About 6 weeks to 2 months postpartum, your health care provider will bring up the subject of birth control. Even though sex may be the farthest thing from your mind! Your doctor has your mental and physical health in mind when he talks to you about a birth control method. It can be devastating emotionally and physically to get pregnant again before you are ready.
There are many birth control methods that are compatible with breastfeeding and have absolutely zero risk of harming milk production. Condoms and other barrier methods are safe and effective when used appropriately. But these methods are considered “risky” to many doctors because they rely on patient compliance and errors can occur. More and more doctors, therefore, are encouraging new mothers to use an IUD for birth control.
There are some relatively new IUDs on the market, that can create problems for breastfeeding individuals. The Mirena., Skiyla, Liletta and Kyleena all contain small amounts of synthetic progesterone. Progesterone is the hormone that keeps you from lactating during pregnancy. It follows that progesterone, even a small amount, could cause a reduction in milk supply for a breastfeeding mother.
For many years health care professionals have insisted that the hormone stays local to the uterus and cannot cause milk supply problems But lactation professionals find that this is a common result with their breastfeeding clients. I would bet that there are many other clients who didn’t put 2 and 2 together and just believed that their milk ”dried up” all by itself or because they had returned to work. Since the resumption of birth control and going back to work often occur at about the same time, a mom could easily assume that being away from her baby for 8 hours per day is what caused the drop in milk production. So who knows how many mothers quit breastfeeding because of an IUD? I believe the number is much, much larger than is reported. Here’s what the United States Lactation Consultant Association has to say:
Research is underway to catalog the effects of various hormonal birth control options on lactation. Many health organizations and healthcare providers currently recommend the use of hormonal birth control without regard for the potential effects on breastfeeding and lactation or with the outright denial that any issues could result. This directly contradicts the professional experience of many in the field of human lactation.If you have experienced milk supply problems after beginning hormonal birth control method including an IUD, we urge you to report your experience!
Well, as of late 2021, we do have research to prove that these IUDs cause systemic changes in the breast. This study did not look at milk supply per se, but it did address the fact that these IUDs do indeed affect the body systemically.
It will be awhile before the research affects behavior at OB and midwife practices. Until then, I’ll continue to support my clients who come to me with milk supply concerns. I’ve included one story here:
Margie called me because her milk supply had plummeted to practically nothing. Her baby could not breastfeed, but she had been pumping since his birth so she has always known exactly how much milk she produced.
After Margie’s milk came in, she was able to pump 4 ounces every 2 hours—with a hand pump! She continued pumping regularly and always had more than her baby could eat. When her baby was 2 months old, her doctor recommended the Mirena IUD. She agreed that it sounded like a good birth control method for her. She noticed a gradual, slight dip in her milk supply within a week. She thought maybe it was because of the hand pump, so she tried a professional grade pump. Her supply continued to decrease, so she rented a hospital grade pump. There was no improvement. A mere six weeks after the IUD was inserted, her milk supply had practically vanished—down to 2 oz per day. She had the IUD removed.
Margie is now working hard, with my guidance, to increase her milk production. There is no doubt in her mind (or mine) what caused her supply to plummet. It makes me sad that anyone would have to go through what she has gone through. Especially since it was completely avoidable.
So what should you do about birth control? Talk to your doctor about options. Let her know that breastfeeding is important to you and that you want to avoid risking your milk supply. Explore all options—keeping in mind that any birth control method is largely a “back up” method if you are fully breastfeeding and your baby is under 6 months old and your periods have not returned . Avoid any birth control method that relies on hormones–including the “mini-pill.” Remember that you will be breastfeeding for a relatively short period of time in your child’s life. The hormonal IUDs and other hormonal methods may be a good choice for you when your baby is older and is not reliant on your milk for nourishment. Lastly, if you have already instituted birth control that includes hormones, and you are concerned about milk production, please report your experience and call me for help!
Note: Many breastfeeding mothers use these IUDs or the “mini-pill” with no noticeable effect on breastfeeding. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict how an individual mom’s milk supply will react to the introduction of progestin.
See also, “Breastfeeding and Fertility”.
