How you prepare

Your health care provider will evaluate your overall health and do a pelvic exam before inserting Mirena. You may be screened for STIs.

Mirena can be inserted:

• Anytime during your menstrual cycle if you're not pregnant. You might need to take a pregnancy test to confirm you're not pregnant.
• Immediately after a pregnancy termination.
• Immediately after delivering a baby vaginally or by cesarean section — although insertion immediately after vaginal delivery increases the risk of expelling Mirena.

If you have Mirena inserted more than seven days after the start of your period, be sure to use backup contraception for one week.

Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), one to two hours before the procedure can help reduce cramping.