Levosert coil vs Kyleena coil

Insertion not too bad, just a small quick pain. Found to be a good contraceptive over 8-9 months - no weight change/mood change. A little uncomfortable during sex. Main issue was the dramatic hair loss. I lost around a quarter of my hair around hairline and in volume. Had removed for this reason.

Before Levosert I had been on and off the mini pill for around 7 years (and on the combined pill prior to that since the age of 18). While I didn’t hate the pill, I did have some unwanted side effects and wanted to try a more long term contraceptive. It is important to note that I didn’t have any bleeding on the pill. The main side effects that bothered me were vaginal dryness (never had discharge and had uncomfortable sex) and the inability to wear contact lenses as my eyes were so dry and I was sure this was down to the pill as I hadn’t had problems before the mini pill. I decided to ask for local anaesthetic for the fitting and so mentioned that on the phone when doing the initial consultation, I was told if I hadn’t mentioned wanting pain relief myself (I wasnt asked about it at all) I would have been booked in with a nurse who wasn’t trained in giving the anaesthetic so it’s important to mention that early on if you want it! For the day of fitting (a Friday), I took the day off work and knew I had the weekend to recover. I also made sure to eat and drink a little before, take ibruprofen and paracetamol and also put on a beyou patch. I had my partner drive me to and from the appointment and took in a bottle of water/emergency chocolate in my bag incase I felt faint. The actual fitting was fine for me! The nurses were amazing and knew I was really nervous, the local anaesthetic injection felt similar to the scratch you feel when you get numbed for dental work for example (obviously weird feeling due to it being in your cervix) in terms of pain. The numbing starts straight away so it only added a minute or two on to the process as she prepped the coil while the injection was kicking in. I couldn’t feel anything in my cervix area for the actual insertion and felt a couple of quite strong cramps which weren’t as bad as I was expecting, and it was over in seconds. They made sure I was feeling okay before I left which I was (no dizziness or pain) and went on my way just feeling relieved that it was in and a bit nervous for the cramps to come. About 5/10 mins after I did start getting bad cramps, a bit worse than my usual periods and did want to just get into my bed so would recommend getting a lift home! I had around 4 hours of really bad cramps which were manageable as I just stayed in bed then by the time I was able to have my next lot of painkillers, the pain dulled to a normal period then then slowly disappeared! I had on and off cramps for a few days but nothing bad at all and no bleeding. Since I have had regular very light periods (which seem to be getting lighter every month and I suspect they may stop) and I have had less dryness and been able to wear my contact lenses again! I have had absolutely no problems with the coil and would get another fitted in a heartbeat! This one lasts 6 years but the nurse told me that in Europe it has been licensed for longer so by the time I need a new one, I may be told it can stay in for a couple more years.

When I first got my coil in August 2018, I was bleeding very very lightly/spotting for about 9 months after - bare in mind my natural period is 3 weeks heavy flow. Then I gradually got more time in between periods but still similar heaviness but only for half the time. I got my coil changed/renewed Sept 2023 as my natural period patter was returning. Since having the new coil, my periods are basically nonexistent, less intense pain and my boobs have grown by at least a 1/3!!! Very happy compared to the experience I had on the pill for 8 years prior to getting the coil.

After having fibroid operation . I wanted contraceptive with no estrogen and ideally low progesterone. Wasn't many choices it was either mini pill or coil which you take on time all the time which didn't suit me. Plus I don't suit the more modern progesterone. Makes me crazy so it had to be iud coil. I've had many Mirena in past which were great masking at my heavy bleeding from my fibroids. But tended to have low moods which I put down to progesterone. So why I went for kylenna, a coil lower version progesterone with same amount of years. Initial side effects but amazed how little I bleed and i feel moods swings aren't strong as they were on the Mirena coil. I feel more even. I think definitely sensitive to hormone changes so I see this as a benefit for me.

