Mirena® and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)

Mirena is funded in New Zealand for women who suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and who meet the PHARMAC Special Authority Criteria.

Only your doctor can advise if Mirena is right for you and determine if you meet the HMB funding criteria. For more information you should talk to your doctor or health care professional.

For further information on the funding and availability of Mirena in New Zealand, phone 0800 80 45 45 or discuss with your Doctor.

About HMB

What is HMB?

The amount of bleeding during a period can vary from month to month and woman to woman. Menstrual bleeding is considered to be heavy when it is heavy enough to interfere with physical, social and/or emotional quality of life (for example you may find it difficult to go out or to go to work on days with very heavy bleeding). It's believed that approximately 1 in 5 women in Australia and New Zealand are affected.

What are some of the causes of HMB?

HMB increases with increasing age – but it may also be caused by a hormone imbalance or gynaecological problems such as fibroids, polyps or endometrial hyperplasia. If no abnormality of the uterus can be found then the condition is called ‘dysfunctional uterine bleeding.’ In more than half the women with HMB, no cause can be found.

How can Mirena help with HMB?

Mirena reduces menstrual blood loss in women with HMB, as well as those with normal menstrual bleeding. The reduction achieved by Mirena is greater than that of commonly used medical therapies. Mirena can also be used in women who have HMB due to inherited bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand disease. Additionally Mirena may also improve painful periods (dysmenorrhoea).