Have you been feeling unusually bloated since getting your Mirena IUD? You are not alone. Many women experience a shift in how their body feels, especially in the abdominal area, soon after insertion. This bloating may feel uncomfortable, tight, or like your body is holding onto something it shouldn't. It's frustrating, especially when you're trying to adjust to something that is supposed to make your life easier.
Mirena is a long-acting intrauterine device used for birth control. It's shaped like a small "T" and releases the hormone levonorgestrel. This hormone thickens the cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining, which prevents pregnancy.
Let's break down how to reduce bloating from Mirena and feel better without stress.
Does Mirena Cause Bloating?
Certainly, Mirena can induce bloating in which you feel discomfort. However, bloating is not a severe issue that you need to worry about. You have to adopt a good lifestyle that can relieve discomfort and bloat. Mirena coil bloating is caused by water retention caused by the hormone progestin. You might gain weight or not, just depending upon your body.
10 Tips on How to Reduce Bloating from Mirena
Feeling bloated can be super annoying, especially if you think it’s from your Mirena IUD. Bloating happens when your body holds onto the water or your digestion slows down. While Mirena works great for birth control, it can sometimes cause bloating for some women.
Here are some easy tips to help you reduce bloating.
1. Belly Massage
Abdominal massage is one of the effective ways to treat bloating after Mirena insertion. Make sure you keep the Mirena with the IUD. It usually helps move the bowels in the small and large intestines. Belly Massage is the best tip for how to reduce bloating from mirena.
There are steps you need to follow during belly massage:
Place your hands on the right hip bone
Rub it in a circular motion in an upward direction.
Run on the upper belly area toward the left cage.
Move your hands slowly and gently towards the left hip bone.
Repeat the steps to relax the abdominal muscles, and you will see an improvement in bloating.
2. Go for a Walk
Daily walks and physical activities improve digestion. It helps to expand the function of bowel movements. Daily walking or brisk helps to release gas and stool, or one can easily pass flatus. Those women need to have Mirena inserted because they might have difficulty doing heavy work.
However, walking is one of the effective remedies to reduce bloating caused by Mirena. Going for a walk is the best tip for reducing bloating from mirena. It has been reported that about 5.7% of women have said that their weight had put on.
3. Yoga Poses
You may perform many yoga poses to release gas from your gastrointestinal system. However, many women think about how to perform yoga if Mirena is inserted into the uterus. They can perform various simple yoga provided they have any other critical conditions. Child's and happy pose help relieve your bloating problem from Mirena.
4. Peppermint Capsules
Peppermint capsules help to relieve bloating from Mirena. It works basically to ease your irritable bowels. It relaxes the intestinal muscles, allowing the flatus to move smoothly. Before taking peppermint capsules, read the label attentively. If you have any allergy to peppermint or heartburn problems, do not take any of these.
5. Use Essential Oil
Essential oils help to relax muscles and improve the bowel movement of the stomach and intestines. Applying essential Oil softly with gentle massage may relieve bloating after some time. A study revealed that massaging shows effective results in relieving bloating.
However, personally speaking, patients who use Mirena should speak to the doctor before consuming essential Oil. This is because some contain toxic effects that can interfere with the body's functionality.
6. Warm Bath
There is no doubt a warm bath relaxes the muscles of the body. Similarly, if you become uneasy because of bloating conditions, you can take a warm shower bath or soak yourself for some time and relax there. It decreases the tension between the muscles.
7. Eat food at regular intervals
Nutritionists advise taking food regularly because unhealthy food habits create gastric issues. If you can take small meals, then it may decrease the burden on your stomach to digest food. And you will feel less bloated. In Mirena's case, taking small meals is no problem.
8. Include Probiotics
In the case of patients who have bloating difficulties, Mirena can introduce probiotics to their diet. As we can see, probiotics help to improve digestion. It maintains the flora and fauna intestine and colon, which assist in the breakdown of food. Including probiotics is the best tip for how to reduce bloating from Mirena.
9. Dairy Products
You can take yogurt in the afternoon to improve digestion, as bloating conditions make dairy products. You can try buttermilk in the morning or afternoon for better results. The people who cannot digest milk and have bloating issues than yogurt and buttermilk showed better results in improving gastric problems.
10. Medications
Many medications that help you relieve bloating effects are Pantoprazole and Rantac. It directly helps you to improve the bloating effect. If you feel nauseated, you can also take an Emeset tablet. Make sure you consult your doctor before taking the medications.
How Long Does Mirena Bloating Last?
For some, the bloating fades in a few weeks. Others may notice it sticks around longer. It depends on how your body responds to levonorgestrel. Since the release rate of this hormone drops after a few years, your symptoms may also ease over time. If the bloating remains, review your habits or consult your doctor.
What Foods Should You Avoid?
Some foods can make bloating worse. Try to limit carbonated drinks, fried food, and too much salt. Beans, cabbage, and onions may also trigger gas for some. Listen to your body. Keep a food journal if needed. Over time, you can find your trigger foods and avoid them.
Does Mirena Bloating Mean Weight Gain?
Not always. Bloating can feel like weight gain, but it doesn’t mean fat gain. Your clothes may fit tighter, and you may feel puffy, but the scale might not change. Track your symptoms, focus on movement and meals, and let your doctor guide you if changes persist.
When You Should See a Doctor
Some symptoms are not normal and should not be ignored. See your doctor if you notice:
Irregular or very heavy bleeding
Intense pain that doesn't ease
Ovarian cyst symptoms
Nausea and bloating together for weeks
Fever or signs of infection
Also, if your bloating doesn’t go away even after weeks of trying, get checked. It might not be just the IUD.
Final Thoughts
We know how uncomfortable bloating can be, especially when it's caused by something meant to help. But now that you know how to reduce bloating from Mirena, you can make smarter choices. Start with small steps like daily walks and better meals. Add massage and warm baths. Slowly, you’ll notice changes.
We always recommend checking in with your doctor if things don't improve. Relief is possible, and you don’t have to deal with discomfort alone.
Stay kind to your body. Make adjustments one day at a time. The right habits will bring balance back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Mirena cause bloating?
Mirena can cause bloating because of hormonal changes, fluid retention, or digestive issues.
How long will the bloating last after getting Mirena?
Bloating can last a few weeks or longer after getting Mirena. If it doesn't go away, check in with your doctor.
Should I worry if bloating gets really bad?
If the bloating gets severe or you feel pain, it's best to talk to your doctor. They can help figure out what’s going on.
Does drinking water help with bloating?
Yes, drinking water helps a lot. Staying hydrated keeps your digestion running smoothly, which can help reduce bloating.
What’s the best way to reduce bloating from Mirena?
The best way to reduce bloating from Mirena is to drink more water, eat healthy, stay active, and avoid foods that make you gassy.
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