Mirena coil vs Kyleena coil

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Mirena coil

Our doctors are here to help

Kyleena coil

Our doctors are here to help

Overview

Rated 3.5

510 reviews

Every 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

110 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

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Heavy periods

Try it now

Our doctors are here to help

Try it now

Our doctors are here to help

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mirena coil reviews

510 reviews

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

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

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

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


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Kyleena coil reviews

110 reviews

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Feb 24

  •  Still using

Great but painful to insert


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Jan 24

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Feb 24

  •  Still using

Great but painful to insert


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Jan 24

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Jan 24

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Dec 23

  •  Stopped using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Oct 23

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Oct 23

  •  Still using

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!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Sep 23

  •  Stopped using

I enjoyed the convenience of the coil, not having to worry about a heavy period (and sometimes no period at all) and not having to worry about taking a pill each morning, which was just extra difficult when travelling through different time zones for work. However, the coil caused me excruciating pain every 2 weeks (I assume this was during ovulation and again when I'd have my period) with a lingering pain on other days of the mouth that left me feeling nauseous most days. After multiple doctors appointments, external and internal scans and a biopsy I decided to have the coil removed. I pain was going almost instantly.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Sep 23

  •  Still using

My Cramps are AWFUL on this. Been on it 6 months and getting it taken out soon. I couldn’t cope with it. Everything else was fine. Got a few more spots but


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Aug 23

  •  Still using

I have had my Kyleena for 6 months now and I am very happy with it. Prior to this I was on the pill for 8 years. Insertion was painful, but it was over quickly. I experienced period-like cramping for the rest of that day and the following day, but was able to manage this with pain killers and a hot water bottle. Following that I had the occasional cramp for the next few weeks. Early on I did find that I was breaking out around the time of my period, but that seems to have settled down now. My periods were also a bit irregular at first but have settled down after the first 3 months and are predictable now. I have also found that my periods are lighter than when I was on the pill which is great. Overall, I am very happy with my experience. Any negative side effects have been minor and stopped after the first few months. Well worth it for the ease and security in my opinion!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Mirena coil with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

  • Set up a subscription and never run out

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

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

Pharmacy services provided by Phlo Technologies Ltd. GPhC reg number: 9011171

When you click on some links on this site, we may get a small affiliate commission