Does the Mirena have enough progestin...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Does the Mirena have enough progestin...
4
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 11:15pm
... to prevent ovulation? I'm having a little arguement with someone on another board who I believe is spreading false information to a woman who is researching the IUD.

Thanks girls! Set me straight!

Jenn

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2003
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 11:29pm
I just talked to my doctor about Mirena last week, I've been thinking about it...

Anyways, the doc told me that it does NOT stop ovulation, it only changes the lining and cervical fluid so sperm have a hard time travelling and if an egg was to get fertilized, it would not be a stable environment for it to continue to live. The hormones in it are really low, way lower than bc pills. It releases 20mcg a day of levonorgestrel and I think that's it. Someone correct me if Im wrong though, doc's arent always right...


Edited 8/17/2004 11:31 pm ET ET by chrissy_82
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 11:31pm
I've wondered that myself. I know that POPs cut down ovulation to about half the time. All I've been able to find on Mirena is that most women do still ovulate, but I've never seen exact percentages. It's primary way of working is to change the cervical mucus, but the ovaries are supposed to be mostly unaffected.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 11:36pm
Hi Jenn,

"Does the Mirena have enough progestin to prevent ovulation?"

The answer is, sometimes. Here is what the prescribing information on the Mirena site: http://www.mirena-us.com/pvs1/pri/eduframe.html has to say:

"Ovulation is inhibited in some women using MIRENA. In a 1-year study approximately 45% of menstrual cycles were ovulatory and in another study after 4 years 75% of cycles were ovulatory."

Does this help?

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 11:40pm
This article isn't about Mirena, but it does address some of the misconceptions about IUDs. It's more specifically talking about how the copper IUD works.

http://www.fhi.org/en/rh/pubs/network/v16_2/nt1623.htm