Mirena is a method of birth control for women. It takes the form of an intra-uterine device inserted into the uterus with the hormone progesterone. It leads to a reduction in, or in some cases, elimination of menstruation. Therefore, other than a form of birth control, Mirena is also useful for women who suffer from heavy periods. For women using Mirena specifically to prevent conception, a question often arises, is getting pregnant after Mirena possible and how long does it take?
Is It Safe to Get Pregnant After Mirena Removal?
It is safe to get pregnant after the removal of Mirena. Having Mirena inserted into the uterus does not lower the chances of conceiving after it has been removed. Women who wish to get pregnant can easily do so after the Mirena has been removed. The device itself works on the basis of its release of hormones such as progesterone which is the main element in the prevention of ovulation and menstruation. When you wish to get pregnant, your doctor will take the IUD out. Once the hormone releaser is away, your body is ready to ovulate and conceive.
Are There Complications of Getting Pregnant After Mirena?
Most women were able to get pregnant soon after removing Mirena. But some of them reported miscarriages, though there are other factors that account for such complications. In some very rare cases, the Mirena may not have been placed properly into the uterus and therefore causes a hole in the uterine wall, thereby embedding itself in the uterus. In these cases, surgery is required to remove the Mirena. If the damage to the tissues is too excessive in some extreme cases, a hysterectomy may be required and pregnancy may not be easily achieved.
How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant After Mirena Removal?
On average, young couples are able to conceive about four to six months after getting the Mirena removed. In the year after the removal of Mirena, it is estimated that about 90% of the couples will be able to conceive.
Some women may worry about trying to conceive right after the removal of Mirena. Actually there is no risk to conceiving right after the removal and a woman’s ability to conceive is not drastically delayed. In addition, the baby faces no risk if it is conceived soon after Mirena removal. The length of time that Mirena was placed in a uterus does not affect fertility in any way whatsoever.
If you do not wish to get pregnant right after Mirena removal, consider using oral contraceptives to prevent your chances of getting pregnant. It is also a good idea to discuss your plans regarding conceiving after Mirena removal with your doctor.
Other Women’s Experiences on Getting Pregnant After Mirena
Here are some experiences shared by women who were able to conceive after Mirena removal.
Karen expresses her surprise at finding out that she was pregnant very soon after the removal of Mirena from her uterus. She bled for a few days after the device was removed. She did not, however, have her period in the days after the removal. After about thirty-five days when there was no sign of her period, she decided to do a pregnancy test and found out that she was expecting a baby. Karen also explains that a possible reason for such a quick pregnancy is that when Mirena is removed, the body is able to release all the hormones that Mirena had prevented from being released. As a result of their large concentration, it gets much easier to conceive.
Jodi's Mirena was removed in August and she had a light period in September. The couple attempted artificial insemination at the beginning of October and it worked. She recounts the symptoms of getting pregnant after Mirena removal: sore breasts, bloating, morning sickness, but most of all, she also experienced the symptom she had previously unheard of. This was the feeling of intense thirst at all times. She took a pregnancy test five days before her period was due and it turned out positive.
Kerry had the Mirena removed after having it in place for about ten years. A week before its removal, she started taking the birth control pill. Once the device was taken out, Kerry started feeling quite under the weather, so her doctor carried out scans and tests to see if the kidneys and other vital organs were functioning well. The doctor even did an ultrasound but there was no sign of pregnancy. Everything, it seemed, was fine. Kerry did not even consider the possibility of pregnancy as she was on the pill. When she took a pregnancy test, however, it turned out positive.