Contraception Reviews

Side effects

Mirena IUD side effects

3.9

31 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Mood

52% no impact on mood

Bleeds

65% stopped periods

Sex drive

48% no impact

Weight

61% no impact

Skin

42% no impact on skin

Cycle return

75% in 1 month

Mirena IUD

Mirena IUD common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

1

Period like cramps

45% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported period like cramps

2

Vaginal dryness

26% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported vaginal dryness

3

Breast enlargement

23% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported breast enlargement

4

Headaches

23% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported headaches

5

Vaginal discharge

19% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported vaginal discharge


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • 7% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported hair loss

  • 7% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported thrush

  • 3% of Mirena IUD reviewers reported cystitis


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • Period like cramps (45%)
  • Vaginal dryness (26%)
  • Breast enlargement (23%)
  • Headaches (23%)
  • Vaginal discharge (19%)
  • Sweating more than usual (19%)
  • Migraines (19%)
  • Tender breasts (19%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (16%)
  • Lower back pain (16%)
  • Dizziness (13%)
  • Discomfort wearing contact lenses (10%)
  • Body hair increase (10%)
  • Migraine with aura (7%)
  • Body hair getting darker (7%)
  • Hair loss (7%)
  • Thrush (7%)
  • Cystitis (3%)
  • High blood pressure (0%)
  • A latex allergy (0%)
  • Pelvic infection (0%)

Reviews

3.9

31 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Mirena IUD  

I have been on the marina for almost a year and every time I get my period I am in severe pain….. when I’m driving I have to pull over on the side of the road to spit up and hold my stomach. Today it was so bad. I had to call in early. I throw up most times…… moral of the story I’m getting it taken out

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th May 25

Mirena IUD  

This is a test!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Apr 25

Mirena IUD  

Best decision ever made!


Top side effects not reported

10 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Apr 25

Mirena IUD  

It actually stabilized my mood. I genuinely have no complaints.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Mirena IUD  

Irregular cycles. Mood swings, fatigue, brain fog and headaches seem to correlate to menstrual cycle. Effective birth control but still unsure if symptoms are related to Mirena or independent migraine, thyroid or other issues.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Apr 25

Mirena IUD  


Decreased sex drive

2 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Mar 25

Mirena IUD  

I’ve had it for 6 months and I have my period twice a month and the pain is pretty consistent day to day.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Mar 25

Mirena IUD  

My first IUD placement (Mirena) was without numbing shots, and it really was quite painful. The immediate pain lasted only a few seconds, but I had hot flashes for a few minutes afterwards. The next week, I got the heaviest period of my life, followed by about 4 months of light bleeding. After that, I lost my period completely for about 3 years, and then very light and irregular periods until I had it replaced. My period used to cause painful acne and very frustrating mood swings, which I was quite happy to go without. I did have some discomfort during sex, but only with larger partners and only in certain positions. My second IUD was the Kyleena. I did have numbing shots for the placement, and it was much more comfortable - similar to getting a pap smear. My period has gone away again, and I haven't noticed any pain during sex (Kyleena is a little smaller). My only real concern about the IUD is that if I were to become pregnant while the IUD is in place, it is very likely to be ectopic. I do take a pregnancy test every couple of months, so if it does happen I can get the care I need. I live in a state with very good and safe abortion care, so I would be able to get help right away, but it's still something to keep in mind. All that being said, I would 100% recommend an IUD. I have been nearly period-free since 2018, which is well worth the pain of insertion. I really appreciate being able to avoid the acne, pain, and mood swings I used to get with my period, and I really really appreciate that I have an incredibly effective form of birth control that I only have to think about once every 8 years. I love my IUD so much, and I am probably going to use IUDs as my primary form of birth control for the rest of my life.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Feb 25

Mirena IUD  

If you are considering the hormonal IUD route, I highly encourage you to read this! I primarily chose to switch over to the Mirena due to the weight gain I experienced while on the pill. To preface, I never had any issues with vaginal dryness prior to the switch. Following the insertion, I have been almost completely unable to get wet. As I stated before, this was never a problem for me regardless of arousal. It has been over a year, and without using an external lubricant, I physically cannot have sex due to the severity of this issue. It can be humiliating if the person i’m getting with isn’t aware of the causation. Just wanted to make it known, because it’s impacted my life pretty significantly.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Jan 25

Mirena IUD  

I took this for endometriosis and it dialed my pain and symptoms down from a 9 to a 2-3, for a whole year. Unfortunately after a year I felt the pain begin to creep back in, a little more intense every month after that year mark, so I decided to pursue excision surgery as a more permanent solution. If you’re not ready for surgery but want endo relief, definitely encourage you to give Mirena a try!


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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