Kyleena and Bleeding: What Users Say

• MLP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I never write any reviews. I feel like I have to after 2 years of using Kyleena. The side effects are way too much for anyone to handle the pain. In the past, I have had gallstones, 17-hour labor, a 10-pound baby, and never had this much pain in my life. Also, the bleeding was out of control and spotting all month. No sex drive, depressed, an overwhelming sadness like life is not worth living, weight gain, acne, anger, thought I was pregnant, vomiting, breasts hurting, truly unstable. The doctors wanted to put me on antidepressants - no way! I should be happy: new wed, new home, new car. WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS??? I decided to remove Kyleena and put in a copper IUD. OMG, now life is great, periods are normal again, having amazing sex, no issues, feeling happy, feeling amazing. Everyone told me it was stress, and in my mind, NOPE... IT WAS MY KYLEENA IUD... no more hormone IUD ever again. Be careful, ladies."

• JRa...
• June 11, 2020

For Birth Control "The insertion was one of the most painful experiences I've had in my life (my body simulated labor). Upon insertion, I felt extreme menstrual cramps that had me doubled over in pain, nauseous, and lightheaded. I took 2 Tylenol beforehand (as directed), and the extremely intense cramps subsided within the hour. Cramps were much more bearable from then on. I had light bleeding for the following 2 weeks after insertion. I had cramps here and there, but nothing severe at all. I now have my IUD for 5 months, and my experience has been super positive! Little to no cramping for the past 3-4 months, and I no longer get periods. I'm not sure that I will get the IUD again when my current one has to be taken out in 5 years, but my experience has been favorable thus far (besides the insertion, but it was worth the very temporary pain). I recommend Kyleena to people who don't love taking the pill and want reliable birth control that they won't have to constantly worry about. Hope this helps!"

• Pri...
• March 7, 2021

For Birth Control "PLEASE DO RESEARCH BEFORE GETTING THE KYLEENA IUD :( Getting this thing in is one of my biggest regrets! First off, it hurt SO BAD to get in... After insertion, I bled for almost 60 days straight!!!!! It was medium to light spotting EVERY SINGLE DAY! If that was not enough... I developed an ovarian cyst! Sometimes the pain would be so bad I would just cry... THEN I started going through - and still am going through till I get it removed - major insomnia, mood swings, and even depression. Oh, also not to mention I get constant yeast infections because of the IUD, and it constantly smells like fish (BV). Don’t forget the cystic acne either! Oh, and one more thing... the strings were cut too short, so they went back into my uterus, and now I have to get surgery to get it removed :) So thank you, Kyleena, for giving me depression, mood swings, cystic acne, an ovarian cyst, insomnia, constant bleeding for 60 days, and lost strings that now have to be surgically removed."

• hin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for 2 years and LOVED IT. I never ever missed a pill but decided, why not try the IUD since it’ll be stress-free. The worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life, I seriously almost cried, followed by a whole day of bad cramps. The doctor made it clear that irregular bleeding and spotting is very common up to at least 3-6 months. It’s been 9 months now, and this was my biggest regret. Some months I get spotting and discharge for weeks straight. The past few months I’ve had 2 periods in one month. My MAIN complaint is that if I’m not bleeding, I’m spotting or discharging, I rarely get a break. I was thinking about waiting until the one-year mark since I’ve heard so many rave about the IUD, but... don’t think my patience can take any longer. Having to wear a pantyliner every single day for nearly a year is awful. I miss my pills :("

• Ger...
• February 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena for 2 years, this is my experience. I am a fit, healthy 25-year-old woman with a background in healthcare and no existing medical conditions or symptoms before Kyleena. The procedure for insertion I found to be okay. After, I had unbearable cramping for about 3 months and irregular bleeding. For the past 2 years, I have experienced increasing anxiety and depression. Uterine pain during sports such as rock climbing, skiing, kayaking, running, etc., that didn’t used to be painful. Additionally, I experienced decreased libido, pain during sex, recurrent yeast infections, vaginal dryness, nausea, headaches, back pain, insomnia, and my period stopped altogether. Two months ago, I got the Kyleena removed, I am aware of the placebo effect, etc. The removal was painless. The first 3 days after removal, I experienced extreme mood swings and heavy bleeding. But ever since then, I am happy to say I have had none of these side effects anymore and feel like myself."

