Mirena IUD Statistics

Mirena IUD is reported to have side effects and serious complications that may have or will harm the women who use the device.

The seriousness of Mirena IUD complications and side effects are underscored by the following statistics.

Care2.com claimed that:

• almost half (45 percent, or about 21,500 women) of the complaints are about IUD expulsion
• pain during or after the IUD placement makes up 25 percent of the complaints (or 11,700 women)
• complaints about more bleeding make up 21 percent (or 10,100 women)
• complaints of less bleeding or no period account for 6 percent (or 2,800 women)
• complaints of pregnancy with the IUD make up 5 percent (or 2,200 women)
• perforation of the uterus accounts for 3 percent of the complaints (or 1,300 women)
• pregnancy can happen in 2 of every 1000 women

Mayo Clinic on the other hand stated that:

• Less than 1 % of women who used Mirena will get pregnant. The pregnancy however has a higher chance of being ectopic.
• You may be more likely to expel Mirena if you have never been pregnant, have heavy or prolonged periods, have severe menstrual pain, previously expelled an IUD, are younger than age 20 and  had Mirena inserted immediately after childbirth or an abortion.

To give further statistics on the Mirena IUD, a study conducted by NCBI and published in the Journal of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons involved two women who were Mirena IUD users. According to the study, the first case is a 44-year-old multiparous lady, with children 19 and 17 years of age. She delivered both of her children by spontaneous vaginal deliveries. About 15 months ago, she was fitted with a Mirena for contraception. Initially there was no problem with the use of the device. She did not experience any symptoms that would indicate a problem with the device. In one periodic check up using an ultrasound,  it was found that the contraceptive device had moved to the patient’s right iliac fossa just anterior to the cecum. There was no sign of uterine perforation. The patient was discharged after the outpatient procedure.

The second subject is a 19-year-old young lady. According to the study, the subject underwent an unremarkable vaginal suction termination of her first pregnancy at about 8 weeks gestation and was fitted with a Mirena, at the same time, by the treating physician. She was admitted to the hospital 10 days after the Mirena insertion with a history of acute severe pelvic pain that required administration of narcotic analgesic injections. Ultrasound scanning showed that the uterus was “empty.” Plain X-ray of the abdomen showed that the Mirena was in the peritoneal cavity close to the pouch of Douglas. Emergency laparoscopy was performed, and the peritoneal cavity was carefully inspected. The Mirena was spotted within approximately 3 cm of the left leaf of the diaphragm. There was no sign of uterine perforation. Laparoscopic removal of the device was carried out smoothly, and the patient was discharged after the outpatient procedure.

Both patients underwent uneventful laparoscopic retrieval of the devices. In conclusion, the study stated that an experienced gynecological endoscopist should be able to safely remove a missed Mirena out of the peritoneal cavity without any complications. This study confirmed that indeed there is a possibility of Mirena IUD migration. Although the cited cases did not result to uterine perforation, other users might not be as lucky. Clearly an expert medical practitioner in needed for the insertion and after care of Mirena IUD.

If you are a Mirena user and have suffered serious complications from the use of the device, call (801)506-0800 for a free consultation. Christensen & Hymas can help you with your case.

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