Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown56243
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
The Mirena was great for stopping periods- I was 18 when I had it inserted and loved not having a period. I did not know of any of the side effects and when I discussed with my doctor, she said that these were not symptoms brought about by the IUD (so she put me on medication to combat the symptoms I was experiencing). I decided to remove the IUD last month- my hair has stopped falling out in clumps, I’ve lost weight and am never bloated, I am never constipated, my sex drive and sexual function are back to normal, my skin has cleared up, my body hair is not growing in as thick, and I have not gotten any yeast infections, vaginal irritation, abnormal discharge or smell. The worst part about this IUD was that it hurt to get it inserted and removed and my pain and anxieties were not taken seriously by medical professionals- if this birth control is right for somebody, make sure you go to a doctor who understands what this birth control method is, what it can do (good and bad- it can work super well for some people), who might not be a great candidate for this (because some people just aren’t), and especially how to help their patients manage discomfort, pain and anxiety during the insertion and removal processes.
Impact while using
Mood
Skin
Sex drive
Weight
Bleeds
Impact after using
Mood
Skin
Sex drive
Weight
Cycle return to normal
Side effects reported
While using
After using
Coming off contraception
I feel better than I’ve ever felt. I’ve been on some form of BC for 11 years- the Mirena for about 6. My mood is stable (mostly), my skin is great and glowy, I have stopped bloating, I can poop normally and regularly, my sex drive is back to normal, and i just feel so much more content in my own body.
0 helpful
1 comments
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Lowdown62345
22nd Dec 23
Did you ever experience vaginal dryness?? I got my iud taken out and immediately felt the lubrication coming back. I know with iuds it can effect ur sex drive and that’s why probably I just want to know if anyone had this same experience or it’s just in my head my doctor never gave me a clear answer on to why I was experiencing that
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Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 days ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Feb 25
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jan 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Jan 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Dec 24
Just got this inserted early November. It's December and Im experiencing a month of bleeding, cramps, irritability, nausea, headaches, dizziness, feeling unwell everyday.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 24
Caused increased anxiety, extreme cystic acne that did not respond to prescription acne treatments, and severe hair loss. Made my periods longer and heavier at first, then they finally started getting lighter but I was still spotting almost every day. Gave me hot flashes badly.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Oct 24
Didn't use it long enough to really form an opinion yet, but the reason I got it in the first place was because of very heavy periods and cramps. It has helped with that.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Aug 24
After 14 months I pretty much don't have a period, but I still have light to moderate cramping a couple of times a month.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Jul 24
Great experience, insertion cramping was minimal. Got pregnant 4 months after removal.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
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Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 days ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Feb 25
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jan 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Jan 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Dec 24
Just got this inserted early November. It's December and Im experiencing a month of bleeding, cramps, irritability, nausea, headaches, dizziness, feeling unwell everyday.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 24
Caused increased anxiety, extreme cystic acne that did not respond to prescription acne treatments, and severe hair loss. Made my periods longer and heavier at first, then they finally started getting lighter but I was still spotting almost every day. Gave me hot flashes badly.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Oct 24
Didn't use it long enough to really form an opinion yet, but the reason I got it in the first place was because of very heavy periods and cramps. It has helped with that.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Aug 24
After 14 months I pretty much don't have a period, but I still have light to moderate cramping a couple of times a month.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Jul 24
Great experience, insertion cramping was minimal. Got pregnant 4 months after removal.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
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Leave a comment or question
Lowdown62345
22nd Dec 23
Did you ever experience vaginal dryness?? I got my iud taken out and immediately felt the lubrication coming back. I know with iuds it can effect ur sex drive and that’s why probably I just want to know if anyone had this same experience or it’s just in my head my doctor never gave me a clear answer on to why I was experiencing that
Post