• Ger...
• February 27, 2021

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena for 2 years, this is my experience. I am a fit, healthy 25-year-old woman with a background in healthcare and no existing medical conditions or symptoms before Kyleena. The procedure for insertion I found to be okay. After, I had unbearable cramping for about 3 months and irregular bleeding. For the past 2 years, I have experienced increasing anxiety and depression. Uterine pain during sports such as rock climbing, skiing, kayaking, running, etc., that didn’t used to be painful. Additionally, I experienced decreased libido, pain during sex, recurrent yeast infections, vaginal dryness, nausea, headaches, back pain, insomnia, and my period stopped altogether. Two months ago, I got the Kyleena removed, I am aware of the placebo effect, etc. The removal was painless. The first 3 days after removal, I experienced extreme mood swings and heavy bleeding. But ever since then, I am happy to say I have had none of these side effects anymore and feel like myself."

• Bro...
• September 16, 2020

For Birth Control "It was the most pain I have ever felt when I got it put in. I just laid on the table after the insertion because I wasn't sure if I was going to pass out or not. I bled for 4 months straight after getting it put in. I feel like I woke up one day and gained 20 lbs. I am an active person and stay on a healthy diet, but it didn't matter because I still gained weight. I just feel bloated ALL THE TIME. I also got put on prescription acne medicine because I break out around my mouth constantly. My periods are super irregular. Sometimes I don't have a period for a couple of months and then I have a period twice a month. I will say that my periods are significantly lighter! The cramping is one of the main reasons I am going to get it taken out because they are AWFUL. I know that the IUD works for some people, it just did not work for me. The only good thing about it is not having to worry about getting pregnant, but I don't think it is worth it."

• AKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I highly recommend not getting this IUD, as I have had an incredibly horrible experience. I took 2 Advil prior to the insertion, and the pain was bearable. I bled for about a month straight after, which is what I expected. Exactly one month after getting my IUD was when everything went downhill. One month in, I developed severe anxiety and depression. I couldn’t go a day without having an anxiety or panic attack. It got so bad to the point that I couldn’t drive my car or go out to eat. Not only was I struggling with anxiety, but I didn’t feel myself. I had horrible brain fog and felt mentally off. I am convinced that my IUD caused this. I got it removed about 2 months ago after having it in for only 4 months. I am finally starting to feel more and more like myself. Please, please do your research before getting this put in your body."

• Med...
• November 18, 2019

For Birth Control "In med school, I learned IUDs were so great-reliable, easy, can't be felt once it's in, covered by insurance, and 'locally acting.' I switched roles and got to be the patient. It has been the worst medical experience of my life. In just 10 days of having Kyleena, I was in the deepest depression of my life with extreme tearfulness that was interrupting work. I have lost at least 25% of my hair. I have gained 10 pounds, bled every day, have extreme cramping, bloating, back pain, and breast pain. This device needs to be recalled and taken off the market. It is obviously not locally acting to have all these side effects. After 7 days, I told my doctor the symptoms. She recommended I start anti-depressants, which is bad practice to mask all the symptoms with more drugs with their own side effects. I would also need pain meds, muscle relaxers, diuretics (for bloating), hair growth medication, acne medication. My advice to every patient is not to get this implanted!"

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Getting the Kyleena was the worst decision of my life. I thought it would be great because my friend got it and it's been amazing for her. Not the case for me. About 3 months after having it inserted, I have gone completely off the rails with anxiety. I've NEVER had anxiety this bad before, where I can hardly function. I'm crying all of the time for no reason, I feel totally crazy, and having constant panic attacks. My stomach is always in knots and my heart is always racing. My doctor had to put me on an anti-anxiety med that hardly works just to get me to function. I've had it removed for a week now and I'm still having anxiety. For the entire three months I had it in, I never stopped bleeding and when I had sex, I felt an uncomfortable pressure. If this is happening to you, get it removed right away!"

• Je3...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m not one to do reviews, but Kyleena changed my life so much, for the better! I’ve tried four different contraceptive pills in the past, a mix of combined and POP, and they were all disastrous (heavy bleeding, constant periods, migraine, mood swings), which made me completely against hormonal contraception, and I only used barrier methods for two and a half years. I then read about IUDs and decided to try Kyleena and have had it for a year and a half. My periods have stopped completely, my boobs grew (a bonus for me!), and I no longer have insane hormonal mood swings. I feel completely balanced and normal all the time! It’s a dream to never have periods and to finally feel like a normal human being. I haven’t noticed any changes to my skin or sex drive either, which is amazing. I would recommend it to everyone!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2019

For Birth Control "Insertion felt like a little pressure and pinch. I have a high pain tolerance, so it didn’t feel like much. Light bleeding after. Then everything was okay up until my first real period on it. I had the most miserable cramps. Every single day. I’m talking contractions for cramps that would last the whole day. It was so bad that I could not get out of bed. This lasted for 3 months straight. I also had a heavy period for those 3 months as well. I talked to my gyno, and she said I have to give 6 months for my body to get used to it. Here I am 8 months in; I’ve gained 20 lbs, losing chunks of hair, have horrible acne covering my back, neck, and chin. I have depression. On top of a week prior to my period starting, I experience contraction-like cramps. I have a period for 10 days and spot for a few days after, and then I’m good for a week, then I’m back on my period again. Having this IUD is a nuisance more than a benefit."

