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No Period after Mirena Removal and 3 months on birth control
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amytypes posted:
I had the Mirena in for 4 years, then my hormones went crazy, apparently losing the progesterone that it releases. They removed at yar 4 and then put me on birth control. I have just finished my third packet and no period! I am 40 and have 3 kids of my own and my boyfriend's child every other week, I am not wanting any more children. Any ideas? I just saw lawsuits posted about the Mirena causing infertility etc, and while I don't care if I can have anymore children, I do care about other complications. Not to mention that I have not been able to get out of my own way for months now, even though I am taking iron and energy supplements, vitamin C, daily vitamins, and I eat extremely healthy. Any ideas?
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear amytypes: Given that you went directly from Mirena and onto birth control pills (BCPs) the following is my best GUESS about your missing period.

If a reliable pregnancy test is negative (which I would hope and expect it to be) then your missing flows are likely due to the increased exposure of progesterone making the lining of your uterus super thin. Simply stated, if the uterine lining is like grass or lawn, estrogen is like the fertilizer (causes a thickening of the lining ), and progesterone is like the lawnmower (keeps the lining thin by three different mechanisms). This is why DepoProvera (high dose synthetic progesterone) brings about a thin lining, Mirena provides synthetic progesterone directly to the lining to make a thin lining, and why birth control pills (relatively progesterone dominant) bring about shorter, lighter periods.

In your specific case your uterine lining has had long term exposure to progesterone. A thin lining is a healthy lining. But with longer term exposure the lining can get so thinned out that there is not much left to shed as a "period". This does not cause infertility. Over time, without the progesterone exposure the estrogen in your body will create a much thicker lining and a heavier flow.

Lastly, if the lack of a pill period really is distressing to you, go back to your GYN or clinic. You can be changed to a more estrogen dominant type of BCP to create more of a flow. Some of the newest BCPs are actually formulated (and advertised) to give super light or absent flows.

Congrats on your healthy lifestyle--and handling a family of four children.

Yours,
Jane
 
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amytypes replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Jane,
Thank you for your response, the time you took to explain this so thoroughly, does not go unappreciated. I have, per your suggestion, been in touch with my OBGYN and she has made a plan for us to take care of this. Thank you kindly, Amy


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