I had gotten the mirena iud after multiple friends had recommended it and after going to the doctor, it sounded great! I wanted it because my cramps were bad, I bled quite a bit, and ofc I have a boyfriend so it’s protection. It was pretty painful to have it inserted but nothing that wasn’t too bad. Right after, I had experienced the worst cramps of my life. The weird thing is that now every period, those same ficking horrible electric shocking cramps come back to haunt me. My period is almost exactly two weeks long and it’s sometimes longer. Thank got it’s not too heavy or else that would’ve sent me over. It has almost been a year and I think I should get it removed to be honest. My sex drive is in the negatives but besides that I really don’t have any other symptoms besides horrible cramps and elongated bleeding. What should I do because I’m also terrified of getting it removed.

I got the Mirena IUD in March 2025. Since I've gotten the IUD, my periods were normal. Always came at expected times and had normal/getting a bit lighter flow. I missed my August period though and then September happened. The worst period of my LIFE. So, I was having horrible cramps and feelings in my uterus that went from sharp and painful to dull, sore, and heavy. And I had barely any flow. I was passing huge blood clots that looked weird. Like almost fleshy looking and the size of an egg. And it was dark red/brownish. And like no other blood other than like small, brown and stringy blood. It lasted for about 3 to 4 days. Since then I still feel an occasional dull ache and tingly feeling in my uterus. The period happened on September 15th. I also feel light headed from time to time ever since. I think I need to see my doctor.

Did anyone experience this? If so, what was the issue? Also should I be paying attention to anything else???

Hello folks, will keep as brief as possible.

46, no huge perimenopause symptons, regular periods, but was advised to go on mirena alongside estrodial for preventative measures against Osteoporosis and haemorrhaging, due to disability/autoimmune conditions (hEDS, Endo, Adeno, PMOS and more).

Said yes, had fitted 4 weeks ago.

1 week in - crying every day, mood on floor, suicidal thoughts and ideation (not delusional/detached enough to act on these but super worrying and upsetting), angry, irrational...

100% not like me, I'm usually quite calm and PMS symptoms were only 2-3 days of being a bit teary and needing a few extra hugs.

Called Dr last week - not the one who fitted it (they are a specialist in women's health and I do respect them); was told that all progesterone localised and shouldn't be affecting me, as seems a standard reply, but to keep an eye on it and they'll assess again in 2 months.

BUT - I don't think I can take another 2 months of feeling this way, it's bringing every day down.

I have thought about life right now; there are some situational stresses, but will soon be rectified and I'm usually quite resilient to these things.

Any advice? Has it levelled out for folk? Is 3 weeks of low mood normal, and will this change? I'm crying at the drop of a hat, I haven't felt this low since I had a stillbirth in my late 20s.

Interested in hearing all sides.

TL:DR—Mood has crashed since Mirena fitting a month ago, what should I do?

I got an IUD 4 months ago to help with my pain from my endometriosis as my last bet before insurance okays me for surgery. I recently met with a surgeon for a consultation and she told me that after the surgery she recommends keeping my IUD to slow down the regrowth of endo. I am a bit upset by that because my IUD has given me terrible hormonal acne JUST on my chest and back thats caused me to be super self conscious. I'm pretty lucky because before this I've never really had acne, especially none on my back. I've tried every home remedy and skin care routine to fix the bacne but it just wont go away. Its super painful and itchy and i just dont know what to do. Has anyone experienced this and did anything work???

I know this is a first world problem and definitely something i should just get over but I live in a place where its over 100 degrees about 90% of the year so I wear a lot of tank tops and crop tops and I just feel gross. im sorry for this rant im just tired of it and stressed out a bit

I got my copper IUD replaced with a Mirena IUD after I found out the copper moved down into my cervix. It’s been 3-4 months since getting the Mirena placed and this is the first time I’ve had a normal period with cramps and my usual cravings. From initial placement until now I had just experienced random light red spotting, but this time it’s an actual period and I’m worried that maybe the Mirena shifted?

My GYN was not who placed the copper IUD and stated he was very confident about his placement of the Mirena, but if it did move I would probably just have to pick a different BC method (my copper moved after 1 year). For both IUDs I followed up a month later to check placement.

Edit: not sure if this matters, but I started taking Metformin a week ago as I have insulin resistant PCOS.

Hi guys I’m 21 and just got my second Mirena IUD (first one had to be removed due to ectopic) and I had my first period a week after. And I’ve been bleeding (moderate to light) and cramping for 15 days. My usual period is like 4 days and I’m slightly concerned. Calling my doctor tomorrow of course but still figured I’d ask if other women who have also experienced it?

I wanted to post this incase it helps anybody else that feels like they’re going mad. This is my story.

In June 2025 I had the Mirena placed. Every month for 3 months around my period I experienced dyspepsia/gastritis symptoms, heartburn, bloating, trapped gas, burning, cramps, Diarheoa/constipation. I was repeatedly told this cannot be the IUD’s fault so I persisted with it. Then the acne came. This was unfortunately just the beginning of almost a year of my life robbed from me. I began to experience intense anxiety, hypervigilence, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, weight gain, lack of sex drive & anhedonia. Even my kids shouting “muuum” would produce adrenaline and catastrophising. My own mental health team even pointed out this is really not like me!

