Kyleena and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2021

For Birth Control "The only good thing about Kyleena is that it prevents pregnancy. The insertion is bad, but that was to be expected. A week or two into having the IUD, I did not notice any side effects, but after about a month, I started to have very noticeable side effects. I had the worst cramps of my life (literally to the point where I thought I might have to go to the ER) and also horrible recurring back pains. I told my nurse on-call at my gyno about my symptoms, and she claimed it was normal to experience this following the insertion, so I just stuck it out. Not only did the horrible cramps and back pain never subside, but I also ended up getting the worst acne of my life. Additionally, I think Kyleena has affected my mood: I have many more mood swings and am a lot more depressed. Some of my friends also have Kyleena but have never experienced this, so I guess everyone is different; I just wanted to share the side effects I experienced. I am getting it removed tomorrow... thank god :))"

• ebt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2022

For Birth Control "My experience on Kyleena seems to be a bit different than everyone else's, so I figured I'd share! Having the Kyleena was an awful experience: I had a very dramatic weight loss of about 50 lbs (within about 4 months) because I was either constantly throwing up, nauseous, or experiencing diarrhea. I lost the weight so rapidly that my skin became loose on my body and everything sagged. I was also losing my hair constantly, and I had the worst panic attacks in my life (as well as increased depression/anxiety). Oddly, it actually increased my sex drive, which has never happened on anything else. I asked my doctors if the Kyleena could be causing all of these problems, and they just consistently brushed it off. After having it in for almost 9 months, I couldn't take it anymore, it was removed. After doing so, it was a night and day difference! I became myself again :)"

• Kay...
• August 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena for 3 months. Insertion was not bad at all and just felt like a really bad cramp. I took some ibuprofen beforehand along with a med to dilate my cervix per my doctor's recommendation. I bled for a month after insertion and became severely depressed, anxious, and lethargic. I have a history of being depressed, but this was on another level. Once I stopped bleeding, the depression eased up a little bit, and I have been mildly depressed since. Other side effects I have dealt with are increased acne and weight gain (about 10 pounds). Due to these negative side effects, I decided to have it removed today. The process was painless and only took a few minutes. If you don't have mental health issues, you will probably be fine, but if you do, I would be hesitant about this IUD. Also, some of my side effects could have been worsened by quarantine/coronavirus. What I liked most about the Kyleena was its low maintenance and lighter periods."

• MWa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 1, 2021

For Birth Control "Placed in 2017 and removed in 2021. If you have a small frame, are sensitive, or prone to depression, Kyleena isn't for you. I felt my IUD in my body for the duration of having it. I didn't realize how much daily pain I had due to it. Removal was a HUGE relief. Placement pain varies; the best comparison is to think of your cramps-if you generally suffer from chronic pain, then insertion could hurt more. It feels like 2 quick hot pinches in the cervix. Then there was pain after, like severe period cramps, only lasted about 12 hours. After placement, I had random sharp pain in my uterus with movement, like jabs from a piece of sharp plastic. Intercourse was only affected in this respect; fear of pain from IUD. My libido/lubrication weren't affected. Severe depression due to Kyleena. Within weeks of placement, symptoms were apparent. (I speak about depression because since removal, most symptoms have fallen off). My digestive system and bowels were affected. This ceased with removal too."

• Sta...
• November 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I am writing this two days before I get Kyleena removed. To echo many others, this was the worst pain of my life to date. My period is gone, and I’m not pregnant, so those are the pros. However, the cons are simply too much to continue. 1) ACNE is the worst. I feel like a 14-year-old and, tbh, I was not looking to revisit that chapter of my life, thank you very much. 2) DEPRESSION has become unbearable. Dark thoughts, anger, numbness, truly insane mood swings. I’ve had sad days before, but this has been the hardest year of my life. My doctor literally prescribed me bipolar medication because my mood swings are so intense. 3) WEIGHT GAIN is real. Whether that’s from the depression/lack of motivation or the IUD is anybody’s guess. 4) PAIN: I know I’m the one housing the demon, but I feel even more horrible because my partner is in pain during intercourse. He said, 'it feels like I’m rubbing my penis on a really hard piece of plastic.' Stay tuned!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

