Kyleena and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2019

For Birth Control "I have Kyleena for a year now. I had it inserted a month after my second child was born and had no problem with the procedure. I chose Kyleena over Mirena because it has fewer hormones and you’re supposed to still have your period, what I thought to be closer to a natural thing. I bled and had light pelvic discomfort for three months. After that, I had irregular bleeding and spotting every single month. In one particular month, I bled so much I had to change pads every two hours, and the following two months after that, I had cramps and spots, but no real blood, which made me resort to a pregnancy test. I have also experienced very high levels of anxiety and some weight gain, discharges with a strong smell, cramping, and some acne. I really want it removed but need to decide the next form of birth control first."

• jup...
• April 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I got Kyleena inserted about 3 months ago, and honestly, it was the best decision I made for myself. I have kind of abnormal anatomy (large and antiverted uterus), and it did take my OB/GYN a couple extra minutes than usual to get it in the perfect place. I had little pain during insertion, which was like two intense cramps lasting 30 seconds, and I was fine within 5 minutes and walked home from the clinic with no pain or bleeding. My period came on schedule, but I did experience more intense cramping and heavy bleeding for two weeks, followed by spotting for 3 weeks, and then it stopped completely. I haven’t had a period since, and I am not pregnant. No cramping, no hormonal acne, no effect on my mood or weight, no effect on libido (just as high as it was before insertion), and no problems. It works great for me so far, better than the pill personally."

• Gyp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2023

For Birth Control "I’ll start out with this statement. It kept me from getting pregnant, so it technically did its job. With the insertion, I passed out from the pelvic spasm, and I almost passed out on the drive home. I never had any of the major issues reported with Kyleena, such as it moving or an ectopic pregnancy. I did, however, experience severe weight gain, the worst acne I’ve ever had, bacterial vaginosis multiple times, and it has increased my issues I was already having with my sleep as well as mental health problems. I’ve had it about a year, and I scheduled it to come out this week. Insurance completely paid for it, and if it weren’t for the side effects, I would keep it in because it is preventing pregnancy. But as I see it, that’s about all it’s good for."

• Rah...
• March 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I got my Kyleena 3 months ago. Pros: Insertion wasn't that painful (take painkiller, Ibuprofen, and Xanax 1h before). Nevertheless, if you decide to get Kyleena, take the day off work. You don't have to think about birth control anymore. The amount of hormones compared to my pill is divided by 1,000 (!!). I had my period for 10 days after insertion and since then it didn't come back, which is fantastic. On the pill, I suffered from brain fog, which completely disappeared, and my mood swings are more controlled since I got Kyleena. Cons: I gained some weight (3 kg), my skin got oily, I developed acne on my back, and I started having migraines lasting 24-48 hours once or twice a month. All in all, getting off the pill after 11 years and getting Kyleena is one of the best decisions I've ever taken. The cons are outweighed by the pros. Reminder: Kyleena is a birth control and WILL NOT protect you against STDs. So if you are not in a trustworthy relationship, keep using condoms!"

• Dan...
• November 9, 2019

For Birth Control "Got Mirena once I turned 18. Was the most painful and sickening experience of my life. Never went back to follow up with the doctor. After 3 months of bleeding and pain, everything cleared up and I almost never got my period until after the 5-year mark. Getting a new IUD, I was so scared of the pain that the doctor suggested Kyleena because it was smaller. Insertion was uncomfortable and I had mild cramping. It's been over 2 years and I get a regular period. My cramps have all of a sudden gotten so out of hand I get sick and it’s painful. I've had terrible acne (it gets painful at times) since I've been on Kyleena, which I never had to deal with before this and I'm 25 years old. I plan on getting it removed, but I was told the strings are now missing. Also, after the first year, after having sex regularly, I would bleed uncontrollably afterward. I'm not sure if it was due to the strings being pushed back or what, but it was a complete nightmare and still is. I'm so sick of birth control and stressing over IUDs."

