Mirena

The Mirena is an intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD). The use of these devices dates back for centuries but, before the Mirena, they made periods heavier and more painful.

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The Mirena is unique in that it makes your periods lighter. Commonly, it often makes them stop.

As the IUCD name suggests it is a contraceptive — and a very good one. It is also referred to as the Mirena IUD. With this method of birth control, you have even less chance of pregnancy than with oral contraceptives.

Because of its capacity to control the menstrual period, it also has a major use in controlling heavy periods. In fact, it has been so effective that hysterectomy rates have dropped dramatically.

It also plays a role in managing menopause. It provides a simple method of protecting the endometrium when using oestrogen to control menopausal symptoms.

The Mirena contraceptive device is a little fussy to put in. It is usually inserted under local anesthetic in the consulting rooms. However, when there are problems with the period, I will commonly insert it in theatre under general anesthesia. This way, I can also check the cavity of the uterus during the procedure.

Pelvic infection can occur after insertion. This is uncommon, but still possible.

The biggest negative is that it takes time to achieve control of the lining of the uterus. Typically after insertion, there will be spotting or irregular bleeding for many weeks.

There are many negative comments about the Mirena on the internet. They reflect two issues:

1. Firstly, many people give up on the device too early. They may not be tolerant or aware of the settling-in period. But for persistence, many women will be rewarded.
2. Secondly, this is a widely used type of contraception. Therefore, there may be more online complaints as there are generally more people using it. A very small percentage of unhappy people adds up to a lot of complaints that are not removed.

Progesterone side effects can be a problem for some women. These can be annoying but are rarely serious. They include: weight gain, acne, mood changes, and breast tenderness. However, with such a small dose of progesterone released, these side effects are uncommon.

Mirena weight gain is possible as a progesterone side effect but, because of the low dose in the system, this is unlikely. If considered in context, a Mirena will commonly be inserted during the late 30s and early 40s. This is a time when weight gain is not uncommon anyway, related to lifestyle change and loss of muscle mass.

Sometimes this intrauterine contraception device just does not work. In cases of a bigger uterus, fibroids, or a uterus with an unusual shape, it may not control the periods.

It is also important to note that any intrauterine device, including the Mirena, will not protect against sexually transmitted disease.

I am happy to discuss if this is a suitable contraceptive method for you, or recommend other alternatives. For example, some women may prefer oral contraceptives or a non-hormonal IUD.