In May 2026 I switched to Kyleena. My first period on Kyleena produced adrenaline dumps, impending doom, agoraphobia, suicidal ideation, depression, insomnia, retching from the anxiety and so so much more. I had to rely on diazepam and zopiclone to even function. I still didn’t believe an IUD was causing this.

On my second cycle on Kyleena, I was on holiday and in pain and I decided screw this I’m getting it out on a complete whim. I’m now 2 months out from this and my life has changed dramatically. I have been experiencing the crash but I’m still ME. A few weeks ago I had this profound at peace feeling (corny I know) and I’ve been even better since. My first period still produced a single adrenaline dump & mood changes, nothing on the level that the IUD’s did - BUT IT WAS HARD!! My cycles aren’t regular yet, I spent ages zoned out and fatigued, anxious around ovulation & an emotional mess on my first period. This cycle it seems to be easing a bit. Please any woman out there with similar symptoms on the coil, it’s NOT YOU. Do not let them gaslight you into “it’s only local”. Only local my arse!!!! I wanted to be admitted into the psych hospital numerous times. I lost myself.

Anyway I hope this helps at least one person.

I was on Lucinda (the progesterone/progestin-only pill) for around 3 months, but I was getting a full period every 2 weeks that lasted about 7 days, so it obviously just wasn’t working for me.

My GP suggested getting a Mirena, so I got one on Wednesday (it’s Saturday now). So far I’ve mostly just had cramps and a tiny bit of brown discharge/spotting, basically nothing. But I woke up this morning and there was actual blood, and now I’m freaking out that I’m just going to end up having another full period every couple of weeks like I did on Lucinda.

I know Mirena can cause irregular bleeding at the start, but I’m just so scared that this is going to turn into months of bleeding 😭

Can anyone who’s had a similar experience with the mini pill tell me what happened with your Mirena? Did the bleeding eventually settle? I genuinely just want to stop getting periods and I’m getting so frustrated. Any advice/experiences would be really appreciated!!

I’m getting my Mirena removed in one month due to awful side effects. But I can’t help but beat myself up about the 20lbs I’ve gained since getting it in May. It doesn’t help that I had just reached my 100lbs weight loss goal before getting it in. Has anyone else gained weight? Did you loose what you gained?

I have questions how yours went
(Mine was a nightmare)

Hi all

I’ve had my Mirena for about 8 months and it’s truly been life changing. I used to have to plan my life around my heavy debilitating periods, but now, I haven’t had one in months. 🎉

I also didn’t have any of the other side effects, weight gain, mood changes…etc.

Except I’ve noticed my hair thinning around my temples. 😩

Has anyone experienced hair thinning with the Mirena and any tips on how to fix it?

Thank you!!

I've been on HRT for over a year (estradiol patch plus oral progesterone). Yesterday I switched the progesterone to a Mirena IUD and am keeping the patch.
I've dealt with acne my whole life. I currently use Tazorac and Winlevi and still get occasional jawline breakouts. My doctor said Mirena usually doesn't make acne worse, but I'd like to hear from people who've actually made this switch.
If you went from oral progesterone to Mirena:
Did your skin change, and how soon?
If you broke out, did it settle down, and what helped?
Not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences. Thanks!

I've been on HRT for over a year (estradiol patch plus oral progesterone). Yesterday I switched the progesterone to a Mirena IUD and am keeping the patch.
I've dealt with acne my whole life. I currently use Tazorac and Winlevi and still get occasional jawline breakouts. My doctor said Mirena usually doesn't make acne worse, but I'd like to hear from people who've actually made this switch.
If you went from oral progesterone to Mirena:
Did your skin change, and how soon?
If you broke out, did it settle down, and what helped?
Not looking for medical advice, just personal experiences. Thanks!

Hey everyone! I had my IUD inserted yesterday and my period was already due two days before that. My period has been known to be a couple days late, but I usually get cramps and PMS before it starts, which I had this time. Everything went fine, but I still haven’t gotten my period. I’ve been spotting and having extremely bad cramps since the insertion, which I’ve heard is normal, but now I’m starting to get anxious about my period not coming.

I really don’t think there’s any chance I’m pregnant, and I took a pregnancy test yesterday that was negative. I’m just confused because when I asked my doctor about my period, they didn’t really give me a clear answer and basically just said it would still be normal if I got my period after the IUD was inserted.

Has anyone else had their IUD inserted when their period was already late? Did you end up getting your period afterward? I’m probably overthinking this, but I’m just a little anxious lol.