My milk is decreasing and I will like to know if there is something I can do for it to increase
I have been on the depo shot since my lo was 6 weeks with no noticeable effect on my milk supply. She is now 10 months, still breastfed, and has never had any milk supplement. I am now considering switching to the mirena. Since I’ve already been on depo without supply reduction, is the mirena likely to reduce my supply? Im kind of freaking out now after reading this page? Isn’t it the same hormone used in both?
Yes, it is the same hormone but it is a different delivery system. You are very lucky that the depo shot didn’t affect your supply. It can be devastating for a lot of breastfeeding mothers. You might discuss with your HCP trying a round of the mini pill since it’s easy to stop if it causes a problem. Some insurance companies won’t pay for removal of IUD unless there are severe side effects. Of course I think losing one’s milk supply IS a severe side effect, but they may not see it that way. Best of luck and please let us know what happens!
Can anyone tell me if their supply went back to normal once it was removed?
With support, it can happen!
I am so happy I came across this post. My provider tried to persuade me to get the mirena. I was just about to give in but no; nothing is more important than my baby’s supply.
Hi! Ive had mirena as soon as i was ok from my c section. My doctor said it was ok for breastfeeding. But about 1 and a half month to 2 months, my milk supply was barely available. I took fenugreek pills amd tried lactation cookies. It didnt help. I had an urge to research mirena and was concinced that was my problem. To my supprise i found out its happen to many females, per gyn. I took it out. Its been about 2 weeks since removal. Milk supply still barely there. Im hoping im not going to get empty. I purchased today milk thistle tea and I’m going back on fenugreek. Im also going to purchase herbal blend. I hope milk supply returns with a vengence.
I hope so too! Let me know if you’d like more individualized help with your supply. I offer phone consultations for this situation.
I wish I would have seen this post before I had my IUD placed! I’ve only had it for about two weeks and this weekend noticed a huge difference in my supply! My 3 month old sleeps over night and always has, and wakes between 330-430 am to eat and by that time i am leaking and so full that after I nurse I pump 10 ounces. Now neither breast is full or even close to leaking and this morning barely got 5 ounces! Calling my doctor to have it removed immediately! I’m also starting to get the back pain i had my entire pregnancy again!
Let me know if you need help increasing your supply. I do distance consults for that type of thing.
Oh no! I’m sorry, mama! When I had the paraguard it was all bad… Finally on the fifth day I dragged myself to the ER and one of the doctors removed it right away.
I am distraught. It’s 3am and I just had mirena placed at 10am yesterday morning. Not only is my supply not near what it was but I’m having extreme back pain, nausea and diahrrea. I’m going to go to my dr first thing at 8am and have them take it out. Is my Ob the only person that can take it out? I want it out now. If I go to the ER can they help me? I’m panicking and worrier my supply won’t come back once it’s out. I’ve had such a great supply this time and have plenty stored, I’m just so worried. I hate that I gave in and got it. I feel like they shove it down your throat and after asking several times about my milk I feel like my dr just gets paid from the company to tell women it doesn’t affect supply.
I don’t know if someone in the ER can remove your IUD. I’m sorry your having problems! Good luck and let us know what happens!
I am having the same problem. 8hours later and my milk has already decreased 60mls!
So sorry! I hope you can have it removed soon!
Hello, my name is britany and I have had the mirena 5 year IUD for 4 years now and have had nothing but problems from it but here recently I have had some weird problems.. it started with giving me problems with bawl movements,then cramping in the stomach, it migrated out of my cervix, now im cramping in the lower right stomavh area (sore to the touch)and I am now starting to produce titty milk, I do have a 4 year old but I was unable to breast feed him…can anyone tell me what is going on?
Hi Britany, you need to contact your healthcare provider asap!And yes, the Mirena can cause problems with milk supply.
I just wanted to say thank you for these posts! I got the mirena IUD 10 days ago at 8wks pp. I was already working and successfully pumping. I first noticed a difference about 24 hours later. Usually in the morning, my daughter would nurse from one side and be full- I’d pump the other side (4oz). I would then pump twice at work for a total of around 15oz. That day- the day things changed, my daughter finished one side so fast and was hysterically rooting for more. I switched her to the other side. As the days would progress and my supply slowly vanished, I got to the point on day 8/9 that I had to supplement her with formula at night. Day 10, yesterday, I was getting less than an ounce from each side when pumping. I take not meds but vitamins, and I’d spent the last week psychotic about pushing fluids…. And in a last ditch effort, I google mirena and supply. I called yesterday and demanded an appointment for removal. It is now 15 hours since removal and my milk is back with vengeance. I have had mirena in the the past (though not while nursing) and I loved it. But this is CLEARLY a side effect and needs to be out there.
