TW: weight Thinking about changing from the pill to the hormonal IUD. I’m afraid of gaining weight or getting acne. Anyone with experience? Both good and bad! Please talk to me!

Hi! I’ve had the Kyleena IUD for a year. Overall I have had a good experience. Insertion was painful but only for about 30 seconds, there’s painkillers and they gave me numbing cream to help. I only get a very light/spotting period once a month. I would say my skin has been a bit more spotty than usual since having it but nothing major! I changed from the pill to Kyleena and much prefer Kyleena as I don’t have to worry about user error and i have experienced less side effects <3

^ I also got the Kyleena about 4 months ago (switched from a combination pill) and love it! I will admit, the insertion hurt like crazy, but only lasted for maybe 15-20 seconds. I bled for 2 and a half months straight, and now I’ve just been spotting occasionally. bleeding is known to lighten or even stop after the adjustment period for the hormonal iud like mirena or Kyleena! It’s such a relief not having to worry about taking a pill every day or worry about if I throw up, have diarrhea, etc.

Also want to add that the Kyleena IUD lasts 5 years and is recommended more than the mirena iud for those who haven’t given birth!

@magnolia123 @Lemongrass_ so glad to hear this! I’ve been prescribed the Mirena IUD - it shouldn’t be thaaaat big of a difference right? They recommended it to me because I’m young and don’t want children for a while and also because I hate having my period.

@Jpr_ they are very similar! I believe the main differences are Mirena is slightly bigger, is recommended more to treat heavier periods and is in place for 7 years rather than 5 years! :)

Weight gain isn’t a side effect of all hormonal contraceptives (except for the depo injection). There’s a higher chance of acne with progesterone only forms of contraception compared to the combined pill/methods, but as the hormones from IUDs are localised, chances of that’s side effect is reduced.

Weight gain should not be a side effect, however I did develop acne on both hormonal IUDs that I had (Skyla and then Kyleena). When I switched to the pill my acne cleared up.