Does the Mirena IUD make you fat?

You can prevent pregnancy with many different methods. Intrauterine hormonal devices (IUD) are increasingly used, such as the well-known Mirena. This is because they are very effective in addition to being comfortable.

Have you heard that the hormonal IUD can cause you to gain weight? Continue reading this FastlyHealarticle and discover if the Mirena IUD makes you fat or not. We also explain in detail what precisely a hormonal IUD is, when you shouldn’t use it and how you can do to lose weight while still using it.

What is the hormonal IUD?

The hormonal IUD (best-known brand name Mirena) is a hormone-releasing intrauterine device (levonorgestrel) that produces changes in a woman’s body to prevent long-term pregnancy. Among those changes are:

• Make the mucus thicker in the cervix, thus preventing the arrival of sperm.
• Decrease the thickness of the walls of the uterus.
• Partially prevent ovulation: like the other hormonal contraceptive methods, it is also based on modifying the hormones of the female menstrual cycle, although more gently, seeking anovulation. As a result, that is, the ovary does not release eggs.

All these effects make a pregnancy unable to occur.

The duration of the Mirena IUD is five years and can be removed at any time, quickly returning fertility.

Does the Mirena intrauterine device make you fat?

You may have heard that hormonal IUDs can cause you to gain weight, but it is one of the many myths surrounding birth control.

Different scientific studies have been carried out comparing weight gain in women using non-hormonal (copper) IUD and hormonal IUD (Mirena, LNG-IUS) and have been followed for five years, which have shown that there is no more significant gain of weight in those who use hormonal IUD (Mirena), this method is even indicated to women who already suffer from metabolic diseases such as diabetes (type II diabetes is mainly caused by obesity).

Obesity is a severe problem that occurs throughout the world and is mainly associated with two causes:

• Unhealthy eating
• Low-calorie intake due to a sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical exercise).

There may also be certain personal factors that influence weight gain: such as genetic traits, ethnicity, smoking, use of hormonal medication or corticosteroids.

The fear of obesity or weight gain can make a woman want to stop using a contraceptive method as effective as a hormonal IUD, but as has been seen, there is no reason for this type of fear.

When should you not use a hormonal IUD?

There are some instances in which the placement of a hormonal IUD (Mirena) is not recommended :

• Personal or family history of breast cancer.
• Pelvic inflammation
• Vaginal bleeding for no reason.
• Cancer of the uterus or cervix.
• Liver disease

Side effects of the Mirena IUD

After the placement of a hormonal IUD, some adverse effects may occur :

• Acne.
• Discomfort in the breasts.
• Headache.
• Period pains.
• Irregular menstrual bleeding.

How to lose weight with the Mirena IUD?

Whether you are using a hormonal IUD (Mirena) or want to start using it, you can try the following weight loss tips. Of course, they involve a particular commitment on your part because they involve specific changes, and, sometimes, that is the most difficult. But I invite you to give it a try and feel the difference in living a healthy life. Not only will you improve your weight, so will your skin and your health, and this is the most important thing since you can prevent all kinds of diseases with good habits:

• Exercise regularly: you can start by walking or swimming, begin at your own pace and gradually increase the intensity. Ideally, you should do at least 30 minutes of movement each day. This is essential to improve your circulation, burn extra calories, and, above all, improve your mood, key to putting into practice the changes in habits you need.
• Drink water: water is essential for the body to function best. All cells must receive adequate hydration, and it helps keep the body clean and with energy. Put aside sugary drinks (not to mention colas), alcohol, artificial juices.
• Do not consume “light” or “low calorie” products: they are a great deception; they are products processed with a little less sugar (not quite), which include vegetable oils, colorings, flavorings, and many substances that intoxicate the body.
• Leave out the processed ones: the more natural your food is, the better. The body is not prepared for the number of industrialized products we consume daily (even what is supposedly allowed). What cannot be degraded or digested accumulates in the liver, fatty tissue, and intestines, causing the body not to function as it should. Read the labels of what you buy, avoid flavorings, colorants, vegetable oil, preservatives.
• Avoid intoxicating foods: if you consume them, your body does not digest them well. They generate inflammation and putrefaction at the intestinal level. It is about dairy, flour, meats.
• Stop smoking: tobacco intoxicates the lungs and the rest of your body.

But at this point you will say, and what do you eat to lose weight healthily?:

• Base your diet on fruits and vegetables: incredibly raw. They provide the necessary nutrients and vitamins for proper body function.
• Incorporate legumes: chickpeas, beans, lentils are crucial and will add flavor, aroma, and texture to your meals. Be careful with soy, as it is only suitable for the body if it undergoes a slow fermentation process, all soy-based products (vegetable meats, milk, soy protein) are nothing more than super-processed.
• Nuts: any of them and in the quantities you want, you can prepare bowls of milk, creams, and even delicious desserts.
• Chocolate: Chocolate is an excellent antioxidant, but not the one that comes with sugar and milk. Look for bitter cocoa and add it to your smoothies and desserts. It is delicious and very healthy.
• Olive oil: it is the only one shown to help maintain health.
• Fish: not exaggerated, but you can eat small fish (they are less likely to be contaminated with mercury).

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Does the Mirena IUD make you fat? We recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.

Alivia Nyhan

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.