Mirena® IUD
Insertion • Removal
We offer safe and gentle IUD insertions and removals.
Want safe and effective birth control you don't have to think about taking every day, every week or even every year? That's Mirena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system). All you have to do is check the threads of Mirena once a month. Your nurse practitioner can show you how. Mirena is made of soft, flexible plastic that's put in place by your nurse practitioner during an office visit.
What else you should know about Mirena.
Mirena is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and is one of the most effective forms of birth control.
- Mirena works for as long as you want, for up to 5 years.
- Mirena can be used by most adults and adolescents
- Mirena can be removed by your nurse practitioner at any time during the 5-year period, or when you want to try to become pregnant.
- Becoming pregnant is possible immediately after removal of the Mirena.
- Mirena has been chosen by over 12 million women worldwide, 2 million in the US.
- Most insurances in Washington state cover part or all of the Mirena device and insertion. The highly capable staff at FamilyCare of Kent will check with your insurance company in advance to determine the cost to you. That way you will know what your costs will be before your procedure.
No birth control is right for everyone and there are certain risks associated with Mirena that you should know about. For detailed information about possible side effects, some potentially serious, please see Safety with Mirena or the Patient Prescribing Information.
Insertion.
Our board-certified Nurse Practitioners at FamilyCare of Kent, Washington use an innovative approach to Mirena IUD insertion which is gentle and minimizes discomfort. We offer the availability of a local anesthetic during the insertion procedure. Patients are also welcome to bring someone to be with them during the procedure if they desire to do so.
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Removal.
The nurse practitioners at FamilyCare of Kent have removed countless Mirena IUDs. The procedure is generally very brief with minimal discomfort. If desired, a new Mirena IUD can be inserted at the same visit. Please visit FamilyCare of Kent’s STDs & Birth Control page to learn more about your family planning options.
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Indications & Usage.
Mirena (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) is a hormone-releasing system placed in your uterus to prevent pregnancy for as long as you want for up to 5 years. Mirena also treats heavy periods in women who choose intrauterine contraception. If you have had a tubal ligation you can still use the Mirena to control heavy periods.
Important Safety Information About Mirena.
Only you and your nurse practitioner can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is recommended for women who have had a child but can also be used in women who have never been pregnant.
- Don't use Mirena if you have a pelvic infection, get infections easily or have certain cancers. Less than 1% of users get a serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease. Talk to your nurse practitioner about problems related to this condition.
- Mirena may attach to or go through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems. If Mirena comes out, use a back-up birth control method and call your nurse practitioner.
- Although uncommon, pregnancy while using Mirena can be life threatening and may result in loss of pregnancy or fertility.
- Pelvic and/or abdominal pain may occur. Talk to your nurse practitioner if the pain is persistent.
- Ovarian cysts may occur and usually disappear.
- 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.
Mirena does not protect against HIV or STDs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1.800.FDA.1088. For important risk and use information, please see the patient prescribing information.
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The NPs at FamilyCare of Kent deliver the highest quality of care. They are board-certified family nurse practitioners with over 70 years’ combined experience and thousands of happy patients. They include nationally recognized clinicians, teachers and speakers, including those who sit on the editorial boards of professional journals and who serve on the clinical faculty at the University of Washington.
You will appreciate their caring, compassion, integrity and honesty. They will appreciate and welcome your referrals.
For more information about your birth control options or to schedule an appointment, call FamilyCare of Kent, Washington at (253) 859-CARE (2273) or use our online appointment request form.
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