Thank you so much for writing! And please, tell your HCP about what happened to you. Many physicians and midwives are very angry about this post. But you are living proof! Enjoy your baby!
I succefully breastfed twins for 10 months. I had no supply issue what so ever. After baby #3 I had great supply, almost oversupply. I had the Mirena IUD placed in on Monday and noticed my baby was requiring more feeds almost immediately but thought it was a growth spurt. I started bleeding on Sunday and had marked difference in the way my breast felt, deflated and no full feeling. By Monday (1 week after Mirena was placed) my baby refused to nurse because my supply was so low. It was like a switch went off and production decreased so dramatically. I am scheduled to have it out in 2 days. I also was doing one pump session a day and it decreased to 2 oz when I was getting 5oz. Also experienced longer time for let down and not as strong of let down.
I had Mirena for a year, a year of my life I wish I could get back. I was told all the side effects are rare, yet by the time I decided to have it removed I had severe depression and mood swings, cramping on a daily basis, fatigue (I felt like the laziest person in the world, I never got anything done), bloating and weight gain, anxiety, and absolutely no sex drive. I hated life and even got to a point where I just wanted to die. I’m certain none of this was related to my lifestyle, I’ve always exercised and kept a very healthy plant-based whole foods diet. I felt good during pregnancy, it was much easier than my experiences with Mirena.
I had Mirena removed about four days ago, and everything improved almost instantly, I feel like a new woman. I woke up this morning with huge breasts and realized Mirena had been depleting my milk supply as well. Before my baby started solids I had to supplement breast milk with formula because she seemed hungry all the time. Glad Mirena works for some people, but I’m never trying a hormone birth control again and wouldn’t reccommend it to anyone. Yeah, IUDs are the easiest option as far as preventing pregnancy, but they’re not worth poor health and emotional upheaval when there are so many other options that are just as effective when used properly.
I would just like to comment. I must be a freak of nature because I went to my post partum check up and yes they were shoving birth control down my throat. So they gave my the mini pill I picked it up from the pharmacy but decided to not even give it my time, I could never remember to take it the same time everyday. So when the time felt right I went back in to the dr office and for the mirena iud. I was very nervous about my milk supply. My LO was 6 months old I just want to say I have had the iud in for a month and I have not noticed any changes with milk supply I do not take fenugreek. But I do have oatmeal everyday for breakfast and I do occasionally make lactation cookies but never had a noticeable change in supply !
I’m glad your supply has continued to be robust after the Mirena. Not a freak of nature at all!
I had the Mirena inserted when my baby was 7 months old. About 4 days later, I noticed a significant drop in milk supply (the way my breasts felt, time to and strength of let-down, and in amount I could pump). After much consideration I had the IUD removed and my milk supply had returned to normal by the next day, with baby responding accordingly. My providers were unaware of this as a side-effect and skeptical when I suggested it had affected me in this way, suggesting I try other methods to increase supply. Luckily my baby was 7 months old and I had nursed 2 other children so I knew enough to trust my body. My suspicion was confirmed by the experience of others on this site. Thanks for providing this helpful information. Without it I am not sure I would have made the decision to remove the IUD. I would also like to add that I am somewhat baffled as to why this is pushed so strongly at 6 weeks postpartum. This is about the time many mothers have stopped bleeding and many will go for many more months without bleeding if they are nursing full time. It seems an odd time to get a birth control that has a side effect of….more bleeding. I was lucky I waited until 7 months and lucky I was not working for the month I got the IUD and thus not pumping. I don’t think I could have maintained a supply for even those couple of weeks if I had been pumping. I would have liked to have avoided the side effects I have experienced for the last 3 weeks but generally am just feeling lucky my baby hung in there with me and we will both be back to normal soon.
Thank you for this, Carly. I’m sure it will help a lot of mothers. I’m baffled by this as well.
