Mirena IUD and acne
How our community feel mirena IUD has affected their skin
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
No change
40%
25%
Don't know
15%
Out of the 20 reviews for mirena IUD, 5 people (25%) reported acne.
Reviewers that reported acne as a side effect
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
I got my first Mirena when I was 17. I would describe the insertion process as uncomfortable but not painful. I did have a vagal response (came close to passing out) right after, but it didn't last long, I just needed to sit for a minute. I experienced very light cramping for about 4-6 days afterwards. I did lose some weight that year that may have been attributed to the birth control, I went from 120lbs to 100lbs (there were no other pressing reasons for the quick change in my weight other than the BC, perhaps stress as it was my senior year of high school). At the time, the Mirena was thought to be effective for five years, so I had it removed and replaced with another Mirena when I was 22. The removal and reinsertion was more uncomfortable than the initial insertion, but totally manageable in my experience. Overall, I did not experience many hormonal side effects that I noticed. I pretty much stopped menstruating after the first few months of having it, aside from very occasional, very light spotting. I would sometimes experience symptoms of PMS without the bleeding (a little fatigue, some mood changes). I did develop some cystic acne in the first 1-3 years of being on my second IUD, but it was truly not much and never lasted long. My favorite part of this method is how effective and easy to use it is. I was truly never concerned about pregnancy from 17-27 which allowed for a lot of freedom in terms of my sex life. In my long term relationship, we do not use condoms (both have been screened for STIs) and I feel completely safe and comfortable with my partner not pulling out (I know that's a personal detail but I what to emphasize that that's how effective it truly is in my experience). I did recently decide to remove my hormonal IUD and replace it with the non-hormonal IUD. My Mirena still had at least 2 years left in it, but since I had not had a period or had gone through that natural, hormonal process in 10 years, I wanted to give my body a break from hormonal birth control to develop that relationship with my body. If I did not have the option/privilege to change methods, I would have 100% kept my Mirena until it expired, and probably got a third one.
Worse skin
1 more effect
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 24
Side effects: cystic acne & overall acne, metallic vaginal discharge, low libido & irritability. It was difficult to tell if IUD was in place since the doctor cut the strings too short. Went into OB & Planned Parenthood, they couldn't find it and were unsure if it fell out. This didn't give me a great deal of security as a BC since I couldn't tell if it was there or not...
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Jan 24
I was put on it for endometriosis however it didn’t stop my pain and the loss of sex drive and acne did not outweigh the benefits
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Mirena IUD common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Period like cramps
40% of mirena IUD reviewers reported period like cramps
Vaginal discharge
20% of mirena IUD reviewers reported vaginal discharge
Sweating more than usual
20% of mirena IUD reviewers reported sweating more than usual
Vaginal dryness
20% of mirena IUD reviewers reported vaginal dryness
Breast enlargement
20% of mirena IUD reviewers reported breast enlargement