An overview of Mirena
A Mirena insertion is a procedure in which a healthcare provider inserts the Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) into a woman's uterus to provide long-term birth control. The procedure takes place in a healthcare provider's office. During the insertion, the healthcare provider will insert the Mirena device using a speculum and special instruments, ensuring it is properly placed in the uterus. The procedure may involve monitoring the patient's vital signs and assessing any potential side effects or complications.
What is Mirena used for?
Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device primarily used for long-term birth control. It releases progestin, which thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching or fertilizing an egg, and thins the uterine lining, partially suppressing ovulation. Additionally, Mirena offers noncontraceptive benefits, such as reducing heavy menstrual bleeding, severe menstrual pain, pain related to endometriosis, and the risk of pelvic infection or endometrial cancer. It can be inserted at any time during the menstrual cycle if not pregnant, immediately after a pregnancy termination or delivery, and can remain in place for up to seven years. Mirena can be removed at any time, with a quick return to fertility.
How is Mirena conducted?
A Mirena insertion is not a separate test but rather a process of evaluating your overall health, conducting a pelvic exam, and possibly screening for STIs before inserting the Mirena IUD. During the Mirena insertion procedure, the healthcare provider will evaluate your health, insert the device into your uterus, and trim the device's strings so they don't protrude too far into the vagina. After the insertion, you may need to check the strings protruding from your cervix once a month and report any issues or concerns to your healthcare provider immediately.
Understanding the report
Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) that provides long-term birth control. Results associated with Mirena use can be interpreted in several ways:
- Effectiveness: Mirena is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a failure rate of less than 1% in a year of typical use.
- Menstrual bleeding: Some users may experience lighter, shorter, or less painful periods. However, some may also experience irregular bleeding, spotting, or heavy bleeding during the first few months of use. These issues may improve over time.
- Side effects: Common side effects of Mirena include headache, acne, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, mood changes, cramping or pelvic pain. These side effects are generally mild to moderate and may improve over time.
- Expulsion: The risk of expelling Mirena from the uterus is higher for those who have never been pregnant, have heavy or prolonged periods, have severe menstrual pain, previously expelled an IUD, are younger than age 20, or had Mirena inserted immediately after childbirth.
- Removal: Mirena may need to be removed if complications arise, such as a pelvic infection, inflammation of the endometrium (endometritis), endometrial or cervical cancer, pelvic pain or pain during sex, very severe migraine, significant increase in blood pressure, stroke or heart attack, or possible exposure to an STI. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation of Mirena's results and to address any concerns or side effects that may arise.