Implant vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

Used this for 1,5 years and I love it. The implant completely stopped my period this whole time, except 1 small break-thru bleeding 1yr ago. Insertion was not painful. Started using due to painful periods. Now living pain-free!

Positives of the Nexplexon implant is it is a very effective contraceptive and the insertion was quick and painless. However, I have been constantly bleeding (spotting and heavier bleeding) since I had it inserted 6 months ago. I have had bad cramping and lower back pain along side the bleeding. My overall mood has been effected as I feel exhausted most of the time, although I do work some night shifts so this may be a contributing factor. My sex drive has been lower than normal. I have noticed my boobs ache and feel sore. I am considering having it removed, if the bleeding does not settle.

I believe it ruined mindset, mental health and confidence. I am normally not over the top and this sounds like an exaggeration. Although I had a really tough year and these would've affected my perspective. I always have and would utilise those negative situations to motivate me and channel sadness into action. But when I was on the implant: - I had lost all confidence in myself and abilities - My skin got worse and I have always had super clear skin - I had more hair than usual - I was super easy to agitation and struggled to regulate my emotions - I became anxious and depressed (please note some of this would be situational and not just the implant). I thought it was all situational. Until I got it removed a month ago. I am still in the process of my hormones regulating which has been difficult. But after a month I am slowly finding my personality coming back. I am not isolating as much. I am channelling my energy into action and turning my life around again! I feel more like myself day by day.

I love this coil! I was keen to have a copper coil initially but as I already had quite painful periods I was advised against this and I love the Jaydess! Initially I had some spotting after insertion but my period / ovulation dates are the same (I was tracking my cycles before) the only difference now is that my periods are lighter and a bit longer than they were previously (before they were 3 days and now about 5-7 days but about 2 or 3 of those is just spotting). They are also generally less painful (although the pains feel different - more like the deep cramps you get when the coil is inserted rather than my old period pains). I really like this coil and it is very low hormone so haven't really noticed much in the way of hormonal side effects - my boobs get a bit more tender pre period and I think I might have had like one more spot than is usual for me but that also might be diet related! I haven't noticed any bloating or weight change! It's really really good and I reccomend it!

I had mirena fitted on 8/1/25. Insertion was absolutely fine, didn't feel anything at all. Since mirena fitted I was lightly bleeding for 3 weeks. Than stopped for 3 days and than I had my period(on time) so started again. Period is much lighter ( 1 pad a day) no cramps, or any other sides effects. Hopefully it will settle soon with my body if not and I will still bleeding or spotting I will go to remove it because I can compare a few days with periods then constantly bleeding or spotting. I feel absolutely fine.

Best one yet for me. I used to have mirena but thought hormones made me depressed. Especially when initially inserted. So opted for lower does coil as love it and I do feel better with it.

I really struggled to come to terms with removing the copper coil as it was the best option for me after having my first child and realising how much I’d changed with hormonal contraception however, after 18 months the copper coil just didn’t agree with me causing periods that were so heavy I’d soak through the biggest tampon you could get within an hour. My periods would also last 8-10 days and be so painful, it stopped me from being able to look after my little girl properly.

I have endometriosis and I tried so many different pills, the kyleena IUD too. All with very bad side effects. This is the first solution that is making my life a bit better than anything else. Overall, my daily life has improved versus no hormone solution , but I do struggle quite a bit with bad lower back pain and also bloating . But it’s still better than any other solution I’ve tried ..

Overall I am really happy with my Mirena coil. Only thing I really wanted to note was that my periods did initially stop completely but they have started coming back after about 2.5/3 years of having it. Although they are much lighter than before I have the coil it was something I wasnt expecting. I think its because the hormones from the coil are slightly weaker than when it first went in, so right now its enough against pregnancy but not enough against my periods (is my thinking). anyways other than that i love it. I dont think it affects my moods as much as the pill etc because the hormones are really localised to the uterus area rather than being all of my bloodstream, as such, i believe its a lot less hormones too than for the pill .

In the beginning for the first few months I had breakthrough bleeding. Then it’s settled and my periods became regular. I kept Kyleena in for the full 5 years and found this method of contraception easy as didn’t involve remembering to take anything. My periods were between 5-6 days long - I still had cramps which I managed with heat and painkillers. This method gives you the peace of mind that you are protected against falling pregnant. I would recommend.

Worsened eczema, dry skin, overly sensitive skin

minimal side affects comparted to my experience on the combined pill

I had such high hopes for the Mirena to help with my heavy periods but sadly I'm nearing the six month mark and there has been no improvement in the long term, if anything my periods are worse and I can't find any reason online as to why. I couldn't put up with the monthly flooding any longer and the NHS waiting list was at least 12 months, so I paid privately for the Mirena to be fitted. The insertion was uncomfortable but bearable (I haven't had children) and I didn't experience any discomfort immediately afterwards. The cramps during menstruation in the first two months following the fitting were intense, but the period was lighter so it still seemed like a win overall and I remained hopeful the cramps would ease as my body got used to the coil. That has happened and the cramps have eased to next to nothing now, but strangely my periods after the three month mark have been horrendous. I've been losing clots bigger than I have experienced before and I am back in incontinence pads to manage the amount of blood I lose. I can't continue to afford to access private care and I remain on the NHS waiting list, where I guess I will discuss ablation when I finally reach the top of the list. I so wish this had worked for me because it seemed an easy option and importantly it didn't end my fertility, but sadly it wasn't to be. I don't know why I'm surprised it didn't work for me, this is just my luck!! I wish it hadn't cost me hundreds of pounds to find this out, but for those it works for it seems life changing so it very much felt like an avenue worth exploring.