Side effects
Mirena coil common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
61% of Mirena coil reviewers reported period like cramps
42% of Mirena coil reviewers reported tender breasts
41% of Mirena coil reviewers reported vaginal discharge
30% of Mirena coil reviewers reported lower back pain
25% of Mirena coil reviewers reported breast enlargement
Mirena coil rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
4% of Mirena coil reviewers reported high blood pressure
3% of Mirena coil reviewers reported hair loss
2% of Mirena coil reviewers reported a latex allergy
Possible Mirena coil side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Period like cramps (61%)
- Tender breasts (42%)
- Vaginal discharge (41%)
- Lower back pain (30%)
- Breast enlargement (25%)
- Vaginal dryness (22%)
- Thrush (18%)
- Body hair increase (16%)
- Sweating more than usual (15%)
- Nausea or vomiting (13%)
- Body hair getting darker (13%)
- Cystitis (12%)
- Headaches (10%)
- Migraines (6%)
- Pelvic infection (6%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Migraine with aura (4%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (4%)
- High blood pressure (4%)
- Hair loss (3%)
- A latex allergy (2%)
Reviews
3.5
546 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
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
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Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
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Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
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Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Feb 25
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
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Used for 6 - 12 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Feb 25
I had to come off Mirena after about 8 months and paid to have it removed as the NHS were taking too long. My mood was through the floor, like really bad PMS but all of the time, I hated myself. This lifted almost immediately when it was removed. My periods were lighter but they were also really long, 12-14 days after normally being 4-6. Not much use as contraception if you're always on a period. The biggest side effect and reason for stopping though was heart palpitations. These are not listed on the side effects but a quick google will show you how common this is for women on mirena. They used to take my breath away when i was talking. As soon as I stopped, so did they so I have no doubt they were connected. A horrible experience and such a shame as I really was on the bottom of the list of options having tried most other things and I had really high hopes as this was working great for my sister.
Very negative mood
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Feb 25
I had mirena fitted on 8/1/25. Insertion was absolutely fine, didn't feel anything at all. Since mirena fitted I was lightly bleeding for 3 weeks. Than stopped for 3 days and than I had my period(on time) so started again. Period is much lighter ( 1 pad a day) no cramps, or any other sides effects. Hopefully it will settle soon with my body if not and I will still bleeding or spotting I will go to remove it because I can compare a few days with periods then constantly bleeding or spotting. I feel absolutely fine.
Lost weight
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Used for 3 - 6 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Feb 25
I have endometriosis and I tried so many different pills, the kyleena IUD too. All with very bad side effects. This is the first solution that is making my life a bit better than anything else. Overall, my daily life has improved versus no hormone solution , but I do struggle quite a bit with bad lower back pain and also bloating . But it’s still better than any other solution I’ve tried ..
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Feb 25
Overall I am really happy with my Mirena coil. Only thing I really wanted to note was that my periods did initially stop completely but they have started coming back after about 2.5/3 years of having it. Although they are much lighter than before I have the coil it was something I wasnt expecting. I think its because the hormones from the coil are slightly weaker than when it first went in, so right now its enough against pregnancy but not enough against my periods (is my thinking). anyways other than that i love it. I dont think it affects my moods as much as the pill etc because the hormones are really localised to the uterus area rather than being all of my bloodstream, as such, i believe its a lot less hormones too than for the pill .
Top side effects not reported
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