Mirena + birth control pills?

[kinomaniac87.livejournal.com]

I've had a Mirena for almost two years now. I recently developed a few health issues for which my doctor put me on birth control pills (Microgestin Fe 1.5/30). She did this without removing the IUD, for reasons I won't go into here 'cause then I'd be writing y'all a novel.

Anyway, I forgot to ask her what this means for my chances of pregnancy prevention. Will these two things work together or no? I'm freaking out a little because I know that one of the main ways Mirena works is by thinning uterine lining to prevent implantation, and the birth control pills stop that from happening. I know that as long as I follow the directions I shouldn't ovulate while on the pills, but supposing that did happen, then what?

Comments

[nickelshoe.livejournal.com]

Microgestin also thins the uterine lining. The pills will probably interfere with Mirena's effect on your cervical mucus. I don't believe that thinning the uterine lining is the main mechanism of action for any contraceptive, and as far as I know it's totally theoretical. Here's an article I found: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937899701201

A quick Google Scholar search did not turn up any studies on how the pill might interfere with Mirena. I believe, however, that Mirena also often prevents ovulation, so I think you're okay.

If you did ovulate, there would be a chance of pregnancy, yes. You'd want to see a doctor immediately if you had reason to think you were pregnant with an IUD.

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

Your mirena will still work. Combined pills also work to thicken the cervical mucus, prevent ovulation and may have an effect on the uterine lining.

I've used a combined pill with my mirena since 2006. My doctors (three!) all agree that if I was having the kind of sex that would get me pregnant, I'd be protected, they don't cancel each other out.

If it's for something like cysts or to stabilise bleeding, you may not have to take the pill for a long time. Sometimes a short course (a few months) can be sufficient, then you can go back to just the Mirena on it's own.