Skyla for Birth Control User Reviews (Page 3)

• jun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 16, 2019

"I had Skyla for 3 years and only had it removed because it was about to expire. I replaced it with Kyleena because it lasts for 5 years. In the past, I had tried both estrogen/progestin birth control pills as well as the mini pill (progestin only) and reacted horribly (bloating, mood swings, etc.), so I was really nervous about Skyla. I am very small (5’1”, 96 lbs) and sensitive to hormones, and with Skyla, I had few to no side effects. Overall, my experience was amazing! I actually lost weight (more so due to diet changes and a lot of running), and while I did have acne for months 3-6, that passed and now my skin is clear! Honestly, the only long-term side effect was menstrual cramping, which was tolerable. I have been with my SO for 2 years and we have never used additional protection, and there has never been a time when I have had to deal with pregnancy-scare jitters. Overall 10/10, don’t let the negative reviews scare you, Skyla offers freedom and spontaneity and is totally worth it!:)"

• pco...
• April 26, 2015

"I've had Skyla for about 4 months now, and it's GREAT. I can't lie... insertion KILLED. I was not on my period, and I was unable to take the medication that my Dr. prescribed to soften my cervix in time, as there were some scheduling issues. So for me, it was very painful. The cramps lasted only a day or two more, and then they only came periodically after that. The reason I initially got Skyla was because the mini-pills I was on previously were making me absolutely crazy, with severe anxiety and basically depression every single day. My Dr. suggested Skyla because the hormones tend to remain localized, and I cannot tell you how much better I feel with it. Furthermore, I'm not pregnant even with lots of unprotected sex."

• Bfu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2019

"Used Skyla for three years, and in that time, my anxiety got so bad that I started having panic attacks, but I related it to being a senior in college and graduating and moving on to the next step of my life and just being stressed. Then I started to get depressed for no reason, didn’t want to be around people, and thought I was going to end up having a psychotic breakdown. I also have thyroid issues and assumed maybe my mood was related to my thyroid. After I got Skyla removed, I felt instant relief. I haven’t had a panic attack or anxiety even close, it did take a few weeks to start feeling much better, but after that, I will never go on birth control again. Skyla is something that will make you so depressed, and it isn’t worth it to me. I feel much better without it mentally, and all my symptoms have subsided. 12/10 don’t recommend because of the mental issues and hormone imbalance it can cause. It gave me such dark thoughts and made me miserable."

• Cri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2021

"I started using Skyla 4 years ago after I took out my Nexplanon (which really didn't agree with me), and it’s been the best birth control for my body. Everyone’s body reacts differently, but this is a good option for women who haven’t had children. Insertion is painful, but Tylenol before and after helps. I don’t notice any symptoms other than really short periods and mild cramps. No acne or mood swings. Definitely recommend."

• Emm...
• June 17, 2015

"Skyla was the best birth control decision I have ever made. I've been on it for three months now and absolutely love it. There was certainly a fair amount of pain on insertion and the week after; I will admit that, but it has improved my sex life, hasn't tampered with my systemic hormones, weight gain, etc., makes me feel comfortable and safe, and my partner can hardly ever feel it. 10/10 would recommend!"

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2020

"I've had my IUD for a year and a half. I wanted to keep it long enough for my body to adjust to the hormones, but it just isn't adjusting. My anxiety has increased drastically, and I have severe mood swings and no control of my emotions. I'm getting it removed because I want to be my rational, level-headed self again."

• reg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

"I read these reviews before my insertion. With all of the other experiences before mine, I expressed nervousness to my doctor, who assured me that Skyla was safe. Two weeks later, I was in the hospital with pelvic inflammatory disease, worried about a potential hysterectomy-at 20 years old. I had come in with a burst cyst, which left me on my bathroom floor screaming in pain. For those two weeks prior, I was a weeping mess. I had suddenly become incredibly depressed and drained of all of my energy. After the IUD removal, I slowly became myself again. I spent a week in the hospital fighting the infection. Ladies, think twice, think three, four, ten times about using Skyla. I am convinced that doctors are being heavily paid by drug reps to prescribe this, as my sister was prescribed it from a different one who said he'd never seen a case of PID in his career. Please save your uterus and your mental health by skipping this IUD."

