Can Mirena Cause High Blood Pressure? Assessing the Effects of Mirena

Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) that can provide long-term birth control for up to five years. It is a T-shaped plastic device that is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare provider.

It releases a type of progestin hormone called levonorgestrel, which prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucus, thinning the uterine lining, and sometimes suppressing ovulation.

Mirena is a popular and effective method of contraception, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Some women may wonder if Mirena can cause high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

In this blog post, we will explore the possible link between Mirena and high blood pressure, and what you can do to protect your health.

Can Mirena Cause High Blood Pressure?

According to the official website of Mirena, high blood pressure is one of the possible side effects of this IUD.

However, it also states that this side effect is uncommon and that most women do not experience any changes in their blood pressure while using Mirena.

What Research Says?

The research on the association between Mirena and high blood pressure is limited and conflicting. Some studies have found no significant difference in blood pressure levels between women who use Mirena and those who use other forms of contraception or no contraception at all.

Other studies have reported a slight increase in blood pressure in some women who use Mirena, especially those who already have hypertension or other risk factors.

The mechanism by which Mirena may affect blood pressure is not fully understood, but it may be related to the hormonal effects of levonorgestrel on the blood vessels, kidneys, and fluid balance in the body.

It is important to note that the risk of developing high blood pressure from Mirena is very low compared to other factors such as age, weight, family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, and diet.

Moreover, the benefits of using Mirena for birth control and menstrual bleeding usually outweigh the potential risks for most women.

However, if you have a history of high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems, you should consult your doctor before using Mirena.

How Does Mirena Affect Blood Pressure?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Mirena is generally safe for women who have high blood pressure, as long as it is well controlled and they do not have other risk factors for heart disease.

This is because Mirena contains only progestin and not estrogen, which is the hormone that can increase blood pressure in some women who use combined hormonal birth control methods, such as the pill, the patch, or the ring.

However, this does not mean that Mirena has no effect on blood pressure at all. Some studies have shown that Mirena can slightly increase blood pressure in some women, especially those who are older than 35, overweight, or have a history of hypertension.

The mechanism behind this effect is not fully understood, but it may be related to progestin’s influence on fluid retention, sodium balance, vascular tone, or the renin-angiotensin system.

The increase in blood pressure caused by Mirena is usually mild and does not pose a significant health risk for most women.

However, some women may experience more severe or persistent elevations in blood pressure that may require medical attention or discontinuation of Mirena.

This is more likely to happen if they have other factors that can affect blood pressure, such as:

How to Prevent and Manage High Blood Pressure While Using Mirena?

Whether you use Mirena or not, there are some lifestyle changes that you can make to prevent and manage high blood pressure.

These include:

Summary

Mirena is a safe and effective birth control method for most women who have high blood pressure or are at risk of developing it.

However, some women may experience a slight increase in blood pressure while using Mirena which may require monitoring and management.

It is important to check your blood pressure regularly and follow a healthy lifestyle while using Mirena.

If you have any concerns or questions about Mirena and high blood pressure, talk to your healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line

I hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you and it helped you learn whether Mirena can cause High Blood Pressure.

If you have personally encountered high blood pressure after using Mirena, feel free to share your experience in the comments below.

We would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading and have a great day!