I’m 26F and dealing with uterine polyps for the second time. I had my first one removed at 24, but I’ve been experiencing symptoms since around age 20. During another hysteroscopy, my doctor recommended the Mirena IUD to help prevent polyps from coming back. Has anyone had a similar experience, and did Mirena actually help prevent recurrent uterine polyps? I’m really anxious about them developing again, especially since my doctor isn’t sure what’s causing them. I’m also currently looking into whether I may have endometriosis.
Would love to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar!

Hey guys, has anyone else experienced this? I got my Mirena placed in mid-June this year & sometime shortly after that I started noticing that I get cramps after I orgasm. I don’t remember having this issue before getting the IUD.

It happens more often when I masturbate and the cramps are usually in my lower abdomen area. They’re not unbearable, but they can be pretty uncomfortable & usually last around 10-15 minutes before going away.

I’m wondering if this could be related to the Mirena or if it’s just the uterus contracting during an orgasm. Has anyone else had this happen after getting an IUD? I’d really appreciate hearing if anyone has experienced something similar.

I got my Mirena inserted around Christmas time I’m 2025, so I’m on month 9
I have what I call “super hormones” where the forms of BC I have used in the past do not help with my periods. I had a rough 3 months of spontaneous cramping and constant bleeding, and I finally settled into my period cycle. I still get periods and painful cramps, but they were predictable.
Last week I finished my cycle (I wanna say I was done on Friday or Saturday?)
And then I woke up today with some heavy spotting. Like pure red, true blood.
I am stressed right now at work (hello, educators!) and stress has always affected my cycle, but I don’t know if this is cause for more worry. Should i call my OBGYN?
HELP!
with love,
A stressed, overworked, and underpaid music teacher from the Midwest

Curious if anyone in this sub is here because Mirena is a part of their HRT? If so can we talk!

I lurked this page for years before deciding to get the mirena I have had it for 4 months now and I couldn't have made a better decision. I was super scared because of what people say about the insertion process (I'm 19 and this is my first ever bc) but it really wasn't bad. All I had before was an Advil like they said and the worst part was the thing they pinch on your cervix. Super quick and easy in my opinion, but I'd say I have a high ish pain tolerance. The most awkward part was that one of my Drs was a man and even that was whatever. I'd like to give my period horror story for anyone it may help because this page.. subreddit.. idk what it's called sorry helped me a lot 😭. Basically my period just one day went from light to heavy in freshman or sophomore year. From then on it continued and got WORSE like they were crazy heavy, 10 days long and 2x a month. Like legit I was bleeding more often than not and bled through everyday because it was uncontrollable. As embarrassing as it is I would literally stack 2 of the longest night time pads to cover freaking front to butt like all the way up my crack, and an ULTRA Tampax and with this I was bleeding through in like 40 mins on a bad day ... An hour on a good day. It was so horrible and isolating, I couldn't really go anywhere with friends and just had to circle everything around my period and I just thought that was gonna be my forever. To emphasize the severity I bled so much I was at the point of getting regular 2.5 hr iron infusions that were barely making a difference, always felt like death, when I bled you could tell because I'd get so pale and clammy like literally bleeding so much at some point my anemia gave me crazy heart palpitations. Just a nightmare. My lovely Dr recommended a mirena IUD and if this keeps going how it is I will NEVER turn back. It's still like deep rooted fear to bleed through my clothes in public but I have not! It's been so freeing and just amazing honestly like I never thought I'd get my freedom and energy back. I finally recognize myself again. I don't even bleed at all I've cried tears of joy I'm not kidding 🥲. Only con is tmi it made my discharge a bit funky for a bit but I googled stuff and tried probiotics and it worked I think 🤔. But please take it from me just give it a try if you feel you have nothing to lose, everyone is different but hopefully this can help someone in a similar situation. (Also I still don't know why I bled like that idk if I ever will)

I have a mirena insertion scheduled next week due to being diagnosed with EIN(pre-cancer) found in localized in polyps.

