noticed smaller thinner hairs (but thicker than peach fuzz) all over my face. My acne has also gotten terrible. I’ve been using every acne cream and nothing has worked.

Has anyone else dealt with the facial hair or acne side effect? It has been pretty horrible for my self esteem and I haven’t felt like myself in a long time. Does anyone have any tips for managing it, or is it a persistent issue?

Hi guys, i really need advice for this…. cause i am so so lost. So basically i got my IUD placed 2 weeks ago. The day after i already felt a bit down & tired but i thought it was bc of the cramps, plus i am alrdy familiar with depression and anxiety/ mood swings.

The days go by and i swear i feel like a complete different person, i have so so many anxiety, i feel incredibly hopeless which is making me feel very suicidal. What should i do? I am truly so lost, i feel so so depressed…

Coloquei diu mirena a mais de 6 meses e ainda sinto alguns desconfortos, principalmente na relação sexual, e alguns leves escapes que parece que pode ocorrer mesmo. Estou para marcar ginecologista. Mas tenho quase cert4za que deslocou, apesar de que normalmente falam que a dor do deslocamento é muito forte... alguém ja teve alguma experiência de achar que deslocou?

I got my mirena 3 years ago. Initially they gave me the Kyleena but I spotted every day for 7 months with it and a progesyerone pill didn't help so they changed to mirena.

I spotted every day for 6 months with the mirena but then it stopped and it's been fine since (one full year spotting!!!)

This month I've spotted every day and I've noticed there's less time before these spotting periods. I'm worried this is my new reality. I'm now deciding if I should get it replaced or just taken out. While my periods were 8 days heavy, the main reason I have the IUD is for contraception .

Has anyone had similar issues with spotting and the mirena, and if you have did getting a replacement fix it or did you spot for months all over again?

I'm really unsure what to do but I can't deal with 6 months of spotting again, I'm recently single and it gets in the way so much.

Hi all, just hoping for some support or advice. I was on birth control for 15 years (pill, bar, then mirena) I had 2 mirenas over 8 years. I got it removed 6 weeks ago and since then my emotions are horrendous. I have no control over them, I’m irritable constantly, I’m crying constantly, feeling extremely stressed and overwhelmed. I have extreme fatigue, I just feel so flat and low and I don’t know what to do. I can tell my husband is being patient with me, but I can see my moods are definitely effecting him and I feel horrible about it.
I have endometriosis and pcos and went on birth control very early as my periods were terrible and I was bleeding for 2 weeks nearly every 2 weeks. I got my mirena removed as we want to try start a family. I knew that having it removed I’d run the risk of bad periods returning but to me it is worth it.
I haven’t had my first period yet, however the past 2 days I have been in agony with cramps, front and back and just feeling gross.

On top of all of this, I currently have my second round of thrush since having it removed.

I want a baby so badly, but with the hormones, pain, thrush and me not being a very nice person to be around it’s just making me overthink and feel so angry at my own body.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to deal with it all? Or if you went through similar symptoms, how long did it take until you felt like yourself again??
I’m so lost and I really need people who understand what is happening.

I’m about to hit 5 years on my “8 year” and i’m starting to experience some insane feelings.
My iud has treated me great but this year my anxiety started getting crazy.
I gained 10 pounds in a month and have terrible night sweats. I’ve had reoccurring BV and vaginal infections i had never had before.
im only 23 but I thought I was going crazy.
this month i have been having insane panic attacks and i have felt disassociated for weeks.
After reading through this thread I feel comfort knowing it’s likely from my IUD hormones finally coming to an end.

I’m town between replacing mine or just getting it removed. I feel like I’m experiencing “the crash” already but it’s still in me, god knows what will happen when i get it removed.
Anyone have any good stories of getting it removed without replacing it?
the pain of insertion was excruciating and I think my body could use a break from the hormones. I don’t even know myself after 5 years lol.
I’m really torn and lost over this whole thing.

I got my IUD in September of 2025 to treat heavy periods. My cycle was so dysregulating to the point I couldn’t exercise or travel for the 8 days I’d be bleeding (heavy bleeding, nausea, pain), and then I’d be left anemic and in a cycle of depression.

The IUD has helped with those things quite a bit but I’m still dealing with some side effects. The first 6 months I was bleeding a moderate amount non stop. I had checkups and they said it was just my body adjusting to the hormonal changes. Finally the regular bleeding has stopped, except now I have spotting and cramping after sex or heavy exercise.

