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

The minipill gave me pretty bad acne, which took years to resolve after I gave up the pill. It also completely killed my sex drive.

Most of my life I was on Mercilon combined pills which was the only one working for me after tried few in my early 20tis. Had them with some breaks . Later I tried mini pill for few months which didn’t work for me. Mostly because of painful red spots on my neck like acne. Now I am 50 can’t take combined pills and trying the progesterone pills. Tried 1 month Cerazette but stopped after 1 month. I didn’t want to eat Titanium dioxide . Now 2 months in I am on Zelleta. Having acne on my chin and around my mouth. Now have very bad numbness in my hands especially during the night . And some in my legs too . Finishing 2nd pack but coming of it now . Can’t feel my fingers. My hands hurt . It’s not menaupase or lower estrogen level as got this suddenly within days. Very low sex drive like I am switched off completely . Also mood swings with anxiety. I am done with desogestrel pills they are not good for my heath, never was. I am trying natural cycles with app next . And my period should be completely stopping soon with my age.Also, Didn’t have any period with these pills.

Started this pill as I had horrendous migraines on Rigevidon. Was excited to start the mini pill and to not have bleeds in between pills but was I wrong. The first 5 months I’ve had random bleeding- which I expected (but not for over a week straight) I’ve also been heavily dizzy, nauseous and have had 0 sex drive which has affected my relationship heavily.

Overall it has made my hormonal state worse. I am having it removed after 5 months as the moment I enter my luteal phase I have horrible mood swings, and depression-like symptoms and have become extremely sensitive to sugar, which then affects my mental state to the point of crying for no other reason. I also had a traumatic experience getting it in, please do your reading before getting any IUDs in. Ask for pain relief.

The mirena coil was excruiciating to have inserted, I am so shocked that no pain relief was offered and i had to spend the rest of the day in bed with severe cramps which continued for a few days. My skin had a very poor reaction and i developed quite bad cystic acne across my face, chest and back as a result, which I did not have previously.

The Jaydess coil increased my period pain massively and gave me severe acne, which took years to heal after it was removed. For the first couple months on it I was spotting constantly and developed anemia.

I got this contraception to prevent pregnancy but completely lost libido and gained weight. There was no issue with insertion and removal and got rid of painful periods.

This has been much better for me than the combined or mini pill - it has had no effect on my mood that I can tell and my periods have basically almost stopped (for the past 3 years I've had 6ish light periods a year, with 1 day of sever cramping). However, this is nothing as bad as my natural periods which normally have a week either side of just cramping. However, I have recently noticed increased breast soreness/tenderness, slight, persistent cramps and increased discharge after my last period. If this persists I'll talk to my doctor - I should be changing my coil soon away, so I'll report back :)

I had cramps for ten days after and then I felt good for a week. Then I got pain so bad and a fever that I got taken to an and e. I in hospital for 10 days and had pelvic inflammatory disease which caused a massive abscess on my ovary which may leave permanent damage. I was never warned of this would not recommend it was such a painful experience

Mirena prescribed for painful, heavy, irregular periods in peri-menopause. My quality of life improved dramatically as a result. I had some bleeding daily for first 6 weeks, but my periods have now stopped other than an occasional slight spotting episode. No more pain, flooding or embarrassment, with my iron levels restored, so feeling energetic and less tired. No side effects other than breast tenderness and some mood changes initially. Life changing.

After being on the combined pill for the last 13 years for my heavy periods I was ready for a change and I am so happy I did. I had previously tried to have a coil fitting at my local GP surgery but the pain was so much so that I asked the procedure be stopped. I went back a few months later and asked for a topical local anesthetic which really helped and was able to have it fitted successfully. The coil has honestly changed my life, just over six months in and my periods have now virtually stopped. With only a day of light bleeding. My mood has massively changed and I feel so much happier in myself, I don't think I even realised the full affect the combined pill was having on me, even my husband has commented on how much happier I seem. It was definitely worth it!

I tried the Kyleena coil for nearly 6 months. I previously tried a wide variety of contraception methods but nothing agreed with me. This was the worst one. Even during my sixth month of having it, the pain was like nothing I've experienced before. Very painful during sex. Hot flushes frequently. Heavy bleeding for the majority of the time I had the coil. Awful cramps. Constantly tired to the point I was napping on breaks at work. I'd sleep for 13 hours at a time and still feel tired. The only positive was that my mood didn't seem to change.

Honestly life changing. I decided with my GP to try the Mirena Coil for heavy painful periods and endometriosis symptoms. My periods had gotten so bad that they were having a significant impact on my life. Insertion wasn’t comfortable but the nurse was amazing at explaining everything and making me as comfortable a possible. I spotted for the first 8+ weeks, which was annoying but I would take this over the heavy bleeding and severe pain I had been dealing with any day! Once the spotting stopped, I haven’t had any bleeding or periods since - and none of the horrible symptoms. This contraception has changed my life and my only regret is not trying it sooner. I was terrified about going on hormonal contraception and read many reviews on this site before giving it a try and I hope this review can maybe help someone who’s also scared about trying contraception.