What Is the Mirena Crash?
Intra-uterine devices (IUDs) have become a popular birth control option for many American women due to their reliability in preventing pregnancy and the relatively low occurrence of adverse side effects compared to other types of birth control. However, a phenomenon known as the “Mirena Crash” is drawing scrutiny for IUD contraceptive devices. It’s vital for women to understand their options when it comes to birth control and the risks associated with any type of contraceptive. While IUDs generally provide reliable long-term birth control, they can also cause problems upon removal.
How Does Mirena Work?
The Mirena IUD releases low doses of progestin to the uterus, changing the lining of the uterus to make it more difficult for egg implantation. The IUD also thickens cervical mucus to impede the movement of sperm. While these effects can provide good birth control, women have different reactions to the Mirena IUD and its removal on an individual basis. The biological cause of the Mirena Crash and adverse reactions to the IUD is hormone imbalance, and every woman experiences hormone imbalances differently.
How Does the Mirena Crash Occur?
Mirena IUDs secrete Levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic version of progestin that continuously mimics the effects of natural progesterone, preventing pregnancy. Once a woman has a Mirena IUD removed, the Levonorgestrel secretion ceases, but will linger in the woman’s system for days or weeks. The crash occurs when the Levonorgestrel disappears from the woman’s system. While the woman had the Mirena IUD inside of her, her natural hormone production slowed to compensate for the introduction of the Mirena IUD’s Levonorgestrel. It takes time for the woman’s body to catch back up to previous hormone production levels, and the gap between the woman’s high estrogen levels and low progesterone levels causes the crash.
Every woman will experience a Mirena Crash differently, but the symptoms generally include:
- Mood swings
- Irritability and anxiety
- Depression and intense feelings of sadness
- Flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, and muscle aches
- Gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and bloating
- Tenderness of the breasts
- Lack of energy and long periods of tiredness
Recovering From a Mirena Crash
Attempting to correct a hormone imbalance by introducing more hormones to the body will likely keep the situation from improving. The best way to overcome the Mirena Crash is with nutritional support that encourages natural hormone production. Fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in vitamin C and I3C nutrients will help restore the body’s natural hormone cycle. Women can also increase progesterone levels with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like kelp, oregano, turmeric, and goji berries.
It’s vital for every woman to speak with her doctor about birth control-related issues. Everyone has unique body chemistry, so one type of birth control may be totally effective and side-effect free for one woman but cause serious issues for another. The Mirena IUD offers stellar birth control capabilities compared to many other options available, but women who use it should be aware of the risks and speak with their doctors about their concerns. While the Mirena Crash is not life-threatening, it can cause extreme discomfort for days or weeks.
Women seeking birth control should always remember that a doctor has an obligation to fully inform each patient about the risks associated with a treatment. If your doctor suggests a birth control method, he or she should provide you with a full outline of the benefits and risks, including the risks associated with removal or cessation. Any woman who believes she has received inappropriate or incomplete medical advice concerning birth control should meet with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss options for legal recourse if the error resulted in any injury, illness, or other damage.