Non-Hormonal IUDs generally do not cause any weight gain. Hormonal IUDs cause weight gain in about 5% of patients. As Mirena is a hormonal IUD, there are chances of weight gain. This weight gain is mainly due to the hormone progestin that causes water retention and bloating.
Some lifestyle changes may be necessary to avoid weight gain, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy, and other weight loss methods.
What is an IUD?
IUD stands for an intrauterine device, which is a small T-shaped plastic device positioned in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. The IUD acts as a foreign body in the uterus and hampers the union of sperm and ovum by causing a reaction in the uterus.
There are two types of IUDs:
Copper IUDs: It is hormone-free and mainly consists of copper. It kills sperm before it reaches the egg. Copper IUDs like ParaGard last longer than hormonal IUDs.
Hormonal IUDs: It mainly releases the hormone progestin into the uterus, which prevents sperm and the egg from uniting. The four common hormonal IUDs available in the United States are:
- Liletta
- Kyleena
- Mirena
- Skyla
What is Mirena?
Mirena is a hormonal IUD that consists of progestin (levonorgestrel), which is similar to a hormone produced by women. It prevents pregnancy by the following methods:
- Makes cervical fluid thicker
- Interferes with sperm movement
- Reduces sperm survival
- Prevents fertilization of an egg
- Changes the lining of the uterus to prevent the attachment of a fertilized egg
What are the other side effects of using IUD?
Side effects, although mild, are present and subside with time. They are:
- Weight gain due to progesterone
- Pain while IUD insertion
- Backaches or cramping for the first few days
- Irregular bleeding or spotting between periods
- Irregular or heavy bleeding during periods
- Acne
- Mood changes
- Excess hair growth
- Nausea
- Headache
- Ovarian cysts
- It may cause extrauterine pregnancy (ectopic) in some cases
Most of the side effects subside in about three to six months once the body gets used to the IUD.
Some rare and serious side effects of IUDs include:
- Risk of pelvic infection
- Slippage or movement of IUD
- Device expelled from the uterus
SLIDESHOW
Sex-Drive Killers: The Causes of Low Libido See SlideshowWho should avoid using Mirena (IUDs)?
People with the following conditions should avoid using Mirena:
- Sexually-transmitted disease
- Pelvic infection
- Immediately after delivery
- Cervical cancer or uterine cancer
- Unexplainable vaginal bleeding
- Liver disease
- Breast cancer
What are other birth control options?
If IUD doesn’t work for you, then consider one of the many birth control options available. Consult a physician before deciding on which birth control option suits you better. The most common birth control methods include:
- Birth control pills
- Depo-Provera or other birth control injections
- Vaginal rings
- Contraceptive implant
- The Xulane patch
References
https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/iud-intrauterine-device
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20420/mirena-intrauterine/details
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/ask_do_iuds_make_you_gain_weight/article_em.htm#doctor%E2%80%99s_response
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20420/mirena-intrauterine/details
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/ask_do_iuds_make_you_gain_weight/article_em.htm#doctor%E2%80%99s_response
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that has traveled deep into the veins of the arm, pelvis, or lower extremities. Oral contraceptives or birth control pills can slightly increase a woman's risk for developing blood clots, including DVT. DVT symptoms and signs in the leg include leg or calf pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or leg cramps, and skin discoloration. If a blood clot in the leg is not treated, it can travel to the lungs, which can cause a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) or post-thrombotic syndrome, both of which can be fatal if not treated immediately. Increased risk factors for DVT and birth control pills include over 40 years of age, family history, smoking, and obesity. Other medical problems that increase the risks of blood clots, for example, lung or heart disease, or inflammatory bowel disease or IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). Other options for preventing pregnancy include IUDs, birth control shots, condoms, diaphragms, and progestin-only oral contraceptives.garcinia
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How Are Intrauterine Devices Fitted?
Inserting an intrauterine device (IUD) is a simple procedure that takes a few minutes. An IUD is a small, T-shaped device made from plastic or copper that is placed in a woman's womb to prevent pregnancy. The coil is inserted through the cervix
How Long Does a Hysteroscopy Take?
Hysteroscopy is a procedure performed by a gynecologist to inspect inside of the uterine cavity using a thin tube with a light and camera attached to it. Hysteroscopy can take anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes or longer if a surgical procedure is being performed at the same time. Surgical procedures to treat uterine pathologies can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours as well, depending on the procedure.
Is It Painful to Have an IUD Inserted?
Gynecologists insert a T-shaped device into the woman’s uterus (womb). This process is quick and not very painful. However, some pain is inevitable, and pain experience is different for every woman. It is normal to feel some discomfort when the opening of the womb (cervix) is stretched. For most women, this only lasts for a few seconds and may be felt as a sharp pain.
Is It Painful to Remove an IUD?
Removing an IUD when you aren't having complications shouldn’t take very long and shouldn’t be very painful. Most people say that IUD insertion is more painful than its removal.
What Are the Symptoms of a Moved IUD?
An intrauterine device or IUD is a popular birth control device. Symptoms of a moved IUD include being able to feel the IUD with your fingers or during sex, painful intercourse, abdominal cramping, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and fever.
What Does Birth Control Do to Your Body?
Different birth control methods work in different manners. No birth control method is perfect and every procedure or method has a side effect.
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What's "best" among birth control methods differs from person to person. What's right for one person may not be right for others. And a person’s needs may also change over time.Which Birth Control Has Least Side Effects?
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