Experiencing and coping with the Mirena crash, following removal of the Mirena IUD. Symptoms, feelings, and helpful tips for getting through it.
The Mirena IUD… All I can say is never again. Ever.
I used Mirena for a very long time. And yes, I'm experiencing the Mirena crash at this very moment and have been for the last week and a half, though I really didn't know exactly what I was experiencing until I started to do a little more research and reading.
I can say that I wish I'd researched the IUD more before deciding to go down that path. I wish I'd been more concerned about my health when I was younger, more concerned with living a more natural lifestyle.
Now that we do care more, we're also getting a little older; I'm no spring chicken. And though my family may be shocked to read this (if they read this), we're also planning to try for another baby (more on this in a near future post, I promise).
We weren't going to tell anyone and just keep our secret all to ourselves, but Dan and I both decided maybe I should write about this and share my story.
Mirena removal side effects seem to be something that many women experience, but if they're like me, they may not fully be prepared for them or even know they're coming.
What Causes the Mirena Crash?
In short, the Mirena Crash is due to hormone imbalance following Mirena removal.
Now that I'm experiencing the crash, I'm seriously wondering if some of the problems I've experienced while having Mirena as a form of birth control have been due to that little foreign contraption hangin' out in my uterus. So many things make a lot of sense when I think about it.
For the longest time, I've woke up with night sweats, had severe abdominal pain and issues with what I thought was my colon (nothing found on colonoscopy and other tests), mood swings, hair loss (you wouldn't believe the amount of hair I've cleaned out of my brush time and again), weight gain that just seems stuck no matter how much exercise or eating right I do, etc., etc.
Mirena Crash Symptoms
Symptoms of Mirena crash can include the following:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- General malaise and feeling of just not feeling good
Since having the Mirena IUD removed about a week and a half ago, I've crashed (and sorta burned). Well, not literally, but I've honestly felt like it.
Headaches
Oh my word, the headaches. I can honestly say the only headache I've had that's been worse than these headaches was due to altitude sickness because they're killer.
No amount of ibuprofen or essential oils help. Nothing. It's like I've gone cold turkey, and I just have to wait for the pain to subside, and it eventually does, but it can last all day.
The pain is all over my head, even in my neck. I've even had pain shoot up from my shoulder/neck area to my head. Awful.
Fatigue
I'm sooooo tired! I could sleep 12-14 hours straight.
Well, I can't, but if I could… So tired.
Mood Swings
One minute I'm fine, the next I feel like I'm raging inside. Well, raging is what my boys call it when you get angry, so I'm going with that.
I'm irritable and grumpy.
Anxiety
I think this has been the worst of it all. I wake up at night, can't go back to sleep, and feel this elephant of anxiety in my chest, mind, and spirit.
I can't put my finger on exactly why I'm feeling that way. There's no reason to feel anxious.
I mean, I have the normal deadlines for work, the normal family stuff going on, the normal chores and stuff that need done, but nothing out of the ordinary. I can't put my finger on why I'm so pent up and worked up!
It's like doom, gloom, and anxiety all rolled up into one tightly wound little package. It's got me feeling like I'm going C-R-A-Z-Y!
And until I learned about the Mirena Crash, I thought I was going crazy.
General Malaise and Feeling of Just Not Feeling Good
I've almost felt like I'm coming down with something.
It's just a general feeling of not feeling good. It's yuck.
So, What Am I Doing about It? Mirena Crash Detox
(Disclaimer: If you're experiencing Mirena crash symptoms, please do your own research, and talk to your health care provider. This is simply my own experience.)
Honestly, I'm just waiting it out and taking a few steps to help myself go through a bit of a Mirena detox.
- I'm using my essential oils for emotional and general well-being, and I'm so glad I have them.
- Drinking a lot of water. My water bottle helps me stay well hydrated.
- Eating more citrus and berries and trying to eat things that will hopefully help me detox just a bit and get through this. My favorite blueberry spinach smoothie and tropical fruit smoothie are just what I'm craving.
- I'm on a food-based prenatal vitamin.
- Also, I'm exercising every day, sweating it out; and let me tell you, exercise does wonders for the emotions and for building up a feeling of strength.
- I'm using my calming bedtime foot rub to both help with feeling anxious, and it helps my restless legs and arms.
From what I've read, I think my body is just freaking out a bit, trying to get back on track, and figure out what is going on and what it needs to do.
Hopefully, this won't last much longer; most people say it lasts for a short period of time, about a week or two… A select few have gone longer or more long term.
I've also read that it gets better with menstruation. Can't say I've ever looked forward to that 'til now. Oh but I do.
I honestly feel like I'm on the tail end of the crash. Yesterday was better, today is ok, tomorrow can only go up from here.
