months 4-6
June 17, 2009The last three months have been pretty predictable.
No more random bleeding or gunkiness.
No pain or discomfort; I can’t feel it at all. (My husband can’t either.)
No menstrual cramping. This is a big deal because I used to have to take arthritis medication for cramps. Now- nothing.
The period itself, with a super-duper light flow, lasts 6-7 days.
The only downside is that for a few days before and after the start of my period I am completely depressed. I hate it. I’ve never dealt with PMS before this, so it’s taken the last six months to get used to such a hormonal drop. It’s really hard. Especially since I have the two kids to deal with.
But it’s just the two kids.
I’m not pregnant.
And for right now, that’s good enough.
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Thanks for the post update, I am really looking forward to the lull. I am a no child Mirena user and just started month four and just had a day were there was bleeding during intercourse. The doctor said it was “normal” just due to my IUD being irritated…my IUD was irritated. I am curious if anyone else has had this “surprise”.
I have read that month 4 is where many women say enough is enough get this thing out of me,…personally for me I am going to stick this out, I have an understanding boyfriend and it is more important to me not to have a child at this point.
Insertion was the most painful for me, it is a clamp on your cervix so don’t forget to breath. My doctor was very clear about how long it would take for my body to adjust so prepare yourselves if you are going to take the Mirena route. Constant bleeding is not for everyone.
I haven’t experienced the weight gain or acne symptoms. Some PMS symptoms prior to regularly scheduled bleeding.
Thank you both for your honest posts. I am considering Mirena but I’m nervous about the whole putting a plastic thing inside body and constantly bleeding month after month. I’m young, have no kids and don’t plan on it for at least 3 years, hate gaining weight from pills and generally hate taking pills, so I think it could be a great option for me. If you don’t mind I’d like to get your opinions on two things.
1) I know that bleeding can be pretty consistent up to the first 6 months but I’m curious to find out how much bleeding actually occurs. Did you experience a light flow and was it manageable? Or did it feel like you are constantly on your period with bloating and mood changes?
2) Also, what’s up with the strings? Do they hang out? Can you feel them? I’m in a monogamous relationship, so how do I keep that from being an issue in the bed?
Hey Kathie,
To answer your questions (from my limited experience):
1) The bleeding and discharge was pretty consistent for at least three months, but was always manageable. Not heavy period bleeding, but enough to need (at least) a light pad at all times.
I didn’t experience any bloating or cramping and didn’t have any mood changes until about month 3. I’ve never had PMS or anything like that, but now I’m pretty down, almost depressed for almost a week per month. Two days or so before my period starts and several days into it. It sucks. Especially since I have kids. It makes me want to hide from them. And to be honest, if it happens again this month I’m going to start discussing the removal with my doctor. But that could also be due to hormonal changes after two children and a miscarriage. And dammit, I hate to remove it after spending so much money. So, we’ll see. I’ll keep the blog updated as things change.
2) RE: the strings. My husband felt them at first, but then the doctor cut them and we haven’t had an issue with it since. I never felt them at all. (And I didn’t feel anything when the doctor cut them, either.)
CK
Kathie -
I think the key is that everyone has a different experience. I have friends that never had any initial bleeding and now have no bleeding ever, I had exactly six months of unpredictability and it was always diluted, like staining – I needed a panti shield if that. Sometimes it would only happen when I was voiding urine or after sex. I never had what would be considered PMS, heavy periods, or serious irregularity, so that may be the key – for those that have all of those it may be more of an issue. I did have to keep telling myself this was only a few months, this is only a few months. As someone who has always hated having my period, not having one now is a HUGE deal.
I don’t know if your doctor will recommend it since you haven’t had children, but I’m not clear on why that is a contra-indication in the first place.
Good Luck! Christine
Thank you very much for the advice. I asked my doctor about it and she said that it would be a good option for me. Your comments have reinforced my optimism about this type of birth control.
Thank you!