Pms symptoms and conditions

I had the Mirena inserted in December 2006. Within the first week I developed Bacterial Vaginosis that lasted until September 2008. I went to several doctors and each time I was given antibiotics or creams that only worked for 2-3 months then that disgusting smell would come back! I was totally depressed about this and wanted to take it out but I was enjoying the comfort of not having to take a birth control pill every night and decided to work at finding a solution. I did independent research and found a study where patients were treated with peroxide (3%) and it worked!

Now my only complaint major with Mirena is the length of my period. Though my period has a very low flow (pantyshields can be used only), it lasts for two weeks each time! I can't stand it!

I'm more emotional now, I cry at the drop of a dime but I can deal with that...I just wish my periods won't last this long! I've also noticed that PMS is more severe now, but I'm not sure if this is as a result of the Mirena or age - I'm 33. At least a week before my period I feel extremely emotional, angry, overwhelmed, exhausted and my thoughts are very chaotic. Wish there was something that I can use that didn't have all of these side effects and offered the comfort of not having to worry about taking a pill every night...

I was on Aviane for about 2 years. During this time, I had very severe cramps during my period. This included majoe hot flashes, to a point where I would sweat! Just about every time I ate, I would have to go to the restroom with severe diarreha. All I wanted to do was to lay in bed, curled up in a ball, so nauseated from the pain! I was so miserable!! Not to mention my horrible mood. I was mean to everybody and I was so depressed that I would just cry for no reason. It almost caused my boyfriend and I to break up a few times because he couldn't take me anymore! Once my period ended, the mood swings ended, but I had no sex drive what so ever! It kept getting worse every month, and I am only 25 years old! So, I recently switched to Yaz. It costs a lot more, but so far is worth it. My sex drive is back, no PMS or mood swings! Cramps are very light and I haven't felt depressed at all. I am in such a better mood all of the time every day. Something else I noticed is that my sudden feelings of anxiety have disappeared! I thought it was just me, but now I believe that it was caused by Aviane. Also, It has made by breasts grow a whole cup size
with no weight gain! One more thing is that I used to have so much hair loss in the shower, and I thought it was from straightning my curly hair! Since I switched, it has dramatically lessened! Ooh! And one more thing...I have smoked for about 8 years...not a lot, just a few a day. Since I have been on this I have not had any cravings cir a cigarette.... maybe occasionally while having a drink or coffee. So maybe it is from Yaz as well! I am so glad I found this forum, and wish I found it sooner! Good luck everyone :)

Okay, you might think I was the THE spokesperson for Mirena when I previously posted. What I was trying to convey was that we can have similar symptoms even without the IUD if our eating habits and lifestyle are not healthy and if we have our hands full with raising little ones. I didn't want to mislead anyone into thinking that I was symptom free myself. I had many, many good days of feeling great once the 6 month of unpredictable spotting/bleeding was over. However, I have a laundry list of things that were not right and recently had the Mirena removed. The things I'm reading on the site are pretty right on: Fatigue, no to little sex drive, weight gain (expect 7-10 pounds), pain at times during sex, did I mention FATIGUE?, bloated (looking 4-5 months prego at times). After 2 years, I had one whole week of cramping no period and was starting to get sharp pains. I had had enough and had it removed. I need to say that I have never felt better. I had a big period the moment it was removed. I think it's bogus that it thins the lining of the uterus. If that were true, I would not have had a period for a while. It was just the opposite. I had a real heavy one. But boy was it a relief. I don't know what to expect in the coming months with PMS and so forth. I am banking on eating right and exercise and limiting caffeine, sugar and any thing that would affect my emotions and weight.
I'll post again later and let everyone know how the weight loss is going. I did lose 3 pounds after a couple of days. Whew! I had gained 10 with it in the first year. Blessings to all! John 3:16

