I had the Mirena IUD put in in March 2008, it is now August 2008. My tubes are tied and I have 4 children (all normal births) but my OBGYN suggested the Mirena because I was complaining about severe cramps during my periods. She said it would reduce my cramps and eventually I would have no period at all. Sounds good right? Wrong. Five minutes after a painful insertion she returned to the room and said, 'Oh, you'll be bleeding for about 45 days.' 45 days!? So I kept positive reading the Mirena pamphlet waiting out this, 'no period phaze', but 5 months later here are my side effects. Stabbing pain in my right ovary (pain that feels like I'm in labor and takes my breath away to the point I can't concentrate on what is going on around me), I've gained almost 20 pounds (pamphlet said 'No signifigant weight gain') LIE! It's significant to me! I'm having hot flashes and I'm only 36! My periods are no lighter than before in fact they are lasting several days longer. I'm in worse pain than before instead of two days of my normal cramping, I'm in pain all month with these sporadic stabbing episodes. I would never recommend the Mirena IUD to anyone! And now that I have read the other complaints I know I'm not crazy. I have changed OBGYN doctors and just made an appointment to have it removed! Worst and most painful five months of my life.