Chances of Getting Pregnant with an IUD (Mirena)

For a woman who uses an IUD, or intrauterine device, as a contraceptive method, she may wonder whether or not it is possible to get pregnant while the device is in place.

There are several kinds of intrauterine devices. The copper IUD, called ParaGard in the US, acts as a non-hormonal contraceptive, as the copper in the device causes inflammatory reactions that prevent conception. A copper IUD can last up to 10 years before needing to be replaced. The Mirena intrauterine system, which also contains hormones, is another popular IUD choice. The Mirena IUS can provide birth control for up to five years.

An intrauterine device or IUD, like Mirena, is 99% effective at pregnancy prevention. If you have talked about getting an IUD with your medical practitioner, they will probably explain what an IUD is all about and what to expect as far as side effects and contraceptive statistics go.

The Mirena "coil" is a T-shaped device which releases hormones through a copper wire; the hormones and the wire both act in collaboration to reduce the chances a woman has of becoming pregnant.

With an IUD in place, the uterine lining is unable to thicken, and the IUD makes cervical mucus sticky and produces chemicals which will destroy sperm. An IUD makes it almost impossible for sperm to reach the egg and if it does, it will not likely implant in the uterus. The chances of getting pregnant with an IUD (Mirena) are very slim, however there have been pregnancies reported for some women.

Failure rates for IUDs are approximately 1 in every 1000 women and after having it in place for about 7 years; the rates go up to 7% per 1000 females. Women with a copper IUD have a slightly higher rate of pregnancy at 6 in 1000 women, and after 10 years the rates rise to 20-30 out of 1000 women (this is also when the device needs replacing, so having your IUD replaced on schedule will continue to keep you safe from unwanted pregnancy).

The two main reasons of women getting pregnant with an IUD (Mirena) are because the device becomes dislodged or is expelled. To check the device for proper placement, a woman can reach inside and feel for the string that runs through the cervix and comes out of the vagina. If no string is felt, a woman should get to her physician as quickly as possible and use a back up contraceptive method to avoid becoming pregnant in the meantime.

Now you know the answer of whether or not it is possible to become pregnant with an IUD, and the answer is yes, but it is very unlikely. Because user error does not play much of a role in the efficacy of an IUD, other than needing to have the device replaced after a certain time, intrauterine devices are often much more effective in practice than contraceptives that require constant user attention, such as birth control pills.

If you do become pregnant when having an IUD, it is important to get to a medical professional at once to be examined. There is a risk of miscarriage, pre-term labor or ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that develops outside of the uterus) so it is important to be aware of the dangers and if a woman thinks she has conceived, it is important to make an appointment to see an obstetrician for confirmation and proper care.