Mirena coil and increased sex drive

Overall helped to regulate my periods, but also had significant side effects on my food intake/weight and on my energy levels.

It was great — 3 months of light spotting in the adjustment period, NO period at all after that. Until my body expelled the IUD 8 months in. I got a replacement IUD. It also expelled. 1 month in. Sadly, my uterus doesn't like IUDs. Other than that and some lower back pain, it was a very good contraceptive and helped stop my heavy periods altogether.

I have tried practically every hormonal contraception under the sun. I have migraines with aura so was placed on the mini pill for heavy periods at 14/15 (I am 24 now) had a nightmare with that breakthrough bleeding etc. I then swapped to the injection for 2 years but again very emotional, bleeding etc. I then got the implant which I liked for the first 3 years but my replacement was a nightmare - 3 week long periods with only a weeks break inbetween, bloating, body dysmorphia for the weeks leading up to a period, low mood, acne etc. I couldn’t take it any longer so after a year and a half I got the Mirena. I won’t lie the insertion was very painful but it was over quite quickly and the nurse and doctor were so kind and I was allowed to have my partner there. 3 months on it has been a dream - I am so much more confident in my body, occasional light spotting once a month as opposed to bleeding through tampons in a couple hours like on the implant, my sex drive is back and through the roof. It sounds like a scary procedure and you hear a lot of horror stories but it has worked for me like an absolute dream! I think one of the biggest benefits is that the hormones are so localised. I would reccomend to anyone who is struggling with hormonal birth control but don’t want to go hormone free. I would also recommend finding a dedicated sexual health clinic as opposed to a GP to fit it bc for them it is their bread and butter and they will be a lot more confident/knowledgeable (just my opinion)