I’m so glad I found this website when I did. I had the mirena placed about 8 weeks postpartum and a month later noticed a decrease in supply (my breasts felt empty, I stopped leaking, and I always leak, and my output during my normal pumping session was pretty much nothing). I had the IUD removed 2 days ago and within a day my breasts felt full again, and my pumping output was back to normal! However, today I’ve been bleeding a lot more, and I’m not sure if it’s just a side effect of the removal or my period. I’m nervous because I know the return of fertility can cause a decrease in milk supply and my little one is only 3 months old! Any input for me?
Please talk to your Dr. about the bleeding. And if you’d like a phone consultation to discuss supply, just let me know! Thanks for your comment.
Wow. I make it a point not to google with health stuff, because it generally makes me super anxious…. but here I am. Commenting to let others know this is not as uncommon as your provider would have you believe.
I had the Mirena put in 6 weeks ago, and my supply has dwindled to nothing. I had a breast reduction, so have been supplementing my 9 month old from the beginning, but was producing about 80% with help from Go-lacta and Fenugreek. Should I bother to take it out, or at this point is it probably too late, given my already sensitive supply, and a month of even lower production?
If you’d like help with your milk supply, please feel free to make an appt and we’ll work on it! And thank you for sharing your story.
My Dr. Just put me on the mini pill to stop bleeding related to fibroids. Will this hurt my breastfeeding? I could bleed to death without it. Last Saturday I nearly bled to death, was hospitalized and recieved a blood transfusion. On Monday, even after frequent pumping, my milk supply began to dwindle. Today (Thursday) my milk seems to be on an upswing. I just began Fenugreek yesterday. If that doesnt work, my Dr. wants to put me on Reglan. Ive been given mixed info from the lactation specialists in the NICU and my Dr. Help! My baby is a preemie and I want a good milk supply!
I’d be happy to help you. I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. LMK if you’d like to make an appt or you can talk to an IBCLC in your area.
I thought I had done plenty of research before getting the IUD. After receiving it I had noticed that my breasts felt empty. I just assumed it was because I hadnt drank as much water as usual so I got myself back on track. Oatmeal, fenugreek, fennel, lactation cookies 120 ounces per day of water… it didnt matter! I went from 5 ounces per 3 hours to maybe 1 or 2! I work 12 hours a day and thats not even feasible to keep up with my baby’s demands. He wont even feed from me anymore because he gets so frustrated with minimal milk. I wish I had seen this sooner however, I always place myself in the “not that guy” category. However, because of this page I feel like its more common than we think and that I’m not a “weirdo” case. Thank you!!
You are welcome! I’m so sorry you had to learn about this the hard way!. Have you had it removed?
I wish I found this website and did better research before I got the mirena inserted. It was inserted on Feb. 10, 2015. The next day I noticed a tremendous decrease in supply, along with cramps, headaches and lethargic. I went from pumping 4-6 oz in one setting from one breast, to 2oz from both breast. I’m calling my doctor first thing Monday to get it removed. Breastfeeding is too important to me and my baby. I was on the depo 6 weeks postpartum and had no issues. I hope I able to return to my regular supply, it is very scary when you had no intentions to use formula and never having milk supply issues to not producing sufficient milk for your baby. Lastly, How do I schedule a phone consultation?
Just shoot me an email and we’ll set it up!
I had the Mirena placed few days ago I’ve had many issues with breastfeeding but finally was able to get my left breast to produce 5 to 10 oz every 4 to 5 hours and my right breast only producing 2 to 4 oz…..now after this I’ve lost majority of my supply to being able to just keep up with feeding my lo. now my breasts are producing only 5 ozs tops every three hours I’m trying and trying to increase my supply but it will not do anymore…hmy lo is eating more now up to 4 ozs.im so heart broken it took me a long time to get my supply what I needed becuz he started in the nicu and he’s tongue tied and my breasts are huge and have nipple issues…iI dunno if I should just give up now and go to formula or have the iud removed.
I had the mirena placed almost exactly 2 months ago. I noticed a supply decrease almost immediately. I started taking domperidone since the OB told me mirena does not decrease supply. My supply has further dropped, even with the domperidone (90mg a day). I am going to remove the IUD and see if my milk supply increases. I breastfed 2 other babies, both for 15 months, and never had a low supply issue.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Please let me know how your supply responds to the removal of the IUD.
