Mirena | Glengarry Private Hospital, Perth
Mirena – Summary
Mirena is 99.8% effective as a contraceptive
1. Mirena is one of the best contraceptives available.
2. It’s also a good choice to reduce heavy periods.
3. Mirena can often be placed by your gynaecologist using local anaesthesia.
4. It lasts at least 5 years.
5. 2 or 3 months of “settling in” with spotting etc. is common.
6. Significant complications are rare.
7. Overall 60-70% satisfaction rates in Perth women with Mirena.
Call us to arrange a consultation at Glengarry • Perth (08) 9448 9822
Mirena – what is it?
Mirena is a soft, flexible plastic device that releases tiny amounts of hormone locally into your womb. Most of the time, placing a Mirena is a straightforward procedure for your gynaecologist. Some women benefit from a local anaesthetic.
Contraception
A Mirena gives you birth control you can count on, for up to 5 years and even beyond. Mirena is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. You can try to become pregnant as soon as it is removed.
Heavy, painful periods
A Mirena is also highly effective at treating heavy painful periods with a good satisfaction rate in Perth women who choose it. It does take a few months to work, and during that time you will likely have some irregular spot bleeding.
Pelvic pain
Mirena is increasingly being used for pelvic pain, especially in women with endometriosis or adenomyosis. The device either treats these conditions or to prevents them generally. It can also be used after surgery for endometriosis to prevent it’s return.
HRT
Mirena is used as one of the components in HRT in menopausal women who haven’t had a hysterectomy. Using an oestrogen patch with a Mirena is very safe HRT and has important benefits.
Having a Mirena placed
Mirena is usually inserted by Dr Mark Sillender during an office visit. Mirena can often be placed under local anaesthesia in our offices at Glengarry Private Hospital, Perth. We have lots of experience at placing them. You do not need to have had a baby before – local anaesthetic is available to allow your gyno to open the cervix. Alternatively, you could have a quick general anaesthetic at Glengarry Private Hospital. The choice is yours. Slight cramps are common afterwards but usually settle very quickly with a few minutes rest. Bleeding can occur after the fitting – this is usually very mild and settles quickly.
We recommend ibuprofen 400mg (2 tablets) an hour before your appointment (as long as you’re OK with this medicine) to prevent cramps.
After your Mirena placement
There may be some mild cramping pain for an hour or two, or occasionally a day or two after placement. This settles with some ibuprofen or similar. We like you to rest in our Perth offices for 15 minutes after placement, and if all is OK (highly likely) you’ll be able to drive home without a problem. You can go back to work if all is well if you wish.
If you’re using the Mirena for contraception, you should continue your current method until you have a period.
Your period may be less predictable than usual for a few months, especially if the Mirena is not fitted during or just after your period. Irregular bleeding and spotting may increase in the first few months and continue to be irregular. Periods over time may become shorter, lighter or even stop. Your periods may stop altogether for as long as you have a Mirena. This is not a problem – there is nothing building up inside. Your periods will return once the Mirena is removed.
Important information
Mirena is not used if you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection after insertion called pelvic inflammatory disease.
If you have persistent pelvic or abdominal pain that doesn’t settle after a Mirena has been placed, call us at Glengarry Private Hospital, Perth or see your GP.
Mirena may attach to or go through the wall of the uterus (perforation) and cause other problems. However this is very rare.
Mirena can be expelled. Use back-up birth control if this happens & you had the Mirena in for contraception.
Although very rare, pregnancy while using Mirena can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility. If you think you’re pregnant, do a pregnancy test or seek medical advice.
Ovarian cysts may occur more frequently with Mirena but usually disappear with time.
Irregular bleeding and spotting may occur in the first few months. Periods over time may become shorter, lighter or even stop. Nothing is building up inside – this is a benefit of the Mirena.
Hormonal side effects, if they do occur, most often are mild and only last up to 4-6 weeks. Side effects include headache, water retention, breast tenderness or acne.
Give us a call at Glengarry
If you would like to discuss Mirena or have it fitted, give us a call here at PEARL obstetrics | gynaecology, opposite Glengarry Private Hospital, Perth.
