Mirena and Acne: What Users Say

• lis...
• December 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I wanted to come back here and write a review because before I got the Mirena I was reading all of these, although aware that people are more inclined to write about their horror stories rather than their happy stories. So here is my happy story! I was using the ring for a couple of years before I tried Mirena. The ring made me miserable, hormonal, moody, and irregular. I was very depressed from the fluctuating hormones. In comes Mirena. The Mirena has been the best choice I have ever made for myself. It is true what all my friends and reviewers say. I do not feel hormonal or moody. In fact, I feel much more balanced! My skin does break out at times but I will happily take that over what I was experiencing before. My periods have stopped and I sometimes PMS about a week before what WOULD be my period, but it is very mild and manageable. Sooo happy with my Mirena!!! I was scared just like you and it was the best choice I made for myself."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had this for about 5 months now. I had NO IDEA others were going through the same things I am. I am tired, moody, and have gained about 25 lbs. I have been working out more and couldn't figure out what was going on until now. I am dry during sex, not in the mood most of the time. Acne has been pretty bad, didn't know why that was either (don't usually have acne). For a few weeks now, my body feels like it is pregnant. The moods, tired, etc., but all tests say not pregnant. It makes me uncomfortable to have so many things going on."

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I have issues with hormones any time I have been pregnant or been on birth control. I get every bad side effect possible. I was hopeful for this one. I had it in for a month and had severe headaches, cystic acne (literally all over my face & no wash would make it go away), constantly felt light-headed/dizzy, nauseous, zero sex drive, horrible mood swings, my period lasted 12 days and I was constantly bleeding, horrible stomach pains randomly when I moved certain ways. This medication made my anxiety & depression worse. So bad that I couldn’t be around my 4-year-old son because I’d get so anxious I'd have a panic attack. One day at three weeks of having it in, I had such a bad panic attack over literally nothing. I had to lay down in a dark room with a fan on me. I got so worked up I passed out. Do your research. There are a lot of harmful things that can happen when being on the Mirena IUD that they don’t tell you at the doctor. Do your research!"

• del...
• August 9, 2009

For Birth Control "I'm 27 years old and the mother of two boys. I had the Mirena inserted one and a half years ago. The insertion was fine, mild cramping, but for the last year and a half I have experienced depression, bad acne, weight gain of about ten kilos, mood swings. Six months ago once my periods stopped altogether the symptoms got worse. I began having stomach cramps, nausea on most days, painful breasts and diminished libido and when it was supposed to be that time of the month my abdomen would bloat. I had Mirena removed last week and feel like a new person. I'm already losing weight and all the other symptoms have vanished."

• Liv...
• October 5, 2019

For Birth Control "I had my Mirena inserted in March 2017 because my husband and I didn’t want any more kids. The insertion wasn’t bad, it didn’t bother me. I had irregular bleeding for about 2 months, then no more periods. I had a healthy sex drive that crumbled with Mirena. I thought it was unrelated to the Mirena, my doctor said it couldn’t be the Mirena. I couldn’t lose weight and always felt bloated. My skin was constantly breaking out with acne. My husband and I agreed for him to get a vasectomy. I had the Mirena taken out in August 2019. I didn’t even feel him take it out. A) I started to lose weight and that constant bloated feeling. B) My sex drive is back to what it used to be, I felt broken for over 2 years. C) My skin is clear. D) I have energy and lost that feeling of depression and fatigue. Listen to your body, everyone is different. My doctor tried to convince me to keep it in, but I chose what was best for me. Some women love it, some hate it. This is my personal experience with Mirena."