I am 29 years old and have SUPER heavy periods so my OBGYN prescribed me the NuvaRing. I have had trouble with pills and the patch making me feel crazy, she said this one would distribute the hormones much more evenly. HA HA HA, well I obviously don't need any more hormones than I already have. I put the ring in about 2 weeks ago and for the last 4 days I have been a raging lunatic. I am the most bubbly girl in the world, except when I'm PMS-ing. But this ring makes me feel like I'm PMS-ing 24/7. I feel irritable, sad, don't wanna get out of bed, i have hot flashes, headaches, wake up dripping from sweat, and now that I think about my sex drive has depleted. I just start crying for no reason, over-analyzing everything my sweet loving boyfriend says to me. Thought I was a freak because all BC i have tried does this to me. It makes me feel better to know I'm not alone, and I'm not crazy. I recommend talking with your Dr. before removing the ring. I'm calling tomorrow!!

I just recently had the mirena iud inserted. Oct 30 2008. 3 months after having my first child under a normal vaginal delivery. When I have asked my doctor regarding any side affects he stated that women may have heavy bleeding the first 6 months/ and that after those 6 months that your periods will actually disappear.

The first week that I had the mirena in, I began bleeding almost instantly. Blood clots the size of my closed fist came out of my body from the uterine wall I suppose. I went through a super tampon/ and a pad in an hour and a half. ( I am one of those women who normally use a super tampon maybe once in a while/ normally a reg. size does the job) This bleeding has not stopped since the mirena was inserted.

Looking at a computer screen is part of my daily routine at work. It seems as though my eyes feel blurry through out the day as I am working. Towards the end of the day I can barely stand to look at it. This has never happened to me before. It is almost like I want to turn all lights off and sit in the dark, with no noise(headaches).

Of course sex drive is at the all time low. Who is in the mood to go for it when you are bleeding with a terrible headache?

The first few nights I had a horrible time falling asleep and staying asleep.

Well... at this point I have had headaches... all day for a week now. My head hurts like someone is pounding it against a wall. I have not had a headache in years. My stomach has been upset/ feeling as though I may have to throw up.

I am afraid that I may start seeing the other symptoms that ladies have talked about.
When you had the symptoms did they all happen at once or one at a time over different time periods?

I too decided to have the mirena inserted on November 5th. I am a 32 year old divorced mother of one 10yr old boy. I have had years of heavy bleeding extreme PMS and cysts and fibroids. After years of birth control pills my Gyno suggested the Mirena. Like many of you I thought the procedure was beyond easy, it felts almost as painful as childbirth again! I had serve cramping and moderate bleeding afterward. My Gyno was concerned it was not positioned correctly, So he ordered a ultrasound right then and it came back fine , position good and no peforated uterus, thank goodness! I am still having some of the same side effects as so of you almost a week later. The bleeding has gotten lighter, the bloating is there and tiredness . Now I have the migraines which suck. However I go back in a month to recheck so I will give it til then and decide. All and all so far not as bad as some of the birth control I have in thepast!

I just want to thank all of you on this blog and other blogs. I was going to start this pill for pms and pmdd. I feel like I have the flu when I have my period. I am so exhausted. Bleeding is not so bad, cramps could kill me but thank god for alive and Advil. I started to get headaches about 2 years ago during my period or a few days before and sometimes the aleve and Advil don't help it even though they help my cramps. I am a group fitness instructor and don't want to feel sick or be unable to teach my classes. But after reading the side affects that could happen forget it. About 20 years ago( i was 18 then) I was on pills and had severe panic attacks and was hospitalized for a week. They couldn't directly pin it on the pill but trying it a year later and having it happen again I never took them again. I was assured by my gyn that pills have changed and that I would be fine on loestrin24 but I just can't chance it. I would say to the people who have severe bleeding and prolonged bleeding, fibroids or other problems, find a pill that can maybe help you. But for those of you who just need it for birth control and are having these problems, find another method. It is not worth it if you loose you sex drive, have mood swings and depression or any other of the horrible things I read can happen. And if you are predisposed to panic and depression, I wouldn't take it after reading all these complaints. The bad is outweighing the good on all the blogs I have read. Thanks again and good luck ladies!!

