Mirena IUD Birth Control – To get or not to get?
Since Lily was born I have become progressively more worried about the possibility of getting pregnant again. Obviously the pill doesn’t work for me and, short of tubal ligation, there are only a few other options. When you are breastfeeding you can only take the mini pill. The chances of getting pregnant on the mill pill are 1 in 20, although when you are breast feeding your chances of getting pregnant are much lower to begin with. What if Lily wants a baby brother in the future? 
I’m not interested in getting a shot every 3 months nor do I want to wear a patch. That leads me to an IUD (intrauterine device) also known as an IUC (intrauterine contraceptive).
So, for those of you who are not opposed to taking birth control, here are the facts on Mirena IUD. Some of this information comes from my doctor like the price but most of it is from the Mirena handbook she gave me.
Pros
- More effective than tubal ligation but removable. Tubal Ligation is 99.5% effective while Mirena is
99.9%. - About 1 in 1,000 women can get pregnant in the first year of Mirena compared to the mini pill (which you can take while breast feeding) where 1 in 20 women can get pregnant.
- You can take it while breast feeding.
- You don’t have to worry about taking a pill, getting a shot or doing anything for 5 years. (That’s my favorite part.)
- If you decide to have a baby you can take it out and you have the same chances to get pregnant as someone who hasn’t used Mirena or other birth control.
- FDA Approved. Has been around for 16 years and used by 12 million women.
- Periods can become lighter or disappear.
- Low hormone levels.
- Mirena Does not cause weight gain.
Cons
- The cost of mirena without insurance is about $700 up front. Although if you look at this from a 5 year
perspective it costs $11.66 a month (cheaper than the pill for me with insurance) but if you only use it for 1 year it’s $58 a month (more expensive than the pill). So it’s a better option if you are waiting long term to have a baby. Some insurance plans cover part of the cost of Mirena. For example, my co-pay would be $148. (Update: my co pay ended up being $0. So my Mirena didn’t cost anything.) - You have to have had a child to use it. So this is a con for those who haven’t had a child.
- You have something hanging out inside your uterus for 5 years or however long you have it. The idea of a foreign object inside is a little weird.
- You have to check for it once a month yourself.
- The first few months you period may be irregular and you may bleed consistently. You can also expect to miss your period at any time while on it. This can be scary.
Mirena Side Effects
During the first 3-6 months there can be side effects from Mirena but it says they usually decrease over time. They include: bleeding, spotting, cramps, back pain, headache, nausea, acne, breast tenderness, mood changes (so far nothing I didn’t have on the pill) or ovarian cysts. With the ovarian cysts is says 1 in 8 women may get these but they usually disappear on their own within 1-2 months.
Thoughts?
What are your thoughts on the Mirena IUD? Do you have it or are you considering it as an option? I making arrangements to get it sometime in the next week or two. I will let you know how it goes.
Related posts:
- Mirena IUD Update
- What are the chances of getting pregnant when…
- Mirena – I Got It
- The First Week With Your Baby
I love to write, learn, and share what I know - all while taking lots of pictures. I live in Los Angeles and am married to a very handsome man named Stan. We have a 5 year old Vizsla, a 3 year old daughter, and one on the way (due Aug, 2011). Thanks for stopping by!
I love my Mirena. I’ve only been on it for about 2 weeks now, but no complaints whatsoever. It didn’t even hurt going in, more discomfort than pain, and I’ve never been pregnant. I was on the pill for about a year before I got the Mirena (and on and off it since I was 16, I’m 28 now). I hated the pill, I just didn’t feel like me on it: bizarre mood swings (my poor boyfriend!), always anxious, scared and stressed out, no energy… blech. All gone now that I’m off the pill. I’ll never go back on it. The only side effect I’ve noticed so far with Mirena is breast tenderness, and that I can handle!
If you’re considering the Mirena, just try it! You can always take it out if it’s unbearable. Good luck!
Hi! I am 21 and I have never had a child.
I am considering to have Mirena insert, but I am really scared!
The doctor told me its okay, even if I dont have a child yet.
And I am also scared that I will have bleeding for weeks, months after Mireana is inserted, or cramps and pain..
*sorry for my mistakes, I am not English.
Well….some of the women posting I just don’t get. I’ve been on quite a few sites now and the same stories pop up over and over…women who don’t check their strings (why the h*ll not? are you afraid of your vag?) and end up not realizing the IUD fell out or perforated?! It’s something you HAVE to do. It’s that simple. If you are taking any other med and the instructions supplied by your doctor and the company tell you to do something to prevent harm to yourself….you do it. Ughh….just had to get that out. I have had Mirena for 2 months and have had crazy mood swings and lots of spotting and even headaches. But not having to remember the pill or having to put on a condom is GREAT! I can’t really say whether I would recommend it or discourage it yet but so far when compared to other forms of BC- Mirena wins.
I have had the mirena for about 3 years now & I haven’t had a problen with it. Except for the fact that I don’t get my period. I wish I would get my period, so it can clean out my body! Occasionally I spot out of no where. & also during sex I spot at times. I think it’s because I don’t have a regular period. This would not happen before I got the mirena, so I know for a fact that it is because of me not having a regular period. Does this happen to anyone else??
I originally posted a comment in november 2010 when I was considering getting mirena. I went through with the procedure in december and its the best thing ive ever done. When it was inserted I just felt a pinch and I cramped.for like 30 mins and that was it as far as pain. I did spot for a couple of weeks but agter that I just spot for about two days a month and thats it. After getting pregnant on the pill I didnt want to take that chance again and I am extremely happy with my mirena. I read a lot of negative stories when I researched it but I have not experienced anything negative yet with my mirena and wld definitely recomend an iud to anyone.