Mirena is a soft, flexible plastic intrauterine device (IUD) your provider sets in place during a simple office visit to Cheyenne Women’s Clinic. It prevents pregnancy for up to five years. The device continuously delivers small amounts of a progestin hormone like birth control pills do, but you don’t have to worry about the daily hassle of taking a pill.
Mirena:
- Is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when it is properly placed by your provider, making it one of the most effective contraceptives
- Prevents pregnancy for as long as you want, for up to five years
- Can be removed by your provider at any time, allowing you to become pregnant
- Treats heavy periods in women who may still wish to have children
How does Mirena work? While there is no single explanation for how Mirena works, it is effective based on these three actions working together:
- Thickening your cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering your uterus
- Inhibiting sperm from fertilizing or reaching your egg
- Thinning the lining of the uterus (which also results in reducing heavy periods)
Mirena is recommended for women who have had at least one child, and is great option if you:
- Had a baby and want to look at different birth control options
- Want to have more children at some point
- Aren’t sure if you would like to have more children
- Want birth control you don’t have to think about every day
For more information on Mirena or to find out if it’s a good option for you, make an appointment at Cheyenne Women’s Clinic or visit the Mirena website.