I didn't have a good experience with it. I was taking it to get my period started because it suddenly stopped. And then I got a really strange discoloration on my thigh that came after my calf hurt. I have had an ultra sound done to test for blood clots and have found none. I have been to up to 4 different doctors. ALL have said they 'don't know what it is'. Besides that, some have said it's hormones. Others have said its a skin problem. One said it's circulation problems. My OBGYN didn't really say anything. When I stopped the medicine, I was able to have my own periods, but then at that same time I developed multi-nodular goiter. And then my periods stopped again. My OBGYN told me to start on the pills again but I am scared because I don't know what's going to happen and my OBGYN just told me to start it again like everything was okay. I'm thinking of going to a different OBGYN. I just wanted to share my experience..

If you like yourself, DO NOT choose this form of birth control!!!!!! I experienced several side effects almost immediately within my first cycle of this "should be outlawed" drug including a cyst on my ovary that burst (PAINFUL!!!!!), very hormonal PMS and periods (like going through puberty again), heavy bleeding and clotting, swelling like I experienced after delivering my children - yes, even sitting was uncomfortable, painful intercourse, muscle aches, and cramping like afterbirth. Most of these symptoms subsided after I did the math and freed myself of this health hazard. All I have described sound hormone related and logical but wait, there is more . . . while on the NuvaRing, I also developed a tumor in my leg that attached to my bone and required surgery. I was blessed that it was benign but at first was told it was malignant by bone tumor specialists from three leading Manhattan Hospitals! My children were 3 and 1 at the time so you can imagine how I felt! Also, a condition that has not gone away after 1 year and 4 months of no more NuvaRing is chronic sinus problems. These sinus problems first developed when I made the mistake of using this venomous drug. I myself thought there could be no correlation until I went on line and read that other women suffered with sinus issues after using the NuvaRing. I have developed sinusitis that I've had no luck in treating holistically and these severe infections have been resilient to most antibiotics. I've finally faced this sinus issue and have scheduled a CT scan and ENT appointment for next week so I hope I can get to the root of the problem as I am sick of feeling sick! By the way, I'm extremely fit, a very healthy eater, and was in GREAT health before use of the NuvaRing! I'm writing this because I would not wish my experience on anyone and wish I had read comments like this PRIOR to making this poor decision. I so dislike this drug that I have to turn-off the TV when the commercial comes on. Again if you like yourself, DO NOT use the NuvaRing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy that I found out what was going on with me... I've been on NR on and off for 2 years. Last year I decided to go off of it for a few months. The symptoms I was getting were:
- No sex drive
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Uncontrollable anger surges
- Cramping
- INCREASED breast size
- Pain and burning after intercourse
I stopped for 3 months.
the first month, I was ok, got my period at the right time but then, it took 2 months for me to get another period and I was PMS-ing for about 3 weeks.
I then decided to go back on NR just to get a regular cycle. All symptoms came back. Plus now, I end up with MONTHLY vaginitis just before my period. I took a test with the gyno yesterday and she found out abnormal levels of Fungi in my secretions and prescribed fluconazole to get rid of those.
I am thinking of going off it again but NR has the lowest hormones count on the marketand I have a history of not reacting well to other birth control pills (Cyclen, Yasmin, Alesse).
thanks everyone for sharing.

I've been on Nuvaring for about 2.5 years until recently. What I liked the most about Nuvaring was that it significantly helped out with my PMDD (super bad PMS ) and kept me from getting pregnant – not to mention, it’s easy to keep track of. The worst side effects I had were major lack of sex drive and migraines approaching the p-diddy (menstruation). About a month ago I decided to get off Nuvaring because I wanted to restore my body’s natural chemistry. . During this past month I have been soooooo depressed and from the previous postings, I think I found my culprit. I’m going to hang in there because I know it will pay off. So for anyone out there who is wonder if their horrible withdraw symptoms are from the nuva, they most likely are. And for those who are on it, be-aware. Find some comfort in knowing you’re not alone because I sure feel a lot more reassured after reading these posting.

