Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewAdvantagesNon-Contraceptive BenefitsSide EffectsRemovalCostEffectivenessSTI ProtectionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Advantages
Non-Contraceptive Benefits
Side Effects
Removal
Cost
Effectiveness
STI Protection
Frequently Asked Questions
Mirena is a hormonalintrauterine device (IUD)that is inserted into the uterus for long-term birth control. Mirena continuously releases a low amount of the progestin (levonorgestrel) for up to eight years as a way to prevent pregnancy.
Eduardo Luzzatti BuyA / E+ / Getty Images
Mirena is a small, T-shapedcontraceptivedevice made of flexible plastic. It measures 32 millimeters (mm) across and down.
The Mirena IUD can protect you against pregnancy for up to eight years, so It is considered to be a long-acting, reversible birth control method.
How It Works
Over a maximum eight-year time period, the Mirena IUD slowly releases a small amount of progestin (levonorgestrel).
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.
Types of Progestin (Progesterone) Pills
How Quickly Does It Work?
The Mirena IUD works immediatelyifyou have it inserted within seven days after the start of your period.
If you have your Mirena inserted at any other time during your menstrual cycle, you will need to use a backup birth control method during the first seven days after insertion. You will have pregnancy protection after that time.
Who Can Use It?
Most people with a vagina can use the Mirena IUD.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists approve the use of IUDs such as Mirena, Skyla, or Paragard in people with vaginas who have or have never been pregnant, including teenagers.
IUD Use in Nulliparous Women
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.
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. The good news is that, in most cases, these side effects will go away after the first few weeks to months after the Mirena IUD is inserted.
Serious problems with Mirena are rare. If you do notice any problems, it is important to tell your healthcare provider right away.
IUD Side Effects to Help You Make Informed Decisions
You must have your Mirena IUDremovedafter eight years, or you can do so sooner if you wish.
Your Mirena IUD may come out on its own; this is most likely to happen during the first few months after insertion or during your period. Most people don’t even realize that their Mirena has come out.
Make a habit ofchecking your Mirena IUD stringsat least once a month (between periods) to ensure the device is still in place and protecting against pregnancy.
If you have noticed that your Mirena has come out, you need to contact your healthcare provider to have another one inserted. Your healthcare provider will most likely perform a pregnancy test before inserting a new Mirena IUD.
Your Mirena IUD could also become partially expelled. If this happens, make an appointment so your healthcare provider can fully take out your Mirena (don’t try to pull it out yourself), and use backup birth control (like external or internal condoms) while waiting for your appointment.
What to Expect During Your IUD Removal
Associated Costs
If you have to pay for your own contraception and you plan to use birth control for at least a year or two, an IUD is the least expensive option available. The one-time cost of Mirena, when compared to other contraceptive methods, could save you hundreds of dollars or more over time.
Medicaid may cover the cost of your Mirena IUD.
Check with your private health insurance policy as the Mirena IUD should be covered with no out-of-pocket costs for all non-grandfathered insurance plans.
The Mirena IUD is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control available. The Mirena IUD is 99.8%effective. This means that out of every 100 people with vaginas who use Mirena in one year, less than 1 will become pregnant with typical use as well as with perfect use.
Most pregnancies happen when Mirena IUDs slip out without users realizing it.
Even though the chance ofpregnancy while using Mirenais extremely low, if it does happen, call your healthcare provider as soon as you realize that you’re pregnant.
Mirena offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections. The Mirena IUD does not cause pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe most common side effect of Mirena is irregular bleeding or spotting, which is a normal occurrence in the first few months after insertion.Some people feel discomfort during the first week after placement.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. The total cost of an IUD will depend on the type, brand, and whether an insurance plan offers coverage.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. Having less or no bleeding isn’t considered harmful,but be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about the effects of Mirena.
The most common side effect of Mirena is irregular bleeding or spotting, which is a normal occurrence in the first few months after insertion.Some people feel discomfort during the first week after placement.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.
The most common side effect of Mirena is irregular bleeding or spotting, which is a normal occurrence in the first few months after insertion.Some people feel discomfort during the first week after placement.
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. The total cost of an IUD will depend on the type, brand, and whether an insurance plan offers coverage.
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. Having less or no bleeding isn’t considered harmful,but be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about the effects of Mirena.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.Office on Women’s Health.Birth control methods.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: Focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755Planned Parenthood.IUD.Mirena.Mirena is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose an IUD for birth control.Kailasam C, Cahill D.Review of the safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2008;2:293-302. doi:10.2147/ppa.s3464Cleveland Clinic.Hormonal IUD.Mirena.Cost and insurance support.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.Office on Women’s Health.Birth control methods.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: Focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755Planned Parenthood.IUD.Mirena.Mirena is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose an IUD for birth control.Kailasam C, Cahill D.Review of the safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2008;2:293-302. doi:10.2147/ppa.s3464Cleveland Clinic.Hormonal IUD.Mirena.Cost and insurance support.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.Office on Women’s Health.Birth control methods.Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: Focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755Planned Parenthood.IUD.Mirena.Mirena is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose an IUD for birth control.Kailasam C, Cahill D.Review of the safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2008;2:293-302. doi:10.2147/ppa.s3464Cleveland Clinic.Hormonal IUD.Mirena.Cost and insurance support.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.Mirena prescribing information.
Office on Women’s Health.Birth control methods.
Nelson AL, Massoudi N.New developments in intrauterine device use: Focus on the US.Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:127–141. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85755
Planned Parenthood.IUD.
Mirena.Mirena is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose an IUD for birth control.
Kailasam C, Cahill D.Review of the safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2008;2:293-302. doi:10.2147/ppa.s3464
Cleveland Clinic.Hormonal IUD.
Mirena.Cost and insurance support.
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