Combined pill vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

I have been taking for a month now and I was TERRIFIED after trying rigevidon when I was 16 (I’m 24 now). I have PMS (I believe PMDD) so I got to the point where I was desperate for help. My acne, fatigue and low moods were just too much for life and I needed to do something about it! The first couple of weeks I felt a tiny bit nauseous (no where near as bad as rigevidon which I assume is bc of the lower oestrogen in Eloine) and I got some night sweats which have calmed down also after a couple of weeks. I have also experienced some slight fluttering anxiety and heavy chest when I wake up (I take it at 11pm due to my schedule) which isn’t ideal but as someone who used to be extremely anxious I haven’t found this particularly overwhelming or affecting my life. It hasn’t been through the day so I believe it’s because of the time I am taking it but not a major issue. I have insatiable hunger but again, as someone who didn’t eat much and had low appetite (especially the week leading up to my period) this has had a majorly positive effect on my life, I’m fuelling myself more which is probably also helping my fatigue and mood in itself! Regarding weight gain, I have had no water retention type of weight gain from it, any weight gain will be due to eating more bc of the hunger but personally I have not noticed any gain yet. However, PMDD wise, it has changed my life so far. The week I usually feel down and sleep 14 hours I didn’t even realise that week had passed (I’m taking it continuously without the placebos). No acne, no low moods no fatigue, I just finally feel normal 🙏🏻 If you’re looking into this for PMS and PMDD that is becoming too much, I would honestly give this a go. As someone who had awful nausea with rigevidon, it took me two years to get the courage to try another but I’m so so happy I did. I used to spend the PMDD weeks struggling and my normal weeks recovering, now every week is just normal

I haven’t used it for long but the side effects aren’t bad or huge.

I went on Qlaira after reading reviews that it helped with recurring thrush caused from other combination pills. It did - I haven't had thrush since being on this pill! However, definitely experience more mood swings and I bleed lightly for around 10 days which is really frustrating. Considering changing because of the bleed. First month of bleeding was also much more painful but think I was just getting used to it.

Works well for me, was hoping would take away periods altogether but definitely made them lighter. Found fitting comfortable as just had some cramping. But I have quite a low cervix, so I could feel the strings and needed them trimmed.

Not pleasant to put in but completely stopped by periods after few months. Reassuring that no pregnancy, however absolutely 0 sex drive and this effects relationships.

Initial 3 month settling in period is intense, lots of bleeding and emotional side effects plus insertion pain. After 3 months it settled and I thought I had found the holy grail, emotionally stable and no side effects. At 6 months I developed a large ovarian cyst which put me in agony and A&E, doctors said this was caused by the coil and had to remove it. Unfortunately I cant recommend, the search continues.

No periods but developed acne. I also get cysts now regularly (never had before) that burst and hurt so bad that the first time it happened I went to the ER.

only had mirena coil fitted 3 weeks ago but so far it’s been good, i have had quite a lot of lower back pain but other than that i don’t feel any different

Prior to having the mirena coil I had the most horrific periods literally to the point of passing out. I can say I have had my coil in for nearly 6 years and not had a period since and now I feel like I have my life back! It has been one of the decisions I have ever made and also hardly had any hormonal side effects.

I loved the mirena but over 3 different coils, shortly after insertion I would get kidney infections that didn’t respond to antibiotics. The link was only made on the third despite me asking the gyno about it. Such a shame because I loved it otherwise. Kidney infections mostly skipped the uti stage and went straight to them but bacteria wouldn’t grow in pee. If this sounds like you remove it!

Had it inserted at birth during a c section so no pain for insertion. Periods for lighter every month with significantly less pain than before and have virtually stopped after 8 months - just a small amount of spotting.

occasional cramps and sore boobs but I'll take that for no periods and no babies!

I got the Benilexa IUS to treat painful periods and PMS. However, within under two months, it severely exacerbated my PMS, causing sleep deprivation, frequent panic attacks, bouts of crying, and increased suicidal thoughts. This was also experienced during my period. Most importantly, it has completely disrupted my Psoriatic Arthritis management. Despite being on a biologic (adalimumab), the IUD has triggered a massive flare in my right foot that has now progressed to my left foot and ankle. I went from rarely needing NSAIDs to relying on daily ibuprofen. Regarding my psoriasis, I noticed a slight change in dryness/thickness in scales but not much else. My periods were even more awful than before and I had to call sick into work which l've never had to do. I further experienced fluctuating pelvic and ovary pain, with some days better than others. I expected side effects, but not to this extreme, system-wide level. I understand for some women the IUS is life changing in a positive way and a great treatment for endometriosis, etc. However, for other women, it may not be suitable for our body, especially if you have pre-existing conditions like myself. Whether that's due to the small amount of hormones released into the blood stream or the body reacting to a foreign object to the body. Or even both. Please do your research and consult with professionals if you have specific conditions or autoimmune diseases. Because most of the time, they won’t or care to understand your concerns. I've thankfully had it taken out today and was told by the GP it would take a few weeks to see a positive adjustment, flare reduction, and difference to body/mind, to my joints especially. You know your body best, any triggers and what helps. If you have a terrible experience like mine, don't let anyone tell you to put up with the lUS a few more months just to see if it "settles", etc. Advocate for yourself and try all avenues. I’m lucky my threads today were visible as they were not at the last GP appt. And I’m very grateful I had a caring and understanding GP who listened, affirmed my concerns (such as assessing my joints), and believed me.