• End...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I started Mirena in 2016 for endometriosis causing ovarian cysts. As far as birth control, I use it as a secondary method, but it's been effective. I've had no periods and maybe 10 episodes of light spotting in almost 5 years, none of which lasted more than one day. I've had a few noticeable cysts in that time (some abdominal tenderness), but nothing like the pain I would have prior to insertion. For treating my endometriosis, it works as it is meant to. The bad: within 2 months of insertion, I gained over 20 lbs. I've steadily gained weight around my abdomen since. Not all has been related to Mirena, but I have gained about 50 lbs in 4 1/2 years, and I know that Mirena is a huge factor. My cystic acne had also gotten worse, but I'm not sure if it's related. I'm due to get Mirena taken out in a few months and am looking into alternative treatments as I don't want to continue to gain weight."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I'm looking for reviews to see if I made a bad decision. I'm 46, and I had the device inserted on December 4, 2019, to help reduce my heavy periods. Well, today is February 17, 2020, and I'm still bleeding! Every day!! I'm so tired of using Kotex and tampons, I don't know what to do. Plus, I have acne and some emotional instability. I had a visit with my doctor on February 7, and she said to give it another month. Well, we'll see. I'm leaning towards having it removed in a month, yet I'm so eager to have no more periods!"

• Car...
• May 19, 2014

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I've had the Mirena for about 3 1/2 years. At first, I experienced bleeding for about 4-6 months with only a few days of not bleeding in between (like some have said). I got it inserted after I gave birth to my son. After those first months of bleeding passed, my periods became light and only lasted a few days. I love this because before I was a heavy, heavy bleeder! But recently, I've noticed way more acne, along with bleeding (spotting) every 2 weeks. Now all of a sudden, I had a heavy period again along with cramps and the same old stuff! I'm kinda scared because it has always worked extremely well for me! I wonder if all this is because it's getting closer to the 5-year mark! Can anyone relate?"

• Sti...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Glad to know I’m not the only one still experiencing spotting. I’ve had like low to heavy spotting for over 8 months now. My ex said the area of me stunk, but we were fighting bad and breaking up. I have a very poor sense of smell but don’t notice an odor, but his comment made me extremely self-conscious. I’ve never had anyone else say I had an odor. I’m going to call my gyno immediately on Monday. After reading comments, I realized side effects are pretty bad. Got weekly acne like I used to get just once a month with my cycle, which used to be like clockwork. Now I bleed heavy one day, brown spotting another day, then no bleeding... no rhyme or reason to it."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 15, 2020

For Birth Control "Soon after I had Mirena inserted, I began getting migraines and episodes of dizziness. I stuck it out since I was relieved to finally not have incredibly painful, heavy periods. Aside from developing some cystic acne and those occasional migraines/dizzy episodes, things were going relatively okay. Nine months later, I started to develop panic attacks and extreme anxiety. I have a dull headache every day. I am dizzy nearly all of the time, I have developed some facial hair, and my hair is falling out of my scalp. I have insomnia. This is incredibly frustrating to me as my GP keeps writing it off as 'general anxiety.' I did not have these issues before Mirena. I was previously incredibly active, adventurous, and enjoyed cycling, jogging, hiking. Now, I am afraid to do anything because of how dizzy I am and the intense anxiety I now experience. I just hope once I have this removed, I can return to my normal self. I haven't felt like 'me' in nearly a year, and it is getting really tough."

• Jhr...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 21, 2020

"This... omg, this has been enlightening. 1.) 30+ lbs. I have gained almost 50 lbs, but I lost almost 20 again. I have literally been working so hard to lose weight. 2.) Acne? Yes! Bad, bad cystic acne. 3.) Pain, tingling, weakness, and numbness on one side of my body. 4.) Infections. 5.) Mood swings/depression. 6.) Cramping/bloating. 7.) Stomach pain. 8.) Pain/cramping after sex. 9.) Low birth weight/premature birth of my daughter. 10.) I am honestly shocked, devastated, and determined to remove it after finding out this is all from Mirena. This is my 3rd Mirena, and I went from the 120s to the 170s and now am back to the 160-ish. I have been through so much with this, it’s unreal. Don’t do it."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2010

For Birth Control "I had my Mirena inserted 1/4/10 and I love it! I know everyone is different, but it has been great for me. I'm 24, never had kids, and was on the pill for the past 6 years. Insertion was uncomfortable and painful, but not horrid (and I have a low pain tolerance). However, my doc did give me a local (lidocaine) which I'm sure made a huge difference, and I would not do it without. I felt dizzy and nauseous for the first hour after and relatively bad cramping for three hours. The next day I was a bit tender, and by day three, I was my normal self. Had some very light cramping for two weeks and now nothing, not even my period. I did have a little acne at first, but that may have had to do with going off the pill. I've even lost weight."

