Mirena: My experience thus far

It's been a solid month since I had the plastic Mirena IUD inserted by my Gynecologist. My experience with the insertion and side effects (thus far) seems to have set me VERY FAR apart from the majority of women who have undergone the same exact procedure, and who have taken to the Internet to write about it. Sharing my experience is necessary because I have a completely different point of view from the blog and comments that I read prior to personally going through it. Six weeks ago without knowing a solitary detail about Mirena I made the abrupt decision that I'd use it as my next birth control option. I already knew prior to delivering my fourth child, this past fall, that I was done having children. I figured Mirena might be worth trying, especially since I'd already tried the pills (for years) and the Nuvaring. I'm not sure if it was the cute commercial with the curly head African-American family that kept working on my subconscious or what, but whatever the case I decided to give Mirena a try. It wasn't until an hour and half before my appointment when I figured I should probably go online and read up on this whole Mirena thingy. Upon doing so, the very first link that I came across was the blog of a woman who wrote about her experience with Mirena, which I was happy about. I figure who better to hear about Mirena from than someone who actually experienced it firsthand? So I read the blog as well as the accompanying comments and afterwards I was PETRIFIED! I instantly became scared and kept asking aloud, "What have I gotten myself into?" After a few minutes of my heart frantically racing I'd made another abrupt decision, I was not going to keep the appointment with my Gynecologist. I was not prepared to go through any of the things that the writer had relayed in her blog. The way that she described the pain that she underwent during insertion of the IUD, the instant cramping (where she was curled over in pain), the long term cramping (where she didn't even want to get out of bed) and the heavy bleeding was unnerving, so much so that it was enough for me to say forget the whole darn thing. At that point I was willing to go through another all natural childbirth and recovery again, just as long as I didn't have have that IUD inserted. Literally, I became a nervous wreck after reading that blog, and to add to those fears was the fact that there wasn't one comment where anyone had a less horrific experience. Everyone seemed to be in agreeance that the procedure was the absolute worse.

I did want to be certain that I was making the right choice by opting out of getting the Mirena. I needed to know that I wasn't overreacting, so I placed several phone calls. The first call was to my sister. After I explained to her what I'd read and how I had a change of heart, she told me to keep my appointment with the Gynecologist and just decide on another form of birth control once I got there. She was the one who reminded me of the exuberant amount of pain I'd undergone birthing baby, so I definitely needed some form of birth control (as not to have to go through that PAIN again). After speaking with my sister I called the guy who supplied the other half of my baby daughter's DNA. Of course, like any man (who didn't and doesn't want anymore children) he told me that I better stop acting crazy and go get the Mirena. He decided to build upon my confidence by saying, "You're stronger than the typical woman!" "It's going to be nothing for you. It's probably something wrong with all those women." "You're strong and healthy!" When none of his confidence building seemed to be working he went in with reverse psychology, "What? You'd rather have a baby than to get that put in?" "You're crazy! Go ahead and do it! Stop acting crazy!" After listening to what each of them had to say, I agreed to keep the appointment. But it was my sister's advice that I was going to take. I'd go to the appointment but I'd just get my doctor to write me a prescription for another type of birth control. On my way to the appointment, just to make extra sure that I should go I called my aunt. I relayed the story of my fears once again. She was very skeptical of what the blogger had written and she also advised me to keep my appointment.

At the Doctor's Office

When I was called in the back, the first thing I did was tell my doctor's assistant that I was nervous and I told her what I'd read. She was completely shocked. She said that she'd never seen anyone in any pain like that. I asked her were people complaining about the Mirena and/or coming back to have it removed. Her response was that some people complained about having some bleeding. She explained that it only took about two minutes to be placed and that would be it. You'd think that her explanation of how she's known people to deal with having Mirena would be enough to calm me down, but it wasn't. Although I'd already made up my mind to go ahead with the Mirena (since the examination room had been prepared for me to get the Mirena inserted) I still couldn't shake being nervous. When my doctor came in the room, her assistant told her that I went on the Internet and read about Mirena and now I was scared. Nonchalantly my doctor waved my fears off by saying, "Girl! If you can have a baby without any intervention you can do this." She went on to say that after she's finish putting it in I need to get online and post my experience. She was guaranteeing that it was going to be nothing like anything that I'd read.

During the procedure my doctor, her assistant and I talked about my natural childbirth delivery. Her assistant asked me some details about having my baby natural and before I had a chance to really answer her, to my surprise, the entire procedure was complete! There wasn't any excruciating pain. In fact, there was barely any cramping. For me, having the plastic Mirena IUD inserted was nothing different than having an annual pap examination. (smile) Once she finished the insertion part, my doctor explained the whole process of how I'm suppose to check the strings each month after my cycle is completed. Before leaving I made my follow up appointment for four weeks later, so that the IUD could be checked for proper placement.

One month later

The only side effect that I've experienced so far is spotting. The spotting started almost two weeks after having the IUD inserted. The spotting is so light that it's barely a bother. All I've been wearing are pantie liners and nothing more. I haven't had any cramping. There hasn't been any headaches, bloating, breast tenderness, irritability, absolutely nothing! I'm happy that I went with the decision to use Mirena as my choice of birth control. It really affords me with not having to worry about taking birth control pills daily or changing the Nuvaring every thirty days! I don't have to think about birth control for the next five years, and I'm ecstatic about that!

I know that it's only been a month, but so far I'm extremely glad with my decision! I will keep everyone posted with periodic updates about my Mirena experience.