Hi, I am a 36yr old mother of 2 boys aged 14 & 12yrs. I had the mirena fitted in 1 1/2 years ago.. had all the bleeding at the beginning, but unfortunately it carried on for months. had very heavy bleeding in months 7 & 8, so heavy it left me feeling nauseous and faint. then it went back to 3 weeks of bleeding out of 4. and thats now how long i bleed for all the time. have heaps of discharge (eww), zits, feeling constantly like crying over nothing. Had hard cyst, which went on its own. got referred to a gyno (cause of heavy bleeding) which i saw 3 weeks ago. he has no idea why i had the heavy bleeding, has no idea why i am bleeding 3 weeks out of four (not heavy) but he is now booking me in for a vaginal hysterectomy.!! I still have the mirena in, only because i am told that if they take it out, my periods will be a lot worse than before i had the mirena inserted!! argghhhh. anyone else being put forward for a hysterectomy??

I've experienced many of the same side effects described by others: weight gain, moodiness, endless PMS. But coming up to the 5 year mark, what i'm wondering about is my feeling of sheer unhealthiness, of a compromised immune system. I have two children 6 and 8 and they finally don't get sick all the time, but in the last year I'm the one coming down with things first and hardest, e.g. they had a cough and I had pneumonia. Anyone else experienced lowered immune system?

Wow! The day before yesterday, a friend of a friend reported that she had her IUD taken out. It was Mirena. I have had mine in since last December and it never occurred to me that this could be the problem. In June, I started having symptoms that were like UTIs but I've never had one. I had to pee all the time and when I did, it burned. I felt nauseous but then, before going to the dr. the symptoms would pass. Finally, after a month, I decided to stop ignoring it. In the meantime, I started having all these lower gut/uterine achy feelings that moved toward my groin and pelvic bone/thigh area. I've never had anything like it. Sometimes, it was hard to walk. I went to my gyn. and she said she saw nothing and I had a sonogram and they saw nothing and said my Mirena looked great. In the meantime, I have been more and more tired, drinking three or more cups of coffee a day to stay awake. I have a 1 year old and I feel so tired I sometimes feel frustrated with her. I also have had rage during my PMS which I've never had before in my life. I used to get a little weepy-sometimes. Now, I find that I'm so irritable about the slightest thing. Until this friend of a friend mentioned her trouble (which was similar to mine) I never even thought of the Mirena. My GP told me that it was a pulled muscle (even though I had no recollection of pulling anything). I can't wait to get this thing out! Oh, also, someone mentioned vaginal dryness--YES! I've never had a problem with this before but it has been getting harder and harder to ignore during intimacy. I was never, ever told about any such side effects! I am having the Mirena taken out on Thursday--I can't wait.

I went on NuvaRing when it first came out a few years ago and loved it! No side effects that I can remember, but went off of it as I wasn't actively having sex. Fast forward to Mar 08, I decided to go back on as my periods were very irregular, PMS was lasting for two weeks or more and my period was very light and went on for another two weeks. While NuvaRing eliminated all these symptoms, I'm now wondering after reading all these comments if it is responsible for my incredibly low sex drive. I had been suffering from depression after a very hard year in 2007, but although my depression is under control, my sex drive is still non-existent except during the week of my period when NuvaRing is out. I think I'm going to go off and see if it helps.

I have suffered from nausea and head aches when I miss dosage or after my period. After I go back to my regular dosage I am fine. The biggest problem I have with Yasmin is blood clots in my legs increased---it doesn't help that I have a sit down job. I have lost 5 pounds so far and I have been on it for 3 months. But I would suffer all these side effects 5x over because Yasmin helps with my PMS. My mood swings are rare and my cycle is lighter. Thank you Yasmin

