MIRENA the Treatment for Heavy Periods

A helpful treatment for heavy periods is MIRENA.

MIRENA is a small IUS (Intrauterine system) that was developed as a contraceptive but it is also very effective at reducing menstrual bleeding, it can be used:

• as a treatment for heavy periods and helps many women to avoid surgery to remove the womb (hysterectomy)
• as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to provide the progestogen needed to protect the lining of the womb (endometrium)
• for 5 years after which it must be removed and may be replaced with a new device

The IUS (Intrauterine system) is a small plastic T-shaped device containing the progestogen hormone levonorgestrel. It is fitted into the womb where it releases the hormone slowly and steadily over a period of at least five years.

The hormone in the IUS makes the lining of the womb very thin. This means there is very little to come away at period time, other benefits include:

• significant reduction in menstrual flow, in the long term for most women
• the number of days of bleeding are reduced
• some women finding their periods stop altogether, this is more likely to happen as you approach the Menopause and is nothing to worry about
• after 5 years 35% of women will be period free and 56% will only have occasional bleeding
• around 2 out of 3 women will avoid surgery such as hysterectomy
• period pain is often reduced
• in some women the IUS will help reduce symptoms of PMS
• the IUS may also shrink some Fibroids
• if the IUS is removed, your periods will return to their previous pattern unless you have become menopausal

There are few disadvantages with using the IUS:

• it is usual to have irregular bleeding, spotting and prolonged lighter periods during the first 3 months, this settles down by 6 months
• red or brown spotting can occur but this is normal and nothing to worry about
• occasionally women may experience breast tenderness, which will resolve in time, it may be helped with Evening Primrose oil, or additional short-term treatment may be required
• other side effects may include slight weight gain, greasy skin or mood changes, these are common to all progestogens but are less likely to occur with IUS

MIRENA used as hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Oestrogen, the main hormone used in HRT makes the lining of the womb thicker. A progestogen is needed to stop this happening and the Mirena does this very effectively. Bleeding is uncommon after one year and the oestrogen can be taken by any favoured route.

MIRENA used as a Contraceptive

The failure rate is 1 in 500 women per year, compared to female sterilisation 1 in 200 per year. It works because it thickens cervical mucus so that it is difficult for sperm to get through to reach the egg. In some women it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg.

For fees please see our Fee’s section on the left.

Please note that you do not need a GP referral.