Experiences with IUDs re: Mood Swings

[goldberry]

DD has been on a low dose BC since she was 14 or so because of horrible periods.  Heavy, painful, irregular. Separate from that, she's having a problem right now with regulating her emotions.  She has drastic mood swings of being okay and being horribly depressed, each cycle lasting several days at a time.  She does see a counselor and that is helping.

 

A friend of mine's daughter had a problem that led her to get an IUD.  Her experience though, was that once she switched from BC to an IUD, her emotions and mood swings also totally leveled out.  Her doctor observed that the cycling hormones of the bc may have been contributing somewhat to her mood swings, emotional upheavals.

 

 I read that the copper IUDs are not recommended if you already have really heavy periods, which she does, even on the low dose BC.  But I'm wondering if an hormonal IUD like Mirena would be the same as BC as far affecting ups and downs. 

 

What has been anyone's experience with IUDs affecting emotional state/mood swings? 

[Ravin]

I didn't experience mood swings with Mirena. 

 

Another option would be to going to round the month progesterone-only pill (no skipping pills or placebo pills) and see how that goes. A progesterone patch might also be an option?

[Amy in NH]

It's the hormones causing or stabilizing the mood, not the IUD itself.

[goldberry]

It's the hormones causing or stabilizing the mood, not the IUD itself.

 

Yeah, that's why I'm confused.  Don't people with mood swings generally do better on regulated hormones than on no hormones?  But this friend said that when she went to a copper IUD, no hormones, she was more stable.  It seemed the pills were having a negative effect.

[Granny_Weatherwax]

Being totally honest here - I have never been able to use hormonal BC due to significant changes in mood, esp depression. I tend to lean toward depression naturally and the BC just exacerbated those symptoms. One of my options was taking an anti-depressant along with the BC. Nope, no way. I learned to deal with heavy periods and the embarrassing accidents that occurred due to those periods. My life was two weeks of stability, one week of the most horrific PMS (mood swings, etc; usually depression, anger, major irritability) and then one week of heavy bleeding and mood swings (usually sadness, woefulness). I spent the two good weeks cleaning up the emotional messes cause by my mood swings during the other two weeks.

 

Fast forward to 8 years ago - my gyno recommended Mirena for my heavy periods which, as I aged, had become even heavier (with clots).  My mood swings have all but disappeared. When I am moody, I can at least pinpoint a cause (work stress, family issues, etc). Most of the gray fog of "What the he-- is going on?" has been alleviated.

 

Full disclosure: I was also diagnosed with Celiac about 6 years ago and have altered my diet quite a bit. I cannot say with 100% certainty that the Mirena was the sole cause of reduced mood swings. I can say that my family asked me to stay on Mirena for a third round (they want me to remain GF, too).

I think the worst you could do would be to see if she wants to try Mirena for a year or so to see if it helps. It took me about 3 months for my periods to regulate, another year of almost continuous spotting, and then, nothing, blessed nothing. I think the change in mood swings was more of a "hey, you've really been pleasant to be around lately. What's up?" and then attributed to the Mirena.

 

HTH

[TravelingChris]

The only hormones that may help mood are the ones prescribed for menopause.  Never the ones prescribed for young people or even younger middle age not experiencing menopause.  As to birth control, IUD without hormones is the one recommended for people with clotting disorders so I am not quite sure why it wouldn't be okay for heavier bleeding.  It won't improve the heavier bleeding but it won't cause hormonal issues.    My youngest dd was recommended to take bc pills and she didn't want to because of the risk of worsening her mood problems along with risk of increasing her migraine headaches. Then she went to another doctor and he said she doesn't have PCOS so no need for anything.

[TheReader]

I had the opposite reaction to Mirena from what Scoutermom reports; I went from relatively no (or very minor) mood issues to some pretty severe stuff while I had the Mirena. (*hormonal b/c did generally make me grouchy, but not depressed)

 

BUT. I always put this caveat here. I had a severely premature baby (spent 7 wks in NICU, 1.5 hrs from home, and we saw him only every other day). He had weekly in-home therapy for the first 2 yrs, didn't sleep for the first 3 yrs, nursed 'round the clock for those same first 3 yrs (seriously at 3 he still night-nursed as much as a newborn), and we made an international move. 

