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

I tried the mini pill after experiencing migraines after 6 years on the combined pill. First I tried Zelleta which gave me such low mood and tearful all the time, as well as constant spotting. I wanted to try Norgeston as the synthetic hormone is different. My mood definitely improved (although a little more anxious) and I’ve had no spotting, but my periods are so irregular, really close together and so heavy I can get through more than 3 pads a day. I’ve had 2 periods a month for the last few months and will end up with an iron deficiency at this rate! Running out of options

I must say that this pill absolutely saved my life. Suffering from severe endometriosis pain & PMDD and it reversed the effects of that. I have control of my moods and body back and I’m so grateful. I must leave a positive review because it’s not all bad. The beginning was rocky with irregular bleeding but this stopped after 8 months or so. It was worth it.

I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.

I had a Kyleena coil inserted, after 6 months I was still having week long breakthrough bleeds between periods. I had the coil checked and it was in position, no problems according to the doctor. A month later I was pregnant, with the coil still in the correct place. Unfortunately the Kyleena coil didn't work to protect me from pregnancy, caused me to have breakthrough bleeds and have recurrent episodes of thrush.

I've not had any significant side effects...so far. But the one thing I don't like is that I struggle to track my period. I don't bleed it bleed very little. Some periods are just spotting. In theory this is great, but the rest of my body is still experiencing a cycle and without the bleeding it can be hard to track. I still try to, but I'm about ready to give up. If you are like me and spent 10 years on the pill, this can feel a bit jarring. I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster that is normal but I'm not really use to it. My cramping is normal compared to before I had coil. I've had acne rosacea crop up and after a year of it I strongly thing it's linked to hormones but not sure how much the coil plays a part (though I did NOT have this before coil, I am also 40 and may be perimenopauseal). Insertion recovery was totally fine. Very little discomfort. However I was undergoing a minor gyno procedure at the same time and as a result got a general! Highly recommend should it be available. Won't lie, not sure I would have the coil again after this one....I'm still not sold in all honesty. It just emotionally felt evasive as a method of BC.

Overall my periods were regular but once I got the coil I had very irregular periods and extra cramping. I also have frequent dizzy spells and headaches since it has been inserted. And I've seen an increase in spots and body hair since starting with the coil

Struggled to fit the Mirena & so fitted the Kyleena instead - potentially leading to an insufficient amount of progesterone as i continued to have irregular bleeding. After about 12 months this settled down and month on month this has lessened and my cycle continued. However, I experienced consistent cramping like I'd never had before and from 15 months onwards severe & debilitating pain about a week before my period. This is why I had it removed.

I experienced irregular periods, major mood swings and no sex drive at all. Would not recommend this at all.

Insertion isn't pleasant, but once it's in place, there's nothing to do for years! I had my first Mirena coil over 8 years ago and haven't had a period since insertion, only very occasional spotting (maybe once every 3-6months). I know some women like to track their cycle, but I never think about it and prefer it that way! Would recommend.

Loved this until I got BV then no treatment would fix it until I got IUS removed

The threads disappeared on the first coil so had it changed early (wasn't great as they had to go digging about to find the threads). Had another put straight in at the time thinking it was a one off but the same happened with the second so I had it removed early as soon as I noticed them becoming shorter to avoid the first scenario again and switched to the implant. Great that my periods stopped on it and it's super low maintenance though.

Extremely painful insertion. Blood loss continuously for about 3 months, bleeding everyday. Then periods became irregular, passing clots the size of my palm. Periods worsened after merina, when ironically merina was prescribed for heavy periods. Dermatitis caused by merina after 2 months. Told that results with merina are variable, and to wait and see. Not good advice considering the health issues and extreme blood loss caused by merina so far.

I mean as a contraceptive it works because I haven’t gotten pregnant. A positive my periods are extremely light and irregular, but as a distant irregular. But my skin has never been so worse in my life, I constantly have big deep spots on my chin. I used to have quite dry skin but now on the oily side.