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If you’re in your forties or close to menopause, you might be tired of taking a daily contraceptive. There is, however, a long-term solution that not only addresses your contraceptive needs, but some of the other problems you might be experiencing at this time.

Your 40s and 50s bring a unique set of circumstances. While you still have to worry about contraception, you might also be experiencing pre-menopausal symptoms, and wanting relief from both these problems!
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be an issue at this time, and for some couples a vasectomy or hysterectomy seems a viable option.
There is, however, a much simpler solution that’s less taxing emotionally, physically and financially.

MIRENA – MORE THAN A CONTRACEPTIVE
Mirena is a fitted contraceptive device that gives you up to five years protection and addresses other problems at the same time.
It reduces the monthly growth of the lining of the uterus, reducing heavy menstrual bleeding – a common problem in older women. As a result, periods become lighter, shorter, and sometimes less painful.
Mirena also provides the progestogen component of HRT, so if you seek treatment for menopausal symptoms all you’ll need is an oestrogen patch.
Mirena is a 3-in-1 solution that makes those tricky years before menopause a lot easier to cope with.

LASTING AND REVERSIBLE
Mirena is just as effective as sterilisation (having your tubes tied), but is reversible.
If you decide you want more children, it can be easily removed and your fertility will return almost immediately.

ONE SIMPLE DOCTOR'S VISIT
Mirena can be fitted in one simple doctor’s visit.
It sits inside the uterus where it releases tiny doses of the hormone levonorgestrel, providing protection from pregnancy with a much lower dose than you’d get from most oral contraceptives.  
It works by reducing endometrial growth, thickening the cervical mucus and impairing the motility of sperm, making it difficult for sperm to get through
to fertilise an egg.
Because Mirena delivers levonorgestrel directly where it’s needed – the uterus – the incidence of side-effects is very low.

BENEFITS OF MIRENA
  • ‘Fit and forget’ technology that doesn’t require a daily routine.
  • Contraceptive protection for up to five years or until you want to get pregnant again.
  • Periods become lighter and shorter.
  • Fully reversible, with a rapid return to fertility.
  • Eases the transition from fertility to menopause.
  • Helps women with heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Affordable – around 19 cents a day or $5 a month (normal doctor’s charges and an insertion fee applies).
  • Fully funded for heavy menstrual bleeding.*




MIRENA is an intrauterine system containing 52mg levonorgestrel, which is slowly released over 5 years at an initial rate of 20mcg/24hours. MIRENA is a Prescription Medicine for contraception. MIRENA is also a treatment for unexplained heavy menstrual bleeding and provides endometrial protection when oestrogen therapy is prescribed for menopausal symptoms. MIRENA must not be used during pregnancy or if there is any sign of pelvic or genital tract infection, inflammation or cancer. MIRENA should be inserted by a doctor who has been trained in the insertion technique. Removal of MIRENA is recommended if the following medical conditions occur; an increased susceptibility to infections, acute infection not responding to treatment, migraine, jaundice, increased blood pressure, hormone-sensitive cancer or severe cardiovascular disease. MIRENA must be removed if pregnancy (which might be ectopic) or perforation is suspected.  The pattern of unwanted effects, which are more common in the first months of use, should be explained to you. Unwanted effects include an altered bleeding pattern, spotting, breakthrough bleeding, benign ovarian cysts, vaginal discharge, breast tenderness, abdominal or back pain, nausea, bloating or headaches. If these continue or other side-effects occur, see your doctor for advice. MIRENA is funded for patients who meet the Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Criteria. MIRENA is not funded for contraception. An insertion fee may also apply. A product of Bayer Schering Pharma, 3 Argus Place, Hillcrest, Auckland. Phone 0800 80 45 45. NZ200700.76. TAPS NA2689

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