I've only had my mirena for about 4 months now but I love it. No complaints at all except that my nipples get a little tender around ovulation.

I use the mini pill for breastfeeding, started it at 4weeks pp. You can also look into Implanon if your looking for something that is not pill form, its an implant in your arm and its progestin only so its safe for breastfeeding!

I had mirena and it gave me nothing but problems. In the end I ended up removing it. I became extremely depressed and had suicidal thoughts. I read that many women are starting to report suicidal thoughts and depression with the mirena. As soon as I removed it, I started feeling better. I don't recommend it. If you don't have insurance it's about 700 dollars.

I had the mirena for almost a year. I liked it. Didn't really gain any weight. I did still have a period, but it was very regular. I liked it because I've always had problems with birth control and all the extra hormones- they give me migraines. When the Dr took it out they said it was kind of crooked, but it obviously still did it's job lol. Only downside is I bleed/ more spotted for 4-6 weeks after. Getting it in and taking it out is really painful too, but it lasts like a minute then it's done.

I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant with the IUD :( hope it works for you

Just try not to overdo the pumping too much. It can cause chronic mastitis for you and foremilk imbalance for baby....no fun! I wish you the best, sounds like you have thought it through together. That's great =) good luck!

So I talked to Hubs and it sounds like safe sex (condoms and no sex during fertile days) for 5 months and then I'll start the patch. I'm over pumping now so I hope to have a good supply incase I dry out

I work for an obgyn. I just watched a failed mirena removal. The poor girl was in tears. She had to come back to get it removed with the help of an ultrasound. I have the nexplanon and like it, but some people get heavy bleeding.

I loved the patch. I was on it for about a year and I never got pregnant, no weight gain or anything like that. My cousin had mirena and got pregnant..she ended up losing the baby. Mirena scares the hell out of me so I would never choose it for myself.

I used the patch and it was great because it was effective (never got pregnant!) But I stopped using it because it irritated my skin and every time I pulled one off my skin was left bleeding. I have somewhat sensitive skin sp maybe that isn't common.

I used it for about about a year (8 years ago)

I had the mirena for 6 months and it was the worst 6 months of my life.

- constant cramping in my stomach and left leg

- irritability

- anxiety

- extreme fatigue

- mood swings

- painful sex for both so and myself

- bled the entire 6 months

- weight gain

- loss of appetite

And worst of all severe depression. I started having thoughts of harming, even killing myself and others. One night my son was crying and I just stared blankly at him thinking "I could just put him in the back room and I'd never hear him cry.. I could sleep all night". I got it removed the next day and felt a million times better within minutes.

I never had issues with depression so it was very scary for me. My doctor kept telling me it was just ppd and it would go away but I knew something wasnt right.

I know it works for some people, but to me it isn't worth the risk. I wouldn't suggest it to my worst enemy.

I had the iud and it was great, a little pain when it was placed, then some light cramping. Then after a few days it was fine. I got pregnant on the patch and gained some weight. I hated it. I would say iud, after almost two years I didn't have periods every month, maybe once every six months. Then after the third year I didn't have a period until it was removed. I never had any problems with it moving, or anything I would get it again but I'm getting my tubes tied. No more babies for me lol

Never used the patch, but LOVED Mirena. Had it for four years, no problems. Highly recommend it. Some people do have negative side effects, but if you're one of them, it's as simple as an office visit to remove it.

I've had both. This is my second week on the patch and I like it so far. My so noticed my boobs got bigger and so did I. Lol I switched from the paragard because I've always had cramps all over my body and lost a lot of hair.

Hopefully now my hair will grow thicker. Also TMI but I noticed down there that I smell better. I'm not sure how to explain it, I didn't have a horrible smell before with the iud. But it just smells better/no odor.

I like the patch so far

I got the iud 6 weeks after having my now 2 year old and I loved it for the first 14 months. I never once had a period but around 14 months I started bleeding and it made me nervous that it wasn't working any more. So I made an appointment to have it removed they didn't do a pregnancy test two weeks later I found out I was pregnant. We thought I was 6 weeks when I finally got to see my dr but when I miscarried the baby it turned out I was closer to 9 or 10 weeks. I will NEVER get the iud again.

My cousin got pregnant on the patch twice ..

I hated my mirena. It was 8 months of my personal hell.

I gained 30 pounds, my milk was non existent the week after I put it in, I had horrible cramping, husband could feel it and my periods were all throughout the month. I didn't stop bleeding the entire month. One week of heavy bleeding and then sporadic spotting every three weeks.

Well sounds like I'm just not gonna have sex for a year ?

When I got it, I was on PA select plan (insurance for women) and was able to get it for free. (9 yrs ago)

Sry I can't help more :(

Edit-It felt like bad period cramping when they put it in and for maybe the next day as far as I can remember. Other than that I couldn't feel it at all!

2nd edit-I would get it again.

Like Pp said, progesterone only or nonhormonal forms of contraception are best when nursing. Estrogen is a supply killer.

@2nd did your insurance help pay for it? How much did it cost (if you don't mind)

How painful was it?

I had my mirena for all 5 yrs. I didn't have any problems and also didn't have my period after the first cycle. Never did the patch.

@Mama Oh no?! I didn't know that ? yes I am strictly breastfeeding and that's VERY important to me

That helps a lot. I was worried about the possibility of it getting stuck in the cervix, so that answered that question.

I used the patch never used the iud. I liked the patch because it helped regulate my monthly and balanced my hormones better than a pill or the depo shot. I personally did not gain any weight while on it and did not have any side effect that i did not like. Hope this helps a little.