Mirena coil vs Kyleena coil

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Mirena coil

Add your Mirena coil review

Kyleena coil

Add your Kyleena coil review

Overview

Rated 3.5

593 reviews

Every 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

145 reviews

Every 5 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mirena coil ingredients

Main hormones in Mirena coil

Androgenic progestogen


Kyleena coil ingredients

Main hormones in Kyleena coil

Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

43% no impact on mood

51% stopped periods

45% no impact

56% no impact

53% no impact on skin

Cycle return

30% don’t know impact

43% no impact on mood

40% lighter periods

46% no impact

59% no impact

55% no impact on skin

Cycle return

53% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Heavy periods

Try it now

Add your Mirena coil review

Try it now

Add your Kyleena coil review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mirena coil reviews

593 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I've had the mirena coil for four months, I'm still bleeding irregularly (period every 8 days) and lots of spotting. I've been dizzy for months, I'm feeling very low, I have water retention and a lot of lower back pain that feels like a pinched nerve so I'm battling to concentrate on work. I really want to have it removed but I'm terrified of going back to the alternative of extreme heavy periods that made me anemic.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I've had great success with a Mirena for treating jawline acne, after getting it to prep for going onto Roaccutane it actually cleared my acne up amazingly and now I just get the odd spot every month when I'm due on. I get irregular, yet light periods, and occasionally some spotting, and overall my period cramps have been lessened. My sex drive is not what it is when off hormonal contraception, but as I've been on hormonal contraception my whole adult life, bar a couple of years here and there, this hasn't been an issue overall. I have put weight on gradually, but I've also aged (now 34), so its more likely to be metabolic changes rather than a side effect. The only thing I would say is that the coil itself has moved twice, resulting in removal and replacement (I'm waiting for another removal, and will likely explore pill options again as its just too painful getting it replaced every 2 years!). It should last 8 years, but for whatever reason, maybe my anatomy, mine moves to be too low, and then the long process of getting it checked, ultrasounds, appt waiting times for removal, and everything else, means its not something I want to continue using at the moment. Overall though, it has been a really good method for me, and just because mine hasn't stayed where it should be, doesn't mean someone else won't have a good experience, its probably down to my anatomy only!


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

I was very worried about trying this method as I’d not used hormonal contraception before but overall it has been positive. The insertion was quite painful but not unbearable. It took about a week for me to recover, with me having to stop exercise for that time and then slowly increase again. Bleeding has been the most annoying part as my periods are very irregular now (previously they were regular as clockwork) and I have light spotting for up to a week before each period. But it’s getting slightly better each month and I’m hoping I’ll be one of the lucky ones who eventually gets to little or no bleeding at all. I’ve suffered no other symptoms of note.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I've had the mirena coil for four months, I'm still bleeding irregularly (period every 8 days) and lots of spotting. I've been dizzy for months, I'm feeling very low, I have water retention and a lot of lower back pain that feels like a pinched nerve so I'm battling to concentrate on work. I really want to have it removed but I'm terrified of going back to the alternative of extreme heavy periods that made me anemic.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I've had great success with a Mirena for treating jawline acne, after getting it to prep for going onto Roaccutane it actually cleared my acne up amazingly and now I just get the odd spot every month when I'm due on. I get irregular, yet light periods, and occasionally some spotting, and overall my period cramps have been lessened. My sex drive is not what it is when off hormonal contraception, but as I've been on hormonal contraception my whole adult life, bar a couple of years here and there, this hasn't been an issue overall. I have put weight on gradually, but I've also aged (now 34), so its more likely to be metabolic changes rather than a side effect. The only thing I would say is that the coil itself has moved twice, resulting in removal and replacement (I'm waiting for another removal, and will likely explore pill options again as its just too painful getting it replaced every 2 years!). It should last 8 years, but for whatever reason, maybe my anatomy, mine moves to be too low, and then the long process of getting it checked, ultrasounds, appt waiting times for removal, and everything else, means its not something I want to continue using at the moment. Overall though, it has been a really good method for me, and just because mine hasn't stayed where it should be, doesn't mean someone else won't have a good experience, its probably down to my anatomy only!


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

I was very worried about trying this method as I’d not used hormonal contraception before but overall it has been positive. The insertion was quite painful but not unbearable. It took about a week for me to recover, with me having to stop exercise for that time and then slowly increase again. Bleeding has been the most annoying part as my periods are very irregular now (previously they were regular as clockwork) and I have light spotting for up to a week before each period. But it’s getting slightly better each month and I’m hoping I’ll be one of the lucky ones who eventually gets to little or no bleeding at all. I’ve suffered no other symptoms of note.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments


Kyleena coil reviews

145 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Kyleena coil  

Sex drive plummeted on this, plus I think it made doggy uncomfortable and even painful, never had that issue before! I also had breakthrough bleeding whenever I did have sex, although this was the only time I would bleed. I had more intense period cramps and sore breasts on this than I had on any other contraception (implant, combined pill and mini pill), and I'm so glad to have it gone! Absolutely horrific experience getting it in, and ended up getting it out by myself at home when the sexual health nurse didn't want to remove it. Thankfully it was barely even uncomfortable to remove (would still recommend going to a health professional to remove though just in case!).


