Mirena (Levonorgestrel) for Endometriosis

Overview
Mirena is an intrauterine implant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1990 to prevent pregnancy and treat heavy menstrual periods. Mirena is also prescribed to treat symptoms of endometriosis.

Mirena is a contraceptive. Mirena is a flexible plastic device approximately 1.3 inches long and shaped like a T. Two threads extend from the end of Mirena and will emerge from your cervix once the device is placed. Mirena supplies the synthetic steroid hormone levonorgestrel, a progestin. In cases of endometriosis, Mirena is thought to work by suppressing the growth of endometrial tissue and reducing pelvic inflammation.

How do I take it?
Mirena is inserted by a trained health professional at a clinic or doctor’s office during the first week after you begin menstruating. You may feel some pain or discomfort during the brief procedure to place Mirena, and you may experience cramping for a few hours after the device is placed. You may temporarily feel dizzy or faint, but these sensations should pass quickly. Avoid intercourse for 24 hours after Mirena is placed.

Schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor approximately six weeks after Mirena is inserted to check that the device is still placed properly. While you are using Mirena, be sure to attend annual gynecological check-ups.

The contraceptive effects of Mirena last for five years. Mirena can be removed at any time, and fertility returns within four to six weeks. When you are ready for Mirena to be removed, a medical professional will remove it by pulling on the threads. Withdrawal of the device may cause a brief moment of pain or discomfort.

Note that although Mirena provides effective birth control, it does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Side effects
Rare but serious side effects of Mirena include an increased risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy.

Common side effects of Mirena include changes to menstrual bleeding patterns, abdominal or pelvic pain, loss of menstruation, headache or migraine, genital discharge, and inflammation of the vulva or vagina.

Notify your doctor if side effects worsen. Call your doctor if you experience heavy or prolonged bleeding, sudden weakness, swelling, or pain in one or both legs, trouble speaking, yellowing eyes or skin, unusual vaginal discharge, weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, abdominal pain, swollen limbs or extremities, severe chest or shoulder pain, pain during sex, chills, fever, or genital sores while using Mirena.

Rarely, Mirena may become dislodged. Contact your doctor if you can feel the device itself protruding from your cervix, if you or your partner experience discomfort during sex, or if you experience a significant change in your bleeding pattern from the pattern you had established with Mirena.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Mirena — Bayer
https://www.mirena-us.com

Mirena — RxList
https://www.rxlist.com/mirena-drug.htm