 

Soooo.....the drastic, horrid, very dark mood swings I suffered could have been: Mirena related; postpartum related; stress related (from the NICU/therapies/move); or sleep deprivation related; or a perfect storm of some combination of all of the above. The only clear thing I know is that after I had the Mirena removed, I felt myself come out of a fog I didn't realize I had been in, and the mood swings and horribly dark emotions stabilized. 

 

At the same time, this was about 3 yrs after I'd weaned the baby, and midway through our time in the new country. In other words, things had stabilized so if it was all purely related to everything else, you'd think it would have leveled off sooner. It didn't. 

 

Anyway, I feel there was a definite correlation BUT the human body being what it is, I would not go so far as to say that it would have happened to me if I hadn't had all the other stressors as well, or that it would happen that way to someone else without all those stressors. I just do like to share my story when it comes up, just in case, because it was enough of a correlation, IMO, that it counts. 

[Lady Marmalade]

I don't notice too many mood swings from Mirena other than when I had it first inserted.  I went from Depo to Mirena, and they overlapped them- so I had double dose hormones going on and I literally felt ragey for about six weeks.  It took a few more months for the Depo to work out of my system before I noticed how much lighter and more pleasant I felt.

 

I don't notice any moodiness now that I've been on the Mirena for a while, but there was definitely a dip as my body adjusted.  

 

That being said, I would be surprised if a doctor recommended Mirena for a younger teenager.  I think the recommendations for it specifically say that it's best for a woman who has had a baby.

[goldberry]

Thanks for the feedback, keep it coming.

[goldberry]

Also, any experiences with either the shots or the implant and mood?

[Lady Marmalade]

Also, any experiences with either the shots or the implant and mood?

 

Depo Provera is definitely not for someone with mood swings. 

[goldberry]

Depo Provera is definitely not for someone with mood swings. 

 

Any specifics?

[Lady Marmalade]

Any specifics?

 

Well, I was on it for six years because I couldn't afford an IUD at the time.  Those are the only forms of BC I can do, as I have had issues with blood clots in the past.  Since I get PG really, really easy, I opted for the Depo despite the negative side effects. 

 

Six years of feeling meh.  Not necessarily down and depressed, but the smallest negative things would really get me into a several day funk.  I never totally connected the dots to my BC until those ragey days where my BC overlapped efficacy.  Now I can look back and think that I am very lucky that I am a happy person in general.  I think if someone trended towards low days or depression it could suck you down into a dangerous funk.  When you say that she has days where she is horribly depressed, that tells me that Depo would be a horrible choice.  

 

I also gained a lot of weight while on Depo.  Ten pounds a year, to be exact.  Which isn't much when you're measuring a year at a time, but when you add it all up,  I have 60 pounds that I didn't have before the Depo, and I don't know if it will ever go away.  I understand that hormonal weight loss is THE hardest to get rid of.  So far, that's proven true as no amount of smart eating or exercise seems to change my physical state more than a fluctuation of a pound or two here and there.

 

If you do a search here on the forums for Depo Provera there have been discussions before.  I recall other people sharing about the "dark days of their lives" known as the time they were on Depo.  It's really not for someone with depression in their life. 

[Hypatia.]

I did have mood swings with Mirena, but I have mood swings with the mini (progesterone-only) pill too. There's also Skyla, which is slightly smaller than Mirena and has a slightly lower hormone level.

 

Also, any experiences with either the shots or the implant and mood?

 

At least an IUD is easily removed if it doesn't work out. I was on Depo Provera for two years when I was 19 and gained 100 lbs and had horribly wicked mood swings. It was a terrible choice for me, and took a couple years after stopping it before my body recovered. Afterward I seemed to be more sensitive to side effects from hormonal birth control, when previously I had been on the pill for 5 years with no problems. Now I can only choose progesterone-based BC due to a history of blood clots and I won't try the implant, I'm not willing to risk Depo-like side effects. I'll give Mirena another try when the time comes, but not Depo or the implant.

[Laura Corin]

No mood swings here with Mirena.

Edited April 18, 2017 by Laura Corin

[mamaofgirls]

I am unsure how an IUD would affect hormones but personally I would not suggest an IUD for such a young girl unless she is very aware of the risks. A very common side effect of placing foreign objects inside of you are cramping, spotting, heavy menstrual and infection (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which can even cause her to be infertile. On top of that there is the smaller risk of perforation and emergency surgery...

