Contraception Reviews

Side effects

Hormonal IUD side effects

3.6

77 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% stopped periods

Sex drive

42% no impact

Weight

48% no impact

Skin

43% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Hormonal IUD

Hormonal IUD common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

1

Period like cramps

55% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported period like cramps

2

Headaches

38% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported headaches

3

Tender breasts

35% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported tender breasts

4

Lower back pain

33% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported lower back pain

5

Vaginal discharge

30% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported vaginal discharge


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • 5% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported thrush

  • 3% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported a latex allergy

  • 3% of Hormonal IUD reviewers reported pelvic infection


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • Period like cramps (55%)
  • Headaches (38%)
  • Tender breasts (35%)
  • Lower back pain (33%)
  • Vaginal discharge (30%)
  • Breast enlargement (29%)
  • Sweating more than usual (27%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (26%)
  • Dizziness (25%)
  • Vaginal dryness (25%)
  • Migraines (25%)
  • Hair loss (14%)
  • Migraine with aura (13%)
  • Body hair getting darker (12%)
  • Body hair increase (9%)
  • Discomfort wearing contact lenses (7%)
  • Cystitis (7%)
  • High blood pressure (5%)
  • Thrush (5%)
  • A latex allergy (3%)
  • Pelvic infection (3%)

Reviews

3.6

77 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Hormonal IUD  

The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Mar 26

Mirena IUD  

Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Feb 26

Mirena IUD  

I love mirena


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Feb 26

Kyleena IUD  

Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Feb 26

Hormonal IUD  

DO NOT GET


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jan 26

Kyleena IUD  

I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Jan 26

Mirena IUD  

I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Nov 25

Skyla IUD  

Has helped overall by stopping my periods which were long (5-7 days) and heavy.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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