Skyla and Bleeding: What Users Say

• blu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 18, 2020

For Birth Control "I had the Skyla in for 6 years: I replaced it once after 3 years. After reading all the horrible reviews of IUDs, I hesitated getting one for a full year. I eventually took the plunge, out of fear of becoming pregnant. Insertion was uncomfortable, but bearable. The majority of the time, I forgot I had the thing in. No cramps, no bleeding, no acne, no weight gain-zero side effects. I know my experience is in the minority, but I wanted to leave this review so others could see that not every person has issues with IUDs. My experience was overwhelmingly positive."

• thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I had my Skyla IUD inserted on 04 Sep 2014, so I am only commenting on my first month after having it inserted. I am a 33-year-old woman, no children, and hormonal birth control was no longer agreeing with my body (mood swings, heavy bleeding, large clots, periods lasting 2 weeks, etc.). My doctor and I agreed to the Skyla IUD (I had already done research). So far, so good. I haven't had any mood or sex drive changes and feel 100% better than I did on oral contraceptives. Out of pocket, my IUD would have cost $1400. My insurance covered 100% of it. Update: Month #4 and still no issues. No side effects. I keep track of everything so I know what to expect and when until my body fully adjusts."

• thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I had my Skyla IUD inserted on 04 Sep 2014, so I am only commenting on my first month after having it inserted. I am a 33-year-old woman, no children, and hormonal birth control was no longer agreeing with my body (mood swings, heavy bleeding, large clots, periods lasting 2 weeks, etc.). My doctor and I agreed to the Skyla IUD (I had already done research). So far, so good. I haven't had any mood or sex drive changes and feel 100% better than I did on oral contraceptives. Out of pocket, my IUD would have cost $1400. My insurance covered 100% of it. Update: Month #4 and still no issues. No side effects. I keep track of everything so I know what to expect and when until my body fully adjusts."

• Cha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2020

For Birth Control "I had nothing but issues with this Skyla IUD. The insertion was fine and wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. But the cramps and heavy bleeding I got the whole time were crazy. I couldn’t even go to work without being in pain. My periods were worse than being on nothing. I have had Skyla for 7 months and just found out yesterday that I got pregnant while on it. It is a complete nightmare. I would not recommend this IUD to anyone."

• Dan...
• March 12, 2015

For Birth Control "Skyla is great at preventing pregnancy, however, the insertion was extremely painful-worst cramps I have felt. They lasted a couple of days, but it was manageable. However, I've been on this for 8 months and have been on my period non-stop. 8 months of having a period. The bleeding isn't serious, but enough to wear a tampon. I am planning to have this removed."

• kta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

For Birth Control "I got this about two months ago and have not stopped bleeding since. It's been great as far as not gaining any weight and my skin actually clearing up, but seriously? I've been having a full-on period for 6 weeks now! I went in, and my doctor didn't know what was wrong because 'this is the first time she has seen it.' So I am a little frustrated with how this is being handled. All I want to do is not bleed! Has anyone else had this problem?"

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2016

For Birth Control "I wanted to leave my experience, due to the very mixed reviews. I guess it really narrows it down to each individual's pain tolerance and the experience and how accurate your doctor is. I have no kids, and I am 28 years old. I took no painkillers beforehand. The entire procedure took 5 minutes. And for 30 seconds, there was sharp pain, like a cramp mixed with a side stitch, but in that area. And it was done. Afterwards, I felt a little strange. I think it was more mental because of the horror reviews. But it wasn't bad at all. 30 seconds for 3 years of protection. Deal! I had light bleeding for a few hours and took Tylenol when I got home, more just because. I really didn't have bad cramps, just light cramps. More as a precaution, I took 2 Tylenol. Went up the road to Home Depot, bought some paint, and painted a spare room that afternoon. It's now a week since I have had it inserted. I feel fine! :) Hope this helps you make your decision."

• MB3...
• June 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I am a 21-year-old female, and I had Skyla placed in two weeks ago. The process itself was not comfortable and involved some pain, but afterwards, I had a couple hours of slight cramping, and then I was fine! I bled for the two days after it was implanted, and then it stopped. I just finished a period that lasted three days :). My period prior would last for more than 7 days with severe cramping. I'm already loving this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I was on Skyla for about 2 years and had an okay experience. The pros: insertion and removal were quick and easy, just a pinch. I had some cramping following both, but in both cases it didn't last longer than a day. Not having to worry about taking the pill. This was the entire reason I got on. It was nice not to worry about it. The cons: irregular bleeding. Some months I had the heaviest flow, which would last 10 days, and others I had light spotting for 2 days. It was very frustrating to be inconsistent. Also, body acne. I started breaking out on my back, shoulders, chest, and neck, all places I had never had before. Anxiousness during sex, I know the doctor says it can't be moved, but I felt pain/fear when a partner went too deep. Hope I helped!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2021

For Birth Control "Began Skyla at the end of July 2020. Two and a half months of a regular period; bleeding EVERY day, some days light, some days extremely heavy. Cramps often brought tears to my eyes, and I couldn't move from the fetal position on the couch. They were the worst cramps and close to the worst pain in general I have experienced in my life. After two and a half months, the bleeding subsided a little to bleeding every OTHER day. I'm now on month 5. I have a period once a month now, for about 3 days; very light. I have gained about 10 lbs. If you can manage the possibility that you have this experience that a lot of us do from Skyla, get it. It has served its purpose so far, but I have to wonder if there was an easier and painless alternative. Do I recommend this? No way."