• KKS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2013

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I had the Mirena put in 9/4/13. It is 11/5/13, and I have not had a single day without bleeding! This is so effective at birth control because you can't possibly have sex with all the bleeding it causes. I am 38, of average weight, and had it inserted for birth control, not to treat any other symptom. For me, getting it inserted was mildly uncomfortable but was over quickly. I was able to go running that same day, so I wasn't uncomfortable at all. I did take 800mg of ibuprofen before the appointment. The first 2 weeks, I broke out with really nasty acne along my jawline. I think my hair has thinned. I have also experienced Migraine with aura. My Mirena is until Jan. If this hasn't fixed itself, it's coming out."

• Mou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I have had the Mirena for about a month. The insertion was easy, and it took my very experienced OB about 5 minutes. It honestly felt like a pap smear. I also have 3 kids and a retroverted uterus for what it's worth. Unfortunately, I have had spotting every day since. I hope it stops soon because I have no other side effects. No weight gain, acne, etc., and my sex drive has actually increased (weird, right?). So if you are considering having a Mirena inserted, my advice is to try it and see how it works with YOUR body. Yes, you can read the horror stories on this site and others. People are much more inclined to share a negative experience than a positive one. Talk to your doctor and look at actual peer-reviewed studies."

• CRA...
• March 5, 2015

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Let me say, I had some light bleeding after the first month. Now I have had no periods. I'm 41 years old. I have had the worst periods since I was 16. My mood swings have stopped, and my skin is amazing. Look it up. It also helps with acne. I am so grateful. It really does work!"

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2010

For Birth Control "I have had the Mirena in for almost a year! I was so tired of birth control pills, and my sister had it put in and loved it! So I thought this was finally my answer to contraception. Well... over the last 10 months, I have had acne (on my back, arms, face, everywhere), and I have never been one to get acne. I have had cramping off and on, weight gain, and my stomach has been bloated up like I am pregnant. Also, I have experienced anxiety and loss of energy. All I want to do is lay around. I am getting it taken out ASAP."

• Anonymous
• April 29, 2009

For Birth Control "I've seen so many negative reviews of Mirena online that I just wanted to share my positive experience. For the past 10 years of my life, I have had horrifying periods. I have stage 4 endometriosis and a blood clotting disorder that would leave me in bed for days in excruciating pain every month. Since getting Mirena, my life has changed incredibly. I do have some of the side effects such as mood swings, slight memory loss, and acne, but my period now lasts one day and barely hurts. I have had it for 3 months, and I will gladly deal with the side effects to continue benefiting from a life with significantly reduced pain. It's not perfect, but after years of experimental treatments with no success, I can honestly say that this works."

• Les...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 4, 2019

For Birth Control "Mirena was the best decision I've ever made for my reproductive health. I realize some people don't have good experiences, but it has been truly amazing for me. I had it placed 4 years ago, and I will definitely get another after this. Insertion was painful, no doubt, but after a few days of cramping, I have had no issues at all. My period is almost non-existent, I do have some hormonal acne, which I also had prior to Mirena-it hasn't gotten worse, but it hasn't improved either. I still get monthly period symptoms like bloating, but no bleeding. My sex drive is the same (quite high), and I have so much peace of mind with Mirena. My partner has never felt the strings, and I can't always find them either, but every time I go to the doctor it is exactly where it's supposed to be."