I’m so glad I found this blog. I got the mirena IUD put i last month and my milk supply has dwindled down close to nothing. I wish I put two and two together sooner. I’m getting it removed tomorrow. I hope I can get my supply back up to where it used to be.
Let me know if you need help increasing your supply. We could do a phone or skype consult. And PLEASE let your OB or midwife know that the Mirena caused a dip in your supply. The more they know the better!
I have 2 children and nursed both of them. With my first, I did not use any birth control and I was a milk cow. I had excessive milk. I had the mirena with my second child. Although I was concerned about nursing with the mirena, my OB and pediatrician said it was safe. The week I got the IUD my milk supply greatly decreased. I also had other physical issues with it, painful intercourse, infection, and depression. I explained all my symptoms to my OB Dr and was encouraged to keep the mirena. Finally after 3 years of discomfort and depression I had another Dr remove it. ALL my physical problems were immediately relieved. Two years after having it removed, my hormones are still irregular. I am 100% convinced the mirena caused the imbalance. I had a horrible experience with it and wish I never got it. Since it affected my milk supply, I am scared to think of the effects the hormone in it will have on my son, whom I was nursing. Wish I didn’t blindly follow Dr’s advice because the truth is the mirena was so new to the market that it hasn’t really been studied to know that it doesn’t get into the milk. On a side note, my friend loved her mirena until it became imbedded in her uterus and had to be surgically removed and treated for infection. She also developed a Huge cyst on her ovary that caused her to have to have her entire ovary removed. Mirena is bad news. It is not a healthy form of birth control especially if nursing.
Thank you for your post. I’m so sorry for all the trauma who experienced. Many women love the Mirena but, as you know, it can kill a milk supply. The Progestin does get into the milk in small amounts. Still, it is considered safe for breastfeeding. I agree. We need more research!!
My baby is 11.5 weeks old. I had Mirena inserted one week and a day ago. My supply started to plummet after four days. I know because I pump exclusively. I produced 4-6 ounces per breast per pumping session. Today, as I sit here pumping, I am producing max 3 ounces per breast. Thank goodness I have a stash of frozen milk, but I am extremely frustrated that my ob-gyn was not aware of this potential issue and did not share it with me. I want this thing out immediately. What are others’ experiences with getting supply back up? Power pumping has worked wonders for me, but it is doing zilch at the moment. I’m totally freaked out that I won’t be able to get my milk back. Feedback, please!!!
The first step is to remove the IUD. Please see your ob for this procedure.. and let her know WHY you are having it removed. Thankfully, your supply is still strong. If your supply continues to decrease or if you want help to increase it more, I do phone consultations for milk supply and I’d be happy to help!
Thank you so much for responding! I will see my doctor asap! I would love to contact you for help. How do I schedule a phone consultation?
I got the Mirena at 6 weeks post pardom. I have had struggling with breastfeeding since my daughter’s birth. Everything from low milk supply,exclusive pumping,nipple shields, and then finding out my baby is lip/tongue tied. I never knew that low milk supply could be a possible side effect of the IUD. I didn’t do my research. After finally getting my baby to latch without a shield, my milk has just slowed down. I can barely get two ounces when I pump. It doesn’t matter how much I feed or pump. I read this article yesterday and knew that the IUD and my body weren’t compatible with each other. My baby is 6 months and this can’t be the end. Is their anything I can do to bring my supply back? I know it isn’t recommended, but I removed my IUD myself last night.
Wow! You removed the IUD yourself? Please see your Dr. asap to make sure that all is well with your uterus, cervix, etc. I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble. Your story and many others are what inspired me to write this post and keep posting about it often. I do phone and skype consultations for milk supply and this may be a way for you to get some guidance. Thank you so much for writing!
I had my first child in 2005. Breastfed exclusively. Got the mirena at 6 weeks p.p.
Stopped breastfeeding about 3 weeks later ..from what i recall it was because of the stress…? Anyways on to formula.
Now I have a newborn. Again, began breastfeeding exclusively. Planned to supplement infrequently due to my particular job. Got mirena again at 6 weeks p.p.
I used to (both with first and with newborn) regularly be able to pump 4-8 (!!!!) Oz manually and with electric pump every 2-3 hours. The fullness I would feel would be unbearable.
