Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

Started taking in April 2024 finished the last pack September 2024. Had spotting for the first couple months in the place of period which was frustrating (spotting for 14days instead of normal 5-7day period flow). Once settled, periods just completely stopped which made me feel slightly uneasy as there’s no indicator of “missed period” for pregnancy sirens to ring. Mood was a strange one, felt slightly mentally exhausted but difficult to tell whether that was life or the pill, but I do remember having PMS type symptoms (emotional, cramps) once a month, almost mimicking a period without the bleeds.

Lloyds Pharmacy gave me no warning when they changed my Crescent generic version of Desogestrel for Lovima. My fatigue is awful, acne (it's like reexperiencing puberty), very tender breasts prior to my period, and suddenly anxiety that has gone through the roof for no real reason. My sex drive had already suffered on Desogestrel, I need the mini pill due to migraines so not sure will I necessarily be able to tackle this, but so far I have just as low libido on Lovima. For the first time in a long time I've had period cramps, but minus any spotting or bleeding. On the plus side, perhaps no signs of weight change. Desperately trying to get a new prescription.

I have only been taking this pill for just over a month, but so far I am really happy with it. No change in moods, sex drive or skin. My boobs have grown lot - which I'm not mad about! Although I do feel slightly frumpy, as though I have put on a bit of weight - but it isn't hugely noticeable I don't think. I did have spotting for the first 2.5 weeks of using the pill which has now stopped completely.

Prepare for an immediate & severe drop in mood after insertion, coupled with intense pain for the first few weeks. My mood has stabilised a bit after 5 months, but overall I am much lower in mood and lack energy and motivation. The headaches are persistent and I have gained 1 stone. I bled for 3 months straight and now I bleed for approx half of the month, with painful periods and severe bloating.

I’ve had this coil in for around 5 weeks now which isn’t a long time but it’s the best i’ve used so far. I have had positive experiences with copper IUDs in the past but they have all rejected due to strong period cramps, so I decided to give the Jaydess a try as it is the lowest dose of hormones available. I initially had it inserted a week after my period and the following week I started my period that lasted 17 days, very heavily. I didn't have any mood swings or weight gain in that time, but the cramps were SO bad for the entire time. On the weight gain, my experience might be skewed as I go to the gym and do very rigorous cardio 6 days per week. I have ultra dry skin also, so I cannot comment on acne as I luckily don’t suffer from it, apart from one super huge spot that came up on week 4. So far so good girls, stay safe and good luck!

I have found the coil a very useful and relatively stress free form of contraception. I find the lighter periods much easier to deal with, my PMDD has been a lot more manageable with the coil and I appreciate not having to remember to deal with contraception regularly. My only issues have been some uncomfortable cramping occasionally and I did have an ovarian cyst which the doctor thought could be related to the hormonal contraception. The cyst did require an overnight hospital stay for pain relief but didn’t require surgery to fix, it went away on its own. Overall, taking everything into account I would still recommend the hormonal coil for ease etc - I think it is worth it!

Mostly happy but dryness is a big issue, making sex uncomfortable and sometimes not possible. No other issues so will persist but was not an expected side effect!

Really good contraception however I feel my breasts are sore 3 weeks out of 4.

After having a bad experience with the Nexplanon implant (very low mood) I decided to try the Jaydess coil as recommended by my doctor. Insertion is very painful as expected but the taking out is fine, I am currently coming to the end of my second coil so I'm swapping to the Mirena for a longer lifespan but I have loved this coil - I had some painful cramps for about 3 months at the beginning of the first coil but after about 6 months everything settled down. I've had no periods, no mood changes, no weight gain, my skin hasn't been great but it has improved recently and I wouldn't confidently say this was down to the coil anyway, more likely lifestyle choices.

Kyleena was good within the first 2 years that I had it, but I think that when the hormones start depleting that new side effects occur. Better than any other options I had, and insertion wasn’t painful as the healthcare provider used LA during. Looking at either swapping it out for a new Kyleena or to swap out for the copper coil as I’m now suffering extreme bloating and acne 3.5years after insertion. Hope this helps.

Kept me from becoming pregnant but at a very high cost... Extreme cramps throughout the month, even after removing the original coil (it was seen to be in the wrong place via ultrasound) and replaced with new one. Pain actually got worse as time went on, after about 8 months I had to get it out as the cramps were debilitating and extreme. I also had a migraine for the first time in my life, and often experienced dizziness and nausea. I also had a patch of recurring thrush infections which was hard to get over as it was so stubborn. The only positive sides were the reduction in bleeding/periods and lack of pregnancy. I will never use a coil again.

After 4 years of having the Kyleena I got pregnant and so have had the coil removed. The main symptoms I struggled with throughout the 4 years were weight gain and lack of libido.

I had the coil for 4 and a half years and started getting infections with ever increasung severity. I would swing between thrush and bv pretty much back to back especially in the last year and a half of having it. The doctors kept just giving me treatment for it and didnt say that it could be linked to the pill and it was only when i went on a deep dive of coil side effcts that i found out that it can cause infections. I then asked the doctors and then said they could see a correlation amd suggested removing it. I spent hundreds of pounds on prescription and over the counter medicine and spent such a long time feeling totally disgusting. Before i got the coil i had has thrush a few times and so i wonder whether i am more susceptible to getting it and thar should have been a consideration before choosing to have it.