Mirena is an intra-uterine system (IUS) with long-term, highly effective, and reversible characteristics. The small, soft T-shaped device with a reservoir containing progesterone is designed to continuously release tiny amounts of progesterone (20ug levonorgestrel) into the uterus daily through a slow-release technique, thereby thickening the cervical mucus and preventing free movement of the sperm. 

At the same time, it continuously acts on the uterine lining, restricting the lining's growth, which affects the fertilized egg's ability to attach to the uterus and is no longer suitable for the embryo to grow, thus providing a contraceptive effect. Therefore, the main purpose of Mirena is contraception.

So why are more and more people with adenomyosis getting the Mirena IUD?

Initially, Mirena was designed for healthy women as a contraceptive measure. Later, during clinical use, it was found that some patients with adenomyosis used it to reduce the amount of menstrual flow, the lining of the uterus shrank, and menstruation became less painful. As a result, more and more adenomyosis patients began to use it, and many doctors also recommended it for adenomyosis patients.

Can Mirena treat adenomyosis or not?

The progesterone released by Mirena can inhibit the secretion of estrogen in patients with adenomyosis to a certain extent so that the endometrium and ectopic growth of endometrium will shrink to a certain size, and the symptoms of uterus enlargement, heavy menstruation, and dysmenorrhea of the patients will be improved accordingly. Overall, Mirena effectively relieves the symptoms and controls the condition of patients with adenomyosis.

As a commonly used treatment for adenomyosis, this device can alleviate the patient's symptoms. However, it comes with a host of side effects, and the main ones being the following:

1. Bleeding in drips and dribbles

2. may not have menstruation temporarily

3. As it contains hormones, long-term use may cause endocrine disorders, such as fat, edema, menstrual disorders, pigmentation, acne, and other side effects.

Therefore, patients can choose traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of adenomyosis. Compared to the side effects of Mirena, TCM treatment is considered a gentler and more natural method and can fundamentally adjust the balance of the body.

Composed of more than 50 kinds of pure natural herbs, Fuyan Pill is effective in clearing heat and detoxifying the body, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which can eliminate the patient's menstrual cramps as well as other symptoms of adenomyosis, and restore the internal health of the uterus.

In addition, not all patients are suitable for the use of the Mirena IUD, specifically the following three groups of people:

Type 1: It is not recommended for those who are pregnant or suspected to be pregnant, those with a history of thromboembolism, progesterone-dependent tumors, and those with chronic liver disease, as it contains progestins that can exacerbate the risk of the above diseases.

Type 2: It is also not recommended for women with inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, such as vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, malignant lesions of the uterus and cervix, and abnormalities of the uterine cavity morphology, etc., to prevent aggravation of the infection due to the uterine cavity manipulation or to make the infection spread.

Type 3: Women whose uterus is too large and the depth of the uterine cavity is greater than 8cm or more are not recommended to have an IUD because it will fall off easily and will not be effective. Also, women with too much menstrual flow are unsuitable for the IUD, as the ring will be easily washed off. 

In conclusion, the effectiveness of the ring in treating adenomyosis varies from person to person, and patients are advised to take into account their situation and doctor's advice before deciding whether to use it. 

In addition, for some patients, although it has a therapeutic effect, its side effects should not be ignored. If the side effects outweigh the effectiveness of the IUD, it is essential to remove it in time and actively seek other treatments.

You may also be interested in:

Will Having Adenomyosis Make You Age Faster?

Can Adenomyosis be Left Untreated Just Because You Are Approaching Menopause?

Adenomyosis Patients Conceive: How to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy and Protect Your Baby?