Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Mirena IUD?BenefitsSymptomsTime It Takes to Work
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Mirena IUD?
Benefits
Symptoms
Time It Takes to Work
TheMirena IUDcan ease menstrual pain and lightenheavy periods. Periods may become less heavy within three months of the IUD being placed. For about 20% of those who get the IUD, Mirena stops periods altogether in about a year.
This article explains how Mirena works, how it is used to treat heavy periods, and how it compares to other forms of birth control.
Vesna Andjic / Getty Images
Mirena is a hormonalintrauterine device (IUD)used for birth control.
If you have chosen Mirena for birth control, you may also experience some additionalnon-contraceptive benefits, such as relief from heavy periods.
Benefits of Mirena for Heavy Bleeding
Mirena is a good non-surgical treatment option if you suffer from heavy periods. In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mirena to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. It is currently the most effective medical therapy for this concern.
Mirena can help treat heavy bleeding in two ways:
After the Mirena IUD is inserted, the progestin released helps reduce the monthly thickening of your uterine lining. This makes the lining thinner, so there is less of it to shed during your period, resulting in less bleeding.
Research
Several studies have evaluated the use of Mirena to reduce heavy bleeding:
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Symptoms of Heavy Bleeding
People who have heavy periods will typically lose 5 to 6 tablespoons or more of blood in a single menstrual cycle. By contrast, those with average periods lose about 4 tablespoons of blood or less during their period.
Few individuals can estimate the exact amount of blood lost during their period. With that in mind, look for these signs which indicate heavy bleeding:
Heavy periods can lead toanemia(when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells) and other problems, such as fatigue, lack of energy, weakness, shortness of breath, and decreased quality of life.
How Many People Experience Heavy Bleeding?It is estimated that between 9% and 14% of healthy females experience heavy periods.
How Many People Experience Heavy Bleeding?
It is estimated that between 9% and 14% of healthy females experience heavy periods.
How Long Does It Take to Work?
Most females who use Mirena will experience reduced blood loss after three to six months.
There is an 80% decrease in blood flow within four months of insertion, whether you have regular or heavy bleeding. After a year of use, over 95% of people have reduced bleeding.
Is Spotting With Mirena Normal?Some people fear that Mirena won’t help early on, as they notice that they havemorespotting rather than less.It’s important to note that more days of spotting or irregular bleeding is normal after Mirena has been inserted. It usually decreases after a few months of use.
Is Spotting With Mirena Normal?
Some people fear that Mirena won’t help early on, as they notice that they havemorespotting rather than less.It’s important to note that more days of spotting or irregular bleeding is normal after Mirena has been inserted. It usually decreases after a few months of use.
Some people fear that Mirena won’t help early on, as they notice that they havemorespotting rather than less.
It’s important to note that more days of spotting or irregular bleeding is normal after Mirena has been inserted. It usually decreases after a few months of use.
Summary
The IUD Mirena can ease menstrual pain and lighten heavy periods. Periods may become less heavy within three months of the IUD being placed and for some, Mirena stops periods altogether within a year.
Research indicates Mirena is effective in reducing heavy periods and is a preferred treatment for many people compared to hysterectomy and endometrial ablation. Mirena may also reduce symptoms associated with heavy periods and improve quality of life.
11 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.
Mirena.Mirena and heavy periods. December, 2023.DailyMed.Label: Mirena- levonorgestrel intrauterine device.Kiseli M, Kayikcioglu F, Evliyaoglu O, Haberal A.Comparison of therapeutic efficacies of norethisterone, tranexamic acid and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding: a randomized controlled study.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2016;81(5):447-453. doi:10.1159/000443393Dhamangaonkar PC, Anuradha K, Saxena A.Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena): An emerging tool for conservative treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.J Midlife Health. 2015;6(1):26-30. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.153615Barrington JW, Bowen-Simpkins P.The levonorgestrel intrauterine system in the management of menorrhagia.Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1997;104(5):614-616. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb11542.xKaunitz AM, Meredith S, Inki P, Kubba A, Sanchez-Ramos L.Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and endometrial ablation in heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Obstet Gynecol.2009;113(5):1104-1116. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181a1d3ceMonteiro I, Bahamondes L, Diaz J, Perrotti M, Petta C.Therapeutic use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with menorrhagia: a pilot study(1).Contraception. 2002 May;65(5):325-328. doi:10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00283-4Louie M, Spencer J, Wheeler S, et al.Comparison of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, hysterectomy, and endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding in a decision analysis model.Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2017;139(2):121-129. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12293InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.Overview: Heavy periods. [Updated 2021 Jun 17].Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heavy menstrual bleeding.Informed Health Online.Heavy Periods: Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017.
Mirena.Mirena and heavy periods. December, 2023.
DailyMed.Label: Mirena- levonorgestrel intrauterine device.
Kiseli M, Kayikcioglu F, Evliyaoglu O, Haberal A.Comparison of therapeutic efficacies of norethisterone, tranexamic acid and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding: a randomized controlled study.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2016;81(5):447-453. doi:10.1159/000443393
Dhamangaonkar PC, Anuradha K, Saxena A.Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena): An emerging tool for conservative treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.J Midlife Health. 2015;6(1):26-30. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.153615
Barrington JW, Bowen-Simpkins P.The levonorgestrel intrauterine system in the management of menorrhagia.Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1997;104(5):614-616. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1997.tb11542.x
Kaunitz AM, Meredith S, Inki P, Kubba A, Sanchez-Ramos L.Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and endometrial ablation in heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Obstet Gynecol.2009;113(5):1104-1116. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181a1d3ce
Monteiro I, Bahamondes L, Diaz J, Perrotti M, Petta C.Therapeutic use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with menorrhagia: a pilot study(1).Contraception. 2002 May;65(5):325-328. doi:10.1016/s0010-7824(02)00283-4
Louie M, Spencer J, Wheeler S, et al.Comparison of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, hysterectomy, and endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding in a decision analysis model.Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2017;139(2):121-129. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12293
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-.Overview: Heavy periods. [Updated 2021 Jun 17].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About heavy menstrual bleeding.
Informed Health Online.Heavy Periods: Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2017.
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