If you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers, don't use Mirena. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, see your healthcare provider. Mirena is recommended for women who have had
a child…continue reading below
How does Mirena work?
Mirena is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. While there's no single explanation for how Mirena may work, most likely it prevents pregnancy in several ways.
Mirena may:
- Thicken cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering your uterus
- Inhibit sperm from reaching or fertilizing your egg
- Make the lining of your uterus thin
Mirena may stop the release of your egg from your ovary, but this is not the way it works in most cases. Most likely, these actions work together to prevent pregnancy. Like other forms of birth control, Mirena is not 100% effective.
Mirena does not protect against HIV or STDs.
As soon as Mirena is placed in your uterus by your healthcare provider, it starts releasing small amounts of the hormone levonorgestrel into your uterus to provide continuous birth control for as long as you want, for up to 5 years.
Mirena and hormones
Mirena is estrogen-free. It releases small amounts of levonorgestrel, a progestin hormone found in many birth control pills, locally into your uterus at a slow and steady rate. Only small amounts of hormone enter your blood.
Indications & Usage
Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing system placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for as long as you want for up to 5 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods in women who choose intrauterine contraception.
Important Safety Information About Mirena
Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is recommended for women who have had a child.
- Don't use Mirena if you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, see your healthcare provider.
- Mirena may attach to or go through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems. If Mirena comes out, use back-up birth control and call your healthcare provider.
- Although uncommon, pregnancy while using Mirena can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility.
- Ovarian cysts may occur but usually disappear.
- Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first few months and continue to be irregular. Over time, periods may become shorter, lighter or even stop.
Mirena does not protect against HIV or STDs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For important risk and use information about Mirena, please see the Full Prescribing Information.
Brought to you by Mirena, birth control that may help make life a little simpler.
