Type of medicine: intrauterine contraceptive
Generic and brand names: levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system; Mirena
This device, called an IUD, or intrauterine device, is inserted by your healthcare provider into the uterus to provide birth control.
It releases a tiny amount of the hormone levonorgestrel into the lining of your uterus. It provides birth control for up to 5 years. If birth control is desired beyond 5 years, you will need a new IUD.
This IUD also treats heavy menstrual bleeding in women who use an IUD for birth control.
The IUD is recommended for women who:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you or your partner have more than one sexual partner. Your risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease is higher if you have more than one sexual partner, especially while you have an IUD in place.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently had a baby or are breast-feeding.
Females of childbearing age: Do not use this device during pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while the IUD is in place without your healthcare provider's approval.
The IUD is inserted by a healthcare provider. You will need regular checkups while the IUD is in place. Your healthcare provider must also remove the IUD. Do not attempt to remove the IUD yourself.
Read the information sheet that comes in the medicine package. You may be asked to sign a special form saying you have read the information.
If the IUD is used for birth control, the insertion is done within 7 days after you start your menstrual period, or immediately after a first-trimester abortion. It can be replaced at any time during a menstrual cycle. The IUD should not stay in the uterus after 5 years.
Fainting, dizziness, cramps, or having a slow heartbeat are common side effects during insertion. If these symptoms do not go away within 30 minutes of having the IUD put in, tell your healthcare provider.
Check for the IUD strings every month after each menstrual period. Contact your healthcare provider if the IUD moves out of place, you cannot feel the strings, or if you have heavy menstrual bleeding. To check that the IUD is still in place:
This form of birth control does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, or HIV.
If you become pregnant with this IUD in your uterus, the IUD must be removed. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you are pregnant. If you become pregnant with the IUD in place and it cannot be removed or you choose not to remove it, you risk ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, infection in the uterus, and premature labor and delivery.
If your become pregnant and the IUD is not removed, it may also cause birth defects.
Be sure to contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any severe pain that starts right after insertion of the IUD, or if you have pain that does not go away.
You may get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after the insertion of the IUD. PID can cause tubal damage leading to ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms of PID include heavy bleeding, bleeding that lasts a long time during your menstrual period, unusual vaginal discharge, abdominal or pelvic pain or tenderness, chills, and fever. If you develop these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away. Ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.
During the first few months that you have this IUD, you may have more bleeding and spotting days, cramps, and irregular menstrual bleeding patterns. If you bleed a lot or if cramps become severe, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Your healthcare provider may want to examine you within 3 months of the insertion of the IUD to be sure that everything is normal. You need to see your provider regularly for checkups as long as you have the IUD in place. Talk with your provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Diabetics: The IUD may change your normal glucose level. Your healthcare provider may want you to check your glucose level frequently using a home-testing machine.
Along with its needed effects, the IUD may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the device. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever; chills; muscle or joint pain; yellowish skin or eyes; vaginal discharge; prolonged or heavy bleeding during your period; abdominal or pelvic pain or tenderness; sores in or around your vagina; missed periods or sudden changes in periods; severe headache or sudden vision changes; pain during sex.
Other: Headache, depression, nervousness, mood changes, nausea, vomiting, acne, back pain, breast pain, weight gain, stuffy nose, decreased sex drive, changes in hair growth.
When you use this device with medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
