Hormonal spirals: species, contraindications

Pregnancy is a long-awaited period for many women. However, there are situations when the birth of a child is postponed for a long time. This may be due to different reasons.

To prevent conception and to avoid such an unpleasant and ethically controversial procedure as abortion, many women use different means. Most women refuse to take oral medications, referring to the fact that they are ineffective, and also have a negative impact on their figure and health. Therefore, many of them give their preference to the so-called intrauterine spirals.

General information

An intrauterine device is called a contraceptive, which is a device made of plastic and copper of small size. This device slows the progression of spermatozoa into the uterus, and also significantly reduces the life span of the oocyte.

It should also be noted that the intrauterine device can interfere with the attachment of an already fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. Thus, it is an abortive method of contraception.

A variety of spirals

Speaking of intrauterine spirals, we can not say that apart from the usual adaptations, there are also hormonal ones. What are they? Hormonal spirals are original analogs of conventional intrauterine devices. In this case, they have a special plastic cylinder, which contains a hormone called levonorgestrel.

According to experts, hormonal spirals are very reliable. This is due to the fact that in addition to the effect of the "foreign body" in the uterus, they have a direct contraceptive effect, which is similar to the contraceptive pill.

How does it work?

Hormonal spirals operate on a simple principle. Levonorgestrel contained in them, every day and evenly excreted from the device, protecting the woman from unwanted pregnancy. In this case, the hormone itself does not enter the systemic circulation. Therefore, hormonal spirals do not cause adverse reactions typical of conventional contraceptive pills (for example, nausea, weight gain, etc.).

Structure and features

Hormonal spiral for women is a reliable protection against unwanted conception. Such an adaptation consists of:

• Horizontal flexible hangers;
• A hormone-containing cylinder;
• Yarn to extract the spiral.

It should also be noted that, like ordinary spirals, hormone structures are established only by a gynecologist. In this case, the specialist should immediately warn that it is possible to wear such a device for not more than five years.

Hormonal spirals: species

To date, there are two types of hormonal contraceptive designs:

• "Mirena" (German production);
• "Levonov" (French production).

What is remarkable about such devices? We will tell about this right now.

"Mirena"

What kind of helix is hormonal? "Mirena" is the most popular contraceptive intrauterine device. The release rate of its active substance is 20 μg / day.

Such a system not only releases levonorgestrel, but also has a local progestational effect. When using this spiral, morphological changes in the endometrium and a thickening of the mucous cervical canal are noted. Such effects help prevent the penetration of sperm into the uterus. In addition, some representatives of the weaker sex is even oppression of ovulation.

The application of "Mirena" does not affect the genital function of a woman. Approximately 80% of people who want to have a baby, pregnancy occurs within a year after the removal of the structure.

Features of the spiral

Hormonal spiral in endometriosis is used very often. Mirena is also successfully used for the treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia, extragenital diseases, as well as conditions accompanied by severe hypocoagulation.

In the first months of using this device, the patient may have spotting spotting. This is due to the oppression of endometrial proliferation.

Indications

Spiral "Mirena" is used in the following cases:

• For reliable contraception;
• With idiopathic menorrhagia;
• For the prevention of endometrial hyperplasia in the process of conducting substitution treatment with estrogens.

Contraindications

For chronic infections, the presence of serious diseases, malignant tumors, the use of the Mirena spiral must be agreed with a specialist.

Other contraindications to the use of this device include the following:

• Pregnancy, as well as suspicion of it;
• Hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the product;
• Diseases that occur with high susceptibility to infections;
• Postpartum endometritis ;
• Deep vein thrombosis of the legs (including the presence in the past);
• Malignant neoplasms in the cervix and uterus;
• Previous treatment of breast cancer;
• Dysplasia of the cervix;
• Diseases of the pelvic organs (inflammatory);
• Urinary tract infections;
• Abnormalities of the uterus (acquired or congenital);
• Cervicitis;
• Abortion (septic) within the last 3 months;
• Uterine bleeding of unknown origin;
• Liver diseases of an acute nature, including tumors.

Mode of application

The agent is used as follows:

• For contraception, women (in childbearing age) set the spiral within a week of the onset of menstruation. At the same time, it can be replaced with a new intrauterine device on any day of the cycle. Also this device is allowed to be installed immediately after the abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy.
• In order to protect the endometrium with replacement estrogen therapy in patients with amenorrhea, a spiral can be inserted at any time. As for women with preserved menstruation, they are placed in the last days of menstrual bleeding.
• After delivery, the spiral is administered only after the involution of the uterus has occurred, but not earlier than 6 weeks. With prolonged subinvolution, postpartum endometritis should be excluded, as well as postponing the decision to install the construct (until the end of the involution). If there is difficulty in administering or very severe pain, bleeding before and after the procedure, ultrasound should be performed to exclude perforation.

"Levonov"

The intrauterine device "Levonova" contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel. This is a reliable contraceptive. Its active substance has a direct local effect on the endometrium, reducing its implant function, as well as on the fallopian tubes and the viscosity of mucus in the cervical canal. Such properties of the device increase the efficiency and duration of use of the spiral without suppressing the ovulation process.

This drug should be administered on the 4-5th day of the menstrual cycle. If an artificial abortion was made, then the spiral is installed immediately or after another menstruation. In uncomplicated spontaneous childbirth, the construction with hormones should be used no earlier than six weeks.

Hormonal spiral: contraindications and side effects

The spiral "Levonov" is contraindicated in:

• Acute and subacute inflammatory processes of external and internal genital organs;
• Pregnancy;
• Metrorrhagia of unknown origin;
• Malignant tumors of the body and cervix;
• Chronic salpingo-opharitis and endometritis;
• Congenital anomalies of the body and cervix;
• Erosion;
• An ectopic pregnancy in the anamnesis.

The considered hormonal spiral is also not used in uterine myoma. In addition, it is not set to nulliparous women.

In the first months of use, this drug can cause intermenstrual bleeding, nausea, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, mastalgia, fluid retention in the body, headache and acne.

Special Recommendations

The construction of the intrauterine spiral "Levonova" provides the release of the hormone at a rate of 20 mcg / day. The duration of this device is 5 years. After its removal, the reproductive function of a woman is restored quickly and well.

This remedy should not be used during breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that levonorgestrel is able to penetrate into the mother's milk. With persistent and prolonged intermenstrual bleeding, additional gynecological examination is required in order to clarify the diagnosis.

Tablets or a spiral?

Spiral or hormonal tablets - which of these contraceptives to choose? It is rather difficult to answer this question, because each of the presented methods has advantages and disadvantages. However, most patients choose the first option. This is due to the following points:

• The reliability and efficiency of the spiral is 99%;
• Such a device does not require daily monitoring;
• The use of the spiral for a long time (about 5 years);
• After removal of the IUD, fertility is restored very quickly.

As for oral medications, they are most often not used because of a possible weight gain and development of health problems.