Levonorgestrel and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2015

For Birth Control "I had Mirena put in in January of 2015, and I have an appointment to get it taken out next week. I'm really upset that this didn't work for me. I have always used the pill, but after a while, I decided to try something new. The insertion was pretty simple, and it didn't hurt that much. The cramping was very mild. After a few months, I still felt really crampy, but I held out hope that it would subside. It never did. I'm a fairly active person; going to the gym at least four times per week, and I still managed to gain 35 pounds since the insertion. I also would get crippling migraines, mood swings that led to serious bouts of depression, and my sex drive is pretty much nonexistent. Mirena has been extremely effective; the side effects were just too much."

• 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!"

• Nor...
• July 26, 2014

For Emergency Contraception "I took it after not using a condom just 4 days after my normal period. Later that day, I felt sick, emotional, and dizzy. The next day, I felt better. The second day, I felt sick again, dizzy, nauseous, lower abdomen cramps, and very emotional. I woke up feeling depressed, then by the afternoon, it turned to feeling edgy and angry, like very intense PMS that I've never experienced before. On the fifth day after taking it, I started my period, which lasted 5 days with heavy to normal period bleeding. Then it tapered off to low-flow spotting, noticeable most when urinating or during sex. Some days, it's heavier than others, this is still going on 7 days after the second period. It worked, but it's miserable."

• sca...
• July 17, 2016

For Emergency Contraception "I was just like you girls, reading these reviews, terrified that Plan B had failed. THIS DRUG WORKS!!! Had sex with my boyfriend June 18th, at around midnight-1 am. The condom broke, and we got Plan B 6 hours after. My only initial side effect was nausea. I have a really irregular cycle (sometimes I have a 29-day cycle, sometimes 38), and I had no idea if this pill would make my period come early or late. My period came a MONTH later in full force. But I had side effects from the pill in between that time-tender breasts, mood swings, sore nipples, dizziness, etc. I was on day 45 of my cycle when I noticed brown discharge, then it got heavier and turned into a period. Don't be scared, this pill works, I promise!! I had a very late period!"

• 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."

• Bet...
• July 13, 2015

For Birth Control "I had the Mirena inserted 6 months ago, and slowly but surely, my mood and mental state have been deteriorating ever since. Where I would normally have PMS, I now cry so much I can't go to work or even answer the phone. My mood crashes with the suddenness and intensity of having a bucket of ice water poured over my head. My sex drive is gone. And this for something the doctors keep saying doesn't influence your moods because the hormones are localized in the body!? And when I finally got hold of someone from Mirena themselves, they just told me to go on anti-depressants. I can't wait to get it out of me tomorrow."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been on Mirena for over a year now and have experienced some side effects. Side effects to watch out for are severe mood swings, hair loss, depression, acne, dizziness, headaches, memory loss, and insomnia."

• not...
• April 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had the Skyla IUD in me since October 2014. The insertion wasn't so bad, cramps for a day. Birth control pills were not agreeing with my body, and surprisingly, Skyla has been the best option for me. During the first two months, I had constant spotting and mood swings. So far, I have had no new side effects. I do spot a little bit during the days my periods are supposed to arrive (which isn't that often. Maybe like once per 4 months or more), and if I sit in a funny position, sometimes I can feel the IUD poke me. My boyfriend and I do not use condoms anymore and felt no need for them. I haven't had any pregnancy scares at all. Definitely recommend for younger girls who have never had children and don't plan to have any for the next while."

• jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 2, 2022

For Birth Control "Please read. Insertion wasn’t bad, it was uncomfortable but not painful. Then I bled lightly for about 2 months, and once the two months were over, I didn’t have a period for 6-8 months. The first year of having it, I struggled so heavily with depression and anxiety. I felt, more often than not, that I was absolutely crazy. I would have intense mood swings and suicidal thoughts. It never occurred to me at the time that my Kyleena could have triggered it. I am 21 now, and I’m living the life I have always pictured in my head, yet I have major mood swings, and around the time that my period comes, I actually feel mentally insane. My thoughts race, they get very dark, and the moods I get in take a huge toll on my relationship. I am not someone who usually writes reviews, but if I can help some girl decide NOT to do this and save her the mental agony that comes along with Kyleena, then so be it. Currently planning to get it removed."