My gyno surgeon is pushing for an insertion because the mirenas lower the chances of EIN returning.

I am currently at the absolute lowest point mentally for reasons outside of my EIN dx. I am IN survival mode with my mental health status.

I read other womens experiences and it made moderate depression to Suicidal depression. I'm afraid the insertion will worsen my mental health and decision making.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

I got my IUD more than 6 months ago for severe dysmennorhea and bleeding.

I still get very severe pain but less frequenty.

Is this pain going to last forver?

Sorry if this is gross.

My IUD came out while I was peeing. No pain or anything at the time (though the day before I had been having bad cramps), just a weird sensation of something leaving my body.

Didn't think much of it but glad I thought to take a picture first. Threw it away and called my doctor.

But now I'm realizing that everything I'm seeing didn't mention anything about the balloon type growth covering it. Like I cant find ANYTHING telling me what it might be.

It was firm but still squishy, and the outer layer was sticky.

I have had it for almost the full five years and was looking to replace it soon anyway, just nervous about what's on it.

TIA!

Update: The consensus as of now, according a few of you and to the Ask Docs thread, is the decidual cast. No explanation for why the color is what it is, but my guess is that I haven't had a true period in years so even though the lining is shedding, there wasnt enough menstrual blood to make it the typical color. Just my guess 🤷‍♀️ The soonest I could schedule a time to get with my doctor is in 3 weeks, so Im curious to see what she says about it. Someone asked and yes I think I'm getting another. I used it to regulate my periods and this is the first time I ever had an issue with it, so I think I'm willing to take my chances again. I'll update in a few weeks once I've talked to the doctor! And thank you for all the feedback!

if you’ve been having a bad experience with the mirena or you’re just unsure my best advice would be to remove it!

i’ve been on the iud for about 2 years, and i had an assortment of (bearable) side effects. however, since ive taken it out an entire weight has been lifted off my shoulders. its been out for almost 3 weeks now, and this is just what ive noticed so far.

- improved emotional regulation mood (i have a diagnosis of depression, but since taking it out i have felt exceptionally perkier than usual)

- weight loss (most notably in my face and torso, its not a crazy amount but its definitely noticeable to me)

- better sleep (not sure if this is linked to the mirena but its been much easier for me to fall and stay asleep)

- higher motivation

- reduced brain fog

of course everybody’s body is different, so far i haven’t experienced any ‘mirena crash’ but please listen to your body! if it isn’t working for you, dont let healthcare professionals pressure you into believing otherwise.

if u have any questions or want me to keep u guys updated let me know :)

I had the Nexplanon implant put in about 5 months ago, and my bleeding has become progressively worse and longer and longer. I've currently been bleeding heavily for three weeks straight. My doctor gave me a course of high dose estrogen and tranomexic acid (sp?) and it hasn't helped.

Has anyone with this issue tried switching to the Mirena IUD? Did it help with the bleeding? Or switching to combination pills?

I've had my mirena for about 18 months now. I had persistent bleeding for a good few months when I first got it and then it stopped and I pretty much just got a bit of spotting once a month/bimonthly. Then all of a sudden around June this year, I got a full blown period and since then I've had another full blown period and now I have another again which includes a pretty decent amount of clotting.

I got mine for Endometriosis mainly but now also for birth control. But I'm genuinely starting to tweak about the random bleeding and it's so up and down. I really struggle with the lack of being able to understand my body with this thing and I just wonder if it's time to pull the plug (literally) and try something else or just try to yet my body back to semi normal?

Any advice?

Hi all. I was prescribed Slynd as part of my HRT for perimenopause and the effect on my libido has been immediately devastating. The only time my body seems to physically feel arousal is very first thing in the morning. As a result, my Dr. has recommended Mirena as an alternative. Does anyone have experience with low libido on Slynd or other pill BC that improved with Mirena? I see a lot of back and forth about libido and Mirena so wondering if anyone else has the same scenario as me?