For Birth Control "So I just want to start this off by saying I’m sure Kyleena works for some but not for everyone. I don't do well with hormones. When I was researching, I found ParaGard, which had no hormones. I went to my gynecologist, and I told her I wanted the ParaGard and absolutely no hormones. She mentioned Kyleena, but I still said I didn’t want any hormones. So I thought we agreed on ParaGard. I got the IUD inserted, and it was painful, something I had never felt before, but nothing I couldn’t live with. I had really bad cramping in the beginning, then it got better. After the 2 1/2 months came around, I would get random swings of extreme depression and anxiety. It was affecting my personal and professional life. I thought I was going crazy. I later found out she put in the wrong one, it was Kyleena. Ladies, I really recommend being very stern with what you want to your doctors, and before you do anything that is going to mess with your hormones, get them tested to see if it will work with your body."

• 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."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve given Kyleena a month and a half, and I can honestly say I’m dissatisfied and unsure of what to do next given the negative side effects I’ve experienced already. I’ve had cramping halfway through the month, which was literally worse than the process of termination I experienced. The pain from this IUD was so bad, it left me doubling over, and pain actually traveled down to my feet. It didn’t even result in a period either, it’s just been constant spotting, which didn’t stop until a few days ago. I’ve had cystic acne, irritability, and depression, as well as a moderately dull pain/cramping that comes and goes as my mood fluctuates. I’ve decided to have it removed. I’m so saddened that this is all women have to turn to in this day and age for birth control. There are way too many side effects, you’d think there would be something else by now that doesn’t hurt and ruin women’s lives the way our current options do."

• mda...
• April 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena for two months before I had it removed. Everybody reacts differently to different forms of birth control, and this one is not for me. My body is very sensitive to hormones, including those in IUDs, which are less systemic than in oral contraceptives. What I liked about the Kyleena: insertion only felt like a bad cramp, my periods were lighter and cramp-free, no weight gain (actually experienced weight loss from my own effort to prep for spring break), my well-endowed partner did not feel the strings, and I did not get pregnant. Why I had it removed: depression, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, heart palpitations, and lack of motivation. A week post-removal, I finally feel like my normal self again. No more hormones for me."

• mda...
• April 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena for two months before I had it removed. Everybody reacts differently to different forms of birth control, and this one is not for me. My body is very sensitive to hormones, including those in IUDs, which are less systemic than in oral contraceptives. What I liked about the Kyleena: insertion only felt like a bad cramp, my periods were lighter and cramp-free, no weight gain (actually experienced weight loss from my own effort to prep for spring break), my well-endowed partner did not feel the strings, and I did not get pregnant. Why I had it removed: depression, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, heart palpitations, and lack of motivation. A week post-removal, I finally feel like my normal self again. No more hormones for me."

• 307...
• February 16, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had the Kyleena now for over a year. The insertion wasn't very painful, but the days/weeks afterward was awful. I would cramp so badly that the cramps would stop me in my tracks. My periods went from normal flow to extremely light/spotting. I completely lost all my libido, and I became very dry. I became severely depressed. My headaches/migraines increased substantially. I know that this BC is to blame for my diminished libido and dry vag, but I don't know if it has anything to do with my migraines and depression. When I spoke to my OB about it, she said that I shouldn't be experiencing that because the IUD keeps the hormones localized in the uterus instead of it spreading throughout my body. So I continued with the IUD. After 8-9 months, my periods stopped completely. I have no desire for sex whatsoever. I am constantly dry down there, and it is very uncomfortable to be this dry when I am still in my mid-20s. I do still have this IUD to this day."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2019

For Birth Control "Not sure how I feel about Kyleena. I had light periods at the beginning of November, and nothing since, so no periods or spotting for 7 weeks. When I was on Mirena, I always had light periods. I get constant cramps as if I was going to get my periods, but nothing. But with the Kyleena, my mood has changed, though. I get irritated, I feel depressed, I got zits (which I have never had before), I cry way too often for things I usually wouldn't. I've called my doctor. Something is not right."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 23, 2018

For Birth Control "Horrible BC method! Most of the reviews on here are only about insertion and have only had Kyleena for a day or so. I had Kyleena for 14 months. I personally didn't have an issue with insertion. A month after Kyleena, I started gaining weight rapidly despite not changing my diet or exercise routine. I started feeling tired all the time, I felt depressed, anxious, and just genuinely not myself. A few months went by and I started losing a TON of hair. Fast forward to 12 months post-insertion. I missed my period, and the next month I started developing SEVERE cystic acne. I have never had acne like that before. I went to the doctor and they kept telling me there was no way it was from Kyleena (eye roll). They checked my blood, did ultrasounds, and all my labs came back consistent with a woman with a PCOS diagnosis. After 2 months of removal, EVERYTHING has improved. Kyleena was the worst decision of my life!"

• Kko...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2018

For Birth Control "Okay, so I’ve had the Kyleena for over two years now. Insertion was painful but not unbearable. For the first 2 weeks, I bled about the amount of a normal period or less. I suffer from very irregular periods, and I have all of my life (I am now 21). Now, since being on Kyleena, my periods have completely vanished, and I haven’t had a menstrual cycle in over a year now. Sometimes I get occasional cramping. I also gained 20 pounds in about two years, but now I’m slowly starting to lose the weight. As well, I suffered with acne a lot of my life. After insertion, my acne was a lot worse, but finally now it’s pretty much gone. I’ve never gotten pregnant, so it’s working. Also, during the beginning, my hormones affected my mood, but it took about 8-12 months for that to even out. I also experienced mild depression and anxiety, which may or may not have to do with my hormones. It’s been two years now, and everything seems to be normalized for me, besides the minimal cramping. I hope this helps."

• Ast...
• May 19, 2019

For Birth Control "As far as being a contraceptive with Kyleena, I haven't had any issues. I like feeling very confident that it's working and that I don't have to remember a pill every day. My period has stopped, which is honestly very nice to not have to worry about bleeding. The insertion was horrible, but that's probably because I just had a Paragard removed. My issues have been with the side effects. I believe I'm very susceptible to hormones, and I've had a lot of mood issues since getting the Kyleena-increased anxiety, apathy, sadness, numbness, etc. Not unlike my experience on the pill. I also wake up bloated every morning, even though I've tried cutting out the things in my diet I know might give me that reaction. My boobs are almost constantly sore and unpredictably swollen. I also have light cramping most days. It kind of feels like I'm constantly PMSing."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I thought I would share my experience since I’ve been on Kyleena for about a year now. I was someone who never got cramps before, so I was very discouraged when I started getting them every month along with my period. The only upside to this BC is the fact I don’t really have a period. It’s super light, and some months I don’t even notice it. Now, a year in, I have really bad acne on my back and chest, I’m always so tired to the point where I don’t even want to get out of bed, and I can sleep 14 hours and still feel tired enough to sleep more. I’ve also been feeling a dark fog or cloud in my mind and feel very irritable and sad all the time. It’s making me super anxious to the point where my appetite is completely gone. I am planning on making an appointment to get it removed because if these side effects are from it, it’s totally not worth it. I just want to get back to the normal hormone levels of my body."

• Lex...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Let me just start out saying this is the absolute worst birth control ever! I mean, I’ve only had one other birth control and it was the Skyla, and that was way better than this. It’s killing me, I got it put in in May 2018, and it’s been downhill ever since. I have the absolute worst weight gain ever! I’ve been depressed, and my mood swings are out of control! I do not recommend this birth control at all. Plus, I’ve been experiencing the worst migraines, and I’ve never experienced headaches before. It 100% sucks. Being put in did not hurt me at all, I had cramps, that was it, but everything from then on, I just kept gaining and gaining weight. I need a new birth control."

• Ros...
• April 2, 2019

For Birth Control "I got my Kyleena in October of 2018, and it wasn't very painful to get put in at all. I think that aspect really depends on what you're like pain tolerance-wise. I liked it a lot at first, I was able to have sex with my boyfriend and not worry about anything. I spotted a little bit for the first six weeks, mostly brown weird discharge that was kind of a turn-off. That cleared up, but then I noticed I had started to gain weight and feel INCREDIBLY anxious ALL THE TIME. I didn't know this was a side effect. I struggled with it before, just a little bit, but not to the crippling point it is currently at. My libido also tanked, and that defeats the whole purpose of even having it for me. I love the ease of knowing I'm not pregnant, but the insane mood swings and depression and anxiety are absolutely NOT worth it to me. I have an appointment to take it out six months after insertion, and I am so excited for the light at the end of this anxiety tunnel."

• Ray...
• December 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I had Kyleena inserted back in September of 2018 due to PCOS. Insertion was easy and pretty pain-free. It’s more of a discomfort than actual pain. Within the first week, I noticed INSANE mood swings, like someone I had never been before. I mean, I’ve had cranky, bad days like any other, but this put a whole new meaning to RUN!!! My OB assured me these would subside within a month or so. NO! Try, I’ve now taken 2 different depression meds due to this Kyleena IUD giving me side effects of making me go insane! I went from a random period here and there to monthly 3-week-long periods with intense pains as if I were in labor again! Yes, 3-week-long periods with cramps that sent me to the ground in pain! Those pains have started to subside, this is now December 2019. I have been losing my hair as well. I am scheduled to have it removed in January 2020 before my loving and patient husband hands me divorce papers. These mood swings are too much to handle for me and everyone around me."

• kit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on the Kyleena for about 10 months. Insertion was painful but not bad. I bled for about three months after. I used to get few and infrequent pimples, but now my acne has been terrible. I also have experienced mood swings and pretty intense depression. I am thinking about getting it removed as I come up to the 1-year mark because it's honestly not worth feeling terrible. Great that I don't have to worry about becoming pregnant, but I think I'd prefer something else."

• Ela...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2019

For Birth Control "Prior to Kyleena, I had Jaydess for 3 years, and it was amazing! No periods or side effects. I decided after the 3 years I wanted another one, and my doctor recommended Kyleena because 'it's the same amount of hormone but lasts for 5 years instead of 3'..... (This isn't true - the hormone level is higher in Kyleena). Anyway, insertion for Jaydess was easy and not painful, insertion for Kyleena was awful. Apparently, my cervix wouldn't go straight?... Side effects Kyleena: very low sex drive, increased appetite, bloating > weight gain, mood swings, definitely worsened my depression. Just overall not good. Similar side effects to when I took a birth control pill that was hormone heavy. So overall, I think my body just can't handle the hormones. Removed it a few days ago, had it for about 14 months."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2020

For Birth Control "I have been using Kyleena for two months and sadly have to get it taken out ASAP. Since its insertion, I have had constant bleeding, very bad cramps and, most recently, extreme depression. Really cannot recommend this at all."

• Dud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Birth Control "In the several months that I was using Kyleena, I had multiple side effects that made this IUD’s use unsustainable. Around my cycle, I would get terrible cystic acne. I also became considerably depressed. Finally, I never get cramps normally, but Kyleena suddenly made me get them in a horrible way! Once I had Kyleena removed, the cystic acne, depression, and cramps all went away."

• DPR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2018

For Birth Control "Ok, I purposely waited to type my opinion because I wanted to give things a try, but I'm gonna be honest and not sugarcoat anything. The procedure itself hurt like hell, but it was really quick. I felt a pinch and then a huge cramp, and it was over. Later on, I went home that night, and I had cramps so bad that I thought I was gonna have to go to the ER. I usually do well with pain, but this pain was a different kind of pain. Fast forward 2 months, and I'm still randomly cramping some days. These cramps are sharp and painful. I still spot. My periods last more than a week, which is annoying, and now I'm starting to feel migraines, random depression, anxiety, and weight gain is the biggest for me, I have put on 15 pounds in a month. I usually exercise 5 days a week and eat very healthy. I'm about to make an appointment to take this thing out, I can't take it. I hope you ladies have better luck than I did."

• Kat...
• December 17, 2020

For Birth Control "I've had the Kyleena for 5 months so far. The actual insertion was not bad since I took ibuprofen and medicine to soften the cervix prior to it. The cramps, however, afterwards were the worst I've had in life! And they were on and off for like a month. I also went into a deep depression for a whole month, where I had to motivate myself to literally do everything, even just to take a shower. The depression went away after a month, but still comes back on and off randomly. My cycles have also been a full 10 days each month, and sometimes afterwards, I will start randomly bleeding again for like 5 days in addition. It's normal bleeding and not heavy, but still annoying AF. Every time I've tried to have sex, I have bled, even though I wasn't on my cycle at the time, which is gross and super embarrassing. I have been trying to give it time to adjust to my body, but between the depression and bleeding, I can't take it! This is no way to live. I am getting it taken out as soon as possible!!!"