Reviews

Mirena coil reviews

3.5

552 reviews

Mirena coil has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from a total of 552 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 be used 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.

Every 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mirena coil

Reviews

3.5

552 reviews

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Community reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Mirena coil  

The threads disappeared on the first coil so had it changed early (wasn't great as they had to go digging about to find the threads). Had another put straight in at the time thinking it was a one off but the same happened with the second so I had it removed early as soon as I noticed them becoming shorter to avoid the first scenario again and switched to the implant. Great that my periods stopped on it and it's super low maintenance though.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Mirena coil  

Extremely painful insertion. Blood loss continuously for about 3 months, bleeding everyday. Then periods became irregular, passing clots the size of my palm. Periods worsened after merina, when ironically merina was prescribed for heavy periods. Dermatitis caused by merina after 2 months. Told that results with merina are variable, and to wait and see. Not good advice considering the health issues and extreme blood loss caused by merina so far.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Mirena coil  

The mirena coil stopped my periods and worked as a contraceptive, however it stimulated hair growth on my face which was not there before. As a result I have required many courses of laser. I do not have PCOS and have had testing, however I think the hormones in the mirena coil started the changes that are now continuing despite having the coil since removed. The coil was also extremely painful to have inserted.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Had the Mirena Coil in for around 9 months and it's made my periods so much lighter but a bit more irregular. It was really painful upon insertion and I'm still getting stabby cramps around when I should be having my period. Overall, I think it's worth it because my periods are so much lighter.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I had three Mirenas over the course of about 9 years. The first two were perfect, with no side effects and stopping my periods. For me the insertions and removals were fine. Maybe a 3 out of 10 pain wise and some mild cramps afterwards. Unfortunately I know that's not everyone's experience. After about 3.5 years of each Mirena, I got lots of breakthrough bleeding and my GP decided to change it early to prevent this. Unfortunately my third Mirena gave me unpredictable bleeding for months, which was affecting my life as I was always worried I'd bleed through clothes or during sex. I also kept getting recurrent thrush, which I'd not experienced before. For me another negative was that the strings always seemed to be really prominent and my boyfriend could feel them during sex. Overall a mixed experience - after years of hassle-free birth control I eventually changed to the POP due to the unpredictable bleeding I was getting with Mirena.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

I found that when I got it inserted I had a light, almost discharge like period for 3 months and then once that finally went, I started having irregular periods and and someone whose always had regular periods this was infuriating. The reason I went on was for period pain and I found the pills, both mini and progesterone only, made my mood drop in terms of I was always angry and anxious and my general body image went on a downward spiral. I had no issues with the mirena up until about 3 months ago when all of this started happening again. I’m hoping this will help for others in my situation


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 25

Mirena coil  

Never having to worry about condoms is such a great plus. I had a lot of pain in the first six months and three 11+ day periods. Afterwards, my periods have stopped totally and I only get the occasional cramp, akin to an ovulation cramp. My libido has decreased slightly and my breast have gotten bigger. Overall it’s been a great help in my sex life


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Mar 25

Mirena coil  

Got on really well for first few years but after year 5 the side effects seem to have become more frequent/worse.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Mar 25

Mirena coil  

I used an Mirena coil over 12 years, having 3 inserted over that time. The first one was great, I was really pleased with it. Periods basically stopped and no real side effects. With the 2nd one there was sometimes period pain aches after sex but not always. However when it came to have it replaced nearly 6 years later it had moved and took some finding. At the time I just had the new one immediately put in but I was worried about it moving again and didn't relax so have had it taken out after only a year. As I am now 48 I do not know if things like my mood, no sex drive, random spotting, or anything else was linked to the Mirena or peri-menopause, so have not listed them as side effects for this (as more likely peri at this age)


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Feb 25

Mirena coil  

Insertion was incredibly painful and had cramping for 3-4 days following. It's mostly been fine and no massive changes apart from excessive bloating and nausea. Since going on the coil I've been diagnosed with IBS which I didn't have symptoms for before so I wonder if it's linked. I had no periods for 5 months and now just really light or spotting for a few days.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 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

Mirena coil alternatives

Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients

Mirena coil side effects

Possible side effects with Mirena coil

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