Taking charge of your reproductive health is a personal priority for many women. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a form of long-acting contraception and the reasons women choose them are as personal and diverse as women themselves.
When discussing birth control options with their healthcare provider (HCP), it is essential women have the right information and resources to be empowered to make decisions that work for them.
And while people have lots of opinions on women’s bodies, the choice for birth control is between you and your doctor. Having birth control options allows women to have candid conversations with their HCP to find something that aligns with their lifestyle and current goals.
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Curious about Mirena IUD? Here’s What Women Want to Know – Answered by a OBGYN Expert
The #1 prescribed IUD option in the U.S., according to Symphony Health Data from 2010-2024, is Mirena® IUD (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52 mg which is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy for up to eight years.
We spoke to several women who use Mirena about why they chose this form of birth control. We also consulted with an OBGYN about the potential benefits of Mirena for different women. Interested in learning more about Mirena? Read on and talk to your doctor to see if Mirena could be an option for you.
The Freedom to Know Your Options — and Change Your Mind
While discussing birth control may still feel awkward outside of conversations with close friends or a partner, finding an HCP you feel comfortable with can make all the difference when making an informed and personal decision.
For those navigating family planning — whether waiting for the right time for a first child or planning for additional children — Mirena IUD is long-acting and reversible, meaning it offers long-term birth control and the option to have it removed by an HCP if your plans change. About 8 out of 10 women who use Mirena and want to become pregnant usually can become pregnant within the first year after Mirena is removed.
This was the choice for Marianne Perez Fransius, a busy CEO and entrepreneur, balancing the demands of starting a family and running a business. When she and her partner decided to have another child, her doctor removed her Mirena IUD, and she was able to get pregnant within that first year. Now, with a busy household, she appreciates the reduced daily maintenance, though she makes sure to check for the threads once a month as she was advised by her HCP.
The risk of expulsion and perforation in increased right after delivery or if you have recently given birth.
Minimal Maintenance
As someone who values having control over her reproductive health, Megan Michael, a San Diego-based publicist wanted an option that suited her dynamic lifestyle and offered efficacy without requiring daily upkeep.
With a busy schedule and shifting priorities, she knew she needed an option that didn’t rely on a daily routine. “My HCP prescribed an oral contraceptive when I was younger, and I was always horrible at taking it on time,” she says.
It was clear that certain methods weren’t the right match for her. This realization prompted Megan to seek out alternatives that aligned with her needs and preferences for long-term contraception. “It led me to research alternative pill-free options, and my doctor recommended a Mirena IUD which I thought could be a good fit for me. My doctor explained that I do have to check for the threads once a month on my own,” she says.
Treats Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Did you know that 1 in 3 women experience heavy periods*? While Mirena is most known as a method of birth control, it is also approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding for up to five years in women who choose an IUD for birth control.
Chronic illness advocate and author Gigi Robinson suffered from heavy menstrual bleeding for over a decade. After years of struggling and after being diagnosed, her OBGYN recommended a Mirena IUD to help manage her heavy periods. “The Mirena IUD has helped lessen the severity of my heavy bleeding,” she says.
Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first 3 to 6 months and remain irregular. Periods over time usually become shorter, lighter, or may stop.
Concerns about Insertion Pain
If you feel rushed during your healthcare appointments, consider whether you and your provider are adequately addressing your healthcare needs. Every woman deserves to be heard when making decisions about birth control and her health.
It’s important to feel comfortable having candid conversations about any concerns so you are informed and feel supported. If you’re concerned about pain during insertion, talk to your doctor to understand what you can expect and what options are available to help.
You may experience pain, bleeding, or dizziness during and after placement. If your symptoms do not pass within 30 minutes after placement, your IUD may not have been placed correctly. Your healthcare provider will examine you to see if your IUD needs to be removed or replaced.
In recent years, more women are seeking long-term birth control options. If you’re considering an IUD for birth control, talk to your doctor to see if an IUD, like Mirena, might be right for you. Because understanding your options is an essential step in finding birth control that aligns with you.
*American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Heavy Menstrual Bleeding FAQs.
INDICATION FOR MIRENA
Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 8 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose intrauterine contraception.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
·If you have a pelvic or genital infection, get infections easily, or have certain cancers, don’t use Mirena. Less than 1% of users get a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
·If you have persistent pelvic or stomach pain, or excessive bleeding after placement, tell your healthcare provider (HCP). If Mirena comes out, call your HCP and avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as condoms or spermicide). Mirena may go into or through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems.
·Pregnancy while using Mirena is uncommon but can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility.
·Ovarian cysts may occur but usually disappear.
·Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first 3 to 6 months and remain irregular. Periods over time usually become shorter, lighter, or may stop.
Mirena does not protect against HIV or STIs.
Only you and your HCP can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is available by prescription only.
For important risk and use information about Mirena, please see the accompanying Full Prescribing Information.
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