Immediately upon getting mirena my supply virtually dissapeared. Im nursing as I type this actually. Baby has been latched on for almost an hour. He is literally whimpering because of the lack of milk. This morning I decided to google this topic and I am sure glad I did….
I hope you can get the Mirena removed as soon as possible! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Jessica.
BEWARE of the Mirena IUD. I just got burned by Big Pharma (I should have been more wary) the doctor was flogging the $400 Mirena IUD they say it’s safe for breastfeeding Mom’s they say there are very rare cases of reduction in milk supply. Within 48 hours I had a reduction sufficient enough that I was at the Hospital Emergency hoping they would take the IUD out my baby was crying and fussy and the tap was dry what an awful feeling when you put together that it’s your fault. I’m off to the doctor first thing tomorrow to get it out. If you’re a breastfeeding Mom please don’t go with the Mirena IUD it’s so not worth the risk!
This makes a lot of sense as to why I didn’t produce much milk with my first. I nursed him for two years and while I would have loved to pump I couldn’t produce enough milk to do so. He nursed frequently and what seemed like more than other breastfed babies but I assumed it was normal, after reading this I believe it was due to low supply from my mirena. Here I am with my second child and not using any birth control and my supply is beyond enough! Thanks for the information!
Thank you for writing! I’m so sorry you struggled with #1. And so happy I could help confirm what you thought to be true. Best of luck going forward!
Oh no!! I have had the IUD inserted last week… I pump exclusively with an over supply… The last 3 days my supply is tanking and my boobs are not feeling full ever… I’m scared I don’t want to stop giving my baby breast milk yet. She’s only 3 months. Please email me and help
I would suggest talking to your Dr. about removing the IUD. Then let me know what happens!
Getting it out is super easy.
Procedure to have it out? I had Mirena for 2 years and had it removed to get pregnant…..no “procedure” per sa, The Doc just pulled on the string and it was out, took about 2 seconds and felt like a quick pinch! Putting it in was a different story. I do appreciate hearing from both sides about this because I am considering getting one 6 weeks after LO is born. Loved my first one.
I commented on Facebook but I realized it would be better here.
I am one of those “lucky” women who has periods while exclusively breastfeeding. My cycle returned at 16 weeks postpartum with my first baby and 9 weeks the second time. Both were EBF, even through the night. I will ALWAYS share this information whenever somebody touts breast feeding as birth control because it is an outright lie for many women. I know more breast feeding mothers with an early return to fertility than those who don’t have periods.
My first breast feeding experience, we opted to stick with condoms. It not only led to a year of extremely unsatisfying sex for me, but I had the added bonus of horrific menstrual cramps every month. I also struggled constantly with my supply, and had to take Reglan daily to keep up.
This time I opted for Mirena. It was not done lightly, as I myself am the result of an IUD. I weaned my first daughter earlier than I had hoped (at 13 months) because I couldn’t take the cramps any more and was desperate for the regulatory effects of BC. This time I wanted to nurse longer and Mirena has allowed that–my nursling is 17 1/2 months and still going. I have had none of the supply issues I suffered through the first time (even after the IUD was inserted), my cramps are nonexistent, and my sex life is better than it’s been in years (as, it turns out, suppressing ovulation with birth control pills also kills my libido). I not only did not QUIT breastfeeding because of Mirena, I am STILL breastfeeding because of it.
Mirena is a valid option for birth control while nursing. The amount of progesterone released is incredibly low, since it is acting on the uterus directly and does not have to enter the bloodstream (compared to BCP, where there has to be enough hormone to make it through the blood stream to where it needs to be). Spreading the knowledge that it *could* decrease your milk supply is important so women know where to look if that occurs, but discouraging its use during breast feeding entirely would be to deprive many women of the perfect solution for their birth control needs.
Thank you for writing! I’m very glad it worked for you. However…
It is a HUGE risk to use Mirena while breastfeeding. Many times mothers have problems with supply but they don’t want to have the procedure to remove the device. Once it’s inserted, often insurance will not reimburse the cost of removal. If a mother wants to try a hormonal method of birth control, the minipill may be the better option. at least then, if there is a drop in supply, she can stop immediately. I stand by my experience with many, many mothers who lost their supply due to the Mirena. Mom’s need to be warned of the risk.
