Birth control implant vs Hormonal IUD

It did its job effectively but the side effects were awful and only got worse with time. I have excessive hair growth on my chin, lip, chest, and stomach which I have to shave daily/every other day. Never had this issue before. I also gained 30lbs over the 4 years I was on it. I will say, my cycle went back to normal very quickly after removal (removed a little under 3 weeks ago and im currently ovulating) so very good news given that we're trying to concieve. I would have just stuck with the pill though if I had known how bad it would be and that I'd have a lapse in health insurance during my time having it so getting it removed at an affordable rate was not an option.

I give it three starts because it was effective as far as me not getting pregnant but I couldn’t deal with the spotting and I bled almost every day, granted I didn’t keep it that long but it was miserable to bleed every day since insertion and it was the ultimate reason for it being removed.

My birth control has helped me by making my periods really light but then im bleeding for 7 days straight. Its help with some physical changes, but also hurt some important ones like weight. Other than that, I love this so far. But I shall report back in a few months with an update -Sunstruck

Went on the IUD bc I had super painful periods. Modena stopped my period and once a month now I’ll have just a little bit of phantom cramps—but none that ever pose an issue. The first month was quite painful adjusting to the IUD, but COMPLETELY worth it in the end. Only negative side effect I’m experiencing is vaginal dryness. Vaginal discharge has decreased and when I’m with my partner, no matter how aroused I am, I’m still pretty dry.

I'm almost 28 years old, have had periods for the last decade and a half. They have always been regular and heavy to the point that if I didn't take iron supplements 5x a week and tranexamic acid during my periods, I'd have anemia. So I got Kyleena in December 2024. Insertion was fine, some cramping but nothing too serious. I had cramping on and off during the times my periods were supposed to come and some spotting/bleeding, but it was usually what I saw towards the beginning of my cycle. I had one reduced-level period in mid-August. I have had to go from 36D to 36DD to 36DDD/38DD bras over the span of a few months. At first I thought it was just weight gain (went from 170 to 195lb), but I have been almost 200lb before and my breast size increased this much this quickly. Even after losing 10 pounds my breast size has shown little to no decrease. I hate it. I also suspect that the IUD influenced my sciatica in my lumbar spine, which began in February 2025 and has taken several weeks of PT and a round of oral steroids to resolve. I am still not up to 100% all these months later. Overall a 2/5. The decreased period length, flow, and frequency is almost not enough to justify having this torture device in. If I get pregnant w/this in, I'll be so angry.

I've had horrible bloating. From when I wake up till I go to bed my clothing size changes up to two pant sizes because of the bloating depending on what I eat. As in it's so much worse with things like potatoes. I've had to switch to basically only wearing stretchy clothes because it gets so bad.

Do not recommend if you’re prone to headaches or migraines loss of appetite from being nauseous

This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.

So far i’m loving mine! The spotting for the first month has been very annoying but nothing horrible. Cramping went away in four days, only negative so far is i’ve had a lower heat tolerance and (i’m blonde) my leg hair has gotten DARK. I have been consistently loosing weight since starting and plus, in my opinion, my sex drive is way up. My partner is on testosterone therapy so i’m finally able to keep up with him and we love it! I highly recommend so far!

TLDR: -If you struggle with PMS already, please ask your doctor about the effects progesterone only birth control can have. I wish I had known that it can make it worse. -Expect new kinds of cramps. For me it was lightning rectum pain

So far I've had this for about a month and some change and I love it! Made my period significantly less painful this time around ❤️

Honestly, the Mirena in my opinion isn’t bad at all. I have increased migraines but with OTC pain meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen, it helps a lot! I highly recommend this IUD just for the fact that it did lighten my period and lessen the cramps BUT I will add, it’s been continuous spotting since I’ve gotten it which isn’t a huge deal, just very annoying. Then I don’t know about yall, but the sweating…and over heating is crazy. This 4th of July I had to be taken by ambulance to the ER because I overheated so bad I passed out for over two hours, completely unresponsive BUT good vitals. I’m a very healthy 23 year old so that was completely unusual for me, I live in the Midwest so the heat can be a killer but it’s never EVER made me pass out or even dizzy, let alone unresponsive. So following with that, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad IUD, minus all the inconveniences. I haven’t gotten pregnant at least! Oh and to add, my sex drive is annoying my partner, he threatened to give me an ice bath last night to be exact😅

I have been on the marina for almost a year and every time I get my period I am in severe pain….. when I’m driving I have to pull over on the side of the road to spit up and hold my stomach. Today it was so bad. I had to call in early. I throw up most times…… moral of the story I’m getting it taken out