Busy moms struggle to find a birth control method that is both effective and easy. The daily routine of taking a birth control pill can be cumbersome, and if it is not taken at the same time each day or one completely forgets to take a pill one day, the effectiveness of this method is compromised. In fact, studies show that the less a woman needs to do in regards to her birth control, the more effective it is.
Which is why Mirena, an intrauterine device (or IUD) developed a low-maintenance and highly effective alternative for mothers who aren’t ready to have another child.
What Is Mirena?
Mirena is small, flexible, plastic IUD that provides protection against unwanted pregnancy in women who have already had a child. The manufacturer claims that their product is 99% effective, works consistently, and requires minimal maintenance after it is implanted into the uterus by a healthcare provider.
When or if a woman is ready to become pregnant again, the device can be removed by a doctor, allowing the user to try for another child immediately. Mirena is also, according to the manufacturer’s website, the only IUD birth control that is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods. Mirena is made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., along with Skyla IUD and Essure, a permanent birth control option.
How Does Mirena Work?
Mothers who are not ready to become pregnant again, but still may want children in the future, can contact their healthcare provider about Mirena.
The IUD is a small device that can be placed in the uterus by a gynecologist during a routine office visit.
If placed correctly, the user should not feel the product or be uncomfortable while using it.
Mirena releases small amounts of a progestin hormone, called levonorgestrel, directly into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. The hormone is deposited locally into the uterus at a slow rate, allowing only small amounts of it to enter your blood stream.
Mirena is estrogen free. It remains in your uterus providing protection for as long as needed with a maximum effectiveness of five years.
One of the reasons that the manufacturer believes that Mirena is so effective is that it does not require a daily action on the user’s part. Once Mirena is placed in the body, a monthly self-check is all that is required to ensure that the IUD is in the correct position.
This device does not protect users from HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.
Dangers of Estrogen in Birth Control Pills
Many birth control options contain high levels of estrogen. This hormone affects the body’s natural cycle, convincing the body that it is pregnant. This creates a number of side effects similar to the early months of pregnancy, including:
- Increased breast size
- Weight gain or loss
- Nausea
- Continuous mood swings
- Irregular bleeding or spotting
- Tenderness of the breasts
- Decreased libido
The woman will no longer ovulate and the uterine lining will thicken in preparation for a child. However, once woman begins taking the placebo pills, estrogen levels drop suddenly, forcing the woman into a “normal” menstrual cycle. Since Mirena is estrogen free, users are not subjected to these side effects or an abnormal cycle.
Uncommon Mirena Side Effects
While Mirena does not contain estrogen, the manufacturer warns of some serious but uncommon side effects associated with the IUD.
Pregnancy while using Mirena is uncommon, but can result in the loss of pregnancy or fertility and can be life threatening. Other uncommon side effects may include:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (or PID)
- Sepsis, a life-threatening infection
- Perforation, where the device attaches to the uterine wall
The manufacturer also warns that a small number of users – only 10% – may experience the following:
- Missed menstrual periods
- Changes in bleeding, including irregular periods and spotting
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Ovarian cysts
Common Side Effects While On Mirena
Common side effects while on Mirena include placement discomfort and expulsion. Immediately following the insertion of the IUD, patients may experience placement discomfort in the form of pain, bleeding, or dizziness.
However, the manufacturer assures that the symptoms should not be severe and should not last longer than thirty minutes. Please alert a healthcare provider if these symptoms persist.
Expulsion of the Mirena IUD may also occur. If the device becomes dislodged, it will no longer be effective for preventing pregnancy. Symptoms of partial or complete expulsion include an increase in menstrual flow, pain, and bleeding.
The device can be replaced within seven days of a period; however, a screening will be completed first to rule out any possibility of pregnancy. Another form of birth control must be used until Mirena is reinserted.
Who Should Not Use Mirena IUD
Mirena is not for everyone. It is not safe for anyone who is or might be pregnant and cannot be used as an emergency contraceptive. This product should not be used for at least six weeks following the birth of a child.
Women with PID should not use Mirena, unless they have had a healthy pregnancy after the infection cleared. Additionally, anyone with an untreated pelvic infection or one that occurred within three months after a pregnancy should not use this IUD.
Women who have multiple sexual partners, experience problems with their immune system, or abuse intravenous drugs are likely to get infections easily. Because of this, they are not acceptable candidates for Mirena. Other situations which may cause a healthcare provider to rule out the safety of using this product include:
- Cancer of the uterus or cervix
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Liver disease or tumor
- Cancers that are sensitive to progestin, such as breast cancer
- Conditions which may change the shape of the uterine cavity, including large or excessive fibroids
- Allergies to levonorgestrel silicone, polyethylene, silica, barium sulfate, or iron oxide
In Closing
Like all birth control methods, there are risks and side effects that women should know about and discuss with their gynecologist before deciding on Mirena. Some health insurance plans cover the use of this product.
For individuals without health insurance or with insurance that does not cover Mirena, there are other options available, including a health savings account through their employer, a Specialty Pharmacy, or through Bayer’s ARCH (Access and Resources in Contraceptive Health) Patient Assistance Program.
