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
41% of Mirena coil reviewers reported tender breasts
40% of Mirena coil reviewers reported vaginal discharge
30% of Mirena coil reviewers reported lower back pain
24% of Mirena coil reviewers reported breast enlargement
Mirena coil rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
3% 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 (41%)
- Vaginal discharge (40%)
- Lower back pain (30%)
- Breast enlargement (24%)
- Vaginal dryness (21%)
- Thrush (18%)
- Body hair increase (17%)
- Sweating more than usual (16%)
- Nausea or vomiting (13%)
- Body hair getting darker (13%)
- Cystitis (12%)
- Headaches (10%)
- Migraines (7%)
- Pelvic infection (6%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Migraine with aura (5%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (4%)
- High blood pressure (3%)
- Hair loss (3%)
- A latex allergy (2%)
Reviews
3.5
576 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The mirena coil did effectively reduce menstrual bleeding and prevent pregnancy. Due to thickening vaginal discharge I found I was more prone to thrush and also that this had an impact on arousal. I was an advocate for the hormonal coil until I changed to a non hormonal birth control and found that this had elevated my anxiety certain times in my cycle. I am epileptic without seizure control and this was my reason for coming off hormonal methods. Female hormones can trigger seizures in women with refractory epilepsy!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Have only had the coil for 2 months (although feels like much longer) so will give it a bit more of a chance, I also acknowledge that everyone reacts differently and my side effects seem to be less common, however in my experience and at this point in time, the negative side effects FAR outweigh the positives. My GP talked me into trying Mirena for managing my PCOS and the excruciating pain I would experience on occasion from burst ovarian cysts, as well as the birth control aspect. I’ve gone from an abnormally long (but fairly painless) cycle to an even longer one, bleeding and in moderate-severe pain almost daily. If my stomach doesn’t hurt, my head will be, or both. I’m not joking when I say I look pregnant from abdominal swelling on top of it all.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
63 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
It was a very positive as i was having irregular heavy periods And personally I had a much better libido When in the past, bloods tested low in testerol levels of 7.5 i II wish this had been aware of of this before bow, i thought there was something not quite right as apparently 12 or above is the better level of testerol for women
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Sep 25
I've had the Mirena coil for about 10 months now, my doctor recommended it to stop uterine polyps from reappearing. Prior to the coil I had very heavy, extremely painful periods and pretty bad iron deficiency, but now my periods are super light and not painful at all!! The insertion was painful but not worse that the period cramps I used to get before; I spotted for 3 months straight but after that I started having semi-regular periods. I noticed that I had much more energy (probably because my iron levels were back to normal), my libido increased and I lost weight. I am really really happy with the coil.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 31st Aug 25
Awful experience having it fitted, very painful. I’m convinced it triggered vaginal atrophy (I was already menopausal)
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 31st Aug 25
Recurrent abdominal pain and pressure in my lower tummy. The only positive thing is that it has stopped heavy periods
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Aug 25
I swapped to the coil as I started getting migraines on the combined pill and wanted a longer term solution GP advised to give the coil 6 months to settle in but during that time my skin has gradually got worse with bad acne, I still have periods which are lighter granted but lasting 8-9 days, much worse periods cramps than on combined and then for last 2 months spotting almost everyday and bad period like cramping. GP thought these symptoms suggested coil displacement but USS confirmed it was in situ and these must just be the side effects I personally get from mirena. The cramping and constant spotting and acne is affecting my sex life and general mood day to day so trying to get the coil removed and tempted to try the copper coil (although I went for the Mirena as I’d read you can get the symptoms I’m currently having on the copper but only time will tell!)
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Aug 25
Had the Mirena coil for 4 years. Insertion wasn’t a fun experience but only cramped for a few days. A bit of spotting for first few months but reduced to nothing for the next 4 years. Very happy with it, only getting removed to get pregnant.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Aug 25
Had Mirena fitted to manage endometriosis after a laparoscopy. The period cramps felt worse than when I was on the contraceptive pill before the surgery. Also struggled with depression and low energy. Acne was about the same as before I started the contraceptive pill.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Aug 25
I really like the Mirena Coil, especially as the combined pill was my previous contraception which negatively affected my mood. I had a lot of spotting for the first month and now have the very occasional spotting, but it's great not having a period anymore.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments