Case study Friday: Mirena Crash & Naturopathic care to endometriosis
Progestin IUDs were shown to nearly triple the number of depression diagnoses
The Mirena IUD is prescribed to women for heavy flows, anemia, fibroids, and endometriosis.
Mirena Crash is reported among thousands of women. A common set of symptoms prevalent in women who opted to remove the Mirena IUD before 5 years is up.
Bayer does not acknowledge the existence of Mirena Crash. Doctors have also refused to acknowledge that the IUD has caused these episodes. Since the symptoms vary among many women, they assume it must be caused by something else altogether.
Yet in 2018, Bayer has paid out out-of-court-settlements over $12 million, yet they continue to deny the non-existence of the Mirena Crash.
What could be the explanation?
Mirena IUD secretes a hormone much like progesterone, known as levonorgestrel.
Mirena, for 5 years, releases 20 micrograms (mcg) of progestin daily.
Skyla IUD, which lasts three years, releases 14 mcg daily.
The woman’s body stops producing progesterone. The woman’s body becomes dependent on the IUD. When the IUD is removed suddenly, the body lags in the natural production of progesterone.
Case study: "In 2016, I had been suffering from excruciating periods for months when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus instead. The pain often made me throw up, left me unable to move, and over time became debilitating.
On recommendation, I visited an OB/GYN surgeon and got a formal diagnosis. We removed a couple of cysts via laparoscopy and placed an IUD called Mirena to alleviate some of the endometriosis symptoms. My surgeon didn’t speak with me about potential side effects and even recommended not to Google them. "
Common practice: Fibroids and Endometriosis are estrogen-dominant conditions. Adding more progesterone to the mix should help to “balance” things out.
"Mysterious joint pain all over my body. It felt like arthritis, and every little movement hurt like I was made of glass."
"I had painful cysts every other month, and exercise would kick them off to rupture."
At 32 years old, I tried to take out the IUD.
"My body and my brain were shutting down, and I had no control over it."
The Mirena crash lasts for 4 days, sometimes a year.
Misconception:
Estrogen dominance is often not about having high estrogen levels but normal estrogen levels with insufficient progesterone to oppose some of its effects.
Progesterone deficiency can look like estrogen dominance when we examine a patient’s symptoms.
Mirena provides localized progestins to the uterus. Its hormones do not reach progesterone receptors in other areas of the body, for example, the breasts, adipose tissue, or brain, where progesterone normally will affect.
“Some studies have stated that progestin intrauterine devices (IUDs) were shown to nearly triple the number of both depression diagnoses and antidepressant use among young women [as compared to those not on birth control],” Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an OB-GYN
“Many women are consulting me to treat anxiety and panic attacks that have shown up in addition to other hormonal symptoms: painful periods, PMS, headaches, loss of libido, acne, and weight gain.” Dr. Taliand
Doctors estimate that it takes about three months for our systems to completely clear IUD-delivered progestin from the body.
Too much synthetic progesterone can create intracranial hypertension, a pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid in the skull that can impact depression and anxiety.
The naturopathic care solution to endometriosis:
April Blake ND, LM, Case Study
Testing: completing a dried urine panel of comprehensive hormones, a comprehensive stool test, and blood work that included a CMP; CBC with platelets and differential; ferritin; thyroid tests (TSH, free T3, and T4, and thyroid antibodies); whole-blood mercury and lead; an Epstein-Barr virus panel (IgM and IgG titers); amylase; vitamin B12; and 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
She had an active infection with Epstein-Barr virus, a low-normal ferritin level of 55 ng/mL (RR=15-150), and positive anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels (but otherwise-normal thyroid function results).
Initial Treatment:
3 meals a day, each with 25g of protein
2000 mg/d evening primrose oil and an overnight infusion of dried stinging nettle leaf to support healthy hormone levels. I also recommended that she increase her mineral intake and take 50 mg of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) with lunch and dinner to increase serotonin levels and reduce anxiety.
One month:
1000 mg of L-glutamine with breakfast and dinner to reduce refined sugar cravings; 500 mg of monolaurin for anti-viral support; 1000 mg curcumin 1 hour away from food to reduce inflammation within the body; and the nightly application of a castor oil pack over her liver for 20-30 minutes to improve clearance of toxins and promote healthy levels of hormones.
Two months later:
Better diversity in stool content.
Lab results: significant for elevated estradiol, low progesterone, elevated AM + noon cortisol, and elevated total cortisone.
225 mg Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry) extract twice daily to increase progesterone levels, and 125 mg diindolylmethane (DIM) twice daily to promote healthy estrogen metabolism.