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2023

For Emergency Contraception "I had sex without protection and he finished inside. I took Plan B the 13th day of my cycle (ovulation day according to my app, my cycle is between 26-28 days). I took the pill less than an hour after sex. Day 1: Cramps and some nausea and tiredness. Day 2: Cramps + clear egg discharge similar to ovulation. Day 3: Less clear egg discharge. Day 4: Hunger and some cramps. Day 5: Hunger and some cramps. Day 6: No symptoms. Day 7: More sensitive breasts. Day 8-10: No new symptoms. Day 11: Pregnancy test - Negative. Day 12-13: No symptoms. Day 14: According to the app, today my period will come (it didn’t), but I felt ALL day so much abdominal pressure and cramps and lower back pain. I took another pregnancy test and it was negative. Day 15: So much cramps and my period finally came (1 day late). Notes: Since I took the pill, I felt bloated, sensitive breasts, nausea, tiredness, abdominal pressure, so much hunger, higher sex drive, and mood swings. I hope this can help someone!"

• har...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2014

For Birth Control "I love Mirena more than any other birth control method. Had it put in 3 months after my daughter was born. There was slight pain with insertion, but my cervix had fully closed by that time. I had light spotting that day and nothing since. I am also breastfeeding, so that might be why I am not bleeding like others. I have had no mood swings, acne, or weight gain. I do have a master's in pharmacology, and from an education background, I can say most of those side effects people complain about are from your body adjusting from having a baby in you and then out of you. The amount of hormone transfer from the uterus site to outside the body is minimal, that is why it is safe for breastfeeding mothers."

• Fay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had Liletta for the past 1 year and 7 months, and nothing seems normal anymore. I have gained 30 lbs despite eating clean and working out, absolutely no sex drive at all, sex is very uncomfortable, and the bleeding after sex is very scary. I get my periods anytime, sometimes twice a month, it’s very heavy and lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 days. I have become a different person, always very moody, angry, very depressed, and just don’t want to leave my bed. I’ve never felt this way in my 40 years! I’ve discussed this with my gynecologist, an ultrasound shows the IUD is displaced and needs to be pulled out ASAP! My fibroids have increased in growth and size, and my MD is quite concerned. I will have it pulled out on Monday 11/19. I'm hoping things will get better after this."

• hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve only had Mirena in for about 3 weeks, so things could change, but honestly this has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m 24, no children, and have been on birth control for 11 years. I’ve tried all sorts of different brand pills as well as the shot, and every single one was terrible and made me feel terrible. I gained an insane amount of weight, horrible mood swings, bloating, everything. So far, Mirena has been the opposite. I am so much less bloated, I never feel tired or lethargic anymore, my skin is in the best condition it’s ever been in, and my mood is stable. With that being said, insertion was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I am covered in tattoos and piercings, and I screamed and cried during the procedure and sat on the bed trying to catch my breath for another 5 afterwards. The cramps were absolutely debilitating the first two days. But after that, hardly any spotting or cramps so far. I’m glad I got this despite the reviews!"

• jen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2014

For Birth Control "Overall, this was very effective, with no issues to note other than those described as common side effects. I had no weight gain, no mood changes, no spotting, was regular like clockwork after the initial few weeks after insertion. Granted, it isn't pleasant to have fitted, but it is much less uncomfortable to have removed (like removing a tampon really). In the UK (I am English), the cost of birth control and follow-up care is free on the NHS. I had the Mirena for the full five years and only experienced a premenstrual facial spot and three days of mild tummy bloating prior to each predictable and very light two-day bleed. This is my full and honest experience."

