Body & Mind

Important news if you have an IUD

By Wieke Veenboer | #!31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:004231#31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:00-10Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 17am31am-31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:0010Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +02003810385amWednesday=9#!31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam5#05-17-2023#!31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:004231#/31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:00-10Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Wed, 17 May 2023 10:38:42 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam5#

For about fifteen years, I've been using the IUD (the pill and I were not a match) and I am very satisfied with it. Except for the insertion, that is always pure misery. However, I don't mind the removal, but I still dread that switch every time, and I did that every five years.

But if you also have the Mirena, I have good news for you: those five to six years have changed. The number of years has been increased to eight years. Yes, that means significantly fewer visits to the doctor for that switch, and I think that's very good news.

There are two caveats: if you chose the Mirena to alleviate menopausal symptoms, it is not eight years but three years, but if you use it for heavy bleeding or contraception, the number of years has been increased to eight years. Initially, the IUD contains 52 micrograms of levonorgestrel, and after eight years, it is still about 7 micrograms per day, but still enough for the bleeding and to work as contraception. Now that's good news.