I never leave reviews but felt like I needed to because I was terrified of getting this, I’ve always struggled with hormonal acne, thrush and am incredibly susceptible to drastic mood changes due to birth control. This was my last hope as the pill never agreed with me and I didn’t want the heavy bleeding from the copper coil. The insertion was really not even bad it did hurt a bit but was over so fast, I even went for a walk with my friend that evening and was absolutely fine! I had some cramps and bleeding for a few days after but nothing major and since I have had no side effects except a late and very light period that’s it! So please don’t be as terrified was after hearing so many horror stories, I was completely fine :)

In my teens/early 20s I was on the combined pill, but decided to stop and never go back to it as I felt it messed with my body and mood too much. Getting the IUS was the best decision I made. It was quite uncomfortable during insertion but the doctor put me at ease. I got quite a few cramps in the first few days but it quickly settled down. Periods are much lighter to the point where they are barely there, with only the occasional short-lived cramping. I haven’t noticed any particular side effects that affect me. I can forget about contraception for 5 years which is fantastic! Although this has hormones in I am happy that it is a much lower dose than some of the other options. Would definitely recommend and get it again in the future.

Getting the kyleena coil inserted was quite painful. I got very intense cramps the moment it was inserted and I felt quite light-headed and a bit sick. The cramping lessened a bit after 5 mins or so but continued for the next few days. I bled for a few days after insertion but it wasn't heavy or anything. Positives: My periods became super light. I barely needed to use any period products - I would just wear period pants for the first 2 days then use nothing. Negatives: Cramping leading up to my period got worse. I got quite bad breast tenderness - a symptom I'd never had prior to the coil. I seemed to get thrush more frequently than before and also had a lot of vaginal dryness. The main negative for me was that I would start getting extremely anxious 1-2 weeks before my period was due. I'd regularly break down crying, read too much into things that people said, be very self-conscious, constantly worry about everything and not want to go out to any social events. I had never experienced anything this extreme before getting the coil. The doctor told me these feelings didn't have anything to do with the coil (she did say there's a small chance it amplified feelings that were already there. I chose to take the coil out anyway just to see, for my own peace of mind. It's like night and day. I got the coil out while I was on my period and the weeks leading up to my next period I did not experience any of these symptoms, and this has continued to be the case since I got the coil out 7 months ago.

Great but painful to insert

I wanted to try something different to the Pill and the coil came highly recommended. However, getting it inserted was horrifically painful, the doctor gave no guidance on which coil would be best, leaving me to choose. Over the course of a year, I've experienced low mood, rapid weight gain, depression and pain. The only positives have been convenience and stopping of periods.

Made me feel agitated and down most the time. Lost a lot of hair. Had that feeling of you’re about to come on your period but my period never came. Just spotting and heavy discharge. I have ADHD and this contraception definitely didn’t agree with me.

The Kyleena affected my mood dramatically, even triggering panic attacks and hyperventilation. I also started experiencing spasms and swelling in my legs which due to past injuries created pain. My periods became very clot heavy - with really severe cramps.

I have PCOS and Adenomyosis which has made my period very heavy, painful, terrible mood swings. I also suffered from anemia as a result. I have tried for years to fight it naturally. I have had several polyps removed, but they always come back. I have previously been fitted a Mirena coil via NHS but the side effects were unbearable, I felt sucidal, in the end I had to pull it out myself, as the GP insisted I had to give it three months. I had my last polyp removal done privately, and the doctor suggested that I might respond better to a Kyleena coil because of the smaller dose of hormones. In the first 4 weeks I felt a bit off, weird headache on one side of my head, but that has now gone away completely, and I have to say, I will never go without a coil until I become a man :) My periods are totally manageable now, there is a bit of pain and spotting but I'd say there is a 90% reduction in these symptoms. I can actually get on with my life, do things and not feel totally out of control. I used to think there was something fundamentally wrong with me, but now I don't get these crazy mood swings, I feel more in control of my body and my life. I really hope this review can help someone out there.

Not having periods is really handy. I think my mood is a little lower but its better than when i was on Merina Coil. I definitely think my sex drive is lower but i also have three kids running around so it may not be just the coil!