Reviews

Mirena coil reviews

3.5

531 reviews

Mirena coil has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from a total of 531 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Mirena coil review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
Mirena is one of the most popular hormonal coil brands and is adored by many healthcare professionals for it's benefits. Like all hormonal coils it releases a low amount of progestogen into your womb, meaning low levels circulate through your system - this may be why most women experience few side effects. Plus many users have lighter bleeds or even no periods - which is why gynaecologists love it. Once it's fitted, the Mirena coil can stay in for up to 8 years for contraception if you are under the age of 45. If you have the Mirena inserted over the age of 45 it can be used for contraception until the age of 55 without the need for replacement. The Mirena can also be used as part of HRT for up to 5 years.

Every 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mirena coil

Reviews

3.5

531 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Oct 24

Mirena coil  

The mirena coil overall worked very well for me. It took a few months to settle initially, and I’m glad I stuck it out. However, at the 5 year mark I started to experience unpleasant symptoms - hair loss, pelvic pain, recurrent thrush. So I’ve now had it removed and gone for kyleena coil, so will see how that goes!

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Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Sep 24

Mirena coil  

The mirena coil was excruiciating to have inserted, I am so shocked that no pain relief was offered and i had to spend the rest of the day in bed with severe cramps which continued for a few days. My skin had a very poor reaction and i developed quite bad cystic acne across my face, chest and back as a result, which I did not have previously.


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Aug 24

Mirena coil  

Mirena prescribed for painful, heavy, irregular periods in peri-menopause. My quality of life improved dramatically as a result. I had some bleeding daily for first 6 weeks, but my periods have now stopped other than an occasional slight spotting episode. No more pain, flooding or embarrassment, with my iron levels restored, so feeling energetic and less tired. No side effects other than breast tenderness and some mood changes initially. Life changing.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Aug 24

Mirena coil  

After being on the combined pill for the last 13 years for my heavy periods I was ready for a change and I am so happy I did. I had previously tried to have a coil fitting at my local GP surgery but the pain was so much so that I asked the procedure be stopped. I went back a few months later and asked for a topical local anesthetic which really helped and was able to have it fitted successfully. The coil has honestly changed my life, just over six months in and my periods have now virtually stopped. With only a day of light bleeding. My mood has massively changed and I feel so much happier in myself, I don't think I even realised the full affect the combined pill was having on me, even my husband has commented on how much happier I seem. It was definitely worth it!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Aug 24

Mirena coil  

Honestly life changing. I decided with my GP to try the Mirena Coil for heavy painful periods and endometriosis symptoms. My periods had gotten so bad that they were having a significant impact on my life. Insertion wasn’t comfortable but the nurse was amazing at explaining everything and making me as comfortable a possible. I spotted for the first 8+ weeks, which was annoying but I would take this over the heavy bleeding and severe pain I had been dealing with any day! Once the spotting stopped, I haven’t had any bleeding or periods since - and none of the horrible symptoms. This contraception has changed my life and my only regret is not trying it sooner. I was terrified about going on hormonal contraception and read many reviews on this site before giving it a try and I hope this review can maybe help someone who’s also scared about trying contraception.


Very positive mood

2 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Aug 24

Mirena coil  

So I was on the hormonal coil for about 9-10 months. The actual insertion wasn’t pleasant and was very painful, although, it wasn’t as bad as people were making it out to be, it was bearable. I didn’t enjoy the coil as I had non stop breakthrough bleeding the entire time I was on it, and it wasn’t red blood, it was horrible brown sludge, it really began to effect my sex life with my partner and made me feel a bit gross about myself. The coil also made my skin horrible and made me very emotional. All in all, not a good experience and definitely prefer the combined pill.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Jul 24

Mirena coil  

My experience with Mirena wasn’t fully bad. I started using Mirena back in 2022. The insertion wasn’t all that bad because my doctor didn’t use the Pozzi clamp (or tenaculum). I had 3 insertions already so I’ve gotten to realize that the worst part is the pozzi clamp. The first 2-3 months, my body adjusted to the IUD and therefore I had cramps here and there but nothing more than usual period cramping. The bleeding started to elongate though. Prior to Mirena, I had Kyleena and Jaydess and my main issue with those. was the constant spotting. It was always around my period but it lasted 10-20 days. With the Mirena it stayed at about 10 days every month. So I was fine with it. Other side effects I noticed but didn’t bother me were more body hair, my breast got smaller and most of my pms symptoms were gone. After about 1.5 Years, the bleeding started to get worse (25 days a month, I was lucky if I even got a week free). So that’s when I decided to change. My overall experience wasn’t bad, I just wished the spotting wasn’t there. I will now be switching to gynefix (copper IUD without arms).


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Jun 24

Mirena coil  

I’ve been using this method for 11 months now upon recommendation of a nurse as I suffer from heavy periods, and the mini pill gives me more trouble than it’s worth. I’ve had cramps before, but nothing like I have experienced with the Mirena coil. I am currently waiting on a hospital appointment for surgery to get it removed as it has gone missing. I was told it was so rare to experience this that it shouldn’t even be of any concern to me, and yet here we are! I have been waiting a month just to be seen to be told it’s missing, always listen to your body ladies!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
51 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Jun 24

Mirena coil  

I haven't noticed any side effects, and its been a good form of contraception, which is why I have remained on it for 8+ years. The only downside is the painful insertion and removal process.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th May 24

Mirena coil  

I had the Mirena coil for about a year and a half to manage menorrhagia and for contraception. The insertion procedure was better than I expected; while I had been warned it could be very painful by others, I found it more uncomfortable than painful. I do have a high pain tolerance, so that might have helped. However, the next seven months were horrendous. I experienced intense cramps and back pain, worse than anything I'd ever felt. Some days, I couldn't get out of bed, and even walking made me faint and dizzy. I relied heavily on pain medication and even resorted to using weed to cope. During this time, I became incredibly depressed, but my doctor advised me to give it six months. My periods, although lighter and lasting about five days, were followed by weeks of spotting, necessitating the use of pads or liners. They were also extremely irregular, they never were before. This constant bleeding made me less confident and significantly reduced my libido as I had issues getting aroused which made me 'dry', making sex both unappealing and painful, especially in the first few months. While the Mirena coil did make my periods lighter, the prolonged bleeding was a significant downside. Additionally, I could sometimes feel the coil, which was uncomfortable as it seemed to scratch my cervix and vagina. I eventually had it removed because my doctor suspected that the issues might be related to the hormone. I honestly should've removed it a couple of months in, and I regret that I didn't, as it clearly was not for me. I have now started the combined pill and feel much happier. Overall, although the Mirena is great for some, it was a horrendous experience for me, but I'd recommend people to give it a go regardless, as its effects seem to be case-dependent and it may be brilliant for some!!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Mirena coil FAQs

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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 ingredients

Main hormones in Mirena coil

Androgenic progestogen

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Mirena coil side effects

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