Reviews
Mirena coil reviews
3.5
591 reviews
Every 8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Reviews
3.5
591 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I was very worried about trying this method as I’d not used hormonal contraception before but overall it has been positive. The insertion was quite painful but not unbearable. It took about a week for me to recover, with me having to stop exercise for that time and then slowly increase again. Bleeding has been the most annoying part as my periods are very irregular now (previously they were regular as clockwork) and I have light spotting for up to a week before each period. But it’s getting slightly better each month and I’m hoping I’ll be one of the lucky ones who eventually gets to little or no bleeding at all. I’ve suffered no other symptoms of note.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I've had the hormonal mirena for 14 months now to reduce endometriosis symptoms. My periods have reduced in length (used to be 3 weeks) and happen irregularly and the pain has settled during these. I have however noticed continuous weight gain since I went on it, despite very little changing in my diet and exercise. I've always stayed at a very stable weight and now my breast have nearly doubled in size and my weight in general continues to creep up. I have tried upping my exercise with no improvement in my weight. I'm the heaviest I've ever been, except for pregnancy. It's a huge price to pay for a reduction in endo symptoms. It's very frustrating.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The insertion process wasn’t pleasant and I found very painful however I will say it was very quick and the pain didn’t last. After leaving the doctors I felt fine apart from a little light headed but that was due to me stressing. The next day if I didn’t know if had it fitted I would be none the wiser as I felt normal and had no issues. Since then I have really liked not having to think about it, I had no periods at all but have started to get a day or so of spotting once a month at the 18 month mark and some light cramps. The only other negative to me is that it’s meant that I now always have to use lube for sex as it’s definitely affected dryness. The best overall contraception I have tried
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Such a hideous experience for me I went to the doctors to get it taken out ASAP. Had severe mental health dip and felt suicidal which was really unlike me. The pain on inspiration was absolutely awful (removal was easy and painless).
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 31st Mar 26
I’ve had the mirena in for almost 2 years and it’s been working great as a contraception and minimal side effects (very light periods).
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Feb 26
After taking the pill for at least ten years I thought it was time to reconsider my options. Used the Lowdown to eventually choose the hormonal coil. Insertion was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable (for me, I know alot of people have had horrid experiences). My periods are very irregular (think maybe four a year and more spotting that bloody). My hormonal state throughout the month is more consistent, no major ups and downs than I used to get on the pill. I couldn't fault this as an option and also not having to remember to take the pill everyday was a huge bonus. Recent changes to the length of time for changing them meant I got an extra two years out of mine. Great long term option if you know you don't want to have children for a large chunk of time. Clicked some sweating and thrush as side effects, but can't be certain they're due to the coil or due to hitting mid-thirties, ha!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Feb 26
I'm hypermobile, and over time it has made my symptoms a lot worse despite my levels of exercise to strengthen. I'm now in pain regularly and sometimes struggle to sleep because of it. I've also started having migraines with aura and frequent headaches. Getting it taken out next week. It did however reduce my heavy bleeding to infrequent spotting, but I bled for 9 months straight after having it inserted.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Jan 26
I love my hormonal coil. I have had no side effects what-so-ever and my bleeding is regular but extremly light, only monthly spotting. I did have ongoing spotting for around the first 6 months but no issue at all since then and the spotting was worth it for the final result of minimal bleeding.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Jan 26
Expressed concerns as not very tolerant to pop pills, was told it’s localised so wouldn’t be the same. Insertion caused intense one sided stabbing pain. This cramping then continued for the 6 weeks that I tolerated it, especially after eating. Bleeding and spotting was literally all day everyday. My moods worsened, anxiety went through the roof and I felt horrible! Didn’t have sex at all with it in! Asked to have it removed and gp ignored me. Arranged appointment with sexual health clinic, 4 week wait. You are at their mercy for removal, no control of your own body. Luckily an amazing nurse who could see the distress it was causing me. Instant relief once removed. Mood lifted and amazing not to be bleeding every single day. I couldn’t have waited out the 6 months, if I could I would have removed it myself.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Dec 25
My first year of the coil seemed to be okay. Took a while to get used to and on the grand scheme of things after about 3 months my period pretty much left.. but in the last year, I’ve been getting symptoms of anger, forgetfulness and generally feeling checked out. Going to speak to GP to find another option.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Mirena coil benefits
Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
Mirena coil alternatives
Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients
