Mirena Side Effects

By Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD |

Headaches, nausea, and a decreased sex drive are some of the common side effects of Mirena. In general, side effects of this contraceptive are minor and are typically easy to treat. However, there are some potentially serious side effects that require immediate medical attention, including depression, jaundice, or severe pain within a few hours after insertion of Mirena.

An Introduction to Mirena Side Effects

Side effects are possible with Mirena^®. However, not everyone who uses this contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most women tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Mirena. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Mirena side effects with you.)

Common Side Effects of Mirena

In studies, the most common Mirena side effects (occurring in at least 5 percent of women) included:

Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
A milky white vaginal discharge
Headaches
Vaginal irritation or infections (such as yeast infections)
Back pain
Breast pain
Acne
Upper respiratory infections (such as the common cold)
Nausea
Nervousness
Painful menstrual periods
Weight gain (see Mirena and Weight Gain)
A decreased sex drive (libido)
Sinus infections
Ovarian cysts (in most cases, these are painless and go away on their own).

Many women experience changes in their periods while taking Mirena. For the first three to six months, you may experience irregular periods (which may include heavy bleeding). Subsequently, many women begin to have lighter and/or less frequent periods. Some women even stop having periods altogether. While this is normal, make sure to check with your healthcare provider the first time your period is late. Your healthcare provider may want to make sure you are not pregnant.