Your first 6 months with Mirena
Now that you've had Mirena placed, you know that you have more than 99% effective birth control—that doesn't require a daily routine. But you may be wondering what else you'll expect.
If you have any questions about Mirena, have a conversation with your healthcare provider, who can help you make the best decisions for you.
As your body adjusts
When you start Mirena, there are bound to be changes. Because everyone responds differently, it's important to pay close attention to your own body, to feel comfortable with your birth control.
- Your period may be irregular
- Your period may be longer at first
- You may have frequent spotting or light bleeding between periods
- In a clinical trial of Mirena in women with heavy periods, the majority had an 80% reduction in bleeding as early as 3 months and a 90% reduction at 6 months
Few women may find that their periods are heavier than normal. Call your healthcare provider if your period continues to be heavier than usual.
After your body has adjusted
Even after your body adjusts, you may find that your period is different.
- Your period may be shorter and lighter than before
- Your period may remain irregular
- Your period may stop altogether. This happens to about 1 in 5 women after 1 year of Mirena use
These effects may continue for as long as you have Mirena. However, your period is likely to return to whatever was normal for you once Mirena is removed. If you haven't gotten your period for 6 weeks or more, or you feel like you may be pregnant, call your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
To help keep track of your cycles, use this diary and share the results with your healthcare provider at your post-placement follow-up visit.
Checking your threads
With Mirena, there's no daily routine. However, you will need to check the threads of your Mirena once a month to make sure it's where it's supposed to be. Your healthcare provider can show you how.
The threads attached to Mirena are the only part you should feel when it is in your uterus. If you feel more than just the threads, Mirena is not in the right position and may not prevent pregnancy.
If you have trouble finding the threads or feel more than just the threads, call your healthcare provider right away. And in the meantime, use a non-hormonal form of birth control as a back-up.