[Tap]

I don't notice too many mood swings from Mirena other than when I had it first inserted.  I went from Depo to Mirena, and they overlapped them- so I had double dose hormones going on and I literally felt ragey for about six weeks.  It took a few more months for the Depo to work out of my system before I noticed how much lighter and more pleasant I felt.

 

I don't notice any moodiness now that I've been on the Mirena for a while, but there was definitely a dip as my body adjusted.  

 

That being said, I would be surprised if a doctor recommended Mirena for a younger teenager.  I think the recommendations for it specifically say that it's best for a woman who has had a baby.

DD18 sees an OB who specilizes in adolecents and fitness nutrition. She sees a lot of teen athletes. She absolutely recommends IUDs for teens.  DD18 sees several specialists and when we were considering an IUD for her her, each one was consulted.  Each specilist (neurologist, pulminologist, cardiologist, PCP, PT-pelvic floor specialist) agreed that it was a great choice for her.

[Tap]

Depo Provera is definitely not for someone with mood swings. 

 

 

Well, I was on it for six years because I couldn't afford an IUD at the time.  Those are the only forms of BC I can do, as I have had issues with blood clots in the past.  Since I get PG really, really easy, I opted for the Depo despite the negative side effects. 

 

Six years of feeling meh.  Not necessarily down and depressed, but the smallest negative things would really get me into a several day funk.  I never totally connected the dots to my BC until those ragey days where my BC overlapped efficacy.  Now I can look back and think that I am very lucky that I am a happy person in general.  I think if someone trended towards low days or depression it could suck you down into a dangerous funk.  When you say that she has days where she is horribly depressed, that tells me that Depo would be a horrible choice.  

 

I also gained a lot of weight while on Depo.  Ten pounds a year, to be exact.  Which isn't much when you're measuring a year at a time, but when you add it all up,  I have 60 pounds that I didn't have before the Depo, and I don't know if it will ever go away.  I understand that hormonal weight loss is THE hardest to get rid of.  So far, that's proven true as no amount of smart eating or exercise seems to change my physical state more than a fluctuation of a pound or two here and there.

 

If you do a search here on the forums for Depo Provera there have been discussions before.  I recall other people sharing about the "dark days of their lives" known as the time they were on Depo.  It's really not for someone with depression in their life. 

 

There is a 22yo in my family who tried to commit suicide while on Depo at about 17yo.  The attempt would have been successful but was interrupted by the mom forgetting something at home, and having to return early. This person said that their time on Depo, was the only time they were that depressed in all their life.  They had suffered from depression but never at that level. Could have been coincidence, but this person fully believes it was the shot.

[Tap]

DD18 got a Mirena this spring and LOVEs it so far.  She is completely stable emotionally on it and no longer has irregular cycles.  It is very early, but so far she is very happy.  She can't take combination BCPs due to stroke risk (she has migraine with aura). The low dose pills were too low and she had drastic mood swings if she missed a pill or took it late.  She would be pissed of and laughting at the same things, moments apart. 

 

As a mom, I love that she has reliable BCP that she doesn't have to worry about.  Her old pills weren't reliable (especially since she missed them sometimes) and I always had a bit of a worry for an unplanned baby. Sure, things can happen on the IUD, but it is much, much more reliable than low dose.

 

 

Edited April 19, 2017 by Tap

[Barb_]

I am unsure how an IUD would affect hormones but personally I would not suggest an IUD for such a young girl unless she is very aware of the risks. A very common side effect of placing foreign objects inside of you are cramping, spotting, heavy menstrual and infection (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which can even cause her to be infertile. On top of that there is the smaller risk of perforation and emergency surgery...

This is what they used to tell us, but this is no longer accurate information. Here's a really informative article that explains all the ins and outs:

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/499601/

[Barb_]

One of my grown girls has a mirena and the other has a copper. The one with the mirena had some pretty uncomfortable side effects the first 3-6 months. Not mood swings necessarily, but side effects. Her acne returned, she gained weight around the midsection and rear end, nausea, and general malaise. She came very close to having it removed but she was overseas for the summer and by the time she got back, the side effects had leveled out, although they've never disappeared. She LOVES not getting a period.

