Sprintec vs. Mirena
See how Sprintec and Mirena compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Sprintec is a pill you take every day, while Mirena is a device a clinician inserts once and that keeps working for years.
Both can cause headaches and genital discharge, but Sprintec's top side effect is headache/migraine while Mirena's is irregular bleeding.
Mirena is also approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, while Sprintec's off-label use is treating moderate acne.
Sprintec vs. Mirena Drug Summary
Sprintec
Sprintec is a combination oral contraceptive containing norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily to prevent pregnancy. It is also used off-label to treat moderate acne in women 15 and older. Each 28-day pack contains 21 active tablets followed by 7 inert ones.
Mirena
Mirena is a hormonal intrauterine device that releases levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy for up to 8 years. It is also FDA-approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding for up to 5 years in women using it for contraception. A clinician places and removes the T-shaped device during a brief office visit.
Sprintec vs. Mirena Side Effects
Sprintec
Mirena
Sprintec vs. Mirena Dosage
Sprintec
Mirena
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet once daily | Days 1-28 |
| Maximum dose | 1 tablet once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | ~21 mcg/day LNG release | Day 24 |
| Maximum dose | ~7 mcg/day LNG release | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Sprintec
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 tablet once daily | Days 1-28 |
| Maximum dose | 1 tablet once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Mirena
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | ~21 mcg/day LNG release | Day 24 |
| Maximum dose | ~7 mcg/day LNG release | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Sprintec vs. Mirena Indications
Sprintec
Sprintec is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive potential when taken correctly every day. It is also prescribed off-label to treat moderate acne in females 15 and older who have no contraindications to hormonal contraceptives. It is not approved for emergency contraception.
Prevents pregnancy when taken daily
Off-label treatment for moderate acne (ages 15+)
Requires no procedure, taken at home
Can be stopped at any time
Mirena
Mirena is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy for up to 8 years and to treat heavy menstrual bleeding for up to 5 years in women choosing intrauterine contraception. It is not approved for use as emergency contraception. A clinician must place and later remove the device.
Prevents pregnancy for up to 8 years
Treats heavy menstrual bleeding for up to 5 years
Placed and removed by a clinician
No daily attention needed once placed
Sprintec vs. Mirena Pros and Cons
Sprintec
Sprintec is a low-cost daily pill with a long safety track record and the added benefit of treating acne. It requires consistent daily use and carries the cardiovascular risks common to estrogen-containing contraceptives, especially in smokers over 35.
Pros
Also treats moderate acne (FDA-approved use)
Can be stopped anytime without a clinician visit
No insertion procedure or pelvic exam needed
Roughly $20 to $65 per month without insurance, far less than Mirena's upfront device cost
Cons
Requires daily adherence; missed pills raise pregnancy risk
Contraindicated in women over 35 who smoke
Carries added risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke
Does not treat heavy menstrual bleeding
Mirena
Mirena offers years of pregnancy prevention without daily effort and is the only hormonal IUD also approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. It requires a clinical procedure for placement and removal and carries a much higher upfront cost than a daily pill.
Pros
Lasts up to 8 years without daily attention
Also treats heavy menstrual bleeding for up to 5 years
Contains no estrogen
Nothing to remember once it's placed
Cons
Requires an in-office insertion and removal procedure
One-time device cost of roughly $900 to $1,725 before insurance, more than a year of Sprintec
Small risk of uterine perforation or expulsion
Irregular bleeding is common in the first months
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.