Mirena IUD... how does it work?

Question

I am 9 month post-partum, and would like to look into a hormone-free birth control.
How are they put in? How long do they work for? How effective are they? What was your experience with it?

Answer 1

MrsMamma21 is right-on with all of her facts.

I've had mine for about 11 months now, and I haven't even had any periods. My doctor says this is because I was still nursing when it was inserted and my cycle hadn't returned. Also, the Mirena over time causes your periods to lighten and then after approximately a year, stop until it is removed.

When they put it in, it is in a little tube and works just like a tampon. They insert the tube and slide it out, directly into your uterus. Then they will trim the strings so that they are just long enough to be felt hanging out of yoru cervix, but too short to be in the way of anything (it's likely that your husband/boyfriend/signifigant other won't be able to feel them, but my boyfriend says he can) else.

My doctor said to bring someone else along to the appointment, who could drive me home if need be, because cramping is common after insertion, and I guess some women experience dizziness. I didn't have either. It felt a little ackward having it inserted, but after that it was fine.

One week later you will have a check-up so the doctor can make sure it 'settled' into the proper position (it didn't turn sideways or slide down, or the strings didn't go up inside), and then they'll ask you to check it yourself about once a month by checking to see if you can feel the strings.

I do occasionally have cramps, but I can't say that those are from the IUD, as I have endometriosis, which causes extreme pain during my cycle, so the cramps could be happening when I would normally be getting ready to have a period, I don't know.

The first answer is wrong when she said that this could hurt your fertility, because it won't. Your fertility returns to where it was within one cycle after having it removed, and there should be no difficulty conceiving, unless there was an existing issue already.

Mirena seems costly, but they last for up to 5 years (you can have it taken out whenever, but if you want it to go for longer than 5 years, you'll have to take the old one out and put in a new one). I added up how much I would have been spending on the pill a year, and it ended up that the amount I spent on the Mirena for 5 years would have only covered 2 years of the pill. Not to mention that the IUD is much more convenient, not having to remember to do anything everyday.

I looked into several post-baby options, too, and this is what I figured: I had a terrible time with the pill, going through 4 different brands before I ended up pregnant. My sister-in-law got pregnant when her NuvaRing slipped out. I don't think I trust the patch, and I don't want to get a shot every month. Condoms are a pain, and they're about the least reliable method anyway.

I didn't know anyone who had an IUD, but it sounded like the best option to me then, and so I went for it. I'm very happy with my decision, and I do recommend it to everyone who is looking for a safe, effective post-partum birth control.

Good luck, and congrats on your 9-month-old!

Answer 2

They are folded up inside a tiny tube and then insered into your uterus. Its a simple 5 minute procedure, you only experience cramping.

They work by:
-releasing very very small ammounts of hormones to keep you from ovulating (it doesnt take much, because it is directly in your uterus)
-inhibiting sperm movement
-thinning your uterine lining
-thickening your cervix so sperm cant enter your uterus

The Mirena IUD is even more effective than having your tubes tied, and THE safest form of birth control on the market.

It lasts for 5 years. You can get it taken out at any time, or have a new one inserted after 5 years.

Your fertility returns to normal immediately upon removal, unlike other forms that can harm your fertility.

You cant mess it up like the pill, patch, etc.

Wont make you gain weight like the shot.

Many women experience lighter or even no periods after the first year of use.

May experience some cramping and irregular bleeding after insertion, up to a year.

For me, the cramping only lasted a few days, and my periods started getting lighter after only a few months. I LOOOOOOOOVE it, and its important to me to have something that WORKS, but wont make it difficult to conceive later.

Talk to your doc about it, its a great option. Nothing safer or more effective.

Good luck, and congrats on your baby!

Answer 3

Mirena IUD is an intra uterine device that is implanted way up inside you to block the eggs from coming out and being fertilized. It's a little hard plastic device that branches off to your flopian tubes. The are really effective in preventing pregnancy up to several years. If you want to have children/ more children in the near future this birth control method probably isnt right for you. It is known to cause some people inablilty to concieve after using it or taking several years to concieve. They are put way up inside your vagina at your dr's office and takes little to no time to put in.