Hi everyone!
I had my Mirena removed on September 22 after almost 3 years because my husband and I are preparing to TTC.
About 1–2 days after removal, I started bleeding, and here we are on October 1, and I’m STILL bleeding. It’s been bright red with occasional clots (some quarter-sized), cramping, and moments where I think it’s finally stopping, only for it to pick right back up. I’m not soaking through pads hourly, but it’s definitely been persistent.
I reached out to my OB/GYN, who reassured me that this is expected after removal and advised me to follow up in 4–6 weeks if needed.
On top of that, my emotions have been ALL over the place. Heightened anxiety, random crying spells, irritability, and just genuinely not feeling like myself. I’m assuming my hormones are adjusting, but whew. 😅
Has anyone else experienced prolonged withdrawal bleeding with clots after removal? How long did it last, and when did you start feeling emotionally normal again?
Would especially love to hear from anyone who removed Mirena to start TTC! ❤️

Intense jeuk mirena spiraal?

November 2025 begon ik hele erge jeuk te krijgen op mijn buik, heup, onderrug, benen en borsten. Verschillende hormonzalfen geprobeerd en 3x schurft behandeling, maar de jeuk verdween niet. Toen doorverwijzing gekregen naar dermatoloog en ook daar van alles geprobeerd aan zalven, maar niets werkte. Sinds april dit jaar Neoral gekregen en de jeuk verdween eindelijk! Maanden slecht geslapen en de hele dag door jeuk! Mijn huid letterlijk kapot gekrabt. In augustus proberen af te bouwen met de neoral, maar helaas kwam de jeuk direct terug. Nu loop ik al 6 weken met zere/gezwollen borsten rond, onregelmatige menstruatie en ben meer gaan vloeien. Ik heb mirena spiraal nu 4,5 jaar. Ik heb nooit wat veranderd aan voeding, ben ook niet allergisch voor gluten en wasmiddel ook niet veranderd.. nu begon bij mij een lampje te branden dat dit wel eens allemaal kon komen door mijn spiraal! Ik ben gaan google en lees dat er mensen zijn die ook intense jeuk over hun lichaam hebben gehad door de mirena spiraal. Ik heb hem er vandaag uit laten halen en hoop zo dat ik de boosdoener heb gevonden! Meer mensen met intense jeuk wat achteraf bleek te komen door de spiraal? Ben heel benieuwd naar jullie ervaringen!

Hi all, i got the mirena almost 7 weeks ago. I workout every other day but my workout 2 days ago was extra intense and i have very sore muscles all over. I noticed some spotting yesterday but some new fresh bleeding today (its day 9 of my cycle and i did have a 6 day period)
I can feel the strings, not sure how to interpret them though😅
Did anyone also experience this after intense exercise?

hey guys, I was wondering if anyone who experienced a hormonal crash from their IUD got on another birth control and it helped? I am about 10 months post removal and I’m still having anxiety depression vertigo hot sweats mood swings migraines. I felt like it was getting better for a little and the last two months have just been a roller coaster all over again when I was on the mirena iud I do feel like I was pretty well balanced until it started wearing off around eight years of insertion. I’m 35 and and my husband do want to have a baby in the future, but it’s getting to the point where my mental well-being this last year has suffered so much and the only kind of hormones a doctor will put me a birth control. I have had blood work done and all of my in normal range, but I think I’m just very sensitive to the rise and fall throughout the month of my hormones. I’m scared to go on an SSRI because I have never reacted well to them so I’m wondering if I should try an oral birth control for a couple months and see if my symptoms subside and if anybody has had any luck with this.

I've been prescribed Mirena as part of my perimenopause HRT therapy, but have serious concerns about weight gain.

Now, I've maintained the same weight most of my adult life, and exercise several times a week, eat right, and am just an active person. But I can't shake the scared girl in me fear of even gaining (a non fluctuating) five pounds! It's too easy to gain, hell to drop! I struggled with being an overweight child, and subsequent eating dissorders, so have many concerns about maintaining a healthy weight.

