Mirena dosage

The information below describes Mirena’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Mirena form

Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD). This is a device that your doctor or another healthcare professional inserts into your uterus.

Mirena strength

Mirena comes in one strength of 52 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosages

Mirena contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel that is released over time. About 24 days after it’s placed, it starts releasing levonorgestrel at a rate of 21 micrograms (mcg) per day. Approximately 5 years after placement, this rate decreases to about 11 mcg of levonorgestrel per day. After 8 years, the rate decreases to about 7 mcg of levonorgestrel per day.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults.

Dosage to prevent pregnancy

Doctors may prescribe Mirena to help prevent pregnancy. For this use, the IUD is effective for up to 8 years.

If you’d like Mirena to be removed sooner, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for heavy menstrual bleeding

Mirena is also approved to help treat heavy menstrual bleeding. For this use, it’s effective for up to 5 years.

Talk with your doctor if you’d like the IUD removed sooner.

Children’s dosage

Mirena is approved to help prevent pregnancy and treat heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents who have started their menstrual periods.

Dosage to prevent pregnancy

Mirena is approved to help prevent pregnancy in adolescents who can become pregnant. As with adults, this IUD can stay in place for up to 8 years.

However, if your child would like the IUD removed sooner, talk with their doctor.

Dosage for heavy menstrual bleeding

Mirena is also approved to help manage heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents who have started menstrual periods. If you or your child would like the IUD removed sooner, talk with their doctor.

Long-term treatment

Mirena is meant to be used long term. If you and your doctor determine that Mirena is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

However, it is safe to have Mirena removed at any time. If you’d like to have the IUD removed early, talk with your doctor. For more information about symptoms that may occur after removal, see this article.

Mirena is an intrauterine device (IUD). You’ll make an appointment with your doctor to have it inserted in your uterus.

Before insertion, your doctor will typically perform a pelvic exam. Then, they’ll clean your vagina and cervix with an antiseptic solution.

Lastly, they’ll insert Mirena through your cervix into your uterus. For more information about IUD insertion, see this article. You can also read more about what to expect at your appointment on the manufacturer’s website.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Mirena.

How long does it take for Mirena to start working?

It can depend on when you have Mirena inserted.

If Mirena is inserted after the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle, talk with your doctor. It may be necessary to use condoms or another form of barrier contraceptive during this time period. If Mirena is inserted within the first 7 days of your cycle, you likely won’t require a secondary form of birth control during this time.

During the first 3–6 months after placement of Mirena, you may experience irregular periods. This may include spotting, cramping, or heavier bleeding than usual. Over time, you’ll likely experience less bleeding and may even stop having periods.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Mirena treatment. For information on Mirena’s side effects, see this article.

Is there a typical dosage range for Mirena?

No, there isn’t a dosage range for Mirena. However, how long the device lasts can depend on what it’s being used for. When used to prevent pregnancy, Mirena is effective for up to 8 years. When used to manage heavy menstrual bleeding, it’s effective for up to 5 years.

Mirena only comes in one strength: 52 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel. Mirena starts releasing levonorgestrel at a rate of 21 micrograms (mcg) per day, about 24 days after it’s placed. Approximately 5 years after placement, this rate decreases to about 11 mcg of levonorgestrel per day. After 8 years, the rate decreases to about 7 mcg of levonorgestrel per day.

If you have questions about Mirena’s typical dosage or how long it lasts, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Mirena for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Mirena that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Mirena. These additional articles might be helpful:

• More about Mirena. For information about other aspects of Mirena, refer to this article.
• Side effects. To learn about side effects of Mirena, see this article. You can also look at the Mirena prescribing information.
• Drug comparison. To find out how Mirena compares with Skyla, read this article.
• Cost. If you’d like to learn about Mirena and cost, see this article.
• Interactions. For details about what Mirena interacts with, see this article.
• Details about birth control. For details about birth control, see our sexual health hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.