Hormonal IUD vs Mini pill

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!

When I started take this pill 3 weeks in I noticed my hair falling out I took it almost 2 months iv been off of it 3 weeks and my hair is still falling out when will it stop

Worked out great until I started losing my hair. Had more ovary pain too.

Some irregular bleeding and headaches in the first few weeks but overall a good experience. This is the first birthcontrol pill that did not give me mood swings and depressive feelings.

Chosen due to migraine with aura risk, had hair loss but could be unrelated. I did not bleed for first 3 months, now I do not bleed on the placebo week, but in the third week of a new pack

I didn't experience any side effects or issues while taking the pill. The hardest thing was remembering to take the pill at the same time every day. And, while I was traveling, I always brought the pill in my purse so I had it if my baggage got lost. My experience with the pill was great- effective and easy.

It has improved my period pain a lot but it’s made me extremely irritable and moody and depressed and I’ve been experiencing frequent headaches for 2 months. I am planning to switch off of it for the sake of my mental health.

This pill has helped me so much with heavy periods. The first month I spotted, then had a quick, light period. The second month was the lightest period I've had in years. The issue I'm having is I have more cramps on it than off, and the biggest issue is that it's making me moody and tense. I love what it's done for my period physically, but I'm snapping at my family much more than I used to. I see the doctor next week. I'm not sure what I'll do yet.

I've experienced less pain around my uterus and ovaries, cysts are reduced, my breast are slightly enlarged and tender, my bones (especially hip, knee, and ankle joints) ache and hurt occasionally, mysex drive seems to have increased (I still find my partner very attractive just as before, which based on experiences I've seen others go through was a potential risk).

Severe menstrual period and severe cramping I have never felt pain like this in my life and I'm 32 years old.