Skyla and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• yas...
• August 3, 2018

For Birth Control "I have had Skyla BC for about 8 months now. It has been horrible. Such a painful process to get inserted as I was 20 and had never had a pap done or had a child. Almost passed out after. I figured I would give it some time, thinking that the horrible cramps (that felt like knives in my uterus) would go away, but they haven't. I have developed PMDD since being on this BC, and I get extremely depressed before my period... like, it's bad. Have had to switch depression meds and keep getting the dosage upped. My husband and I have had issues in our marriage because I have had no sex drive since getting it. Also, I have never weighed this much in my life. Have put on 20 pounds since then. I can't get rid of it either. All the doctors say that none of these things are a side effect of the BC. They say my depression is just a part of my 'mood' and same with the sex drive."

• kan...
• June 29, 2015

For Birth Control "I chose this option after being on pills for over five years and a trial of NuvaRing for two months. I always forgot to take my pills and was getting too paranoid. Tried out the ring, which was a horrible two months of mood swings and discomfort. Went in for the Mirena and had it inserted when the doctor discovered my uterus is too small for the Mirena. So I went back a week later and had the smaller version, Skyla, inserted. If pain is the only reason you haven't gotten an IUD, stop worrying! My nose piercing hurt worse than both insertions of Mirena and Skyla. Take 800 mg ibuprofen before the appointment and have a heating pad on hand. All I felt were cramps that were similar to usual menstrual cramps, nothing painful."

• Jay...
• January 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I just got my Skyla removed after a full three years of having it, and I wanted to wait all the way until removal to write a review. All I can say is this was such a good decision, and I have never regretted getting it put in! For me, the insertion process was very bearable, and I would rate it a 7/10. Over the course of the 3 years, my moderate-to-heavy periods were reduced to spotting, which was usually a dark brown discharge rather than bright red blood/lining. I did have pretty heavy mood swings 2 days per month, but they were regular, so I knew how to monitor and alleviate them. Removal was fine, too, and felt like a general pap smear. I did get Kyleena inserted today, immediately after the Skyla removal, because Kyleena is the same hormones and dosages but just lasts 5 years instead of 3. Overall, I am so happy with Skyla, but even my roommate had a very different experience on it, so it is still a very variable drug woman-to-woman."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I had Skyla removed a week ago after having it for about 5 months, and I'm very happy I did. After being on it for 5 months, I was still experiencing irregular bleeding (probably 20 days out of the month) and pain during and after sex. More importantly, I had noticed changes in my mood (more anxious and overall down). Once I had it removed, I started feeling normal again and have been feeling great since. I got a normal period the day after having it removed that lasted 5 days and haven't bled at all since. I know that I have always been very sensitive to hormones, so Skyla might be fine for some people, but I definitely noticed a difference in myself despite the fact that it is a very low dose of hormones."

• mmm...
• November 8, 2016

For Birth Control "I had this inserted right about a year ago. I moved from the Depo shot to the IUD, I have also tried the pill in the past. The shot and the pill both gave me really out-of-control mood swings, so I thought this would be better. I will say that it is very effective, I have not had a period since I have been on it and have had no pregnancies. The major drawback for me is the mood swings and depression. The first six months were okay, nothing too noticeable. After that, mood swings, depression, anger, and anxiety hit me like a freight train. As for the birth control itself, I would give it a 10/10 in effectiveness and ease of use. I'm getting mine removed because I can't deal with the emotional side effects anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 22, 2017

