MIRENA     

MIRENA

(levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system)

What is Mirena?

•Mirena is a hormone-releasing system placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for up to 5  years.

•Mirena can also lessen menstrual blood loss in women who have heavy menstrual flow and who also want to use a birth control method that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

•Mirena is recommended for women who have had at least one child.

Mirena is T-shaped. It is made of flexible plastic and contains a progestin hormone called levonorgestrel that is often used in birth control pills. Mirena does not contain estrogen. Mirena releases the hormone into the uterus. Only small amounts of the hormone enter your blood.

Mirena can cause your menstrual bleeding to be less by thinning the lining of the uterus.

How does Mirena work?

It is not known exactly how Mirena works. Mirena may work in several ways. It may thicken your cervical mucus, thin the lining of your uterus, inhibit sperm movement and reduce sperm survival. Mirena may stop release of your egg from your ovary.

How well does Mirena work for heavy menstrual bleeding?

In the clinical trial performed in women with heavy menstrual bleeding and treated with Mirena, almost 9 out of 10 were treated successfully and their blood loss was reduced by more than half.

Who might use Mirena?

You might choose Mirena if you:

•Want birth control that provides a low chance of getting pregnant (less than 1 in 100).

•Want birth control that is reversible.

•Want a birth control method that does not require taking it daily.

•Have had at least one child.

•Want treatment for heavy periods and want to use a birth control method that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Who should not use Mirena?

Do not use Mirena if you:

•Might be pregnant.

•Have had a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) unless you have had a normal pregnancy after the infection went away.

•Have an untreated pelvic infection now.

•Have had a serious pelvic infection in the past 3 months after a pregnancy.

•Can get infections easily. For example, if you have:

- More than one sexual partner or your partner has more than one partner.

- Problems with your immune system.

- Intravenous drug abuse.

•Have or suspect you might have cancer of the uterus or cervix.

•Have bleeding from the vagina that has not been explained.

•Have liver disease or liver tumor.

•Have breast cancer now or in the past or suspect you have breast cancer.

•Have an intrauterine device in your uterus already.

•Have a condition of the uterus that changes the shape of the uterine cavity, such as large fibroid tumors.

•Are allergic to levonorgestrel, silicone, or polyethylene.

Before having Mirena placed, tell your healthcare provider if you:

•Have had a heart attack.

•Have had a stroke.

•Were born with heart disease or have problems with your heart valves.

•Have problems with blood clotting or take medicine to reduce clotting.

•Have high blood pressure.

•Recently had a baby or if you are breast feeding.

•Have diabetes (high blood sugar).

•Use corticosteroid medications on a long-term basis.

•Have severe migraine headaches.

Should I check that Mirena is in the proper position?

Yes, you should return to your healthcare provider for a follow-up visit 4 to 12 weeks after Mirena is placed to make sure that Mirena is in the right position.

Can I use tampons with Mirena?

Tampons may be used with Mirena.

What if I become pregnant while using Mirena?

Call your healthcare provider right away if you think you are pregnant. If you get pregnant while using Mirena, you may have an ectopic pregnancy.

How will Mirena change my periods?

For the first 3 to 6 months, your monthly period may become irregular and the number of bleeding days may increase at first. You may also have frequent spotting or light bleeding. A few women have heavy bleeding during this time. After your body adjusts, the number of bleeding days is likely to lessen, and you may even find that your periods stop altogether.

In some women with heavy bleeding, the total blood loss per cycle progressively decreases with continued use. The number of spotting and bleeding days may initially increase but then typically decreases in the months that follow.

Is it safe to breast-feed while using Mirena?

You may use Mirena when you are breastfeeding if more than six weeks have passed since you had your baby.

Will Mirena interfere with sexual intercourse?

You and your partner should not feel Mirena during intercourse.

Mirena is placed in the uterus, not in the vagina. Sometimes male partners feel the threads.

What are the possible side effects of using Mirena?

•Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

•Embedment. Mirena may become attached to the uterine wall.

•Perforation. Mirena may go through the uterus.

Common side effects of Mirena include:

•Pain.

•Expulsion.

•Missed menstrual periods.

•Changes in bleeding.

•Cyst on the ovary.

After Mirena has been placed, when should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about Mirena. Be sure to call if you:

•Think you are pregnant.

•Have pelvic pain or pain during sex.

•Have unusual vaginal discharge or genital sores.

•Have unexplained fever.

•Might be exposed to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

•Cannot feel Mirena ‘s threads.

•Develop very severe or migraine headaches.

•Have yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. These may be signs of liver problems.

•Have a stroke or heart attack.

•Or your partner becomes HIV positive.

•Have severe vaginal bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time.