• AMg...
• May 23, 2017

For Birth Control "I love Kyleena. After being taken off estrogen due to aura migraines, switching to Nexplanon, which had WAY too many systemic side effects, Kyleena is a blessing. I have a high pain tolerance but a narrow uterus and found insertion to be extremely painful, as well as extreme cramping for the next 3-4 days. This being said, I have never had period cramps before and was not used to it. It's been 5 months and I've yet to have a period or spotting, which isn't likely but still awesome! The only side effect I've noticed is acne. My back has broken out regularly on this and was never an issue before. 8/10 :)"

• lys...
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I got Kyleena inserted at the beginning of April 2019. The insertion is uncomfortable but only lasts a few seconds. I had mild cramping a few days after and my period 2 weeks later. From the end of May to the middle of June (about 2-3 weeks), I had light spotting every day. It is now December 2019 and I haven't bleeded at all since June. I scored it a 4 because I love the fact that I don't get my period, but it had caused a lot of acne for me. Before Kyleena, I never had any acne and would only get 1-2 pimples around my period, and now my entire forehead is texturized and I get cystic acne around my cheeks and jawline. I have tried topical treatments for this and take very good care of my skin, washing and moisturizing twice a day, but nothing helps at all because it is hormonal acne. I also have pimples on my back that were never there before. My doctor tried telling me this should go away but every month it keeps getting worse. For this reason, I am having it removed."

• lys...
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I got Kyleena inserted at the beginning of April 2019. The insertion is uncomfortable but only lasts a few seconds. I had mild cramping a few days after and my period 2 weeks later. From the end of May to the middle of June (about 2-3 weeks), I had light spotting every day. It is now December 2019 and I haven't bleeded at all since June. I scored it a 4 because I love the fact that I don't get my period, but it had caused a lot of acne for me. Before Kyleena, I never had any acne and would only get 1-2 pimples around my period, and now my entire forehead is texturized and I get cystic acne around my cheeks and jawline. I have tried topical treatments for this and take very good care of my skin, washing and moisturizing twice a day, but nothing helps at all because it is hormonal acne. I also have pimples on my back that were never there before. My doctor tried telling me this should go away but every month it keeps getting worse. For this reason, I am having it removed."

• lys...
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I got Kyleena inserted at the beginning of April 2019. The insertion is uncomfortable but only lasts a few seconds. I had mild cramping a few days after and my period 2 weeks later. From the end of May to the middle of June (about 2-3 weeks), I had light spotting every day. It is now December 2019 and I haven't bleeded at all since June. I scored it a 4 because I love the fact that I don't get my period, but it had caused a lot of acne for me. Before Kyleena, I never had any acne and would only get 1-2 pimples around my period, and now my entire forehead is texturized and I get cystic acne around my cheeks and jawline. I have tried topical treatments for this and take very good care of my skin, washing and moisturizing twice a day, but nothing helps at all because it is hormonal acne. I also have pimples on my back that were never there before. My doctor tried telling me this should go away but every month it keeps getting worse. For this reason, I am having it removed."

• Kyl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 1, 2024

For Birth Control "I was absolutely fine at first, very smooth fitting (some pain but only for a very short time). But after about nine months, my periods stopped altogether, and since then, I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety, it’s crippling! I’ve also had nonstop stomach and pelvic pain, back pain, uterine spasms, headaches, breast pain, and adult acne. To note, I have only had very minor stomach/pelvic pain in the past and only during periods, I have never had back pain nor unexplained breast pain or uterine spasms! I have had none of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time. These symptoms have been going on for over 5 months now, until I read these reviews, and the resemblances are absolutely uncanny. I am getting the IUD removed today! This is not to say that you will have a negative experience with the Kyleena IUD, as everybody is different. This is just to reach people that are experiencing these symptoms. You are not alone!"

• Dud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Birth Control "In the several months that I was using Kyleena, I had multiple side effects that made this IUD’s use unsustainable. Around my cycle, I would get terrible cystic acne. I also became considerably depressed. Finally, I never get cramps normally, but Kyleena suddenly made me get them in a horrible way! Once I had Kyleena removed, the cystic acne, depression, and cramps all went away."

• M3r...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

For Birth Control "It’s effective enough that it prevents pregnancy by making you have spotting to light bleeding all the time! The insertion process really hurt, but I thought it was a small price to pay. I couldn’t say that my mood has changed, but I’ve been experiencing acne different than I have before, weight gain, and random cramping outside of my periods. Ever since it’s been inserted, I’ve pretty much had light spotting to actual bleeding. There was a week interval in between my period where I stopped bleeding, but a few days later, I started bleeding heavily. I’m going to give it another month, and if this hasn’t stopped, then I’m going back to my gynecologist to have it removed."

