With regards to navigating long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) choices, intrauterine units, higher often known as IUDs, are one of the most talked about options. These T-shaped units have gained reputation amongst girls; about one in 5 sexually skilled girls has used an IUD (20.4%), in line with a 2023 National Health Statistics Report on contraceptive strategies. When making this contraception determination, girls have questions: How does an IUD work? What’s insertion like? Can I get pregnant later? Is it the correct possibility for me?
SheKnows is right here with professional solutions, utilizing Mirena® IUD (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 52 mg, the #1 prescribed IUD within the U.S. based mostly on Symphony Well being Information from 2010-2024, as our instance. We requested actual girls from our neighborhood between the ages of 25 by means of 45 what they really wished to find out about Mirena IUDs* and introduced their prime inquiries to Dr. Maria Sophocles, a gynecologist and girls’s well being advocate with practically 30 years of expertise.
From the sensible to the private, right here’s what Dr. Sophocles needed to say about this long-term contraception possibility – so you’ll be able to really feel knowledgeable and empowered when speaking to your healthcare supplier (HCP). The choice for contraception is between a lady and her HCP and whether or not girls are actively contemplating an IUD or just exploring their choices, this text is designed to assist empower them with the data they should communicate with their HCPs about whether or not a Mirena IUD is perhaps proper for them.
Selecting contraception is private – what works for one girl is probably not proper for an additional. However with recommendation straight from consultants and solutions to widespread questions, girls may be ready to debate choices with their supplier to seek out an possibility that works for them.
Is a Mirena IUD reversible?
Sure! The Mirena intrauterine machine (IUD) is a small machine that’s inserted into the uterus to stop being pregnant, and it may be eliminated at any time by a healthcare skilled if plans change. “One of the vital necessary issues about an IUD is that it’s long-lasting however nonetheless reversible,” says Dr. Sophocles. “It may be eliminated at any time after insertion. After all, sufferers want to speak to their suppliers about what sort of contraception choices are proper for them as a result of each girl’s expertise and desires are distinctive.”
As soon as a Mirena IUD is eliminated, girls can attempt to get pregnant straight away. About 8 out of 10 girls who use Mirena and need to develop into pregnant often can develop into pregnant within the first 12 months after Mirena is eliminated. Based on The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, IUDs don’t have an effect on a lady’s potential to get pregnant sooner or later, which can be one of many the explanation why many ladies select them.
How efficient is Mirena?
Mirena IUD is over 99% efficient at stopping being pregnant. Mirena works within the uterus and comprises 52 mg of a single hormone referred to as levonorgestrel, a sort of progestin, that’s typically utilized in contraception capsules. As a result of Mirena slowly releases a steady low dose of levonorgestrel into the uterus, solely small quantities of the hormone enter the bloodstream. Mirena is probably not proper for everybody so it’s necessary for ladies to speak to their HCP to see whether it is an possibility for them.
The hormone launched into the uterus by Mirena prevents being pregnant most definitely by thickening cervical mucus, stopping sperm from getting into the uterus, inhibiting sperm motion so it’s tougher to succeed in and fertilize an egg, and thinning the liner of the uterus. It’s not identified precisely how these actions work collectively to stop being pregnant.
How lengthy does an IUD final?
“The size of time an IUD lasts is determined by the model and sort,” explains Dr. Sophocles. “For instance, Mirena can final for as much as 8 years when used for contraception. It additionally treats heavy menstrual bleeding for as much as 5 years in girls who selected it for contraception.”
Can girls do something beforehand to organize for insertion?
Most significantly, everybody’s expertise with IUD insertion is totally different. Dr. Sophocles all the time recommends girls speak to their suppliers for counsel on what to anticipate and what choices can be found to assist.
Chances are you’ll expertise ache, bleeding, or dizziness throughout and after placement. In case your signs don’t move inside half-hour after placement, your IUD might not have been positioned appropriately. Your healthcare supplier will look at you to see in case your IUD must be eliminated or changed.
As soon as Mirena is inserted, it’s advisable for ladies to verify their IUD threads month-to-month by inserting their fingers into the vagina and feeling for threads on the far again of the vagina popping out of the cervix. Lacking threads can probably imply the IUD fell out or that it’s out of place, that means the affected person is not protected towards being pregnant.
Ideally, a lady ought to verify for threads quickly after insertion after which month-to-month, so she is aware of what they really feel like, however Dr. Sophocles notes that the majority girls will know if their IUD is positioned correctly or not. “If it’s not positioned correctly, the affected person might have recognizing or bleeding or ache, so we then take away it and change it.”
Will my associate be capable to really feel Mirena throughout intercourse?
Many ladies have questions on how Mirena would possibly have an effect on their intimate relationships. A standard query is whether or not a associate can really feel the IUD throughout intercourse. Companions usually cannot feel the machine throughout intercourse because it’s positioned within the uterus, not within the vagina. Generally your associate might really feel the threads. If discomfort happens throughout intimacy, speak along with your healthcare supplier.
On the finish of the day, the selection for contraception is your determination, and getting all of your questions answered is crucial to feeling assured in your determination and to find a contraception possibility that’s best for you. Speak to your physician and go to mirena.com to see if it might be an possibility for you.
INDICATION FOR MIRENA
Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that stops being pregnant for as much as 8 years. Mirena additionally treats heavy durations for as much as 5 years in girls who select intrauterine contraception.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
·You probably have a pelvic or genital an infection, get infections simply, or have sure cancers, don’t use Mirena. Lower than 1% of customers get a critical pelvic an infection referred to as pelvic inflammatory illness (PID).
·You probably have persistent pelvic or abdomen ache, or extreme bleeding after placement, inform your healthcare supplier (HCP). If Mirena comes out, name your HCP and keep away from intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up contraception (corresponding to condoms or spermicide). Mirena might go into or by means of the wall of the uterus and trigger different issues.
·Being pregnant whereas utilizing Mirena is unusual however may be life threatening and should end in lack of being pregnant or fertility.
·Ovarian cysts might happen however often disappear.
·Bleeding and recognizing might improve within the first 3 to six months and stay irregular. Intervals over time often develop into shorter, lighter, or might cease.
Mirena doesn’t defend towards HIV or STIs.
Solely you and your HCP can resolve if Mirena is best for you. Mirena is obtainable by prescription solely.
For necessary threat and use details about Mirena, please see the accompanying Full Prescribing Information.
*Questions have been sourced from a survey despatched to the SHE Media Collective.
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