Levosert coil vs Mirena 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.

Overall helped to regulate my periods, but also had significant side effects on my food intake/weight and on my energy levels.

I’ve had the mirena coil for about 7 years now and had 2 fitted. The first one worked like a dream, hardly noticed it. Since having a new one fitted over a year ago the side effects have been increasingly annoying. Acne for about 2 weeks per month, and I was never spotty before, not even as a teenager. Also period cramps, but it has completely stopped my period. Also migraines with aura, although I did suffer from these in the past, I’m not sure if they have just gotten worse or if it is the new coil. I’m very disappointed as, like I said, the first one gave me no issues at all.

Do not recommend! The procedure was traumatic to say the least, the aftermath even worse, plus the serious weight gain was unimaginable. Only benefit was no periods and forgot it was even there after a while. I wasn't fully aware of what the procedure entailed - I wished I did my research/ the doctors should be more informative. My recommendation is it should not be your first choice of contraception. The procedure itself was very painful, quick, but very painful - I passed out. The procedural pain is a forgettable pain tbh but the aftermath pain I will never forget. I was told I will get "period like cramps" afterwards. The cramps started immediately after the procedure and it was the worst "period cramps" I had ever experienced. I felt like my uterus was being ripped apart, the nausea, the dizziness, I was shaking from shock. I had to crawl out the surgery back to my car - thankfully wasn't driving as the pain just progressively got worse. The "period cramps" were more like labour pains and went on for 2 hours afterwards. The next day I was fine - small cramping continued for weeks after but then eventually went away. All the pain would of been worth it if I didn't gain the amount of weight I did. Within 6 months I went from a UK size 8 to a UK size 14. The weight was rapid - I have the stretch marks all over my lower half to prove it. I go to intense exercise classes twice a week and have a personal trainer and the weight will not shift! I did research (little late) and apparently the Mirena coil typically doesn't affect your weight but yet when I speak to other women most claimed they gained a serious amount of weight because of it. Overall I'm getting it taken out in a week and I'll be glad to see it gone. Hopefully the weight can be lost. And for those thinking about it - DO YOUR RESEARCH and don't be scared to ask your doctor a million questions - I wish I did.

I now have my second mirena coil. I have no periods, but I can still track my monthly cycle through variations in my mood, hunger and energy levels. I have had no periods or bleeding since the first insertion, have now no pain and don't have to think about contraception at all, which for me is ideal. For me the insertions weren't easy - both inserted without any anaesthetic or pain relief (the places I went didn't offer it even when asked) other than paracetemol and ibuprofen. Insertion for me was painful, leaving me light headed and feeling quite sick following which I had stabbing pains and cramps for about a week each time. However, other than the week after insertion both times, I have no pain, bleeding or unpredictable hormonal fluctuations.

I moved to the mirena coil after my doctor would no longer prescribe me the pill i was on and it was the worst decision I ever made. My sex drive was non existent & sex was v painful (my partner could also feel it.), my skin went crazy and I had acne all over my chin and back, I gained weight suddenly and my mood was v unpredictable.

I suffer from low moods very often and definitely have not felt like myself for a long while and it has correlated with since I had this coil put in.

For the most part, I love the mirena and of contraceptives I have tried, it’s my favourite by far. I like that you don’t have to think about it too much aside from checking the strings. It doesn’t have an impact on my mood like others did. The only drawback is random cramping I get with it that feels quite unexplained and not tied to my cycle. It can be quite sore and after reading other women’s reviews online, it seems quite common but like a lot of contraception symptoms, unexplained.

I had the coil inserted when I was 40 years of age and this was due to having extremely heavy periods after having my 4th child. The periods were extremely painful after I stopped breastfeeding and I was unable to work , or carry out most of my daily living activities. I always felt very tired and weak and lack of energy. I was already diagnosed a few years prior to becoming pregnant again with fibroids. And I was experiencing heavy periods prior which then I was given the nirestorone pill to stop my periods. When I starting taking this pill it stopped my periods but I was advice to use this pill as a normally contraceptive to have a break period. When I stopped it after 3 weeks, my period came back with vengeance and I just continued to bleed everyday and it just wouldn’t stop. I was then advice to continue taking the norestorine pill without any breaks. As my periods was affecting my iron levels , which was dangerously low at times and resulted in hospital admissions and black outs, I was advice to either have a hysterectomy or use the merina coil. I opted for the merina coil and had it in for 1- 3 months, I went to have my follow up for internal scans and ultrasounds and the coil couldn’t be found. They couldn’t see anything via the X-rays. This was extremely frightening but the doctors think this induced early menopause as I didn’t have a period after.

I got the Mirena coil fitted back in august before this I was natural and not on any form of contraception for a long time. Since I’ve had the coil fitted I’ve had constant BV (bacterial vaginosis) even the antibiotics isn’t working now, I know it’s from the coil as I didn’t have any issues until this has been fitted. I am sick of it and I’m in quite a lot of discomfort because of the infection that I’ve had for weeks, I have booked in to get this removed. After doing some further research I found that you’re at risk of getting bv when you have the hormonal coil so I guess I’m just one of the unlucky ones.

Horrific. Gynacologist suggested Mirena coil for heavy periods and bad PMS as couldn't take Pill due to hormone sensitivity. Coil fine at fitting, very strong stomach pain which was to be expected. However it felt like my kidneys had been punched due to pain. The back pain was so severe it went all the way down my legs and I couldn't sit/ stnd or lie down without wincing. After 7 days I had coil removed, I was told it had dropped down. Three months later I am still recieving physio to alleviate back pain cause muscule trauma from the coil.