Nerd Nuggets

I was asked this in the comments of my ‘Mirena and my tinfoil hat’ posting and thought that this would make a better blog entry than it would a response.

The primary difference between the Mirena and the copper IUD is what they’re made of and HOW the body responds to the different materials. Let me put it out there that I’m not a Dr and I am biased. I had a really rough time on the Mirena and feel a bit duped by the medical system so I may not be kind.

The Mirena IUD is a plastic IUD that is impregnated with a synthetic version of progesterone called levonorgestrel that is released in small doses in the uterine cavity. The Mirena IUD is believed to prevent pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucous, reducing the uterine lining and sometimes preventing ovulation all through hormonal means. It’s also believed that the body has the same immune-system reaction to the foreign body in the uterine cavity, preventing implantation since the body is always fighting the foreign item in it.

In contrast the copper IUD contains no hormones and is believed to prevent pregnancy be creating an inhospitable environment for the fertilized egg, as well as causing the body to create a immune-system response (because of the foreign item in the uterus).

The major difference between the two IUDs is that the Mirena affects the hormonal balance and subsiquently the endrocrine system. A lot of Drs / Bayer sell the patients on the fact that the Mirena releases hormone locally where it’s needed, in the uterus. Which makes sense until you read the product monograph and realize that the levonorgestrel has been found in breast milk. If you think about it logically the ‘local’ claim doesn’t hold up - our bodies are systems and as a system, the body relies on the circulation of blood and fluid. The blood that was nourishing my uterus today could be circulating to my brain tomorrow, and if I’m sensitive to the levonorgestrel found in the Mirena, it’s going to affect me. Bayer / many Drs also don’t mention that levonorgestrel is the same hormone found in depo-provera and Norplant implants, both of which were found to cause weight gain, depression, skin issues and anxiety. This form of progesterone is chemically different than the progesterone found in other birth control methods like the pill (Micronor is a mini-pill, meaning progesterone only) which uses norethisterone.

As for side effects, both IUDs have risk of uterine perforation and  expulsion, but that’s where they end. Mirena side effects can be physical as well as hormonal (all of the side effects noted in my original Mirena post) while the copper IUD generally has seen an increase in menstrual flow and heavier cramping as the main side effects. In my early 20’s I had terrible periods which was part of the reason I chose the Mirena IUD - I was afraid of the side effects of the copper IUD (Ha!) but it turns out that the Mirena has been much more detrimental on my mental and physical health and my personal relationships as a result. I’d take heavier periods over the constant anxiety any day.

I hope this helps - as always comments are welcome. Unless you’re spamming me about cellphone ring-tones, in which case - please don’t.