• JoM...
• June 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I was suffering very long and heavy bleeding once my second child was weaned off and periods had come back. So it seemed a good idea to try the coil. The insertion was quite painful, and I had some cramping and bleeding, but it was manageable. However, what I didn't expect were all the side effects I was having. Hair loss, bad headaches, bad skin, backache, joint ache (couldn't run without knee pain... I have never had knee pain in my life), hot flushes, mood swings, teary, and it reduced my sex drive to nothing. I have had it in for almost a year now, and while some of the symptoms have gone, like the headaches and hot flushes, the hair loss, mood swings, joint aches, and low sex drive have stayed with me. It helped with my overall health in terms of having no periods, and therefore I had no other illnesses, but the sum of all side effects outweighs the benefits in my case."

• New...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2016

For Emergency Contraception "I hate this pill due to all the horrible side effects I experienced. I had unprotected sex with my husband when we got married on May 28th. My period happened the week prior to us having sex. I took the pill a few hours after we had sex. Everything was fine up until two weeks after I consumed the pill. I was feeling sore, tender breasts that I couldn't even wear a bra since it hurt so much, horrible cramps, I was bloated like a cow, I had to take organic teas to help me, horrible headaches, mood swings, dizziness, and nausea. I had no period for the month of June and I started to worry. Today is July 11th and I just started my period! Praise the Lord! Pill works, horrible side effects. Six-week late period."

• MMM...
• January 16, 2020

For Emergency Contraception "I'm another woman who swore that if this pill works, I will share my experience. My bf and I had sex one night, and the condom slipped... He finished inside me, so after an hour of panicking, we went to the nearest pharmacy to get a Plan B One-Step. I took it immediately after I bought it, so it was within 2-3 hours after we had sex. After that, I had very mild side effects, like I sleep a lot and eat a lot... like a lot. I had mild cramps immediately, a little bit of mood swings, negative thoughts, but overall not as bad as some others' experiences. Before I got my period, I felt like I had a mild fever, bigger boobs, breast pain, and all of my acne cleared up very fast. My period came 2 days early, not heavy, just like usual. My doctor said that most of the time the pill does work if you use it right. If you get nervous, your period can be delayed. Good luck everyone, I hope this helps. I understand how nervous you can be."

• Gyp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2016

For Emergency Contraception "I wanted to come here and give my insight and story. This has worked 2 times for me. Hopefully, it can calm or help how you or someone you know deals with the stress and anxiety that this brings!! The man I'm dating ejaculated in me, and I believe it was right after ovulation. We immediately took action, and I took Plan B within the hour. The pill made me tired, with mood swings, anxiety, cramps, acne, discharge, and bloating. The pharmacist said these are common symptoms. I cramped pretty bad, 5 days later, I spotted, then on the 6th day, I started my period! As long as you take it within the 3-day window, you should be fine. Plan B is a true lifesaver! Thank you so much, Plan B, you have saved my life! Take a deep breath and try to be calm."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2010

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had Mirena placed 6 months ago to control excessive bleeding during periods. I am 38 and have had one child. The placement was extremely painful for me, even with taking 800 mg of ibuprofen prior to the procedure. That being said, I have friends who have had it placed with no more pain than what you'd expect during a pap smear. It all depends on the person. My periods are tremendously lighter, to the point that I can almost get by with only a liner. So Mirena has served its purpose. On the downside, I spot frequently between periods, have reoccurring yeast infections, mild acne, less sex drive, and mood swings. My orgasms are nowhere near as intense as they used to be, and I frequently get mild cramping and lower back aches."