• Ran...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2019

"I have had Skyla for a little over 3 years (I just replaced it a few months ago), and I honestly have no complaints overall other than... insertion does suck, but the whole process takes only a few minutes and discomfort, slight dizziness for some time, maybe a few hours after that, nothing too awful. In my opinion, 3 years of protection is worth one day of discomfort... No mood swings, no weight gain, no change in skin or libido, not much difference other than very light periods that stay on track... My partner doesn’t even feel it (the string has poked him once or twice). I love it and plan to use it until about a year before I decide to have a child one day."

• K29...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 27, 2019

"Was curious if anyone has had this issue or problem yet. I’ve been on the Skyla IUD for about 2 and a half years. I’m due to get my IUD out in June 2019 because my 3 years will be up to have another placed in. But I have missed 2 periods now when I have gotten a period every month on time, and they have been regular. Now I’m on month 2 of no period. I’ve taken 2 tests, both have said negative. But I’m cramping, but no blood. I’m tired more than usual sometimes, and some headaches, heartburn. I’m contacting my doctor soon, but wanted to hear other people’s feedback. Thanks in advance!"

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

"I have had my Skyla IUD placed about a month and a half ago. With that being said, I want to warn you guys. The insertion wasn’t bad for me, it was just like a bad period cramp. I just want to warn everyone about the symptoms that I wasn’t told about that I have experienced. I have been losing my hair, very bad mood swings, bad back pain, and so, so much more."

• Yes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2021

"Someone else mentioned this, and it’s what pushed me to share my experience using SKYLA IUD. I had my son in 2019. Got the SKYLA implanted right away after giving birth. It’s been great at preventing pregnancies. My partner and I don’t use any protection (condoms), and till today I’m not pregnant. NOW, the cons... ladies. My periods last 12 days. Lately, I get two periods within a month. Randomly spotting in between periods + cramps. Depression and anxiety have never been a thing for me prior to my baby and the IUD, but when I am on my period, everything just comes over me. My moods are 10x worse. Like someone else here said, there was this strong odor after my period I’d get, and every time my partner and I would have sex. This is really bad if we are in the mood every time, and it just sucks. I might get it removed, but now I have no idea what other birth control to try - Skyla has been everything I’ve ever used."

• Tay...
• January 11, 2016

"18 yrs old. Getting the IUD inserted was EXTREMELY painful but worth it. The 1st month or so was nothing but pain, but it was from spotting and cramps from getting used to something foreign in your body. Day 4 was the most painful, but I LOVE my IUD! I don't have scares, and I don't worry about taking a pill every day, and I don't worry about getting pregnant. This is the best choice I've made for my birth control. I've lost weight, acne cleared up, and most importantly, I'm not moody all the time! :) My boyfriend says he can feel it rarely during intercourse, but it doesn't hurt nor bother him. I've been on this since November, and I'm extremely happy I made this choice. Take ibuprofen before and after, and rest with a heating pad. Hope this review helps!"

• lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2020

"This Skyla is the worst thing to ever happen to me. I’ve had it in for almost 7 months now. Insertion was the absolute worst pain I’ve ever gone through. I was in pain for weeks. I’m not the type to cry, but I was crying every day. Couldn’t get out of bed. Throwing up and passing out from the pain. After about a month and a half, it seemed to be getting better, but I was wrong. For the past 4 months, I’ve been cramping every day. It has not moved. I’m not pregnant, but the cramps I get on a daily basis are excruciating. I have scheduled an appointment to get it out. I can’t wait. I was on the pill, and I used the ring as well, neither of them worked correctly for me as they were messing with my hormones like crazy, but I would 110% prefer those options over the Skyla. Do not recommend. At all."