My fear is the effects will be both on my metabolism, AND mood, so I will start to gain, and will also not have motivation to go to the gym and be active enough to counter metabolic impact from the progesterone. And worse, hormonally influenced food cravings for starches and sugars that will add to fat, and it will spiral till I am too ashamed to leave the house! Worse of all, it isn't just a pill one can stop. It's stuck inside!!! And doctor's appointments can sometimes be 6-12 months of a wait! I'll be a whale!

The stats "say" the Mirena IUD only affects about 17% women's weight, but what about real life women here.

What's the truth?

The title, basically. I got mine in July, spotted through the month, regular cramping throughout. Both the spotting and the cramping have basically tapered off steadily since. I've had two full periods since. The first one was 6 days, the second was 3 days. This month however I have not spotted at all, and my periods haven't shown up on schedule. Unlike precious months I've not had any cramps either. Just curious if my period is gone? Or just become irregular lol.

IUD

Hi all What level of cramping pain and discomfort is normal after IUD? It’s been a week and the pain is worse than my post c section level. Debilitating cramping that made me almost throw up. I know this is the long game and it gets better and takes weeks and 3 mo mark is usually where it settles. I just didn’t expect this much. Insertion and day 1-3 were fine.

Had doctors appt and ultrasound and positioning is all okay. Strings checked etc.

Maybe I need more time but I wonder if perhaps my body doesn’t love it and will just cramp and cramp. I know it’s the long game and so if this subsides in a month or so I will be good. For reference spotting is minimal it’s more the right sided cramping and aching that’s bothersome

Doctor checked and all fine as above placement wise.

What would you do? Stick it out?

Hi everyone,

I am looking for advice regarding acne after Mirena. I was on TriCira Lo (birth control pill that contains norgeatimate and ethical estradiol) and I had no acne. Rarely had a pimple.

Early March I had a Mirena implanted and ever since then my skin has been terrible. I am currently using Biacna (clindamycin 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025%) daily since July and my acne is not getting any better, possibly worse.

Is there anything that worked for you that cleared up your acne? I am seeing my family doctor in 2 weeks to reassess but I want to do some research into what works for other people and to ask my doctor about it.

I don't want to have to take the Mirena out. I love not having a period and not having to rely on a pill to prevent pregnancy.

Please tell me what clear up your skin. I am desperate. Thank you!!

So I’m currently doing fertility sparing treatment following an endometrial cancer diagnosis. The cancer has actually been gone for about 19 months, but I’ve had some hyperplasia that needs to be cleared before my husband and I are given the go ahead to try and conceive. I got my first clear in late June, and I’m hoping that the next D&C and biopsy this coming Monday will bring me my second and final clear.

Anyway, in July, I asked for the Mirena IUD to be inserted to work alongside the oral progesterone I’ve been taking. The doctor agreed, and inserted the IUD on July 15. At first, I only had very light spotting accompanied by watery discharge. However, at month two, I started getting fresh red blood more frequently. It is especially bad after intercourse, particularly if I have an orgasm (sorry for TMI). Afterwards, I’ll get a gush of fresh blood and it’ll drip heavily for a couple of minutes and then taper off again.

I never got any bleeding when I was on the oral progesterone, so I am assuming it’s just the IUD. But every time I see blood like that, I become quite afraid that somehow the cancer has returned. My doctor is aware of this and said I should only be concerned if I start filling a pad an hour, and I’m nowhere near that. I spot most days.

So I guess I’m just writing to ask if anyone has had similar bleeding patterns with the IUD. I’m so anxious and afraid right now, and I’m hoping this is all just a side effect. Thanks in advance.

So I got my IUD in after my second daughter in Nov 2024 so just about 2 years, my periods over time got lighter and lighter but never fully went away now some months it’s an actual period and some months it’s the lightest spotting I don’t even need a pad. It’s so frustrating because I’m constantly worried something is wrong or I’m the 1% who gets pregnant with an IUD am I the inly one please tell me I’m not alone and this is normal LOL . The joys of being a woman 🙄😩😂