N., Moreno Valley, CA

I have been taking Lamictal for about 2 1/2 years now. I have been taking 200 mg for two years. I have experienced very few side effect. Except vivid dreams and not sleeping well. I have always had vivid dreams but there is one I have had since the medication it was so awful that I can't stop thinking about it and it makes me feel suicidal. I have had many ups and downs in my life but never thought suicide to be a positive option. I don't think I would do it but I can't stand these awful repetitive thoughts. I have had less and less energy in the last 6 months or so. I thought it was because I was working to much. I have quit doing most the things I love. I have always been a high energy person. So I thought it must be the Lamictal. When I had complained to my doctor he said that it sounded like depression and normally they would increase the dosage but he would decrease it if I wanted. I went to 150 and then 100. I felt awful just like I used to before the drug. So I went back up to 200 and at least I didn't feel so awful. So I increased it to 250mg and I started to fell less depressed. Sometimes I have taken to much in the past because I forgot I had taken it and repeated the does. That is when I had the first bad dream that has haunted me since. Then I started to forget to take my medication off and on and that is when the depression started. Now I took the 250 and I had another haunting dream. This drug really has been a miracle for me. I have never felt this stable in my entire life! In the past I was trying to self medicate but since the Lamictal I have quit smoking pot and drinking. I don't like alcohol and drugs anymore because I don't like to feel altered anymore. Most of the symptoms everyone has described are how I felt before Lamictal and I feel better since. I will never go below 200mg or above again without a suitable alternative. I still can't get rid of the repetitive thoughts on 200mg. Typical anti-depressants have the opposite effect for me. Has anyone found a suitable alternative. I have heard that other drugs for bi-polar such as Lithium and Depakote have a sedative effect and I don't like that. I want to be my normal energetic self!

I was thinking about taking YAZ just for the PMS symptoms I am having. I am bipolar and on lamictal but I am not at a high enough dose to where it will help me with PMS symptoms which are as worse as what is described below. I love my lamictal so I will go up to a higher dose before I try YAZ. I have and IUD so it is not for bc. Just for you to try if you are taking this for PMDD. My gyn prescribed 25mg of zoloft one week before your period starts and during your period. This worked great. I was calm, I didn't overeat, I felt normal. The downside is when you stop taking it you experience withdrawal which for felt just like PMS.
So thanks for the postings they helped me decide to try other things first.

I got my Mirena inserted in February. I only had pain for the first month's period but I spotted constantly for 3 months. My mood went from 1 day of weepy PMS to as of September - 3 weeks of complete depression, moodiness, anger and I even had 2 days where I was completely not able to function. I've put on 20 lbs and even that was a fight to keep it to that. I had it removed yesterday and my Dr. said it couldn't be the Mirena because it is supposed to be non-systemic and in the 4 years she has been using it, no one has asked to have it removed. She also told me that it could be other hormone issues and she hopes the depression doesn't clear up otherwise she'll be mad that the Mirena caused it. I'm pretty sure that is what has caused it and I will prove it.

I was just at the gyno yesterday for an annual check up. I haven't been on BC for years, but thought it was time to look into it again due to my utter hatred for condoms yet my strong desire to avoid pregnancy (I have a 10 year old girl, and twin 4 yr old boys). My doctor put the Nuvaring in around 3 pm. By 4:30 I had the biggest migraine, and the worst mood swings I've ever experienced. I hated everyone in my path. It was like being pregnant and being on that "emotional rollercoaster" all over again. I can't even begin to describe the constant rage I felt. The phrase "seeing red" does not even come close to describing it! Even my worst PMS doesn't hold a candle to the emotional hell I went through in the last half a day. I thought I should stick it out, and that my body just needed to adjust to it. However, after waking up this morning and freaking out on my children and telling my BF I hated him (for no reason) I took it out. It took about 3 hours to start feeling normal again. I couldn't stand myself for the 18 hours I used the NR. I have no idea how anyone has continued to use it for weeks, months, or especially years!!

I am 42 and started YAZ three weeks ago. Since starting the pill I have been seriously depressed! I have no energy, no desire to see friends or go out, I have no energy to do any of the things I normally love to do. I have no reason to feel so down! Life is good. I wondered if YAZ could be the culprit and then I saw these postings (thank you for sharing!). I have no doubt YAZ is making me depressed. Other symptoms I have are daily headaches, mood swings (crying, no patience, anger),lack of concentration, forgetfulness and no sex drive. I plan to finish this pack and stop. I started YAZ to help control PMS which seems to be getting worse as I get older. I'd much rather have PMS for 6 days than feel this horrible the entire month.