For Birth Control "Skyla is the third birth control method I’ve tried. To date, I’ve had an IUD for ten months before getting it out today. In regard to its effectiveness and convenience, it’s a 10/10 option for birth control. No condoms or trips to the pharmacy for refills in ten months, and no pregnancies. It’s nice to not have to actively think of your birth control, especially if you lead a busy life. However, there were some downsides to this method, which is why I switched back to the pill today. The insertion process was unbearably painful for me; I’d rate it a 9/10. I’ve always had heavy periods with severe menstrual cramping, and this was by far the worst pain I’d ever experienced. After insertion, I experienced mild cramping for the rest of the day, but I experienced sporadic, severe cramping for the first two months. Like, “knock the wind out of you, can’t walk or talk” cramping, and it would come and go in spontaneous waves. Those passed after the first two months, and for the remaining eight, I experienced cramping maybe two or three times, and it was when I got my period. Speaking of, I spotted for no more than two weeks after insertion; my periods became significantly lighter during the first three months and by the fourth plateaued out but remained light the rest of the time. I noticed the more long-term side effects I experienced with Skyla around the sixth month, which were fatigue, weight gain, acne, irritability, and mood swings. The acne is mild, but the weight gain, irritability, and mood swings were more significant. I gained about 25 pounds within the ten months and I noticed I was tired, irritable, and hormonal all the time-not just when I had my period. I waited a few months to rule out any other factors contributing to these symptoms and to see if they’d subside, but they remained. So, I switched to a low-dose birth control pill today, Taytulla. It contains estrogen and progestin, instead of just progestin like Skyla. Hopefully, my symptoms will begin to disappear. Skyla was effective, but unfortunately didn’t react well with my body chemistry. But it’s different for everyone."

• Las...
• November 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I can't use birth control pills, they give me crazy mood swings, so I got the IUD on 10-13-16. And I had minor pain with insertion, but all was fine. I did experience cramping like they said for the first 24-48 hours, it was painful because I never get cramps, just migraines during periods. If not the week before, it's the week of. I was not on my period at the time of insertion, my period was 6 days away. Here's the downside: my period lasts about 4 days, and I am still bleeding now for 15 days and counting. It was heavy during my period, but now it's light bleeding, and the off-and-on cramping is frustrating. I'm losing weight, but my breasts got bigger, I already have big boobs."

• Adr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2018

For Birth Control "I got Skyla in Jan 2017, and I loved it at first. The pain was tolerable for the insertion, no pregnancy scares, lighter periods, and occasional cramping. I loved it, but after about 5 months, I started getting really bad mood swings, weight gain, and horrible acne on my neck and shoulders. I don't do well with birth control, so I thought this would be the ideal one with the hormones being so low. I did like it because it did what it was supposed to do, but the side effects were too much for me. I was at 150 lb when I got it inserted and went all the way to 166 lb. I removed it, and within 2 weeks I dropped below 160 lb. Overall, I would recommend it for not getting pregnant, just hope that you don't have the same side effects as I did."

• Lov...
• July 12, 2017

For Birth Control "I hate this thing! I've had it in for over 2 years, I got it after I had my daughter. Not the best decision I've ever made, and I'm having a hard time getting my doctor and my OBGYN to take it out, it's like nobody wants to. It has decreased my sex drive, made me hormonal, mood swings, depressed, put a strain on my relationship with my husband because of that. I can hardly ever get 'in the mood,' and that sucks. I'm 24 y.o.! Also the weight gain, the nausea, irregular periods, cystic acne breakouts on my face... seriously, I hate this thing! It has made me so miserable. I'm switching OBGYN offices just to get the damn thing out!"

• Fuw...
• May 30, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had Skyla in for about a year now, and it is by far my favorite form of birth control. Some background info, I'm 19 and have never had kids. Other birth controls affected my mood greatly, and Skyla has not affected my mood in the slightest. I also did not experience any weight gain. The only downside is my period is longer than it was before (10 days, but not heavy), and I experience cramping, but nothing Midol can't fix. I can't even remember the pain from the insertion process now (which I got while not on my period), but that slight discomfort for a couple of days is worth it for the next 3 years of birth control."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I had my IUD put in over 3 months ago. About 36 hours after, I went in the sun and immediately broke out in hives! Mostly on my face, and they were itchy as hell. I called my gyno, and she assured me it was IMPOSSIBLE that the IUD caused the hives. I took Benadryl, and they mostly went down. I still get hives every time I'm exposed to sun/heat. About a month in, I started having more and more trouble having a BM, which wasn't the case before the IUD. I drink plenty of water and eat fibrous foods regularly. I'm CONSTANTLY irritated and emotional, I get acne more than ever, and the constant spotting is becoming annoying. I feel gross, itchy, tired, and bloated every single day and truly don't even feel like myself. I'm getting this thing out Thursday."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I have noticed acne pick up, no weight gain. I also have noticed mood swings more. Periods are really light. Just seem more emotional. Overall, it's better than taking a pill every day. I have had mine for about a year now."

