Hormonal IUD vs Vaginal ring

I could feel it when I exercised always. Starting year 5 I had terrible cystic acne and lower back pain that travelled down my left leg to my knee. It’s been 4 days since it was removed and my back is already feeling better. A heavy period starting the night I had it removed. It’s been going on 4 days and it is still heavy. I am hoping the acne goes away over time since it is out. It was nice not having heavy periods but not at the expense of my face and back. I have had to see a Dermatologist for several years now and the treatments don’t help much. I also saw a back doc and had a shot to help with the pain along with physical therapy for a few months. The shot helped for a month or two but the pain returned. I gained weight because it was uncomfortable to exercise and feel the IUD even when I walked uphill and the back and left leg pain. Insertion was traumatizing and I was conscious sedated for the removal which was a much better experience. Women should not have to go through that without conscious sedating. We should also be provided with more info on what to expect when we get it, how it might age, what to look for side effect wise, and guidance on getting it out and the aftermath. Terrible experience

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.

This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.

I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.

I’m not a birth control novice and wanted to try Annovera due to its novel progestin and ease of use. It’s worth noting that I’m extremely sensitive to progestin related side effects. I have never felt worse in my life than the week I used this ring. I endured episodes of uncontrollable vomiting, horrendous body aches, and a constant feeling of internal rage!! Plus, the level of discharge it caused was frankly disturbing and unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past. Felt better almost immediately upon removal. Obviously every person’s experience will be unique but I definitely wouldn’t recommend Annovera to anyone.

First three months were great. No period no break through bleeding no side effects. On month 4 I started having extreme cramps and breakthrough bleeding often. I would remove ring (1 hour) and re insert it due to the cramps. I even tried having regular cycles. Nothing helped with bleeding or cramps. I like not having to take a pill everyday, but I don’t think it’s worth the cramps and break through bleeding.

Very easy to use. Periods were heavy at first but very light on last days. Main problem was discharge. Caused a increase in my migraines

I’ve used NuvaRing for over 20years and highly recommend it. It’s super easy to put in and take out. And I really like that I don’t have to worried about it for 3 weeks!

I generally like my Nuvaring, when I'm responsible about using it correctly. I feel confident that it works and I can forget about it most of the time, until I forget to take it out or put it in on the right day. I have used it to skip a period every once in a while. When used inconsistently like that, in combo with not taking out or putting in on the right days, I developed terrible migraines and strange neurological symptoms, like lightheadedness and scalp numbness/tingling. But when I used it regularly again, the symptoms disappeared. I do think I gained weight on it.

Overall, the birth control is reliable. I like not having to worry about it on a daily basis and it does not interfere with sex.