• ANG...
• July 28, 2015

For Birth Control "Having had the Mirena in for nearly two years at doctor's advice, I'm having it removed on Thursday as it's the worst thing to have done. It has made me depressed, mood swings are horrendous to the point my children and husband are getting it all. I have no desire whatsoever to be intimate with my husband. I feel like I have lost control of my body. The only plus is I don't have periods. PLEASE do your research and choose wisely which contraceptive method you have."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2013

For Birth Control "I have had a very positive experience over the last almost 5 years. I am 26 with no children. Yes, the insertion is uncomfortable, but only for a minute or so, just a couple of cramps. My doctor gave me Misoprostol (softens the cervix) to take the night before and morning of the insert. I also started ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours starting the day before. I had minimal spotting and cramping after. And for the last almost 5 years, I have very little cramping, no periods, no mood swings, and pain with intercourse only 2 or 3 times. I plan on getting another one and recommend Mirena to everyone!"

• Uni...
• March 5, 2019

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the Mirena inserted in January 2015 (I was 35) for endometriosis. POSITIVES: No unexpected pregnancies, my period stopped completely within 6 months, and cramping from my endometriosis virtually ceased to exist. *AMAZING!!* NEGATIVES: 1) Complete and utter exhaustion (bed by 9 pm and by 6 am, I literally drag myself to the shower because I'm still tired). 2) Depression. 3) Mood swings. 4) Sjogren's Syndrome diagnosis. 5) Significant joint pain. 6) Constant headaches. 7) Constant bloating. 8) Autoimmune disorder. 9) Weight gain! I've always been an obsessively health-conscious individual. Spinning, lifting daily because I'm vain, let's be honest. At the time I had my IUD inserted, I had visible abs... Now, I have a pot belly, 'thick thighs,' some back fat, and my calves have gotten bigger (WTF?!). My routines have not changed, and I've weighed my food since I was 25, eating the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The ONLY change that's occurred since is the Mirena!"

• Bea...
• July 29, 2018

For Emergency Contraception "Alright, so let me first start off by saying. I was just like every single female here, panicking, freaking out that it wouldn’t work. Let me tell you my story. My boyfriend and I had protected sex on June 9. The condom had broken (all the way), and he wasn’t sure if he had gone already or not. I ended up taking it about 12 hours later. The pill I took was the Take Action pill (which is literally the same thing as Plan B, just cheaper). I took the pill, and about 4 days later, had a very light period. I bled for about 4-5 days (as per usual with my period). I started getting cramps, nausea, and bloating. I also started gaining a lot of weight and had horrible mood swings. After my period did not come, I really started to panic. I ended up getting my period literally 24 days later. Those 24 days were literally driving me crazy. I was so worried about being pregnant and had the absolutely worst side effects. Ladies, please be very considerate of the side effects of this pill."

• nat...
• January 6, 2017

For Birth Control "After trying the pill and realizing that it wasn't for me, I decided to give Mirena a try. My experience with this method of birth control has been nearly perfect. Here are my pros: - I no longer have a period. As someone who used to suffer from crippling cramps and extremely heavy flow, this is a blessing. - I haven't had any symptoms that I experienced with the pill (weight gain, acne, mood swings, hair loss). - Childless and proud. Cons: - The day of the insertion, I was slightly crampy afterwards. However, I recovered quickly. Overall, this is the best form of birth control. 10/10 - would highly recommend."

• Bum...
• August 19, 2020

"I had Kyleena inserted in 2017, had it removed this year. Insertion was painful, but I knew it would be going in. First year was great. Painful cramps, but zero period. Did have acne flare-ups, which are unusual for me, but nothing crazy. Over the last 18 months, everything changed. Horrible, awful cramping, terrible bloating to the point where I literally was asked if I was pregnant - I am an extremely active person, currently training for a marathon, and even with training, running upwards of 20 miles a week, I was gaining weight. I developed mood swings - I am not a crier, but I could barely make it through a Hallmark commercial. And, oh god, libido was gone. Had it removed Monday, and already the bloating is completely gone, dropped 4 pounds, and my face is clear as can be. Was Kyleena effective? Yes. Was it convenient? Yes. But for me, not at all worth the plethora of symptoms I experienced. I've transitioned back onto the pill and am much happier for it."