Mirena IUD and Plan B Together

Mirena IUD and Plan B together are not used commonly, however, in cases of contraceptive failure or after unprotected sex, a woman with Mirena IUD can take Plan B, the “morning-after pill”.

Mirena and Plan B are two different forms of contraception methods. Mirena is used to avoid pregnancy for a prolonged duration, up to 5 years.

On the other hand, Plan B is also called emergency contraception. Its efficacy reduces with time and may not be effective after 72 hours.

What is Mirena? 

Mirena is a contraceptive method designed to prevent pregnancy by the insertion of a small, T-shaped device into the uterus by a healthcare provider.

The device is a reservoir that slowly releases levonorgestrel, a hormone that thickens cervical mucus and prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg.

This type of contraceptive is long-acting and reversible, making it a popular option for women seeking reliable birth control without the need for daily pills or other methods. It can prevent pregnancy for up to five years.

Some additional benefits of Mirena include reducing heavy menstrual bleeding and lowering the risk of endometrial hyperplasia in women who are receiving estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

Mirena IUD is not typically used as a form of emergency contraception, despite its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.

Can Mirena IUD be used for emergency Contraception?

Emergency contraception refers to methods used after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure to prevent pregnancy. The most effective emergency contraception methods are those used as soon as possible after the event.

There are several options available for emergency contraception, including emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and copper IUDs.

ECPs can be purchased over the counter and must be taken within a specific time frame after unprotected sex.

Copper IUDs can be inserted by a healthcare provider up to five days after unprotected sex, providing effective contraception for up to ten years.

What are the side effects of the Mirena IUD?

Mirena, like all forms of birth control, may cause side effects in some women. The most common side effects of Mirena include:

• Irregular bleeding:

Women may experience a reduction in their menstrual flow. They may describe it as spotting, scanty flow, irregular, or no flow at all.

• Cramping:

Crampy abdominal pain is more common during the first few days of Mirena IUD insertion. It usually goes away within a few days.

• Headaches:

Mirena IUD, like oral contraceptive pills, has been associated with an increased incidence of headaches, especially migraine. Women with migraine headaches may notice a worsening in their symptoms or develop headaches at an increasing frequency after IUD insertion.

• Mood changes:

Mirena’s IUD may result in mood fluctuations. Mood swings have been reported in women who have Mirena IUD inserted.

• Weight gain:

Weight gain is a side effect of most contraceptive devices. The weight gain is primarily the result of an increase in the water content of the body.

• Acne:

Women may notice acne or acneform lesions after Mirena IUD insertion.

• Pelvic infection:

Because Mirena IUD is a foreign body, the risk of pelvic infections is high – especially during the first few days of IUD placement.

However, most women who use Mirena do not experience serious side effects, and it is generally considered safe and effective.

For how long do the effects of the Mirena IUD last?

Mirena is a long-acting form of birth control that can prevent pregnancy for up to five years, and some studies suggest that it may remain effective for up to seven years.

After the five-year period, Mirena should be removed and replaced with a new device if continued contraception is desired.

It is important to remember that Mirena does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so it is still necessary to use condoms or other barrier methods to reduce the risk of STIs.

Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are also necessary to ensure that the device is still in place and working effectively.

What is Plan B or “morning-after Pill”?

Plan B, also known as the “morning-after pill,” is a type of emergency contraceptive pill that is used as a backup method of contraception after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

It is a brand name that contains a high dose of the hormone levonorgestrel, which is similar to progesterone, a hormone naturally produced in a woman’s body.

Plan B prevents or delays ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovary, and may also prevent fertilization or implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.

It is not effective if a woman is already pregnant. Plan B is available over the counter for people who are 17 years or older, and for younger individuals, a prescription from a healthcare provider may be required.

To be effective, it must be taken within a specific time frame after unprotected sex, and it is most effective when taken as soon as possible.

However, Plan B should not be used as a regular form of contraception, and it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

When to take Plan B after unprotected sex?

Plan B is most effective when taken soon after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, and the manufacturer recommends taking it within the first 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex.

