Overview
Mirena is a small, T-shapedcontraceptivedevice made of flexible plastic.
It measures 32 millimeters (mm) across and down.
Your Mirena IUD must beinsertedby a qualified healthcare provider.
Eduardo Luzzatti BuyA / E+ / Getty Images
It is also one of the most effective birth control methods available.
It is just as effective as a vasectomy.
Mirena helps to prevent sperm from joining with an egg by affecting how the sperm move.
Basically, it interferes with the movement of the sperm toward the egg.
The Mirena IUD can also thicken your cervical mucus.
This also makes it more difficult for the sperm to swim.
Because this IUD contains progestin, Mirena is slightly more effective than theParagard IUDwhen it comes to preventing pregnancy.
How Quickly Does It Work?
The Mirena IUD works immediatelyifyou have it inserted within seven days after the start of your period.
You will have pregnancy protection after that time.
Who Can Use It?
Most people with a vagina can use the Mirena IUD.
Advantages
Non-Contraceptive Benefits
The Mirena IUD can also provide you with certain additional advantages.
If you have really painful menstrual cramps, using the Mirena IUD can help manage your pain.
Mirena can also reduce the amount of bleeding you have during your period.
Side Effects
Most people with vaginas do not experience any trouble while using Mirena.
Some may have heavy bleeding and cramping during the first few weeks or months after insertion.
A healthcare provider can prescribe medication that can lessen these cramps, if needed.
As with any progestin-only birth control method, you may experience some side effects.
Serious problems with Mirena are rare.
If you do notice any problems, it is important to tell your healthcare provider right away.
you’re free to choose to have another Mirena inserted during the same visit.
Never venture to remove your Mirena IUD by yourself.
It needs to be removed by a medical professional.
Most people don’t even realize that their Mirena has come out.
Your healthcare provider will most likely perform a pregnancy test before inserting a new Mirena IUD.
Your Mirena IUD could also become partially expelled.
Medicaid may cover the cost of your Mirena IUD.
Effectiveness
The Mirena IUD is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control available.
The Mirena IUD is 99.8%effective.
Most pregnancies happen when Mirena IUDs slip out without users realizing it.
STI Protection
Mirena offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
The Mirena IUD does not cause pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility.
One serious side effect is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
The risk is greatest in the first four weeks after insertion, but this is considered rare.
IUDs like Mirena are more than 99% effective as birth control and a safe option for most people.
In many cases, an IUD is designed to last anywhere between three to 10 years.
Mirena has been shown to be effective for up to eight years.
Mirena costs about $1000 without health insurance coverage.
However, there are programs such as Medicaid which can assist or entirely cover the cost.
Yes, Mirena releases small amounts of a hormone called progestin.
It is one of four brands of hormonal IUD that are available in the U.S.
The other three include Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla.
In some cases, it might.
The hormones inside Mirena can significantly reduce the amount of bleeding during a period.
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