Wow! I cant believe other women have had these same symptoms, I started the NuvaRing about three months ago after I lost a baby very early in gestation, I swore I would never have to go through that again, so my doctor put me on the NR and I couldn't tell If I was still hormonal from the pregnancy or if it was the ring, But Im a wreck! Im so mean and hateful to my husband pretty much mean to everyone, I feel like this big mean lady walking around, and thats not me not at all I have crazy dreams, horrible anxiety, panic attacks and PMS from HELL. I have never been on birth control before so I have nothing to compare it to. But after reading this.Im really considering taking it out so I can be myself again.

My son was born March 2007, when he was 8wks old, to much of my surprise I found out that I was pregnant again. Mirena sounded perfect!!!! I had it placed 7 weeks after my 2nd son was born in Jan 2008. I had what I still assume is normal with any type of birth control method, irregular bleeding,cramping,some slight mood swings. That all seems normal to me when you mess with you body like that. Aug 1, 2008 I woke up at4am with awful abdominal pain sooo bad that I turned to my husband and said that I think I have to go to the hospital. I decided that if I could fall back asleep then its probably nothing major. I fell back asleep (or passed out, I don't know) The next morning I was hurting so bad I couldn't lift anything, couldn't stand up straight, felt weak and felt as though I had rocks in my stomach but had an empty feeling at the same time. The pain was all over my abdomen, stabbing, shooting,pinching. I also had pain aroung my belly button and a noticeable discomfort about my pevic bone. Finally I called my husband to come home, went to the hospital, they took blood, cultures, did an exam and did a ctscan. All normal! WHAT!! Aug 11th still having pain and now having MAJOR HOT FLASHES. I find myself getting so hot and irritated that I cant be around the babies because I am afraid I will yell at them. If I get in a little disagreement with my husband it will most likely end with me saying I want a divorce (I noticed another lady with that same problem) Today I had a ultra sound done and it came back what my (new) doctor says is normal. The problem with that is that one of my ovaries is split and is NOW shaped like a horse-shoe. I was pregnant for almost 2yrs straight and had lots of ultrasounds NOT ONE TIME did anyone say anything about a odd ovary. I'm just going to make a educated guess that it wasn't deformed till after the Mirena. Now I am wanting to remove it but feel like I should get every test known to man first to rule out any other possibility. I really don't want to remove it. I am afraid of getting it removed and even more of getting pregnant when I already have two 10 months apart and still in diapers.
My biggest question is wanting to know if hot flashes are related or if I might be having something else going on. Am I the only one with he hot flashes? I have them all day long!!!!!!!!
Also I noticed after reading other post that some other things may be related like, piercing headaches, itchy flaky oily scalp, weight gain, ear drainage, lower back pain, oily skin, increased smoking, in-grown hairs in inner thigh area, joint pain, fatigue, decrease sex drive.

i had mine since 2004 and I thought it was great, I haven't had a period for over 3 yrs. just the pms , after insertion i had the cramping and then my light period went away completely but now in 2008 still now period but a spot that represents my periods and added to my fake periods yeast infections every month for four months now, i went to my doc a 3rd time and he said im having hormonal imbalance that might be causing the yeast infections and it might clear up on its own the 3rd one did clear up in about a week and half so this month guess what i had another yeast infection which makes 4 , so i have a appt me with my reg doc . besides the yeast infections, i have a white discharge , depression, fatigue .

I have been experiencing the same symptoms and went to my doctor and she said it was normal also but asked me if it had an odor because that could mean an STD, which it doesn't have an odor and i don't have an std. I have been with the same guy for 2 years and we are both monogomis and have been only with each other sexually. But the brown discharge has been going on for about a week and a half. Im am very edgy and feel like Im in a constant state of PMS. I tried to get my doc to switch me to Yaz cause I have heard good things about that but they insisted I wait it out but this has not stopped and I do not want this brown discharge forever. Let me know how your change of pills worked out and if it made everything better. Thanks!