• Rey...
• January 12, 2021

For Birth Control "I got my IUD inserted in June 2020 after being on the Depo injection for almost 2 years (I had my period once on the Depo). The insertion was very painful, I was extremely nauseous after due to the pain. After taking some Gravol and a nap, I felt much better and was able to go back to my regular activities. While on the Skyla IUD, I experienced a lot more headaches, acne breakouts before and after my period, mood swings, and an increase of discharge. For the first few months, I didn't get my period besides a little spotting here and there. Now, for the past couple of months, I've had a regular period with cramps that are still uncomfortable but bearable. And the most important part of it all is that I'm not pregnant. So far, so good."

• Bee...
• July 10, 2016

For Birth Control "I had my IUD put in in the beginning of March 2016. It hurt, but it wasn't THAT bad. I would say 7 on a 10 scale, and it was over in less than a minute. I was really freaking out over nothing. I had high hopes because cramping that day was minimal. However, I spotted for 2 full months, almost 3. I cramped horribly for about 6 weeks, but it wasn't continuous. It was a lot of random ouch, ouch, ouch! cramps, and then it would be over just like that. I cramped and bled after exercise and sex for the first 6 weeks. Doing SO much better now! No cramping ever, periods are lighter. PMS seems bad though (mood swings, irritability, appetite increase). Glad I did it."

• Kkj...
• August 2, 2015

For Birth Control "Everybody's personal experience is different. For me, this was the most horrible pain I have ever felt in my entire life. I almost threw up as soon as they clamped my cervix. And I had to lay at the doctor's office for an extra 60 minutes. They could not give me pain medicine. And I also felt like I was going to soil myself, and they had to bring in the ultrasound to make sure nothing has gone wrong. Since then, I've had horrible mood swings and a weird period that has pretty much lasted for three months and have gained about 15 pounds. I am probably going to get it removed but do not want to go through the pain and still have not done it yet."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Getting Skyla inserted (6/30/17) was basically painless. It was quick and easy. Little did I know what I was in for. My periods got heavier and extremely painful. My weight fluctuated horribly, and my skin took a turn for the worse: severe oily skin and acne. I had enough of all of that, so I had it removed (11/15/19). NOW I’m having heavy bleeding with large clots every 2 weeks and debilitating cramping. My energy is gone, and I’ve been extremely emotional."

• Syd...
• December 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I have struggled with birth control since I was 15. I get severe migraines with birth control, and I also would suffer from acne, as well as mood swings. I was really nervous about getting Skyla, but it has been the best birth control experience I have ever had! No migraines! The insertion pain lasted a couple of hours, and I bled for about a week after, really lightly. In the first two weeks, I also had some minor mood swings, but nothing compared to how I felt on the pill. My periods are so light I just need a panty liner for about three days, and then it's over. I have noticed a decrease in my sex drive for about two weeks after, but not anything that I couldn't deal with. The only flaw is that I get random painful cramps that last about 20 mins."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2015

For Birth Control "I have had Skyla for 2 years now! When I very first got it, it hurt like hell. But the pain did ease up. For six months, I was kinda batty too, very emotional. But after the 6 months, I was good! I've never had any issues with it. I haven't had a period in a while."

