Side effects
Mirena coil common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
60% 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 (60%)
- 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%)
- Cystitis (13%)
- Body hair getting darker (13%)
- Headaches (9%)
- Pelvic infection (6%)
- Migraines (6%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (4%)
- Migraine with aura (4%)
- High blood pressure (4%)
- Hair loss (3%)
- A latex allergy (2%)
Reviews
3.5
532 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Mostly happy but dryness is a big issue, making sex uncomfortable and sometimes not possible. No other issues so will persist but was not an expected side effect!
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Oct 24
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!
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Sep 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Aug 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Aug 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Aug 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Aug 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Jul 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
51 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Jun 24
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