Contraception Reviews

Hormonal IUD and lighter periods

How our community feel hormonal IUD has affected their periods

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Don't know

5%

Out of the 66 reviews for hormonal IUD, 26 people (39%) reported lighter periods.

Reviewers that reported lighter periods as a side effect

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

I'm almost 28 years old, have had periods for the last decade and a half. They have always been regular and heavy to the point that if I didn't take iron supplements 5x a week and tranexamic acid during my periods, I'd have anemia. So I got Kyleena in December 2024. Insertion was fine, some cramping but nothing too serious. I had cramping on and off during the times my periods were supposed to come and some spotting/bleeding, but it was usually what I saw towards the beginning of my cycle. I had one reduced-level period in mid-August. I have had to go from 36D to 36DD to 36DDD/38DD bras over the span of a few months. At first I thought it was just weight gain (went from 170 to 195lb), but I have been almost 200lb before and my breast size increased this much this quickly. Even after losing 10 pounds my breast size has shown little to no decrease. I hate it. I also suspect that the IUD influenced my sciatica in my lumbar spine, which began in February 2025 and has taken several weeks of PT and a round of oral steroids to resolve. I am still not up to 100% all these months later. Overall a 2/5. The decreased period length, flow, and frequency is almost not enough to justify having this torture device in. If I get pregnant w/this in, I'll be so angry.

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Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Jul 25

TLDR: -If you struggle with PMS already, please ask your doctor about the effects progesterone only birth control can have. I wish I had known that it can make it worse. -Expect new kinds of cramps. For me it was lightning rectum pain


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jul 25

Honestly, the Mirena in my opinion isn’t bad at all. I have increased migraines but with OTC pain meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen, it helps a lot! I highly recommend this IUD just for the fact that it did lighten my period and lessen the cramps BUT I will add, it’s been continuous spotting since I’ve gotten it which isn’t a huge deal, just very annoying. Then I don’t know about yall, but the sweating…and over heating is crazy. This 4th of July I had to be taken by ambulance to the ER because I overheated so bad I passed out for over two hours, completely unresponsive BUT good vitals. I’m a very healthy 23 year old so that was completely unusual for me, I live in the Midwest so the heat can be a killer but it’s never EVER made me pass out or even dizzy, let alone unresponsive. So following with that, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad IUD, minus all the inconveniences. I haven’t gotten pregnant at least! Oh and to add, my sex drive is annoying my partner, he threatened to give me an ice bath last night to be exact😅


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

1

Period like cramps

59% of hormonal IUD reviewers reported period like cramps

2

Headaches

39% of hormonal IUD reviewers reported headaches

3

Tender breasts

33% of hormonal IUD reviewers reported tender breasts

4

Lower back pain

33% of hormonal IUD reviewers reported lower back pain

5

Vaginal discharge

29% of hormonal IUD reviewers reported vaginal discharge


Possible hormonal IUD side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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