More BC questions - re Mirena

[ADDled]

I'm considering the Mirena. I've been reading people's experiences with it with interest for a while.

Has anyone ever gotten it before their periods started back up after a baby? Would it still then cause me to bleed in response to the insertion - that "long period" thingy I'm reading about?

And then...would it cause my cycles to return (however lightly)?

That would kind of be a downside to me - I like my lactational amennorhea and I don't think I'd want to give that up to get the mirena put in.

Any experiences with this? TIA!

[Holly]

I'm considering the Mirena. I've been reading people's experiences with it with interest for a while.

Has anyone ever gotten it before their periods started back up after a baby? Would it still then cause me to bleed in response to the insertion - that "long period" thingy I'm reading about?

And then...would it cause my cycles to return (however lightly)?

That would kind of be a downside to me - I like my lactational amennorhea and I don't think I'd want to give that up to get the mirena put in.

Any experiences with this? TIA!


I had it inserted then because I had already met my deductible for the year yada yada yada....

Anyway, it is now 3/31/2008 and I had the mirena replaced last month and still have not had a period. After both insertions I had some bleeding that subsided within a few days but no periods.

[Kerry]

Holly, you didn't find that it affected milk production at all? I know the hormones are not systemic, but I'm still a bit leery of doing anything that could possibly, theoretically, potentially affect milk production. OTOH, I loved having the Mirena and would love to have it again if possible.

Mac is planning on getting snipped, but I'd love to get it again just for its effects on menstruation.

[Bickery]

Holly, you didn't find that it affected milk production at all? I know the hormones are not systemic, but I'm still a bit leery of doing anything that could possibly, theoretically, potentially affect milk production. OTOH, I loved having the Mirena and would love to have it again if possible.

Mac is planning on getting snipped, but I'd love to get it again just for its effects on menstruation.

Kerry, I've seen some comments on Lactnet lately about Mirena reducing milk supply, but of course these are isolated and anecdotal experiences.

Super bummed to read it though as it seems to be the miracle BC.

[Holly]

Holly, you didn't find that it affected milk production at all? I know the hormones are not systemic, but I'm still a bit leery of doing anything that could possibly, theoretically, potentially affect milk production. OTOH, I loved having the Mirena and would love to have it again if possible.

Mac is planning on getting snipped, but I'd love to get it again just for its effects on menstruation.

Isabella was still exclusively bf at that point in time and we didn't run into any problems at all. I had a very good supply (over supply actually), a huge supply of frozen EBM in the freezer that would have supplemented her for a long while (I ended up donating it) so I wasn't too worried.

[BunnyMcFluff]

My supply was affected. My good friend's supply was not affected.

[laurata]

Has anyone ever gotten it before their periods started back up after a baby? Would it still then cause me to bleed in response to the insertion - that "long period" thingy I'm reading about?

And then...would it cause my cycles to return (however lightly)?

I had it done at 3 or 4 month pp. I did bleed for some time after insertion. If you do get it done, specifically ask the dr to check that she has scissors to trim the string.

I did not have cycles for over a year. I did, however, partially expell the device between my second and third cycle postpartum. I pulled it the rest of the way out myself. Unintentionally- I would have left it alone if I had realized it was coming out and tried to get them to reinsert it. My OB said that "some women just find them irritating." I was a little pissed because I had paid for the device and insertion appointment out of pocket (~$800 total). It's worth mentioning that I also have trouble tolerating things like menstraul sponges, the instead cup, and tampons- they irritate my cervix and cause terrible terrible cramping.

I did get pregnant rather easily after it came out, although as is my pattern, I miscarried before 8 weeks. This baby stuck just fine though. :jester: So far she's enjoying hanging out in my womb, although in about 10 days I'll be posting an evication notice.

[Kerry]

I did learn after I removed mine that an IUD is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage after removal. I do believe that my miscarriage last year was due to the IUD (or more specifically, not waiting longer after removal before conceiving).

[Meredith]

I got mine in September, and it hasn't prompted my periods to come back. I did have some spotting for 2-3 weeks after getting it inserted, and still have some spotting after sex, but that's it.

I've had no supply issues, and with pumping to donate (on top of nursing two) I'd have noticed it. I did like that if I had any supply issues, I could have it removed immediately.

[BunnyMcFluff]

Has anyone noticed weight gain with Mirena? After I got mine last year, I gained 20 lbs seemingly overnight, and it won't come off for anything. I'm actually considering having mine removed to see if I can finally lose some of the weight.