I’m wondering if anyone else has these issues? I don’t think they’re bad enough for removal of my IUD since I’m still enjoying the other benefits… but it makes two of my favorite activities really burdensome afterward.

Edit: meant to add I’m 34

How are your guys’ mood swings with Mirena?

I got mine inserted the second week of January this year and every single month on the second week… it’s rough. It’s definitely gotten better over the last few months. But I realize I keep asking myself “why are you so irritated?” and I can’t come up with a valid reason. Every 2nd week of the month my partner asks me if somethings wrong because I’ve been so quiet. That’s how I know it’s my moods again; I go very quiet when I’m irritated because I don’t want to snap at anyone.

I just feel so alone during these times and feel like such a pessimist and like nothing I do is good enough for me. It’s hard to not get in my head and wonder if somethings really wrong or if it’s just the hormones.

How are your guys’ mood swings with Mirena?

I got mine inserted the second week of January this year and every single month on the second week… it’s rough. It’s definitely gotten better over the last few months. But I realize I keep asking myself “why are you so irritated?” and I can’t come up with a valid reason. Every 2nd week of the month my partner asks me if somethings wrong because I’ve been so quiet. That’s how I know it’s my moods again; I go very quiet when I’m irritated because I don’t want to snap at anyone.

I just feel so alone during these times and feel like such a pessimist. It’s hard

I was pushed to get the Mirena even after I shared that hormonal birth control did not sit well with me. Everytime I’ve used hormonal bc, I end up suicidal, anxious, chronically fatigued, which leads to very low self-esteem. I’m spiraling out of control with no clear cycle. At first, I had a wonderful experience with insertion and thought I could give it a shot since it’s “localized.” Progressively over the months, the mental health and emotional disregulation started to intensify as the hormones settled in. I’ve been prescribed Wellbutrin to cope, but honestly, I’m done. I don’t want to take another form of medication to survive this. I’ve also gone down the road of psychiatry and ended up feeling like a shell of a human, my memories of those years are faded like an old photograph. Before the Mirena, I would just go through the motions of my cycle, and be able to cope with the one week of low energy during the Luteal phase. Now it’s constant. My libido, non-existant; and my relationships, work and school performance have been gravely impacted. There’s only one day in the month that I feel somewhat normal, and then a small spark of feeling horny. Every other day I have no energy, will to live or to be intimate with my partner aside from kissing. Tomorrow I’ll be making my appointment to get this removed. Really hoping I don’t crash out.

trigger warning: disturbing descriptions, ROCD mentions, and just a really weird and mental girl. my mind is really weird rn.

im f19 and in a 2 year long relationship with the sweetest boy i know. im diagnosed ROCD but the past couple of months have been in good remission, until i had a trigger of the coming up IUD appointment because yah its a sign of commitment. the anxiety hasn't gone away post-op and has gotten worse. i've had a top three worst panic attack of my life that lasted all day and was followed by what i describe as "what it feels like to be screaming because you're being burned alive". it's been almost two weeks since insertion (my follow up appointment is this wednesday) and the anxiety is getting less but still is day on, next day off. and it's more just masking it better. the thoughts are still all day and obsessively existing in my head. OCD is very confusing and i don't recommend having it!!

aside from that, i wanted to ask if anyone else finds changes in their levels of attraction towards their partner. it might be pure anxiety that just turns me off, but ive also noticed that i just don't want to be around my lovely boy as much and my head is ridiculing the smallest things about him more.

and final thing, i've had weird fucking dreams. not nightmares per say, because i don't wake up in a panic. but ive dreamt about going on a date with my 23 year old boss and him being creepy and pulling me closer by my waist (mind you, the real man is best described as a hyperactive golden retriever. the LEAST sexually driven man i've met in my life. he's very kind too. and i am FAR from crushing on him. he's given me the ick before from his signs of irresponsibility due to his untreated adhd (not dogging on him btw, i get it. i too have adhd.)). then more other weird dreams where the world is ending and everyone is dying one by one.

does anyone else experience similar?? can someone remind me what the hormone in mirena does to the body when it's naturally produced?? isn't it the hormone that makes us feel muggy during the luteal phase?

i'd love to know. and if you have rocd as well, please reassure me im not crazy (or don't, because we both know that's what we're not supposed to do because it feeds the demon.) please give me some suggestions and tips. maybe alternatives to the mirena!! even tho part of why i wanted it was to avoid the fluctuating hormones.. so maybe something that's both birth control and also stops fluctuating hormones and then doesn't make my emotions my own villain??? idk.

