Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown69189
🇺🇸 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.
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
No side effects provided
Coming off contraception
I only stopped using this method about a month ago, so I am still going through the after affects. I got my first period just about 2 weeks after removing the Mirena and I won't lie, it was a rough period hormonally/mentally. I feel like I could feel the hormones working their way out of my body. But, period ended and I feel great. I have noticed an increase in my sex drive already which I am happy about. I haven't noticed many other changes, yet.
2 helpful
0 comments
Leave a comment or question
Post
Explore popular birth control reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 days ago
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Mar 26
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Feb 26
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Feb 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 25
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
Explore popular birth control reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 days ago
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Mar 26
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Feb 26
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Feb 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 25
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
Popular birth control
Combination pillImplantShotThe legal stuff
Terms of usePrivacy & cookieContent policy©The Lowdown 2026


Leave a comment or question
Post