 

The daughter with the copper has BPD and is on a drug cocktail to keep her stable. Her psych told her it wasn't a good idea to throw hormones in the mix. Her periods were always heavier, and she said there isn't a significant difference. She said after the first 24 hours she felt 100% normal and is glad she went in that direction. Also, the copper is good for ten years and the mirena for five. My other daughter is thinking maybe she'll replace hers with a copper when it expires.

Edited April 19, 2017 by Barb_

[Amy in NH]

I am unsure how an IUD would affect hormones but personally I would not suggest an IUD for such a young girl unless she is very aware of the risks. A very common side effect of placing foreign objects inside of you are cramping, spotting, heavy menstrual and infection (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) which can even cause her to be infertile. On top of that there is the smaller risk of perforation and emergency surgery...

 

Mirena is an IUD with hormones.

Paragard is an IUD without hormones.

[goldberry]

DD18 got a Mirena this spring and LOVEs it so far.  She is completely stable emotionally on it and no longer has irregular cycles.  It is very early, but so far she is very happy.  She can't take combination BCPs due to stroke risk (she has migraine with aura). The low dose pills were too low and she had drastic mood swings if she missed a pill or took it late.  She would be pissed of and laughting at the same things, moments apart. 

 

 

 

This is exactly DD.  She misses pills often. I wonder how much it contributes to the mood swings. 

[goldberry]

The daughter with the copper has BPD and is on a drug cocktail to keep her stable. Her psych told her it wasn't a good idea to throw hormones in the mix. Her periods were always heavier, and she said there isn't a significant difference. She said after the first 24 hours she felt 100% normal and is glad she went in that direction. Also, the copper is good for ten years and the mirena for five. My other daughter is thinking maybe she'll replace hers with a copper when it expires.

 

How long has your DD with the copper had the IUD?  Her periods haven't changed?  I thought even the copper one decreased periods?

[Suzanne in ABQ]

How long has your DD with the copper had the IUD?  Her periods haven't changed?  I thought even the copper one decreased periods?

 

The copper IUDs don't decrease periods because they don't contain hormones.  The first couple months after insertion, there may be heavier periods, but then they return to normal after your body becomes accustomed to it being there.  

 

Mirena IUDs contain hormone (Progestin, I believe), which will eliminate periods in many (most?) women.  The hormone is in the plastic of the IUD, and leaches out continuously.  

 

I'm not the OP, but I've had my copper Paraguard for 9 3/4 years (it's good for 10 years, so it's due to be removed in July).  I love my copper IUD.  It's never given me any problems.  I'm 54, and am in peri-menopause (haven't had a period since November).  My periods were regular like clockwork for about 8 years with the copper IUD, until I reached menopause age.

[Barb_]

How long has your DD with the copper had the IUD? Her periods haven't changed? I thought even the copper one decreased periods?

As Suzanne said, she had heavier periods for 2-3 cycles, but not significantly so. I think they've leveled off. She's really happy with it.

[Barb_]

Here is another informative article from webmd about the risks (tiny) and benefits (many) of modern IUDs

 

http://blogs.webmd.com/womens-health/2014/11/iuds-debunking-the-myths.html

[Forget-Me-Not]

I'm on my 4th Paragard (copper). I've never noticed a huge difference with my periods, though to be fair, with three of them I was breastfeeding and didn't get a period for the first several months of use. My last one was put in after a miscarriage, so my periods resumed pretty much right away. They were maybe a little heavier for the first few months, but otherwise they've been pretty consistent. Hormonal birth control makes me unpleasant to live with (understatement), and gives me incredible headaches and nausea. I've been very happy with the Paragard.

[mamaofgirls]

This is what they used to tell us, but this is no longer accurate information. Here's a really informative article that explains all the ins and outs:

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/499601/

 

All the link showed is that more people are using them and they are great at preventing pregnancy. I did not think the OP was looking to prevent pregnancy, I thought she was looking at hormones.

 

Here is a link stating why there are OBGYN's who would never give it to their own children.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/09/29/as-father-and-as-ob-gyn-am-fearful-recommending-iuds-for-teens.html

 

If someone was looking to regulate hormones I would choose either a more natural route - diet, activity changes before suggesting that they risk their health with an IUD. I know someone who had multiple infections and another with other complications.

 

[Barb_]

All the link showed is that more people are using them and they are great at preventing pregnancy. I did not think the OP was looking to prevent pregnancy, I thought she was looking at hormones.