However, studies have suggested that it may still be effective up to five days after unprotected sex.

It is crucial to note that Plan B is not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Furthermore, it is not effective if a woman is already pregnant, and it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Can you use Mirena IUD and Plan B together?

Certainly, a woman with an IUD in place can use Plan B as an emergency contraceptive in case of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

Plan B works by delaying or preventing ovulation and may also prevent fertilization or implantation of a fertilized egg.

However, it does not interfere with the IUD’s effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, and it should not be used as a regular form of contraception.

If a woman has concerns about her current contraceptive method or is considering changing it, she should consult with a healthcare provider for advice.

How is Mirena different from Plan B?

Mirena and Plan B are two different forms of contraception. For women who plan to use contraception in the long term, it is better to insert a Mirena IUD which can be effective for up to 5 years (sometimes up to 7 years).

Plan B is also called the “Morning-after Pill”. It is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or in women who have a contraception failure.

Here is a table of comparison between the two forms of contraception:

Is it safe to take Plan B with Kyleena together?

Taking Plan B along with Kyleena’s IUD is safe. Plan B is an emergency contraceptive pill that contains a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone called levonorgestrel.

However, it does not interfere with the effectiveness of the Kyleena IUD in preventing pregnancy. Moreover,  Plan B should only be used as a backup method of contraception in case of contraceptive failure or unprotected sex.

Can you take Plan B with Liletta together?

Certainly, it is safe to take Plan B while using the Liletta IUD.  However, it will not compromise the effectiveness of the Liletta IUD or its ability to prevent pregnancy.

How effective are Mirena IUD and Plan B together?

Plan B is up to 95% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, but its effectiveness decreases with time.

On the other hand, Mirena is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 5 years.

Using Mirena IUD and Plan B together reduces the chances of pregnancy to almost zero. However, the combination is not a common practice.

In rare situations, one can use Mirena IUD and Plan B together. These include:

• Contraceptive failure:

If you have Mirena IUD in place and it fails, such as if it becomes dislodged or expelled, using Plan B as an emergency contraceptive can help to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

• Unprotected sex:

If you have Mirena IUD in place and have unprotected sex, using Plan B as an emergency contraceptive can help to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

However, it is important to note that neither Plan B nor Mirena protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

What to do if a woman gets pregnant while having Mirena IUD in place?

If a woman becomes pregnant while using Mirena, the device should be removed as soon as possible.

Leaving the device in place during pregnancy can increase the risk of serious complications, such as miscarriage, premature delivery, infection, and sepsis.

If a woman becomes pregnant, the Mirena device should be removed immediately as it increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.

Ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition that can lead to complications, such as internal bleeding and infertility.

If you suspect that you may be pregnant while using Mirena, it is important to contact your healthcare provider right away for further evaluation and guidance.

Is it safe to take two Plan B pills?

Taking two Plan B pills is not safe or effective as it contains a high dose of the hormone levonorgestrel, and taking an additional dose may increase the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and irregular bleeding.

What are the alternatives to Plan B?

There are various alternatives to Plan B that can be used as emergency contraception, including [Ref]:

• Ella:

A prescription-only emergency contraceptive pill containing ulipristal acetate that is effective for up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

• Copper intrauterine device (IUD):

A healthcare provider can insert a non-hormonal form of emergency contraception up to five days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is also a long-term contraceptive method that can be used effectively for up to 10 years.

• Combined oral contraceptive pills:

Certain brands of combined oral contraceptive pills can act as emergency contraception if taken in specific doses and at specific times. Your healthcare provider can provide guidance on how to use these pills as emergency contraception.

In conclusion:

The use of the Mirena IUD and Plan B together is not a recommended or common practice, as Plan B should not be used as a regular contraceptive method and is not as effective as Mirena IUD in preventing pregnancy.

However, in certain situations such as contraceptive failure or unprotected sex while having a Mirena IUD in place, using Plan B as an emergency contraceptive may be indicated.

Remember, while Mirena IUD is a highly effective and long-acting contraceptive option, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so it is important to also practice safe sex.