• Mic...
• June 24, 2019

For Birth Control "Today marks 5 weeks since I have had Kyleena inserted. I am 23 y/o, never been pregnant. Before this, I was on YAZ birth control pill since I was 16. Went off of it due to digestive issues and migraines. In December 2018, my doctor put me on the Depo Provera shot and it was evil and ruined my life... after 6 months of trial and error with BC, I landed with Kyleena. It has been a lifesaver. The insertion hurts, but it's nothing you can't handle. I took one 400 mg Motrin before, the worst pain lasts for 30 seconds and overall it takes about 5 minutes to finish. I had cramping for 5 minutes, and then nothing! Didn't get any cramps until I got my period 2 weeks later. As for my digestive issues from the pill and the shot, they have almost completely subsided and I haven't had a migraine in months! My acne has come back since stopping the YAZ pill, and the IUD hasn't helped, but I am on a prescription cream now. I recommend this to all of my friends."

• NYC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2019

For Birth Control "Mostly commenting about the insertion and recovery as I have had Kyleena for less than 1 week. Insertion: Not fun, but I would do it again if needed. It’s very brief (about 20 full seconds of real pain) then some cramping. I felt like I had been punched in the uterus afterward. Recovery: I had zero energy for about 24 hours following the insertion. Slept for most of the day and night. Cramping was minimal, period felt normal. More about me: - Average pain tolerance (I avoid waxing but can do it) - 25 y/o who has never been pregnant - Had Nexplanon for just over a year and removed it due to weight gain, mental health issues, acne, and spotting."

• Arm...
• March 22, 2019

For Birth Control "20, no kids. 4 months in, and I ♡ my IUD. Insertion took about 15 min and was uncomfortable, but no worse than a pap smear. The only thing that hurt was when the OB injected the numbing agent. I went back to work afterwards. About 30 min later, I felt bloating but didn't need Tylenol. The bloating stopped after ~4 days, all of which I worked/went to the gym just fine. I spotted for 2 months. The 1st period I had was late and crampy, the 2nd I almost didn't notice. Months 3 and 4, no spotting/periods/cramping. Dream come true. My OB tucked the string up around my uterus so partners can't feel it. Even I have to search to find it, softened now by mucus. I bled after sex at first, but now I can have intercourse without bleeding. It didn't harm my libido or cause weight gain. Now that my periods stopped, there's virtually no acne or depression, which I usually had on my period. You aren't going to know how your body reacts until you try."

• Anonymous
• May 31, 2020

For Birth Control "The insertion wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. A lot of cramping on and off throughout the insertion. I will say this, your experience will differ on who inserts it. Make sure you find someone who has a lot of experience. I have had it for 6 months now, and my body is just now getting used to it. I had spotting for almost 3 weeks after insertion, and cramping stopped after day 2. My periods are only spotting now. It also has definitely helped my moods. It gave me a lot of acne around the 3rd month on my face and chest and I never had acne there, but it’s better. I also gained some weight, not a lot, but more than I would’ve liked, but it was because I was hungry ALL the time and all I wanted to eat was junk food. But I have finally been able to control it. Overall, I do love it. As long as it prevents pregnancy and it means that I don’t have to take a pill every day, I’m fine with some of the side effects."

• Hm1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2019

For Birth Control "I got my IUD inserted in December 2018, and I'm supposed to get it out today, April 9th, 2019. The insertion was the most terrible pain I've experienced in my life. I also have not given childbirth, so that might play a factor. The only pro I can say about the IUD is my periods are lighter, shorter, and on time every month!! Besides that, I have been breaking out like crazy, my skin is usually always clear. Ever since I've been on the IUD, my skin has been so terrible, and I've gained 12 pounds within 3-4 months!! Ladies, if you feel certain birth control isn't working for you, try something else!! I've never been so self-conscious about myself, my jeans don't fit, my face is just terrible when my skin is usually clear. It has changed my personality completely. I'm not myself and can't wait to get it removed! Everyone is different, it's always worth a try, but it's not worth your self-love!"

• Rai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2020

For Birth Control "Had the Kyleena inserted in Oct 2019. It was incredibly sore for 10 seconds, and then felt like light period cramps. Drove back to work afterwards. No pain relievers, as they were to cost hundreds. I did have a termination done due to an ectopic pregnancy a month prior to this, so in comparison, this was a piece of cake. Some spotting on and off for 3 months afterwards, as was explained. Now, no periods whatsoever. Some acne and light cramps, as per usual periods before insertion, but way better than going natural and with much less hassle. Partner and I are very happy with this form of contraception so far."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had Kyleena inserted for only two months, and I've experienced a lot of the bad side effects, including fatigue (feeling sleepy constantly and lack of energy), weight gain, cravings, anxiety, and depression. Before Kyleena, I was very healthy and mostly emotionally grounded. I am in my early 30s, and I have previously used pills before, but they did not work well for me due to the level of hormones. When I went in for a consultation, I was told that the level of hormone in Kyleena is significantly less. I have been getting acne as well as depressive thoughts. Not recommended."

