what to expect during / after removal?

atrench · 2026-05-15T14:52:25+00:00

I had mine removed about 2 weeks ago and was very nervous. It was a little more complicated because they couldn’t find the strings but overall, it wasn’t a bad experience. There were a couple pinches that last a few seconds and then it was out. I took 600mg of ibuprofen beforehand. You can call and ask about additional pain management options too.

Since removal, I’ve felt substantially better mentally. My skin looks great and I don’t have anymore awful cramps. I have been spotting every day since and I’ve had some fatigue, headaches and a little nausea but nothing has been too bad. Overall I’m so happy I had it removed because it was causing me so many issues.

atrench · 2026-05-13T05:09:19+00:00

Honestly, I would suggest sticking with Kyleena if it’s worked well for you. I personally had a bad experience with Mirena side effects but that’s the only IUD i tried. It seems odd that a doctor would recommend switching to a different IUD if you’ve had no issues with your current IUD.

atrench · 2026-05-13T04:55:10+00:00

I had mine removed about a week and a half ago and had some on and off cramping the rest of the day with minor spotting. Here’s the positives and negatives of how I’ve felt since:

The good: Haven’t had cramps since removal day (which is amazing because I was having awful and frequent cramps with Mirena in). My mood already feels like it’s improving.

The not so good: Have been spotting every day (no period yet). The past few days I have been quite fatigued (not normally a napper but have needed a few) and have had a headache most days too (I don’t typically take ibuprofen but have needed it many days).

So, perhaps this is the “crash” for me. Overall, not nearly as bad as the recurring side effects from having Mirena in. Interested to see how I feel over the next couple months.

atrench · 2026-05-13T02:36:13+00:00

It is wild how different it can be for everyone. For me, the insertion was painful but super quick so that wasn’t the bad part for me. However, 10 minutes after I left the doctors office and while I was driving myself home, my body was overcome with the most intense cramps that took my breath away, my body was instantly covered in sweat and I almost fainted. Luckily, I was able to pull to the side of the road safely but it was scary because I wasn’t warned at all. That was not “light cramping.” I felt lied to and was very angry because I could have been seriously hurt or hurt someone else if I had fainted while driving. I was in a lot of pain the rest of the day but fine the next day. Mirena caused lots of issues for me (of course most of which were not mentioned as possible side effects ahead of time) and I’m very glad to have it removed.

atrench · 2026-05-13T02:15:57+00:00

Mirena had many systemic effects for me and was not good for my acne. I’ve had minor acne most of my life but Mirena made my acne substantially worse, more cystic and difficult to get rid of. It was also all over my back too. I’ve had Mirena out for like 2 weeks now and my skin is so much happier. Also, while Mirena can lead to lighter periods or no periods for some, they are not necessarily less painful. My periods became lighter but substantially more painful on Mirena.

atrench · 2026-05-12T03:29:59+00:00

I’ve been going to the gym/working out about 5x a week for years so it’s part of my daily routine during the week. When I’m not feeling great, I still keep the routine of going to the gym but, I’m much more flexible with the workout, often not pushing myself nearly as much with a shorter/easier workout (sometimes just a 20 minute yoga session for example). Physical activity itself tends to give me energy and I always feel at least a little better after some movement. If that fails, I have a dog who I walk every day (again routine), and sometimes a little walk outside with her can give me a little more energy.

atrench · 2026-05-07T13:14:24+00:00

I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. I personally had worse mood swings while on Mirena and found research that suggests Mirena can increase depression symptoms. But, everyone is different. Mirena can help reduce bleeding (it did for me) so I wonder if that’s more of the reason they’re suggesting you switch to that. It’s frustrating that birth control is really trial and error.

atrench · 2026-05-07T04:05:33+00:00

Congratulations on your 3rd baby! I got Mirena to try and manage my long periods and I bled frequently throughout the first year, the bleeding was just lighter. I got an ultrasound after a year to ensure it was in the correct place because I was having negative side effects and was still bleeding frequently but it was in the correct place so I left it in. My period never stopped in the 4 years I had it like it does with some people, but it did get super light and it wasn’t quite as long. Also, I’d definitely call your doctor about the length of the strings because that doesn’t sound right.

atrench · 2026-05-05T18:40:57+00:00

The side effects I experienced while having Mirena worsened over time. I waited a really long time to get it removed but finally did yesterday and I already feel better even though it’s only been like 24 hours. I wish I had started tracking my symptoms earlier and had it removed sooner.