Why Share All of This?
I can't tell you what to do in your personal life, nor do I want to; but I do want you to be aware.
Do your own research, study up on things before you say yes, know what you're putting into your body.
Get to know your own body. Don't ignore problems.
Ask your health care provider, and don't be afraid to go to your visit armed with a whole list of questions.
Your health really is in your hands.
Grab on to that responsibility for dear life, and don't let go.
Of course, I also write this to share my story and relate to others who've experienced it, as well.
With that said…
Have you experienced the dreaded Mirena Crash? What has been your experience?
I had the Mirena IUD for 5 years due to fibroids on my uterus. My periods were extremely painful and the IUD helped immensely by stopping my periods. I have no complaints about it and felt healthy and well during the entire time. I am now 45 and had the IUD removed. The first couple days I felt wonderful. After day 4 I did have bleeding and large clots for about 2 days. It has now been one month and I am ‘assuming’ that I am in the midst of a crash and thinking my hormones are just a jumbled mess as I am tired, puffy, some anxiety, major brain fog, and a lack of interest in most of the activities I usually enjoy. Hormones play such as important role in our daily activities. I am hoping that by eating healthy, treating myself with some kindness and some patience, I can get back to a more “normal” me again. I wish the same for any woman experiencing the same. 😊
Iud came out on its own Jan 20. I have been on my period heavily bleeding since then. It’s Feb 22. Terrible headaches. Cannot poop. Extreme anxiety. Sweating to death. Can’t sleep. A general feeling of going absolutely crazy. Saw the gyno when it came out and they gave me zero warning about this. Seeing my GP Friday and hoping for some guidance
I am currently 3 months post Mirena. I have bad days but, majority of symptoms are gone I’ve literally had every symptom you can think of. The worst was definitely the anxiety. I also got a sense of derealization. I felt like I wasn’t me anymore. Like I just withered away and a new me was taking over. Super weird. I had the IUD in for 7 months and started feeling symptoms within the first two months. My body is super sensitive, so I figured it was the birth control. I had extreme fatigue, nausea, hair loss, extreme anxiety, mood swings, migraines, etc. The worst choice I made in my life! I would never do it again nor recommend it to anyone. Just can’t wait to get fully back to my normal self. All symptoms have passed except anxiety it still bothers me sometimes but, so glad other symptoms have passed.
It’s so good to find this article and learn about the Mirena Crash!
I don’t like to blame the Mirena to much because I’ve always had anxiety disorder but now it’s out and just over a week my anxiety and emotions are terrifying! I just don’t feel like doing anything but lay in one spot and crying, then I laugh and then I cry and then I get OCD and then I’m crying and I literally feel like I’m going through some type of grief! Ugh! What a beautiful ending to a wonderful 3 years with the Coil! Arghh!!! Never again… Definitely will question everything the doctors suggest I put in my body… What a joke! I really hope this ends soon.
Thank you for giving us all a heads up!
My I please ask if you had it removed early before it’s time was up? I am researching if the crash is due to early removal as I am having one out of date removed.
I got mine removed five days ago and have spent the last two days raging angry and crying and feeling like things will never get better. I had an ectopic pregnancy last month and got it removed after that. Hormone roller coaster city. No fun at all. I’m glad I remembered the dreaded crash, it makes me feel less crazy
I have been on the mirena for a little over a year. I didn’t do much research myself. Which I should have. Did you experience all these symptoms while you were on it or was it just after getting it taken out. I feel like I’m losing my sanity. I’m overly sensitive. There is an anger I can’t even describe. It’s like a part of me that never existed is taking over and I have no idea what’s happening to me. Will be calling the Dr first thing tomorrow to get it removed. It seems like I’m having the crash from it but I still have it.
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I got mine out four weeks ago after two mirenas (9 years) because I wanted to know what my baseline cycle is like before having kids since I’ve been on birth control since I was 18 (and now 34)! The second week after it was out I was super sensitive and emotional and then my period started three weeks in (last Thursday). It started off fine, but on Friday (day 2) I had the worst cluster migraine headache pain behind my right eye that wouldn’t stop watering. When I called the DR’s office to ask if this is a normal side effect, the nurse said, “oh honey, your hormores are a mess, it is pretty normal, I’m so sorry.” Period is now done, but I can feel the beginnings of a migraine (I NEVER get migraines) once again and I literally just found this blog post and I’m grateful to know it’s not just me.
I feel you here. 10+ years on various HBC pills to Nexplanon to IUD to Hormone free FAM. I’m just now on cycle 2 and my hormones have been all over the place. Crying, angry, taking things personally, anxiety, etc. it feels good to not feel alone