• Day...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2018

For Birth Control "I just had my IUD inserted a few hours ago, and I wanted to share my experience because I know there are a lot of mixed reviews about getting it inserted and the pain level, which scares off a lot of people. My experience wasn't bad at all! I'm 21, no kids. It was uncomfortable, but nothing you can't handle! Was so quick, even if it hurts, it really is only for a few seconds, then you're cleaned up and out. I have cramps now, nothing different from normal period cramps, take Advil and use a heating pad. We'll see how it reacts with my body. I've seen mixed reviews about weight gain, weight loss, acne, no acne. It's hard to know until I experience it, and I really think you just have to try it if you're seriously interested because everyone's different, you can't base your choice on a side effect review by someone else! But as for getting the procedure done - easy as pie and done in a blink of an eye."

• Nan...
• February 15, 2020

For Birth Control "Since I can’t say everything that I want to say, I’ll make it short. 1. My depression got so bad that I had to get on depression medication and up my dosage. 2. I developed a horrible brain fog. 3. My periods became so painful, cramps and crying, and I just couldn’t deal with it. 4. Sex could be painful sometimes if my partner goes too deep. 5. I developed painful cystic acne on my face. 6. If I could go back, I would have never gotten it."

• Jan...
• July 24, 2019

For Birth Control "When the IUD is inserted, they have to dilate the cervix. Therefore, you experience cramps like early labor pains. I have a high pain tolerance. The cramping, pressure, and pinch during insertion was beyond awful, it felt like someone was taking a knitting needle and jabbing it quickly inside you. I screamed and almost vomited, but that was not the worst. The worst are the cramps that come after. They crippled me for 2 days. I couldn’t stand or walk. I crawled into my apartment door when I finally made it home. I laid in bed for 2 days with heating pads, Midol, Aleve, you name it. Nothing works. That pain was not worth it, and had I known, I would not have done it. It’s been 3 months. 15 pounds of weight gain despite a heavy gym regimen and diet. None of my clothes fit. I am consistently bloated. I experience period cramps so bad for 15 days of every month, I get waves of chills, goosebumps, pinching pressure, and lightheadedness. The period itself isn’t bad, but it is about 8 days long. Also, increased acne. Getting it removed."

• amd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I loved the thought of this IUD. I got it inserted, and three months later I got the worst ache I’ve ever had in my life. Keep in mind, I had acne-prone skin before switching to Kyleena, and I took the birth control pill, which cleared up my skin. The acne Kyleena caused, plus super sharp stabbing-like pains 3-4 times a week, sometimes for hours, made me decide to get my IUD removed today. I only had it for 8 months, and overall I do regret getting this. However, it did not cause any weight gain, which is good, but it did make me extremely bloated sometimes. This is to be expected with hormonal birth control, though. I really wish this worked for me since it’s such a hassle-free long-term option! Back to the pill I go..."

• Lyd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I expected the insertion of Kyleena to be extremely painful from what I had heard, but to me it just felt like minor cramps. I've felt worse. And the doctor had to dilate my cervix to get it in. After I said 'that was it?' and she said 'I have NEVER had anyone say that after having their cervix dilated!' I still had regular periods for the first 8 months. Then they got lighter. I will still have cramps sometimes, but I've almost stopped bleeding completely. I might have light spotting for one or two days a month, but that is it. I don't need to use tampons. No acne, no weight gain, but as a migraine sufferer, I think my headaches have been more frequent. Overall, I'd say the long-term birth control is worth it for me. I've had it for 1 year and 4 months. Oh, and my Medicaid insurance covered it 100%, which is a godsend because I do not want children, and I need birth control for heavy/painful periods."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2017

For Birth Control "*5-month update* I've had Kyleena for about 5 months now. I posted a review before. Since then, I still have A) never had a period, barely spotting. B) Acne has seemed to calm down (back acne was bad at first out of nowhere). I have noticed once or twice every couple of months I will wake up and have pretty intense cramping, sweats, nausea that comes and goes in waves. Feels like a painful, awful hangover... but I'll take it over any other BC side effects. Still really recommend Kyleena."