The Bayer produced Mirena IUD, or intra-uterine contraceptive, is currently being sold to women in the United States and is promoted as a high-tech, put-it-in-and-forget contraception device which is meant to last for five years. The approachthat Bayer designed Mirena to slowly release a type of progestogen called levonorgestreal into the uterus. Levonorgestreal has been known to make the cervical lining and cervical mucus more hostile thus making the woman less prone to become pregnant. There have been reports that some patients also no longer have ovulation during their usage of  Mirena.

Unfortunately while Mirena IUD is being marketed as a leave-in-and-forget- about-it contraceptive, many patients have already begun to feel the side effects of Mirena use. In a letter to Bayer by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bayer used misleading information in their advertisement of Mirena as their ads would show increased levels of intimacy and romance which were deemed misleading and overstated the proven effectiveness of the product. The letter went on to state that the FDA was “not aware of any evidence suggesting that women who use Mirena for birth control look great and feel great.” The truth is that Mirena can actually cause harm to the user.

Mild spotting, adult acne, vaginal infection, and inflammation of the pelvis are all commonly reported side effets of Mirena use. In these cases doctors will usually advise their patients that these are temporary and can be controlled through proper medication. There however patients who have begun to complain of more severe complications such as constant migraines, hair loss, loss of libido (sex drive), painful intercourse, heart palpitations, and mood swings.  Please contact a doctor as soon as possible if you begin to suffer from these side effects.

An alternative that many women have to suffering from the ill effects of Mirena IUD is that to simply remove the device instead.However the surgery required to removed Mirena from the patient’s body could cause further bodily harm as the device may have becom logged into the patient’s body.

Mirena IUD may be considered a risky product to use, while studies show that only one out of 100 women who use Mirena actually become pregnant, the possible side effects the device can sway women from using it. If you are interested in using Mirena IUD for your birth control means ask your doctor for more information first. 

URL References:

steadyhealth.com/Mirena_IUD_Side_Effects_t133005.html