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

I had Kyleena for 5 years. For the first 6 months I had painful cramps, but my cycle became very light. I have noticed that I have had increasingly more acne, especially back acne, so be prepared for your skin to be very itchy. Towards the end of having it, I had constant light bleeding through the month and there was no regularity to it (probably because the hormones were wearing off). I have had incredibly bad bloating, water retention, and generic weight gain. I'm a very light build so this weight would normally have been easy to lose. Finally, I had to undergo investigations for ovarian cysts as I was getting all the symptoms for them, and after a bit of research it turns out that Kyleena can be a contributor to the formation of cysts. Overall, I have really liked the Kyleena. The side effects have been fairly insignificant compared to other methods. But just take into account the potential insidious side effects like cysts etc that can happen. I've now switched over to the copper IUD because of these side effects, and I'd prefer to be hormone free.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Feb 26

Kyleena coil  

Had kyleena fitted on recommendation from my doctor due to severe painful heavy periods, I have adenomyosis and suspected endo. Insertion was uncomfortable but not excruciating, the cramp lasted a couple of seconds and I was fine. Bleeding started within hours and didn't stop for the duration of use, I was having excruciating pain every day to the point I couldn't walk, feel my legs and awful tail bone pain. I booked an appointment a month later and my doctor said I didn't look well and removed it without me even having to ask. I wish it had worked for me but it just didn't. The removal was fine and gave instant relief.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Kyleena coil  

Sex drive plummeted on this, plus I think it made doggy uncomfortable and even painful, never had that issue before! I also had breakthrough bleeding whenever I did have sex, although this was the only time I would bleed. I had more intense period cramps and sore breasts on this than I had on any other contraception (implant, combined pill and mini pill), and I'm so glad to have it gone! Absolutely horrific experience getting it in, and ended up getting it out by myself at home when the sexual health nurse didn't want to remove it. Thankfully it was barely even uncomfortable to remove (would still recommend going to a health professional to remove though just in case!).


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

I had Kyleena for 5 years. For the first 6 months I had painful cramps, but my cycle became very light. I have noticed that I have had increasingly more acne, especially back acne, so be prepared for your skin to be very itchy. Towards the end of having it, I had constant light bleeding through the month and there was no regularity to it (probably because the hormones were wearing off). I have had incredibly bad bloating, water retention, and generic weight gain. I'm a very light build so this weight would normally have been easy to lose. Finally, I had to undergo investigations for ovarian cysts as I was getting all the symptoms for them, and after a bit of research it turns out that Kyleena can be a contributor to the formation of cysts. Overall, I have really liked the Kyleena. The side effects have been fairly insignificant compared to other methods. But just take into account the potential insidious side effects like cysts etc that can happen. I've now switched over to the copper IUD because of these side effects, and I'd prefer to be hormone free.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Feb 26

Kyleena coil  

Had kyleena fitted on recommendation from my doctor due to severe painful heavy periods, I have adenomyosis and suspected endo. Insertion was uncomfortable but not excruciating, the cramp lasted a couple of seconds and I was fine. Bleeding started within hours and didn't stop for the duration of use, I was having excruciating pain every day to the point I couldn't walk, feel my legs and awful tail bone pain. I booked an appointment a month later and my doctor said I didn't look well and removed it without me even having to ask. I wish it had worked for me but it just didn't. The removal was fine and gave instant relief.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Jan 26

Kyleena coil  

Was on the injection for over 6 years and was advised to change due to adenomyosis diagnosis. Injection gifted me no periods for 6 years and I’ve still not had any sine changing to coil. Insertion was painful but 6/10 initially. Hot water bottle and pills helped. Cramping did occur infrequently for 2-3 weeks post insertion. Breasts have definitely enlarged and far more tender to touch, feel heavier and unfortunately don’t fit my bra’s anymore. 1st world problems. No issues during intimacy or post either. Other than the cramps, no complaints!


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Dec 25

Kyleena coil  

I’ve had the kyleena iud for just over a year. Initially, I had more painful periods but that’s common for about 6 months as your body adjusts but this has since gone away. After about 6 months, I started to suffer with vaginal dryness. This was easily managed with lube during sex but after a year it really started to get bad. It was causing constant thrust (5 times in 3 months) which I had never been prone to before and the pain during sex can sometimes mean we have to stop or I’ll be okay for a bit but then after will be bleeding or have sort of friction burns. It’s coming out soon but it’s just a shame about the dryness as I loved it otherwise


Decreased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Nov 25

Kyleena coil  

Kyleena was recommended with mr having Adenomyosis due to wrongly being given the copper coil before and bleeding for months on end. Kyleena had irregular periods to begin, the only sidr effect for the first 4 months were severe coldnesd/flu like symptoms the day before my period for all 4 months. As my periods stopped, my sex drive and mental health crashed. I'm on month 9 and awaiting removal.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Nov 25

Kyleena coil  

Having used the pill on and off for 20 years I was hesitant to use another hormonal contraception but I was so happy with kyleena - no noticeable mentsl or physical symptoms. Insertion is not pleasant but it's over in seconds.i experienced some period cramps in first few weeks but then periods became extremely light and pain free for the last 3-4 years. I would get this method again without hesitation.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Oct 25

Kyleena coil  

In terms of contraception practically perfect, I react extremely badly to hormonal contraception usually and this didn’t cause any of the negative side effects I usually get from hormonal methods. My periods because lighter and I still have the normal symptoms of my cycle. The only negative (which is quite a big one) is significantly increased pain throughout my cycle, during my bleed and also cramping randomly throughout the month, sometimes when exercising and also two days before my period which I didn’t experience before. I am devastated that this has been discontinued in most places. I think it’s completely inexcusable that there is now no IUS which for most people doesn’t stop their period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Sep 25

Kyleena coil  

Positives: lighter pain free periods, no anxiety over remembering to taking a pill everyday, no changes to mood skin weight etc. Negative: it moved after 11 months and I fell pregnant


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Sep 25

Kyleena coil  

I was on the Kyleena IUD for 10 months after being on mirena for 5 years. Kyleena has had a terrible impact on my mental health and the reason I got it removed was because increased hair loss.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Mirena coil with other contraceptives

Compare the Kyleena coil with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them