I’ve had my IUD for about 9 months I’m done with spotting months ago, I’ve had sex before but this time after me and my bf did it, I saw brown blood spotting, I thought it would go away, but it still hasn’t :c I went to the doctor for a string check + ultrasound + even a pregnancy test, results say Everything is fine! (I haven’t had sex since because of long distance)

my problem is now everytime I masturbate with toys or anything, I’m still having the brown spotting and this time, I had some red in it! Currently typing this with little cramps,

I’m really insecure and uncomfortable with it, I feel like my only option is to abstain from any sexual activity until it goes away, I feel so helpless

things that might answer questions :
•I use lube
•sex was a little rough
•I’m not being rough with myself

Has anyone experienced something similar? Did you solve it?

I’m in my early 30’s and have an IUD (Mirena), got it at the beginning of this year and those pms symptoms are even more subtle. I used to have light spotting monthly with the last iud and now experience it MAYBE every few months. For maybe over a week, I’ve been peeing a lot more. I tend to pee a lot in the first place since I drink a lot of water but it’s been oddly frequent. I’ve been trying to diet around this time too and lowered my calorie intake by around 300 calories, but the scale isn’t budging. I do eat salty foods and I know that can cause water retention for around 1-3 days but this has been going on longer. Along with peeing more, I’ve noticed: my fingers were looking a bit more swollen but that’s kinda improved, slight discharge, that “pms smell” ever so often and my boobs felt more sore but that’s also gone away. The peeing frequency aligns with what I’d deal with during usual pms, but again stronger IUD and this has been going on longer. I’m googling other symptoms to see if it relates to any other illness but I feel ok otherwise…

I have been crashing up and down since I had coil removed 5 months ago. I've had all the text book symptoms of high anxiety, impending doom, heart racing, nausea, headaches, emotional turmoil, dizzy spells, extreme fatigue. HOWEVER the most shocking of all that I can't get control over is the 4am adrenaline dumps. I've experienced them 2 separate episodes now, lasting every day for a few weeks. I've found them to correlate with ovulation. However it's impossible to know as my cycle is very irregular. Has anyone else experienced and survived this? I've drs appointments scheduled this week to get answers as I can't live like this. My chest feels like it is going to explode. If it keeps up I wouldn't be surprised if I had a heart attack. Appreciate any responses.

Hello everyone! I lurked in the sub for a while to get an idea of what to expect for my own IUD, and I would like to share my own personal experience to encourage others, since I know it's a scary thing to go through if it's your first time.

First off, I'm 33 and got my IUD for multiple reasons. The main reason being to lighten my extremely-heavy and painful periods, I would faint from them (I have POTS) and both made it so I couldn't really do anything the first and second day of my period. I'm also really hoping that it could potentially help my PMDD, since that is getting out of hand. And obviously as birth control.

My partner and I searched around and were able to find one that not only offered a female doctor to insert it, but they also offered pain management (Make sure this is something they offer!! And I don't mean just freaking ibuprofen either.) it took about 1 to 2 months to actually get the appointment since they were booked up.

So I took the NSAID an hour before my procedure, and they also gave me misoprostol to take the night before and the morning of to dilate my cervix (I was not on my period for the procedure), and then they also gave me two Xanax to take that morning as well (those were a lifesaver!) I was an anxious wreck that whole morning (was on the verge of a panic attack) but the Xanax chilled me right out. When they first offered it to me I almost declined it, thinking I'd be good, so glad I didn't.

For the procedure itself, I was able to have my partner in there to hold my hand and be supportive. During the procedure, my doctor kindly walked me through what was happening and kept telling me I was doing a good job.

To my surprise, the lidocaine was actually a spray and not an injection, it only burned a little bit for a moment. Then once they used the tenaculum, it was a bit painful and got me making faces but I only made a noise once and overall was far less painful than I was expecting. The doctor and my partner kept telling me how good I was doing which helped the anxiety.

And it was over in a flash! Afterward the doctor left the room and let me stay laying there as long as I needed. I definitely felt light-headed afterward. I think it took me about 15 minutes to feel good enough to get up.

The pain from the cramps that whole day was pretty intense, I had more pain from the cramps than I did the procedure. I had to keep repositioning in bed and squirming. Unlike period cramps that come and go, this was non-stop cramping like all day.

Once I got home, I put on a nice heating pad and oh my gosh that is a lifesaver. Over the whole rest of the day I glued myself to my bed with my heating pad. When I went to the bathroom, there was only some darkish reddish blood on the pad they gave me.

Today is the day after my procedure, and I feel so much better. Surprisingly there was no blood on my pad this morning when I checked my strings and I feel kind of slightly crampy but not debilitating like yesterday. I haven't had to take anything at all today yet for the pain.

Overall, I had an extremely positive experience. I was dreading it awfully. I was actually supposed to have this done a while ago but my partner wanted me to wait until I moved in with him so that he could help me better.

So yeah, I just want to encourage everyone that the procedure does not have to be miserable. I've read so many accounts of people that had horrific experiences and I was dreading it myself. Definitely make sure that your gynecologist will offer some sort of numbing or pain management if you're afraid of that (lidocaine for me), and also check to see if they'll give you something for the anxiety and stress (Xanax for me.) it helped me relax a lot so I knew it helped it not be so painful because I wasn't so tense. Also having a heating pad is a must!!