My doctor is telling me that the Mirena IUD does not release hormones into the blood stream; that the hormones stay inside the uterus to treat heavy and painful periods. I have had painful periods for a few years and they have become heavier with many clots since a laparoscopy 4 months ago where they found some endometriosis that they cut away. Every doctor is pushing birth control because I'm "too young" at almost 38 yrs old to have a hysterectomy. I have had issues with OCPs in the past with moods; causing terrible mood swings. Every doctor keeps pushing the hormones, though. The last Gyn I saw (there's different ones in the office that cover for each other; I'm not doctor shopping, LOL) made the above claims. I'm skeptical and cannot find anything online that backs this claim up. I had a Paragard years ago that was removed because it caused cramping, so that makes me a bit leery as well. Has anyone else ever heard this claim? Thanks!