• Lai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Had Skyla IUD for 3 years, the insertion was an awful experience, and my strings got sucked up into my uterus, but overall no complaints on the side effects. When it came time to take out my Skyla, my GYN suggested Kyleena because it's 5 years. I got it in July 2019. Inserting it was very painful. I felt fine for the first few months until suddenly I started getting these awful migraines (never has been an issue for me before). They did a head CT, and I guess I have a pituitary microadenoma? I'm not sure if this was caused by the IUD or not, but it's one massive coincidence. Like others have mentioned, the emotional turmoil this IUD sends you through is not worth it. My depression and anxiety are the worst they've been in years. Mood swings are bad. Irregular bleeding and painful/crampy sex at times. I'm scheduling to get it removed, and I've only had this for a few months. Of note, I am very sensitive to medications, but I figured I'd share this."

• JKH...
• July 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I bled and cramped for a solid month. Then the headaches, acne, and breast tenderness started. I've gained 10 lbs in four months with this thing. The inches are all going to my waist. And now to add to the cramping, I have extreme bloating. It's so bad it distracts me from my job because it's painful to sit. I've not been on a hormonal birth control in five years, so there's no other explanation for these changes. I'm getting it removed."

• sjh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2021

For Birth Control "I have had the Kyleena IUD for 10 months now, and I really don't like it, and I want it out. It was the WORST pain getting it in, and I passed out after getting it in and had to stay in the hospital for an hour afterward. I was bleeding for 2 and a half months straight after getting it in. I have put on 15 kg since the start of the year, and it has made my headaches worse and my hormonal acne worse! I am so self-conscious about how I look now, it is almost impossible to lose weight. I have been exercising and watching what I eat for 3 months, and I have gone up 2 sizes in pants!!! Like, what is that about? I’m so unhappy, and I really think I’d be better off just not having sex at all compared to this rubbish."

• Iam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on this for almost a year to give it a fair chance (that’s what my gyno advised after mentioning my symptoms). The insertion was not really anything serious. I didn’t take the painkillers before or after, and I’ve never had a kid. Stings a bit like a strong cramp, but aside from that, it’s a nonissue. After insertion, I bled nonstop for 3 months. It also made my cramps way worse than they ever were before I got this thing inserted. Eventually, the nonstop bleeding stopped, but I still get random cramps even when I’m not on my period. This thing has completely got rid of my sex drive-so much that I don’t even want kisses from my bf and haven’t since about a month into having this thing put in. It’s nice to not have to take a pill every day, but isn’t really worth it to me. I’m personally getting mine removed after the semester ends."

• rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2020

For Birth Control "*Easy insertion due to natural ovulation, cervix softener, Valium, and Ibu. *Bleeding for 4 months almost nonstop. 95% spotting. Daily. Increased after any sexual activity. *Experienced a decidual cast in the 3rd week. *Breast tenderness, swelling, PAIN when leaning into something or doing a self-exam. All the time. *At least 2 'periods' a month (just darker/heavier, but short). *Cramps - random. *Mood - Depression okay, anxiety up. Feel spacey a lot. Feel ADHD meds don't quite do their job anymore. *Weight - retain fluid, have to take a fluid pill around 'period' days and randomly. Always hungry, even on stimulant. Have begun gaining in month 4. *Acne - prone to hormonal, but NONE. *Genital - Labial cysts are frequent, maybe due to pads constantly used. Always itchy because my skin hates pads, but can't use anything else for various reasons. Currently a yeast infection. *Emotions - cry randomly and once a month sob at the most ridiculous things. Not a crier. Not quite a fan."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena inserted two weeks ago. The insertion was like a quick, painful pinch. Then it was done. I was surprised how quick. Ever since that day, my stomach looks and feels pregnant though :( I've gained 10 lbs and feel horribly bloated. My abdomen and lower back ache constantly, and sometimes the achy sensations wake me up at night. I'm experiencing significant fatigue, which goes beyond just a little disrupted sleep. It has become hard to function or even care to function. I am experiencing a significant change in moods. I either feel apathy or anger most of the time, which is totally out of character. I have lost interest in sex (maybe just because I feel so horrible), but two weeks ago I had an amazing sex drive. I am experiencing several other side effects (bleeding, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness). I went to the doctor last week with concerns, and she was very dismissive. I have a follow-up appointment tomorrow, and I will insist on removal."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the Kyleena in since early March 2017, and in the beginning, was really regretting it because I felt like I was constantly bleeding and cramping. I passed a lot of clots, and I was just always uncomfortable. Today, being July 2017, I feel like I have put the bad things behind me and am enjoying not having to worry about birth control. No more cramping, no more clotting, and best of all, I haven't gotten a period. Stick with it, ladies, it will be worth it. It is true what they say, though: allow a solid 3-6 months for your body to get used to it. Good luck!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2019