• Bes...
• April 7, 2016

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "Well, after I was told I needed Mirena for heavy bleeding and being anemic, I was scared to death. The reviews of this medication can scare anyone out of trying it. I had my tubes tied 8 years ago and did not need birth control but was told by my OB-GYN that it was less invasive than an ablation, which I really did want. I decided to give it a go! My OB said not to be scared, that every woman will have different reactions to this! I needed to have day surgery to have this inserted as my cervix was closed up too much to have it put in the office. Well, it's been 6 weeks and it's been great. I spotted for 10 days after the procedure and nothing since. I was scared of weight gain, hair loss, and acne, but nothing has changed! Please give it a try!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had the Mirena IUD for 5 months now, and so far, I've loved it! I haven't had any weight gain or acne symptoms that everyone talks about in their reviews. I bled for maybe three days after the procedure and haven't had a period since. The procedure sucks, but it's bearable. It felt like intense cramping for maybe a minute, then it's over. I suggest taking 800 mg of ibuprofen before and after because I did have cramps and dizziness for the whole day. I switched to Mirena from oral BC because oral BC made me absolutely crazy (crying at every little thing, irrational, emotional, blowing up at people for no reason, etc.). Ladies, don't let the reviews scare you because every body reacts differently. You truly have to try it out for yourself!"

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2009

For Birth Control "FINALLY! It is relieving to see positive comments after finding nothing but negative remarks. I recently got the Mirena, and yes, I have experienced a few side effects. However, from what I understand, they are nothing out of the ordinary. I am not overly excited about the acne or the nausea, but I think the key for MOST of us that have recently had the Mirena inserted is to give your body time to adjust. Hopefully, the majority of us will have a positive experience. One thing to keep in mind: It is possible to experience side effects with most medications. That doesn't make it a horrible drug for all."

• aca...
• January 2, 2012

For Birth Control "I'm 25 years old with no children, and I have Mirena. I absolutely love it. The pill gave me acne, weight gain, mood swings, and nausea. The NuvaRing gave me blood clots. Mirena has been a dream. Insertion was no worse than a bad period cramp (again, I've never had kids, and it didn't hurt that bad), and I spotted for a few days. No biggie. I've had oily skin and acne my whole life but am able to control it. Mirena has made it no worse at all. I work out every day and have even been losing weight. So, Mirena has not made me gain weight. I just want to be a positive voice out there for Mirena. Before I got it, I read message boards, and it almost discouraged me from getting it. Thankfully it didn't because it's been the best birth control ever."

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

For Birth Control "I had my Mirena for a little over a year. I was constantly bloated horribly for the first 9 months. I had no periods, that was the only pro to it. I never had zits before this but got cystic acne on my face horribly. I had horrible anxiety that made me feel like my neck was swelling and I couldn’t breathe. I had an erratic heartbeat randomly that would make me feel like I was going to pass out. Worst of all, I was losing my hair so bad I ended up with a tennis ball-sized bald spot on the top of my head. Once realizing this had to be the cause, I had the Mirena removed. I am glad to say that all of the horrible symptoms I had above went away after I experienced what is referred to as the Mirena crash. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone!!"

• Sho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2020

For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding "I have had Mirena for about eight months now, and I have severe acne on my face and scalp. All along, I thought it was just me and my hormones. I am 44 years old, and now the scalp acne hurts really badly."

• Yet...
• January 24, 2015

For Birth Control "I got my Mirena in Dec 2014. I was taking the mini pill for years. I get classic migraines and can't take estrogen birth control. I had missed some pills in Sept 2014 and had an ectopic pregnancy. Once my body recovered from that, my doc suggested Mirena. I always read 'horror' stories about it, but after what I just went through, I decided to give it a try. I'm 36, with 3 kids, so not having to worry about birth control for a couple of years is great. The insertion was uncomfortable, level 5, but over and done quick. Spotting about a week. Periods are so light that I barely need a pad. I haven't noticed any weight gain or acne. No issues with sex, and I think my libido has gone up. Thus far, I'm REALLY satisfied and wish I had done it sooner."