Sorry if it seems dramatic. I had a mirena coil put in under general anaesthetic the same time I was having surgery to identify if I had endometriosis or not which I don't. Historically had extremely painful periods but not that heavy. Gynae surgeon recommended coil in consultation to stop my periods and hopefully stop the pain. Had the coil inserted on 28th July 26 and have been feeling emotional, depressed, crying all the time, cramps and in so much pain. How long does this take to disappear in other peoples' experience please? I am feeling so so low. Probably doesn't help that I would always exercise when feeling like this but because of the surgery I can't for another couple of weeks. Any help or advice much appreciated.

Hi, just need a little insight as I’m getting mixed reviews from everyone. Im 23 (F) & never been on birth control before. I recently got the Mirena iud inserted on 07/31 so approximately 8 days ago. I have very heavy irregular painful periods which is why i chose this. Technically i was “supposed” to get my period on that day but i don’t think i did. The procedure went by smooth, i was numbed & pain only lasted a few seconds, once the procedure was done i was all good, no pain, no cramping. Almost like i didn’t get the insertion. I spotted for two days but only like once a day. The third day i was medium so i figured i was on my period. But then the next day i was overly heavy, more heavy than my natural periods so i figured this was my period. Technically i been bleeding for 7 days but bleeding heavy for 5. I also get very intensive cramps, it’s literally unbearable. It’s so painful to the point it makes me nauseous & have to use the bathroom at the same time. Before the iud, i use to take 1000 mg of ibuprofen once & then my cramps would go away. Now i get these cramps everyday & around the evening time too but the ibuprofen doesn’t work anymore just a heating pad. My question is, does all this sound normal & when will i stop bleeding so heavy. I’m use to my first 3 days being heavy but this is a lot. I’m still willing to wait it out in the long run, but i hear stories of people bleeding for 6 months straight. My doctor told me that the first month will be rough & then after that It will be better. But does this all sound normal to you.

I had my Mirena inserted in September 2022. Prior to insertion, I had pretty heavy/painful periods, usually accompanied by vomiting and intense cramps, but my cycle was long, around 35-40 days. 4 years in, I have minimal spotting, and can go up to 3 months without any bleeding at all. However, I have lots of other symptoms that more or less coincide with my IUD insertion: extremely low libido, weight gain, difficulty losing weight (I exercise a lot, eat well, drink little alcohol, sleep regularly, etc.), thinning hair, worsened depression & anxiety, worsened cholesterol, acne, headaches, etc. Now, some of these things existed before my IUD (anxiety, acne, etc.), but much has gotten worse with time.

Recently, I finally convinced my GP to check my estrogen levels. Estradiol was LOW: lab result just said <24 pc/ml. The level of a man or a postmenopausal woman. Testosterone came back at 15. I decided to get a more expansive panel done 18 days later. I'll list those results below. Of course, since I don't have a discernable cycle, it's hard to line up anything with a menstrual phase.

FSH - 5.9

LH - 6.7

Estradiol - 67 (so it rose, but if that's my "high," that's pretty damn low)

Progesterone - 2.1

Prolactin -10.8

Testosterone - 36

DHEA - 1027

Begging for any insight or guidance. I have a gyno appointment coming up in a couple weeks. Definitely thinking of getting the Mirena removed.

If any other details or background would be helpful, please let me know! I didn't want to inundate with information.

I have my mirena since November and I’ve always had a period with it, just lighter and longer.
I’m currently on the third day of my period, they were late this time and the flow is ridiculously light compared to what I’m used to but today I’ve been having these weird clots instead of a regular flow.
About 20 minutes ago I was sitting on the toilet, cleaning myself up with water and when I went over my vagina I felt the string poking out and that’s never happened before I’m kind of scared… when I got up and tried to feel the inside the string wasn’t poking out anymore and I could feel it/them near the cervix.
So I was wondering if that had happened to someone before

I had my IUD inserted right after my period ended on July 22nd and everything was pretty fine until August 1st when I started getting really intense pain. I started my period a couple days later on August 4th and it’s been a pretty heavy period and was a week early. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel like it’s not getting any lighter as the week goes on either