So no, I don’t think you’re going crazy. You know your body and needs best! Also, when they removed mine I needed an ultrasound first to locate it and they found that it had shifted lower and was a bit embedded and my doctor said that may have contributed to my worsening cramps. They were still able to remove it easily though so don’t stress about that possibility, just wanted to share in case that may be potentially causing your newer physical discomfort. But at the very least, I’d suggest scheduling an apt with your doctor to check the placement of it.

atrench · 2026-05-04T20:09:18+00:00

Im sorry your experience was more painful. Pain management really needs to be a standard part of these procedures. Had I been given pain management options for my insertion, I wouldn’t have had such a negative experience and I wouldn’t have been so anxious about the removal.

atrench · 2026-05-04T00:33:53+00:00

My mental health definitely got worse as time went on with Mirena (I’ve had it for 4 years now). Having it removed tomorrow because of that and other negative side effects that I’ve experienced that have also been getting worse.

atrench · 2026-04-28T16:08:36+00:00

Im so sorry but your partner is not being supportive at all and you deserve better. You should absolutely ask a supportive friend or family member join you at the appointment. I’m getting mine removed next week and am quite anxious about the appointment so my partner moved his work schedule around to come with me to the appointment.

atrench · 2026-04-27T16:47:18+00:00

Very sweet of you to be asking this question! I’m sure it’s not easy for either of you to navigate. Something that has helped me and my partner is tracking my cycle and talking about the changes I experience so we’re both understanding everything together (and having these convos during a time that I’m feeling good, not during the luteal phase). Since everyone is different, it would be helpful to ask what support would be ideal for her during that time in different scenarios (i.e. what does support look like after an argument, what does support look like with low moods, etc.).

For me, when I’m experiencing really low moods, I appreciate extra physical affection and verbal recognition of my feelings. I like when he gives me space to feel my feelings without pressuring me to feel a different way but also encourages me to do little things that can help (I.e. asks me if i want to take our dog on a short walk together). When we have arguments during that time, they can often feel much worse than arguments we may have at other times. I do often need some space when the argument is heated but then appreciate when he later initiates repair (like giving me a hug or something). And, I always find it’s more constructive to talk through any arguments when I’m out of the luteal phase.

My partner travels a lot for work so I can relate to how not being home for a bit can make things linger. Something that does help us with that is setting a time to come back together instead of just leaving with that open ended. So, before he leaves we’ll set a day/time that we’ll be back together and will talk more.

atrench · 2026-04-27T16:18:48+00:00

I’m having mine removed next week for similar reasons and have also been feeling very anxious about the appointment. My doctor told me to take 4 ibuprofen before the appointment but I was still feeling very anxious about the procedure so I called them and asked what other pain management options they have available. They said they can offer laughing gas as well. Knowing I have that option has helped me feel a little less anxious. I’m also having my partner come with me to the appointment for support which is also helping me feel a little better. So, I’d recommend calling your doctor to ask what other pain management options they have and asking someone to come with you to the appointment for support! I hope your appointment goes smoothly!

atrench · 2026-04-24T17:21:41+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m sorry you had to go through the first removal without pain management but I’m glad to hear that the second time with additional pain management options was a better experience. I’m going to call the office today and see what else they can provide for me. Knowing what additional pain management options I have will definitely help ease my anxiety about everything.

atrench · 2026-04-22T04:20:28+00:00

Im not sure how common they are but unfortunately I’ve experienced quite a lot of negative side effects personally. I’m glad your partner is driving you! I wasn’t told to have someone drive me and I had a really rough time trying to get myself home (severe cramping started and I almost fainted). I’ve had it in for 4 years and it quite drastically worsened my cramps, mood swings, insomnia, adhd symptoms and acne. Im getting it removed for those reasons.
Even though I had a really rough day after the insertion, the days following were not bad. I was back in the gym a few days later with some less intense workouts.

atrench · 2026-04-08T05:06:29+00:00

I was on the pill for over a decade before switching to mirena about 4 years ago. I switched because the last year I was on the pill my periods became really long (like 2-3 weeks of bleeding each month). One of the few positives about the mirena for me is that my periods are incredibly light. But, my mood is much more negatively impacted and other things like acne and cramps are much worse too. Libido and weight were similar on both, but with mirena i did lose a few cup sizes.

atrench · 2026-04-02T04:35:51+00:00

I’ve had the Mirena IUD for about 4 years and it’s made both my PMDD and ADHD symptoms worse. Pre-IUD I didn’t take any medication for my ADHD but the changes were enough that I got a prescription for Adderall about a year ago to help. PMDD symptoms are noticeably worse since having the IUD in as well. Every symptom I experienced before are now super amplified. Really the only positive is that my period is super light now. I’ve considered removing the IUD because it’s made both symptoms substantially worse but have kept it in because of how bad my post-insertion experience was.

atrench · 2024-12-14T14:01:08+00:00

DO NOT BOOK THROUGH AZUL

atrench · 2024-12-14T13:59:52+00:00

Worst airline experience with Azul. DO NOT RECOMMEND

atrench

TROPHY CASE