Contraception Reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown82146
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Mar 25

Mirena IUD  
•  Stopped using

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.


Mood

Very positive

Skin

Improved

Sex drive

Don't know

Weight

No change

Bleeds

Stopped

Mood

Don't know

Skin

Don't know

Sex drive

Don't know

Weight

Don't know

Cycle return to normal

I don't know / can't tell
While using
 Period like cramps
After using

No side effects provided

No experience provided


0 helpful

1 comments

Our doctor

We've got experts to help you choose your birth control

We have registered nurses and doctors who created a tool just for you.

Leave a comment or question

Lowdown20601

6th Sep 22

Did your side effects stop after you stopped taking this. Iv had all those side effects plus anxiety, panic attacks and negative thoughts. How long till you felt better. Thank you

Post

Leave a comment or question

Lowdown20601

6th Sep 22

Did your side effects stop after you stopped taking this. Iv had all those side effects plus anxiety, panic attacks and negative thoughts. How long till you felt better. Thank you

Post

Our doctor

We've got experts to help you choose your birth control

We have registered nurses and doctors who created a tool just for you.

Explore popular birth control reviews

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

Read more

Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days 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
  •  1 month ago

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
  •  1 month ago

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

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Oct 25

Kyleena IUD  

It's ok. No unplanned pregnancy but my periods last for 2-3 weeks and I gained 25lbs in 2 years with no changes to eating habits.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Explore popular birth control reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days 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
  •  5 days 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
  •  1 month ago

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
  •  1 month ago

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

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Oct 25

Kyleena IUD  

It's ok. No unplanned pregnancy but my periods last for 2-3 weeks and I gained 25lbs in 2 years with no changes to eating habits.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2026