Hormonal IUD vs Copper IUD

Overall I really disliked this IUD. The insertion was extremely painful. I experienced spotting everyday for 6 months. When I started to get monthly bleeding again I would get debilitating cramps that caused me to miss work and school.

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.

Love the Mirena!

I've never used any forms of birth control before, so I don't know what to compare it to other than being normal and not on birth control. Insertion was uncomfortable but not very painful, and I had pain in my cervix and spotting for about a week afterward. My body adjusted very quickly and I had normally spaced periods right after. The most noticeable difference is that my period is lighter and longer. My sex drive noticeably decreased, and my emotions are dampened/numbed. I forget that I even have it 99% of the time, as I don't notice it in my daily life. If all you're looking for is plain and simple low-maintenance birth control, this is it.

Cramping is significantly worse than before I had the IUD. Periods have lasted about 3 weeks when they used to only last 5-7 days. After the IUD was inserted, I ended up having 3 UTIs and cervicitis.

I don’t know yet. It’s only been 3 weeks since I got it but I have not stopped bleeding (it started as only spotting and the blood looked brown on my pad and the amount increased to a light period then it went back to spotting.) now after the 2nd week the blood started to look red again and its still only spotting. So now I don’t know is this is my regular period or what! I have iron deficiency anemia, all this bleeding can’t be good. Is this going to be always. I have no cramps which I’m greatful for.

The insertion process was a bit painful, but not the worst experience in my case. I would highly recommend tanking some pain medication beforehand. After insertion I experienced some stronger cramps and my period became a bit heavier for a few months (I was coming off the pill and had lighter periods). Now for the past two months my periods have been lighter than ever with only a couple days of light bleeding at most. My cramps feel a bit worse when I get them, but that doesn’t happen too frequently to me.

I experienced a lot of common side effects of the IUD, it may have been caused by the fact that it was misplaced, and I didn't find out until I went in to get it removed. While I used it, it was an effective contraceptive, even with it being misplaced. I used it for almost six months, and the negative symptoms didn't alleviate at all throughout that time. I would recommend a provider who has a lot of knowledge about IUDs and who doesn't downplay pain before considering it, but it can be a great choice

Was great for first three years, inserted 6 weeks post partum after 4th child, however 1 year in and I noticed alopecia had begun but didnt progress further than two small patches of hair loss in back of hair line. 2 years in underwent a lot of stress and lost a lot of weight. Gained it back in covid. 4 -5 years in could not shed 1kg despite everything. Resistance training, cardio, macro tracking, eating for my cycle. Begun experiencing debilitating pain in hips and groin especially during intercourse. Anxiety and symptoms of PMDD seeped in, becoming intense every month throughout luteal phase. Periods were getting heavier and heavier, datigue before and during period was so severe i was missing shifts at work and nearly lost my job. Duration started at 7-10 days then slowed to 5/6 days with spotting for 3-4 days. Started to experience menses symptoms during ovulation including spotting, cramping, swelling, cravings and mood swings. Gynecologist highly recommended removal after debilitating pain, nausea, dizziness and headaches. Possibly anaemic due to blood loss. Overall, great for first 1-3 years. Then bad, very bad. My paraguard should have been left in another 5 years. Personally my moods shifted that quick, there was no way i could do even another month of it! I believe it should have been changed regardless of my symptoms at that time frame. Gynecologist prescribed mini pill (microlut in Australia to be exact) 30mcg of levenorgestrel. Started it day 5/6 of cycle (period just finishing) so far, tiny bit of left over spotting from period, slight tenderness in breasts, slight bloating and cramping. I am mostly oestrogen dominant, with very big noticeable fluctuations in my luteal phase, hoping the small increase of progesterone will help the cravings and severe 3-5kg fluid retention at the time. Dont see dr for another 4 months. Currently needing cortisone (steroid) injections for inflammation in my hips from copper, hair slightly growing back in bald spots. I urge anyone getting this device or if you already have it in, research further. My body is a freaking mess as it begun to wreck havoc on my body. All signs and symptoms of copper toxicity, plus copper binds to oestrogen so i believe my rising fluctuating levels of oestrogen in the luteal phase were exacerbated by the iud.

I’m in perimenopause so it’s difficult to know if the coil has changed my periods, as they have naturally changed a lot in the last three years. I don’t think they are heavier because of the coil and have never had bad cramps while using it. Would definitely recommend

Honestly I am very happy. I was on the pill and it did not agree with me. I gained weight, cried all the time, had huge breasts. Now I am on the IUD and I am so happy. It hurts for the first three days then nothing.

Personally, I didn't experience any side effects other than 2 years after getting the IUD put in, when my periods got really heavy. I then had it taken out and my periods went back to normal almost instantly. I experienced 2 days of light spotting after having it taken out.