• Lau...
• April 29, 2016

For Birth Control "I absolutely LOVE my Skyla IUD. I first got it last year in March of 2015, a year after having my daughter. The insertion hurts pretty bad for like MAYBE 10 seconds, but it's totally worth it. I've never felt more myself on a birth control. The pros for me are an increased sex drive (OMG), I feel way happier, I have light periods, I haven't gained any weight, I don't have crazy acne, and I never notice it! I've actually had 2 IUDs now in the last year because my other one kind of fell out and started to embed in my uterine wall (which we didn't know until removal. OUCH!), and I kept having bleeding, but I loved it so much that as soon as I got that one out, I got another! It's totally worth it! I recommend it to all my women friends!"

• Mea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I got Skyla inserted at my 6-week postpartum check-up. It’s been 7 months since. The first 3-6 months, bleeding was random. I didn’t have heavy bleeding, just small amounts, but it was annoying. It’s been 2 months that I’ve gotten regular periods. I am hoping my periods stop altogether. But at least for now, periods are regular."

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had Skyla since March 6, 2019. I’m 27, and I also have PCOS. I’m on metformin to help with my PCOS symptoms. Before Skyla, I had painful periods, which were moderate to light flow. I would also spot daily between periods. My insertion was painful even though I was on day 2 of my period. I have never had children before, so I think that is why it was so painful. I have a high pain tolerance too. I was very dizzy after and had to lay in my doctor's office for a few minutes before I left. I bled for about 30-40 days straight with cramps on and off after my insertion, which is to be expected. Now my periods are light to the point I do not need a pad! My cramps are not as painful, they are just annoying. My daily spotting has gone away, and I’m still losing weight like I was before I had Skyla inserted! I did notice that I retained my water weight from when they inserted Skyla on my period, but I lost the water weight the next time I got my period. Overall, I would recommend Skyla."

• 123...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2017

For Birth Control "I got my Skyla inserted 4 days ago. I was so nervous to go through with it after spending countless hours reading other people's experiences. The doctor told me she would stop at any point if the pain became too much to handle. The whole procedure lasted maybe 5 minutes at most. I did not feel a single thing and actually had to question if she truly finished. I did not experience any cramps for the first 12 hours, but once they kicked in, they were no different than period cramps, a little ibuprofen here and there and everything was fine. Bleeding has ranged from light to barely even spotting, but my period tends to last a week so it may just be from that. So far, I am very happy with my decision to get it. DON'T LET THE BAD EXPERIENCES WORRY YOU!"

• Alp...
• December 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I had Skyla inserted 9/18/15. Never have I ever been pregnant. I was 26 at the time of insertion. Insertion was VERY painful. While the insertion was painful, it lasted only 2-3 minutes. I had slight pain for 3 days with MAJOR bloating. I spotted every day for 8 months. It was enough I had to wear a panty liner. Eventually, spotting stopped. My periods are irregular, when I did get one, I would bleed for 15-20 days. It was always dark, thick tissue that I bled. I had severe cramps not only on my period but randomly. Severe 8/10 pain. I just had the device removed 11/30/17. While it did prevent pregnancy, I had minimal side effects. The prolonged bleeding, the pain, and unpredictability of getting my period made me choose to remove it."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I had previously been on birth control for two years. The last year on the pill, they changed it to continuous use due to the intense cramping/bleeding I experienced. I had been thrilled at the concept of having no periods until I started heavily spotting. For a majority of 9 months, I had one colossal period, and my OBGYN finally suggested trying an IUD (Skyla, to be exact). I am 20 years old and have never been pregnant. I had the IUD placed March 10th, 2015, and I have to admit the insertion was painful despite the ibuprofen I had taken, but also very quickly done. The pain has definitely seemed worth it, my cramps are now virtually gone, and my 'periods' are now constant and are VERY light spotting. Not to add, my PMS from BC is gone too!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2016

For Birth Control "So, a year ago, I got my Skyla put in. My uterus is tilted, so the first try putting it in was unsuccessful. I went back three days later, and they used an ultrasound. The only pain I felt was the cramps afterward, which were hell, but that's not why I am giving it a bad rating! After a year of it being in, I got pregnant and had it removed the next day after finding out, and then two days after that, I started bleeding! I'm having a miscarriage. I wasn't on any antibiotics, nothing that could interfere with the Skyla! I loved my Skyla while I had it, but it was supposed to keep me from getting pregnant. It had one job, and it didn't even last more than a year! By the way, getting pregnant on an IUD is HORRIBLE!!!!!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had the Skyla for six months now and love it! I always wanted an IUD because I'm terrible about remembering to take a pill, but I was worried about using an IUD with my small size (5'2", 105 lbs, never had children). Turns out I had no reason to be worried! The procedure went really smoothly, only mildly uncomfortable for like 3 minutes. I had cramps and bleeding for two days (no worse than a rough period cycle), then I was back to normal. Bonus: my periods went away a month after insertion! No more buying tampons!"

• Deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2016

For Birth Control "I had my first Skyla inserted 4/13, then removed 3/16, and I just got my second 10/2016. I absolutely love the Skyla. My dr gave me Vicodin & Valium to take before insertion, but I still felt the typical pain and discomfort. I've had consistent heavy bleeding since my second insertion, but only discomfort for the first few days. I go back in Nov for a follow-up ultrasound to see if it has moved. I have yet to have an issue with the IUD-my partner and I had unprotected sex during the duration of my 1st, and no pregnancies. I did not get many periods for that monthly reassurance, though. I absolutely recommend the Skyla if your dr deems it a good option for you."

• Chr...
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 29 years old, and I've been on birth control for 14 years. I have been on NuvaRing for maybe 12 years. I was very nervous to mess with my hormones. Reading other people's experiences with IUDs made me very nervous to make the change. I decided on Skyla because it is the smallest of the IUDs, and it was covered by my insurance. I had Skyla placed on July 5th, and since then it has been the best decision I've made. My doctor did prescribe me a medication to take 3 hours prior to the appointment that softened my cervix, which I am sure helped. I also took Advil 30 minutes before my appointment. The worst part of the insertion process was just the feeling of the metal clamp thing that they always use at every check-up visit. The first day was like I had my period: bleeding and cramping. I rested for a while in bed with a heating pad. Some light bleeding and mild cramping here and there for about 5 days after, and then things went back to normal."

• Chr...
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 29 years old, and I've been on birth control for 14 years. I have been on NuvaRing for maybe 12 years. I was very nervous to mess with my hormones. Reading other people's experiences with IUDs made me very nervous to make the change. I decided on Skyla because it is the smallest of the IUDs, and it was covered by my insurance. I had Skyla placed on July 5th, and since then it has been the best decision I've made. My doctor did prescribe me a medication to take 3 hours prior to the appointment that softened my cervix, which I am sure helped. I also took Advil 30 minutes before my appointment. The worst part of the insertion process was just the feeling of the metal clamp thing that they always use at every check-up visit. The first day was like I had my period: bleeding and cramping. I rested for a while in bed with a heating pad. Some light bleeding and mild cramping here and there for about 5 days after, and then things went back to normal."

• Kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I have had Skyla for almost 3 years (removal due date September 2019). The insertion was painful for me, only because they have to clamp your cervix to insert it. I almost passed out (needed to lay down with an ice pack), but I also have a weaker pain tolerance. I don't believe this is a deterrent to get it, because it has been 3 wonderful years. At first, I bled a lot. Almost every day for 3 months. After that, I've had either no period or fairly light periods (3/4 day maximum, not heavy bleeding). I've actually lost 40 lbs since I had it inserted (unrelated, healthy eating/exercise), since I binge ate before and was simply unhappy with my weight. I have not used protection with my SO for 3 years and have never had any scares or concerns. I use pregnancy test strips occasionally just to make sure if I skip a period, but I've never actually worried. I can't wait to graduate from Skyla and move up to a Mirena for another 5 years of protection!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I just had the Skyla IUD inserted a little over an hour ago. It was not as awful as I was expecting. The whole process took about 5 minutes, the actual insertion takes about 30 seconds. When the IUD is being inserted, it feels like a sharp period cramp for a whole 30 seconds, and then it's over with. I have not gotten any cramps since or bleeding. I was very scared going into the process and actually canceled my appointment twice due to horror stories I was reading online, but I am very glad that I went through with it because it was not half as bad as people were making it out to be."

• Ano...
• January 30, 2017

For Birth Control "People with endometriosis or depression, good option. I'm 20 years old, and I had surgery and was diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis. They urged me to try out Skyla to relieve some of my chronic pain. I was hesitant because of my medications and my history with BC pills, but the doctor assured me that this would not make me unbalanced and that the estrogen was most likely doing that to me on the pills. Getting the IUD was one of the worst pains I've ever experienced, and the next few weeks weren't any better. I bled heavily for a month and lots of pain, but I am now obsessed with Skyla. Give it the 3 months. After month 2, I feel GREAT. I am the best I've felt in years. I still get my period, but not as heavily and pain-free."

• Nic...
• October 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I've had the Skyla for about 6 months, and I like it. The pros are that you don't have to worry about pregnancy or taking a pill daily, and also it is one of the most effective birth control methods. The cons are that I was bleeding for almost 2 months when I got it inserted. After that, I have had my regular period lasting about 2 more days than before (I'm very regular, though). The pain when I got it inserted wasn't that bad, it just lasted about 1 minute, and for the cramps, I just had a couple of Tylenols, and that was just enough. I would recommend it for women who are 100% sure that they don't want to get pregnant for at least 3 years and only if you have one partner. It is worth it. That is my personal experience so far."