 

Here is a link stating why there are OBGYN's who would never give it to their own children.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/09/29/as-father-and-as-ob-gyn-am-fearful-recommending-iuds-for-teens.html

 

If someone was looking to regulate hormones I would choose either a more natural route - diet, activity changes before suggesting that they risk their health with an IUD. I know someone who had multiple infections and another with other complications.

 

Did you read the webmd link? I forgot to link it in the first post.

 

Point is, the risk of complication is exponentially lower than the risks resulting from the complications of teen pregnancy. Maybe she isn't currently sexually active or maybe she isn't, but chances are she will be before the IUD expires. Pregnancy prevention is a nice side effect if that is what she is going for.

 

Also, I try to keep in mind that for eveone who speaks up on a thread there are hundreds of lurkers :)

 

ETA: Dr. Manny would prefer teens remain celibate which is the primary reason he doesn't advocate for IUD usage in teens. He really didn't address the efficacy of the device except to say it "could even result in PID" or in "extremely rare cases, a perforated uterus." His first statement is false and his second echoes the articles I've linked.

Edited April 19, 2017 by Barb_

[Barb_]

 

 

"Infection. The most serious complication associated with IUDs is infection. Early analyses suggested that IUDs might cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). These studies, however, often included only women with IUDs who had been hospitalized. Furthermore, these biased studies included controls who were using barrier methods of contraception (which decreased their risk of sexually transmitted diseases and PID). More recent analyses of these data have removed confounding factors and found no increased risk of PID in monogamous women.[7-9]

 

To understand the risk of pelvic infection with an IUD, one must first understand how clinical infection occurs. The bacterial milieu of the vagina sits in a steady-state equilibrium in women who are in long-standing, mutually monogamous relationships. External factors can change in this vaginal environment. For example, a vaginal yeast infection frequently occurs after treatment with systemic antibiotics that kill some of the normal bacteria inhabiting the vagina, allowing an overgrowth of yeast. Similarly, changes in a woman's vaginal milieu occur just from the introduction of a new male partner (penis) or from sex with a steady partner (male) after he has had intercourse with another partner. Moreover, a lack of monogamy on the part of either partner can introduce a sexually transmitted organism. Thus, a nonmonogamous relationship can change the bacterial equilibrium or introduce a sexually transmitted organism. Either of these can result in PID."

 

(Short version, IUD doesn't increase risk of PID--having multiple partners does, regardless of IUD)

[Amy in NH]

All the link showed is that more people are using them and they are great at preventing pregnancy. I did not think the OP was looking to prevent pregnancy, I thought she was looking at hormones.

 

Here is a link stating why there are OBGYN's who would never give it to their own children.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/09/29/as-father-and-as-ob-gyn-am-fearful-recommending-iuds-for-teens.html

 

If someone was looking to regulate hormones I would choose either a more natural route - diet, activity changes before suggesting that they risk their health with an IUD. I know someone who had multiple infections and another with other complications.

 

 

faux news

[Spring Flower]

I had severe bleeding and PMS. The Mirena has saved my marriage and family life! I will say that while Mirena has significantly helped my PMS and mood swings, I would say I am over all slightly more depressed. Very slightly. Still, totally worth it. 

[eternalsummer]

DD has been on a low dose BC since she was 14 or so because of horrible periods.  Heavy, painful, irregular. Separate from that, she's having a problem right now with regulating her emotions.  She has drastic mood swings of being okay and being horribly depressed, each cycle lasting several days at a time.  She does see a counselor and that is helping.

 

A friend of mine's daughter had a problem that led her to get an IUD.  Her experience though, was that once she switched from BC to an IUD, her emotions and mood swings also totally leveled out.  Her doctor observed that the cycling hormones of the bc may have been contributing somewhat to her mood swings, emotional upheavals.

 

 I read that the copper IUDs are not recommended if you already have really heavy periods, which she does, even on the low dose BC.  But I'm wondering if an hormonal IUD like Mirena would be the same as BC as far affecting ups and downs. 

 

What has been anyone's experience with IUDs affecting emotional state/mood swings? 

 

While I was on hormonal BC (a long time ago) I had terrible mood swings.  I figured it was because the hormones were telling my body I was pregnant and then that I had miscarried every month, and my brain responded appropriately.

 

I did not have the mood swings on the copper IUD; my periods also were not as bad.  My sister has really really awful periods on the copper IUD, though - I think she's become anemic as a result.