Should i get mirena

The copper-wrapped IUD can stay in place and offer continuous protection for up to 12 years. An IUD may also be the best type of birth control for a teenage girl who is, or may become, sexually active. Also, contact your doctor if you notice other changes, such as chills, heavy bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge. Some IUDs contain slow-release hormones that prevent ovulation. If you had unprotected sex and are worried about an unwanted pregnancy, you can request a copper IUD as emergency contraception.

One distinct advantage of the IUD is that its contraceptive powers are completely and instantly reversible. You can ask them about how best to get pregnant, and devise a plan that bolsters your chance of conception.

While uterine fibroids can affect your fertility, the relationship between these conditions is complex. Factors such as the type, size, and location of your fibroids can make a difference. About 20 percent of women stop having periods after one year of using Mirena.

Mirena isn't appropriate for everyone. Your health care provider may discourage use of Mirena if you have:. If you do conceive while using Mirena, you're at higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy — when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.

However, because Mirena prevents most pregnancies, women who use it are at lower risk of having an ectopic pregnancy than are other sexually active women who are not using contraception. It's also possible to expel Mirena from your uterus. You may be more likely to expel Mirena if you:. Your health care provider will evaluate your overall health and do a pelvic exam before inserting Mirena.

You may be screened for STI s. If you have Mirena inserted more than seven days after the start of your period, be sure to use backup contraception for one week.

Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others , one to two hours before the procedure can help reduce cramping. The Mirena intrauterine device IUD is inserted into the uterus by a health care provider using a special applicator. Short strings connected to the device extend beyond the cervix into the vagina and allow for device removal. Your health care provider will insert a speculum into your vagina and clean your vagina and cervix with an antiseptic solution.

Special instruments might be used to gently align your cervical canal and uterine cavity and to measure the depth of your uterine cavity. Next, your health care provider will fold Mirena's horizontal arms and place the device inside an applicator tube.

The tube is inserted into your cervical canal, and Mirena is carefully placed in your uterus. When the applicator tube is removed, Mirena will remain in place. Your health care provider will trim Mirena's strings so that they don't protrude too far into the vagina, and may record the length of the strings.

During Mirena insertion, you may experience cramping, dizziness, fainting or a slower than normal heart rate. Once a month, check to feel that Mirena's strings are protruding from your cervix.

Be careful not to pull on the strings. About a month after Mirena is inserted, your health care provider may re-examine you to make sure Mirena hasn't moved and to check for signs and symptoms of infection. Some of the more common side effects include changes in vaginal bleeding. Many people use the Mirena IUD and have no unwanted effects. The response can vary from person to person.

In this article, we look at common and rare Mirena IUD side effects and how long they tend to last. We also investigate how Mirena compares with other forms of birth control. Large studies suggest that these are the most common side effects of the Mirena IUD in people who have used it for 5 years :.

Right after a doctor places the Mirena IUD, there might be unwanted effects, including pain, dizziness, and bleeding. These should go away within several days. If these issues last longer, speak with a doctor, as it may mean that the IUD is not in the correct place.

PID may be a more common complication in people with other risk factors for the disease. For example, it may be more likely to develop in someone with a sexually transmitted infection STI. Some people report weight gain while using the Mirena IUD.

However, most studies have not found a conclusive link between hormonal IUDs, such as Mirena, and weight gain. A study comparing hormonal IUDs to another form of progesterone-only contraception, the injection, reported that participants using the injection gained weight while those with the IUD did not. Another study found different results.

In a diverse cohort of women, the researchers investigated the effects of the hormonal IUD, the copper IUD, and the birth control implant on weight gain. After 36 months, hormonal IUD users gained 0. After 60 months, this figure rose to 1. This may indicate that the synthetic hormone in the Mirena IUD leads to a slight gain in weight. However, many factors can influence weight gain, including age.

Some people experience mood changes while using hormonal contraception. Data suggest that around 6. However, it is also worth noting that some people use hormonal contraception to manage mood changes caused by conditions such as premenstrual syndrome PMS and premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD.

For people who experience significant mood changes due to hormonal fluctuations, a long-acting contraceptive such as the Mirena IUD may have a stabilizing effect.

In very rare cases, people using the Mirena IUD experience:. All of these are serious issues that require immediate medical attention. For example, if the IUD perforates, or pierces, the uterus, the person usually needs surgery to retrieve the device. If the IUD does perforate the uterus, it no longer works to prevent pregnancy, so the person may need a different method of birth control. Anyone using this IUD who suspects that they are pregnant should speak with a doctor immediately.

In many cases, unwanted effects of the Mirena IUD are not long-term. According to Planned Parenthood, common side effects such as spotting between periods and cramping typically get better in 3—6 months.