• Ido...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 1, 2017

"I've read some of the reviews, and I just want to share my input. I feel like many of the reviews posted are just after Skyla was inserted. Yes, Skyla hurt after insertion. I cramped for the first week. I even told the doctor for my one-month check-up following this would be the only time. During the three years with Skyla, my periods were significantly lighter, although a little random. But honestly, I couldn't tell you the last time I bought a box of tampons. I just went back to see him in March, and my three years with Skyla were up. He removed the old one and reinserted the new one. Small difficulty getting it positioned just right, but pain scale = 0. Since then, I have had my period once, and it lasted a day. I will preach Skyla any day."

• MB3...
• June 5, 2015

"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

"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!"

• luc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2023

"Well... 2.5 years later after insertion, my Skyla failed. The best part? The IUD was perfectly in place, but I ended up 6 weeks pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy. This led me to have a laparoscopic salpingectomy with D&C. 23 years old, and never been pregnant other than this, now I have only one fallopian tube and a much higher risk of having another ectopic. I'm scared to death of getting pregnant again and losing my other tube. The whole 2.5 years I had the IUD was painful. I have a very small frame (hardly 5' tall), so maybe that is why I had so much pain, but who knows? I had intense cramps all throughout as well as irregular periods (never irregular before Skyla). Not to mention the indescribable pain that came with insertion. Please do extensive research and discuss IUDs in great detail with your physician before considering this birth control method. Wish I could leave a zero, but a 1 will have to do since I still got pregnant."

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2015

"I had no noticeable side effects at all. I did have some cramping the first month that was slight. I took some ibuprofen when it bothered me. I spotted for about 3 weeks and had one small period. Then my periods stopped. Once in a while, I get a little pink speck on toilet paper, none on my underwear. It is wonderful having birth control and not worrying about pills, periods, mood swings, or headaches. It is the best birth control ever! I also like the shorter commitment and the extra low hormone content. No weight gain. I love that it pretty much stopped my PMS completely. I notice a slight mood change once a month-ish, and it used to be really bad for me. It is a big improvement. I am 42, and I plan to stay on this until menopause."

• lig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2020

"I'm 18 years old with no kids. I had the IUD put in October 2019. Personally, it hurt me a ton, and I could barely move for the whole day after and was in tears. The cramps were wicked for a good month to month and a half, and then I just got cramps every now and then. Missed my past period and started feeling weird, though, in March 2020. Going to get it removed most likely in the next few weeks because I don't like the irregular periods and other side effects."

• Tb0...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 16, 2017

"I had my Skyla put in May 2015. I have had it almost two years and can say that it was the best choice I could have made. When I first got it, I did experience a lot of pain, for at least a month, I had very bad cramps and mood swings. Two years later, I don't even know it's there. I would very strongly recommend!"

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

"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

"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!"

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

"Overall, I love it! It's super effective in preventing pregnancy, and I don't have to worry about taking a pill or having my partner buy condoms. Most times I forget it's even there! However, the first couple of months were awful - I experienced a few acne flare-ups, had incredibly heavy and long periods (with oftentimes a strong scent), and I was always bloated. And don't even get me started on the sharp cramps. In between periods, I had brown discharge (normal, I know, but still very annoying). So the side effects were not pretty, I'll be honest about that. But now all is well, acne is pretty much gone, discharge is rare, and no more aches and pains in my pelvis and lower abdomen. I just wish doctors were more upfront about the side effects - I know it's effective birth control, but at least give us the full range of what to expect so we don't lose sleep and worry about it."

• liv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2015

"I had my Skyla inserted in May of 2014. I have a condition that I have to take medication, which limited me from the use of other birth controls. Skyla gives me a lot more comfort because it is more effective than other methods of birth control. I do get cysts that grow on my uterus and rupture, mostly before my cycle, which is very painful, but the pain is worth the results! I highly recommend this birth control."

• Kay...
• March 5, 2017

"I've been on Skyla for 9 months, and this is my second review on this site. The first five months were constant cramps and spotting. The spotting has stopped, but cramps randomly come and are intense. I get my period every 2-3 months. I've gained a little weight and have some acne on my back (before I had neither of these), but Skyla works considering I am not pregnant. Other than the side effects I've had, it really is great, and you don't have to worry about taking any pills. With others, I had major weight gain, face acne, and migraines. I definitely recommend. Stick it out through the spotting and cramps, and you'll realize it's so worth it!"