About
Birth Control Options
Understanding the types of birth control options
There are a lot of ways to prevent pregnancy, and it's important to know what your options are. For example, Mirena prevents pregnancy for up to 8 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose intrauterine contraception. The chart below provides a quick overview of the various birth control options, including how each method is used and the chances of becoming pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more.
What is an IUD?
There are two types of IUDs, or intrauterine devices—hormonal and non-hormonal. Both are small, T-shaped devices that work in your uterus to prevent pregnancy, and can be placed by your healthcare provider during a routine office visit.
You may experience pain, bleeding, or dizziness during and after placement. If your symptoms do not pass within 30 minutes after placement, your IUD may not have been placed correctly. Your healthcare provider will examine you to see if your IUD needs to be removed or replaced.
IUDs can be used by women who have and have not given birth. Once in place, an IUD provides continuous, highly effective birth control. And if your plans change, IUDs are reversible. Your healthcare provider can remove your IUD at any time and you can try to get pregnant right away. For women who use Mirena®, about 8 out of 10 who want to become pregnant will become pregnant sometime in the first year after Mirena is removed.
IUDs are considered one of the most effective reversible forms of birth control by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
INDICATIONS FOR MIRENA
Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing IUD that prevents pregnancy for up to 8 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods for up to 5 years in women who choose intrauterine contraception.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- If you have a pelvic or genital infection, get infections easily, or have certain cancers, don't use Mirena. Less than 1% of users get a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- If you have persistent pelvic or stomach pain, or excessive bleeding after placement, tell your healthcare provider (HCP). If Mirena comes out, call your HCP and avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as condoms or spermicide). Mirena may go into or through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems.
Pregnancy while using Mirena is uncommon but can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility.
- Ovarian cysts may occur but usually disappear.
- Bleeding and spotting may increase in the first 3 to 6 months and remain irregular. Periods over time usually become shorter, lighter, or may stop.
Mirena does not protect against HIV or STIs.
Only you and your HCP can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is available by prescription only.
For important risk and use information about Mirena, please see Full Prescribing Information.
