I don't remember the exact date I got my Mirena. I definitely know that it was November 2006. I called my doctor who inserted the device to get a new one for another 5 years. They could not find my file because they revamped their filing system and since I don't go there regularly I was lost. So of course they cannot tell me the exact date either.
I went into the office Halloween and filled out the new patient forms and they told me they would order the device. They still haven't called me to set an appointment. To be safe, I decided that we would obstain or at least use condoms until I have my new Mirena. Well we lost control of ourselves and acted like teenagers yesterday.
Now I am concerned about the possibilities. I don't know how exact to the five years Mirena is effective. I am hoping that the office will call Monday and get me scheduled this week. I plan to be more careful for the time being.
Can anyone tell me about the time frame Mirena is effective and if there is a time lapse? Will I be able to go in to the doctor and have the old one removed and new one inserted the same day? Any other advice?
I got mine in 2008, and my doctor told me that they are actually good for 6 years. In other countries, that is how often they replace them. But.......in the USA the FDA only approves 5 years.
Just get it changed as soon as possible. It is not like it "turns off" on the 5th anniversary - the hormone concentrations slowly decline over the entire period it is in place and the manufacturer has tested it to deliver a minimum level of hormones for 5 years.
I am NOT advocating for waiting but given that these concentrations very slowly decline, the device is probably good for quite a bit after the exact 5 year mark and whether your exact date is November 5 or November 25 is very unlikely to make a difference.
You're fine...just a little paranoid. Like Ina G. stated, it doesn't just turn off at the 5th year anniversary.
BTW, stop waiting for the Dr office to call, call them!
Go to the local pharmacy and ask for Plan B emergency contraceptive. If anything, it will bring you peace of mind knowing that, if there was an egg to be fertilized, pregnancy will be prevented. I know I'd just be nervous as can be.
All the best!
Actually Mirena are not approved for up to SEVEN years, so you're definitely fine. :)
I agree with the person who suggested Plan B for peace of mind. I had a similar situation and was worried about how embarrassed I was going to be asking for it (silly of me, I know) I called the pharmacy and the nice tech there told me she'd pull one for me and have it ready at the drive thru. It costs $50, but was well worth it to me for the peace of mind!
if you are still on the same insurance as you were when you had it inserted, you may be able to call your insurance company and have them research the date for you.
Mirena is effective for 7 years, not 5.
I had a lap over of several months and I was fine.
like others said it doesn't just turn off at the 5 yr mark.
In other countries the time between is longer.
I would NOT recommend plan B contraceptive, I personally have great moral concerns with that form of medication. With regards to your question, I would not worry about efficacy of the device. It's not to the date, and as others said, it's actually effective past 5 years, that's just the recommended window that effectiveness is guaranteed. It will slowly decline after that. You're fine, just continue to pursue with the doctor office and as long as you're able to replace it in the next few months, I wouldn't worry at all.