For Birth Control "This definitely has not been for me. I haven’t experienced acne or weight gain like other reviewers, but... I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten BV while on this IUD. At least 6 times in the 10 months I had it in. I’m 36 with no children and have gotten BV maybe twice in my entire life prior to this. It became too emotional to deal with. Constant testing, meds, too embarrassed to have sex. Got it put in 11/2019 and just removed a couple of days ago. The moment I walked out of my OBGYN, I felt better. I also experienced bleeding during sex while on this. I’m not sure if that is something others have mentioned, I haven’t seen too many. I even went and got an ultrasound because I was worried something else may be wrong, but the results came back normal."

• Kal...
• January 15, 2021

For Birth Control "INSERTION REVIEW: I had my Kyleena inserted yesterday. Before the appointment, my gyn prescribed me a cervix softener, and I took 800 mg ibuprofen. The insertion process was not painless, but also not unbearable. My provider numbed me using lidocaine, which I did not even feel, but I had intense and deep cramps when she measured and inserted the IUD. That was the worst part of the process for me. Following insertion, I had heavy period cramps for the remainder of the night and some fairly heavy bleeding that was manageable with ibuprofen and a heating pad. Today, I am back to work with no cramping and very light brown spotting. Other than that, I am basically back to normal. Will post another review once I’ve had it for longer."

• Liz...
• January 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I hated this. The whole experience was a nightmare. The insertion was fine for me. The night and day after was horrific. I had to take a prescription painkiller and sleep to even get through the pain-worst bleeding and cramping I’ve ever dealt with. My periods were all over the place the entire year I had the IUD. They would come without warning and with a consistent cycle. I developed several cysts and was told this is just what happened with the IUD. My doctor told me to make it to 6 months. So I did. At 6 months, I was fed up, thought it was dislodged because of a sharp pain I was feeling in my abdomen. Nope, just cramping with the IUD. My doctor told me to wait it out another 6 months, so I did. And it just got worse. The cramps were horrific, and I got on this to help regulate and help with my periods. After a year, I had enough and got it removed. I gained 25 pounds, my mood swings were out of control, and the pain was horrific."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2022

For Birth Control "I got Kyleena about a month ago and immediately had a bad reaction to it. Started sweating, bad cramps, and nonstop bleeding. I have now developed pretty bad anxiety when I had gotten my anxiety very well under control for the past 7 months. Now I get dizzy spells nearly every day and feel like I'm going to black out, it's hard to breathe and just a lot of brain fog. I know some people love it, but personally, I have had a bad experience."

• Mm_...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2017

For Birth Control "After the insertion, I had mild bleeding then spotting for at least 2 weeks. I also had leg pain and lower back pain for 2 weeks after, just like the doctor said I would. The leg pain went away, but the lower back pain lasted for 6 months. I had major cramping every time I was going to have a bowel movement, never stopped spotting, had pain with a pressure-like feeling. My migraines got worse and more frequent, my appetite was lost due to feeling nauseous for the 6 months. I lost 10 pounds, felt foggy, and experienced major anxiety and depression with dark thoughts. The doctor told me these were 'weird' symptoms and asked if I was sure I wanted it out. As soon as she pulled it out, the pressure in my head left, and I can't wait to start feeling better. It sadly did not work for me."

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I had insertion of Kyleena on 02/03/2019, and since then, I have been patiently waiting for the side effects to subside. I had bleeding after insertion that turned into a full-blown period lasting 18 days. It seems to be common that my period comes at the same time every month and still lasts almost 3 weeks. Even when I'm not fully bleeding, there's always some type of smelly discharge. Haven't really been able to have sex without feeling insecure about blood or smells. Super annoying, I guess it is effective birth control since you can never have sex without a period interrupting you. I also have the worst cramps and bleed heavier than I ever did on my regular period. I did lose weight, but I have increased anxiety and mood swings. I considered taking it out sooner, I really wanted this to work, but all of the side effects almost aren't worth it to me."