I was taking the depo provera shot as birth control. It isn’t supposed to affect milk supply and as far as I’m aware it works very well and didn’t affect my milk supply. If anyone stops using Merena and still wants a form of birth control you might want to consider asking about Depo Provera, it comes in shot form and pill form. I definitely won’t consider using merena now.
I’m glad you’re not having any trouble with the depo. Please be very watchful as it is notorious for decreasing milk production!! I don’t recommend it.
I just had my Mirena put in Nov, 15th, and two days later I found a decrease of my milk supply. I am not sure if it is from the Mirena yet, but will definitely have it removed if it doesn’t get better in two weeks. Having my baby breastfed is important for me. I do hope it will get better so the pain I suffered and the money I spent won’t be wasted. Surely I hope my milk supply will increase if I do get my Mirena removed. Thank you for your post and information.
Please let us know what happens!!
I am very happy to report that i had the mirena taken out October 29th and my son has nursed twice so far today. He hasn’t nursed since October 7th. Now to work on getting my supply back. I’m so excited! Wish i would have had the mirena taken out sooner.
I had mirena put in Sept 30 and by October 6 my son wouldn’t nurse at all. My milk supply has went way down. I tried Fenugreek, it made my son fussy so i stopped. Mothers milk tea hasn’t helped, I no longer feel let down either. I pump everyday and get just sometimes i get enough for the next day, but not very often. I’m having the mirena taken out tomorrow. I hope that i will be able to be my sons only source of milk again. Has anyone gotten their supply back after mirena was taken out?
I’m sorry this happened to you, and very glad you are having it removed. there are stories here from several moms who have had success increasing their supply. Feel free to search “stories” and you will find them. If you need help with your supply, please let me know!
The information in this post is patently incorrect. The hormone that is in the Mirena is NOT progesterone. It is Levonorgestrel or progestogen, which is a entirely differnent thing…
It is a synthetic version. Here is the quote from their website “It releases small amounts of levonorgestrel, a progestin hormone found in many birth control pills, “
I just had the Mirena put in today. Now I am second guessing it. I am really worried. I have two babies in the NICU. They are 7 weeks old (33 weeks gestation) I am currently pumping. I plan to nurse them when they are big enough. I nursed our oldest daughter for 18 months. Plus I know they need my milk badly sense they are preemies. I would be devastated if I was not able to nurse them. I only get about 2 oz per pumping on average, so I really can’t afford for my milk supply to drop. However, I need a for of birth control. I can not risk getting pregnant again. I really need help deciding what to do. I am really confused and torn.
Whitney, I would encourage you to follow your gut. It sounds like nursing is very important to you. There are lots of birth control methods that do not use hormones, so won’t interfere with your supply at all–including IUD’s. Please let us know what you decide and how you’re doing!
I have noticed a decrease in my milk supply recently too. I had the mirena placed in August 2012. I am now only producing 2 oz per breast every 2 hours vs. 5 oz per breast before the IUD. My 3 month old eats up to 8 oz every 2-3 hours, so this has posed a problem. Luckily I have some stock piled.
When I had went back to work with my first son, the samr thing happened and I too thought that my milk had just dried up, or that it was the stress from going back to work. I will be calling first thing Monday to talk to my OB about a different method of birth control. Thank you for this info. :) If you have any advise for me, on ways to help regain my supply, I would greatly appreciate it. :)
Jennifer, thank you for sharing your experience. Getting the IUD removed will probably help your milk supply substantially. If you’d like a phone consultation to help with your supply, please let me know.
I have a PeriGard IUD (copper, no hormones). Why do I find it so rarely mentioned as an alternative to hormonal or barrier methods of birth control? It is my second one, and I have never had side effects.
To clarify your statement, you may want to add “unless your period has returned”
Beebe wrote: “keeping in mind that any birth control method is largely a “back up” method if you are fully breastfeeding and your baby is under 6 months old.”
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I was aware of this risk, but took the plunge anyway. It worked out for me and I wonder if it helped that I waited until 5 or 6 months post partum.
Luckily my insurance covered it with just a copay- I can’t imagine having to pay all or a portion of the IUD and then having to get rid of it!
Yes, good point about the cost. not to mention the ordeal of having it removed! Thanks for writing about your experience. And I agree, that waiting longer may help.