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.

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.