Mirena® | Heavy Bleeding & Mirena

Did you know? If you choose Mirena to prevent pregnancy, it’s the only intrauterine birth control that’s approved to treat heavy periods, also known as heavy menstrual bleeding, or HMB.

What is HMB?

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is defined as excessive menstrual blood loss totaling 80 mL or more (approximately 6 tablespoons) in a single cycle.

You may have HMB if you:

• Wear both a tampon and a pad for double protection

• Soak through a pad or tampon every 2 to 3 hours

• Have ever stained your clothes as a result of a heavy period

• Have to get up in the middle of the night to change your pad or tampon

• Sleep with a towel for extra protection

If you have any of the symptoms above, talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of using Mirena to treat your heavy periods.

Mirena reduces heavy periods

Mirena is the first and only birth control that is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods in women who choose intrauterine birth control.

Mirena rapidly reduces heavy periods. In fact, in a clinical trial of Mirena in women with heavy periods, the majority had an
80% reduction in bleeding as early as 3 months, and a 90% reduction at 6 months.

Mirena may also affect heavy periods in other ways

In some women with heavy bleeding, the total blood loss per cycle progressively decreases with continued use. The number of spotting and bleeding days may initially increase but then typically decrease in the months that follow. Bleeding may also continue to be irregular. Call your healthcare provider if bleeding becomes heavy after it has been light for a while.

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.

Important Safety Information About Mirena

Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if Mirena is right for you. Mirena is recommended for women who have had a child.

• 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. If you have persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, see your healthcare provider.

• Mirena may attach to or go through the wall of the uterus and cause other problems. If Mirena comes out, use back-up birth control and call your healthcare provider.

• Although uncommon, pregnancy while using Mirena 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 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.

Available by prescription only.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects or quality complaints of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For important risk and use information about Mirena, please see the Full Prescribing Information.