Expert: Diane Cheryl - 7/29/2008

Question
I have had the mirena for a year now. I am trying to dicide if there is something I can do or if i need it removed. I have been bleeding since i got it. i have a heavy period every month, but i spot between heavy enough to not have sex. 1-3 days out of the month the bleeding will stop all together but if i have sex it start again. I have heard that I can take pain pills to stop the bleeding. Is this true? if so what kind and how much. if there is not a way to stop this I am going to have to remove it is there something else that might be more convenient.

Answer
Hi Erin,

I'm not a medical doctor so please check with your own physician. In my opinion, I would recommend that you get the mirena IUD removed. It has a lot of risks and side effects as you have discovered. To me, what you are describing would outweigh the benefits of using the IUD. And to have to take pain pills on top of all this, well, I just can't imagine! I would recommend that you find some other kind of birth control-not hormonal. Natural family planning could be an option. You can find Ramona on allexperts.com under Natural family planning and ask her a question. I would really like to talk to you more if you email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com so hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl