Kyleena and Pain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2021

"Kyleena is the BEST THING I EVER DID!! There are a ton of bad reviews but don’t let them scare you. I was on the pill for three years but they made me depressed, I gained weight, I’d get migraines, they made my acne worse AND my periods were TERRIBLE!! When I’d get my period before I had Kyleena, I would bleed for 7-10 days and it would be excruciating for the first 4 days. I wouldn’t be able to even move! So I switched to Kyleena. The migraines went away, after the first month, my skin cleared up, I lost weight, my mood was better and my first period was miraculous. I literally was only in pain for an hour. Period lasted about three days, was super light, and the weirdest part is is that even though I was still bleeding, THERE WAS NO PAIN!!! The procedure hurt a little but not quite as bad as I expected. I was not lightheaded, I felt totally fine, and the light cramps only lasted about a week. I’m so thrilled I finally found the perfect birth control. Sex is also wayyy better!"

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I have just recently gotten Kyleena. The insertion was pretty painful, and I have a pretty good pain tolerance. I was told ahead of time that it's okay that it's going to feel like a cramp at first. After the insertion, they sat me up and told me to sit for a minute before getting up and changing, but right after they walked out, I passed out onto the floor face-first. After I came to, I got back on the table, and it took me about 3 minutes to be able to speak. My body was in so much shock, and I finally called for help. They came, and then when they came in, I threw up, and that is very uncommon for me. I wasn't safe driving home, so I had to call for a ride. The rest of that day, I had the worst cramps of my life. As the days go on, the cramps are still there and hurt. (Your heat pad will become your best friend.) Now I'm just trying to wait it out and see if it gets better, but I am thinking about taking it out. I just wanted to put my story and experience out there to show my side effects of Kyleena."

• 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!"

• Kat...
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I got the Kyleena IUD a year ago. I was taking the pills for years and wanted something different. Insertion was pretty painful, my doctor prescribed me a cervix softener to take before, and I took some Tylenol. There was a series of 3 painful cramps, but the overall process took 5 minutes. I was able to drive myself home after, and I had bad cramps the rest of the night, but I woke up completely fine. Everyone has different experiences and different levels of pain, each one of my friends had a different reaction. The next 6 months, I randomly got intense, painful cramps and sometimes pelvic pain. I also noticed breakouts, which I never had before. I went to the doctor a few times for check-ups, but everything was fine and in place. I just stuck it out, and eventually, it got better. I still sometimes get a random day of intense cramps, but overall my periods are barely there, and the breakouts stopped!"

• 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."

• Tay...
• November 12, 2020

For Birth Control "Insertion of Kyleena is extremely painful and honestly inhumane. I learned in other countries, the insertion is completely different. In the U.S., you are not given pain medicine to take before or a cervix softener. During insertion, I screamed in pain and felt like I was going to throw up and pass out. They had me wait about 30 minutes after the insertion to leave. I definitely was not okay to drive home. Ladies, doctors really underestimate the pain with insertion. Do your research and advocate for yourself if you plan to get an IUD. I don’t want anyone to go through what I did."

• 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."

• ty4...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2020

For Birth Control "I had the Kyleena IUD inserted nearly 7 months ago. The insertion process was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I nearly passed out and threw up. Thankfully, it has done the bare minimum of preventing pregnancy (thus far). Other than that, the only other pro is not having to remember to take the pill daily and the added stress that comes along with that. As for the pain... I don't know where to start. Absolutely unbearable. I double over in pain for the first few days of my period every month. Oftentimes it is so painful that I get nauseous and lightheaded. I have seen a decrease in my flow, but I would say double or triple the amount of pain (cramps) I had prior to the IUD. I don't typically have super acne-prone skin. I haven't seen an increase or decrease in this. My boobs have shrunk from a D to a B cup and I have lost about 20 lbs. I get constant yeast infections... haven't seen much written about this. Does anyone else know anything about this? Overall, do not recommend."

• 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."

• aba...
• March 7, 2020

For Birth Control "Today is day 3 after IUD insertion. So far - LOVING IT. Day of insertion: did not take any pain medication before the appointment, had a light meal and lots of water. The appointment was fast and smooth, and the worst of the pain was about an 8/10. But it only lasted for about 10 seconds. Afterward, I had a little bit of spotting, nothing a panty liner couldn’t handle. About 2 hours later, I had a bit heavier spotting, but still, the panty liner did the trick. At that 2 hours post-procedure mark, I had a bit of cramping. It was like my regular period cramps that ceased with a naproxen. Day 2: no cramping whatsoever, a little bit of light brown spotting. Loving it. Day 3: no cramping or spotting at all! So glad I made the decision to get the Kyleena - and very glad I didn’t let all the scary reviews stop me from testing it out. To the people with Kyleena that have had good experiences - SHARE YOUR STORY."

• Jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2020

For Birth Control "I have had Kyleena for 6 months now. At first, I thought it was great aside from the terrible pain at insertion. The pain was breathtaking, and I thought I might faint. The severe pain lasted a few minutes, with minor cramping for days after. I decided to get Kyleena due to heavy periods and terrible cramps. My iron levels stayed low, and I would feel very faint at times. Kyleena has really helped the pain and bleeding. My periods are very light, with mild cramps. I plan to have Kyleena removed due to mood swings, weight gain, and vaginal infections, which I've never had before. I feel depressed and angry most days, which is not normal for me at all. The Kyleena IUD might be great for some women, but it's just not working out for me. I hope this helps someone."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 9, 2020

For Birth Control "Had Kyleena inserted a year ago, and it was incredibly painful. Even a week after, still got cramps as bad as when it was first inserted. The cramps were horrible. No pain medication or heating pad could help. I was moody, getting acne, constant cramps, discharge, and spotting. I had it removed yesterday, and as soon as it was removed, I instantly felt better. My boyfriend even said I instantly seemed like my regular self prior to getting the coil. I can't take the pill because it reacts badly with my epilepsy medication, so thought this was a better choice, but honestly, it was not worth it at all!"

• KBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I wanted to wait and post my review later on to see how it works in the future, but I refuse to let all the recent negative reviews on Kyleena stop anyone else's decision to get it. I got Kyleena put in over a month ago, the pain was sharp but totally bearable and lasted maybe 10 seconds. The cramps after were very bad, but they went away after a couple of days. I took 4 Aleve and an evening primrose pill to soften my cervix before I went. Coming from someone with depression and GAD, everything with me is perfectly normal, I actually feel better after getting the IUD! It takes an average of 6 months to one year for your body to settle down and get used to it, please give it time! I had hormonal acne, but so far my face has been clear. Cramps are gone already. I used to get frequent migraines, and I haven't had any. I am a teenager and have had positive outcomes, some people need to give it longer to settle in. I mean, it is a foreign object in your uterus. You have to give your body a chance."

• Hir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 20, 2021

For Birth Control "Horrible implantation pain, and I fainted shortly after. Pain lasted 8 hours. Over 3 years, I pretty much constantly had bacterial vaginosis. My partner thinks he felt pinched during sex from it. The best thing about Kyleena was having it removed."

• Dan...
• June 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m one of those who decided to get the copper IUD in, regardless of never having kids. The whole year I had it in, I had the worst pain from periods and more blood flow, which was expected. But I also spotted the whole year when I wasn’t on my actual period. So, I decided to take a break and just accept my doom. Hate the pill, IUDs are horrible (I thought), and I haven’t heard anything good about the others. Well, I decided to see a new gyno, and he suggested Kyleena. I was very hesitant. Best thing I ever did! The insertion was a breeze compared to the copper IUD, and my period I would only have one bad day with cramps, which was bearable and normal. Blood flow is minimal. I didn’t experience acne or weight gain, but I have never struggled with acne my whole life, so that might be why. I got my IUD on 4/1/20, and it is now 6/4/20. My period has pretty much stopped by June, I only have spotting. We will see how it continues, but so far, I love it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2018

For Birth Control "I had my IUD inserted in November 2017, and it was super painful for me (I was 23 w/ no children). I had terrible cramping for about 2 weeks afterwards, and my cervix continued to be sensitive for about 3 months after insertion, making me unable to have sex without severe discomfort. After this, I didn't have much issue for a few months and was happy with the IUD other than occasional cramping when I was supposed to have my usual period. I had minor spotting but never had an actual period after having my IUD inserted. About 4 months ago, I began having severe pain almost constantly on the left side of my body (lower back, pelvis, leg, ankle, etc.). When talking to my gyno about it, he sent me for internal and external ultrasounds, which came out normal. My doctor put me on antibiotics and two anti-inflammatory medications for 3 weeks and hoped it would clear up. After that round of meds, my pain wasn't as constant, and I was able to have sex with only minor discomfort. Now my chronic pain is back and in full force. Some days I can barely walk, and I am essentially living in anticipation of taking my next dose of pain relief because it barely works anymore. My gyno still doesn't have any idea what it could be, except for my IUD not reacting well with my body (which he claims he's never heard of), so he suggested I have it removed. After further research, it seems that younger women without children are prone to pains such as this, which had never been mentioned to me. My doctor continues to tell me that my pain and experience are very rare and that he isn't sure why it's happening, but with a little more research, I've heard about many people having an experience typical to this but being told it 'wasn't the IUD.' I'm hoping that once it's removed (my doctor has scheduled me to get it removed a month and a half from now, ugh), that this chronic pain will go away, and I will be able to function normally again. I'll update this when I do!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2017

"Well, I'm the first one reviewing this... I got my Kyleena IUD placed on Dec. 2nd, 2016. It was painful, but no more so than other IUDs I've read about. The issues I'm having are constant spotting. I've been bleeding lightly (where I have to wear a light pad so I don't ruin my underwear every day) for two months now. The office told me about a month ago that my spotting is normal and most likely means once I stop spotting, I'll be done with my period for the five years Kyleena is good for. But I'm starting to get a bit worried... two months of bleeding seems excessive. Anyone else have experience with this?"

• shi...
• May 21, 2021

For Birth Control "Kyleena insertion was extremely painful for me (I screamed and swore). This BC was convenient in theory, that is, until you get the unpleasant side effects: random panic attacks, anxiety about everything and nothing at the same time, lol. The anxiety became more frequent and intense over time. It also felt like a dark cloud was looming over me, I didn't feel like my happy self. I also had vivid and sometimes frightening dreams. This all greatly interfered with my daily functioning. I finally requested removal after only 2 months because I couldn't tolerate the experience. I was not willing to wait a few more months to see if I felt better-'IF' being the operative word here, lol. Removal was far less painful. I am now 2.5 weeks post-removal, and my anxiety has been dissipating, and I am slowly but surely starting to feel like myself again and at peace. I think the IUD is a convenient method of birth control if it works for you. It just did not work out for me, and I am okay with that."

• van...
• September 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I got the Kyleena birth control about 3 months ago. It has been nothing but a nightmare. I spotted almost every day the first 6 weeks. I have gained about 9 pounds and have gotten little spots of acne all over my face. And I usually have very clear skin. Since the start, I have had very bad constant cramps, but now the past week, I have been in excruciating pain. To the point that it feels like I may faint. I have an appointment tomorrow to hopefully get this thing out. On top of all of this, I get nauseous a lot and feel like throwing up. I have felt so awful and off the past 3 months. This birth control is NOT worth it. For me, it has been a complete waste of time and I absolutely hate it. Spare yourself the excruciating pain, moodiness, cramping, acne, and weight gain. No pros to this."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."