• Kel...
• January 24, 2016

For Birth Control "I got Skyla when it was fairly new. I just had a child, and they suggested this was the in-between of the two main IUDs, between no hormone and high hormone. No bleeding at first, but then 6 months of spotting. No trouble with sex. Eventually, no periods at all. I loved it. Then I was worried about it not working anymore since I was told it could last 'up to' 3 years. I had it removed. OMG, I didn't realize the changes that Skyla had made to me. As soon as I got it removed, I felt a difference. I was excited to have a period too. (Weird.) I have had it removed for two weeks and have lost 7 lbs. I gained about 30 lbs in the 3 years of it! And my emotions were all out of whack, but again I didn't realize the subtle changes. Glad it's out!"

• Sab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 20, 2018

For Birth Control "This IUD, sadly, didn't work out for me. I had it taken out 2 days ago. The only reason I give it a 2/10 is because it did prevent pregnancy, which was nice not to have to worry about. However, it wreaked havoc on my body in almost every other aspect. I got terrible acne, random sharp pains in my abdomen, periods that lasted up to 2 weeks, severe mood swings, gained weight, and had absolutely no sex drive. Look, don't get me wrong, I think IUDs are a birth control option worth exploring, but if you are at all sensitive to hormones in birth control like I am, I'd steer far away from this and look into the copper IUD."

• Dan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2018

For Birth Control "I absolutely loved it! The insertion was painful, but that was expected. Immediately following the insertion was bad cramping, but I took some Advil, which helped. It was so worth it, though, seeing as it lasts 3 years! Before Skyla, my periods were extremely heavy, and I always experienced horrible cramping. But literally after a couple of months with the IUD, I only spot when I’m on my period, and I have no cramps at all. My mood swings were pretty bad the first couple of months of Skyla, but they eventually went away after a while. And not to mention, this birth control is definitely effective!!! I’m not trying another IUD that lasts 5 years:)"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2017

For Birth Control "Ladies - take all of these reviews with a grain of salt, including mine. Every woman is different and will react to different forms of birth control differently, as well. There is no magical form of birth control, every single one has its own pros and cons. I’ve tried four different kinds, and my experience with each was very different. With that said, I made the decision to switch from the pill to an IUD (Skyla) five months ago, and I’m very happy I did. Getting the IUD inserted was not fun, but I have noticed a big change in my moods (less mood swings), and my period is extremely light/short at this point. Sex is awesome, and my boyfriend can’t feel anything. No weight gain or bloating (in fact, I’ve lost some weight), and it’s so nice not worrying."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2022

For Birth Control "My experience with Skyla was a nightmare! First of all, the insertion was so painful. It was the worst pain I have ever felt, and I have had multiple surgeries. I could barely get out of bed for the first week. The biggest problem, however, were the mood swings and depression. I was very happy and content with my life and relationship before getting my IUD and never had any mental issues/mood swings. Within a month of getting my IUD, I experienced severe mood changes and depression symptoms, I was crying all the time for no reason, I had severe anxiety attacks, and felt generally hopeless and lost interest in all activities I used to love. It crippled my life, my work, and my relationships. Within days of taking out the IUD after 2 months, I felt back to my normal self. I honestly recommend thinking very carefully before getting this. The mental health effects are so powerful and dangerous and happen much more frequently than talked about (6-10%)."

• Hav...
• March 19, 2018

For Birth Control "I just got Skyla inserted today, and I was so nervous about the pain after reading reviews! Yes... it’s gonna hurt. It was definitely not as bad as I worked it up to be. It’s just like a period cramp but goes away quicker. I previously had the Depo and decided to switch due to weight gain and mood swings, so I’m hoping this is an improvement!"

• JNC...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I am almost done with my second Skyla IUD. For the last almost 6 years, I have LOVED it. I did have a lot of bleeding in the first month, which is common. I have not gained weight, had unusual mood swings, acne, etc. It is a little expensive, but the second go around I found out you can get a grant from the government to pay for it."