Hormonal IUD vs Non-hormonal??

I have the Mirena (the hormonal one) and I just want to point out the the hormone that it has is progesterone only... not estrogen... it works totally differently and does NOT have the same side effects as estrogen (not that it can't have side effects, just that they wouldn't be the same ones). Actually progesterone works to balance out/counter estrogen, so it can actually help manage some estrogen related issues (for examples I had horrible migraines on BC pills, also bad when I was nursing, less bad with no BC but completely gone with Mirena).

My understanding is that ESTROGEN therapies are linked to breast cancer, so the progesterone in the IUD would not be and may even reduce some of that risk.

HTH
T.

I have the Mirena.
I am on my second Mirena IUD and I love it.
I haven't had a period for years, I still have PMS but no bleeding.
I've had no problems like the ladies are talking about and honestly the problems that Icey is talking about can be attributed to after pregnancy hormones.
Yep I have acne but I'd rather deal with acne than with worrying about getting pregnant.

I have the non hormonal IUD and really like it.. It was a little rough the first couple of months with little cramping and spotting but after those couple of months it seems to have disappeared. My periods are a bit heavier.. Well I start the first two days or so with really light period to the pointe where I don't know if it's spotting or a period.. then I get 2 days of a really heavy period and then another 2 days of a really light period. I personally wanted to stay away from hormones as much as possible just because I never liked how I felt on hormonal BC. I am pleased with the non hormonal IUD.

I have tried both and like the non-hormonal one better. I didn't like the side effects of the hormonal one and was able to feel it. I didn't think I would because it was the same as the non-hormonal but I was able to. I just recently got the mirena removed and my doctor told me that if I didn't get my cycle back in a month, then I would have to take drugs to help get it back. I really wish I wouldn't have used the mirena because of the fact I might have to take drugs to get pregnant again is really upsetting to me.

I have the non-hormonal and I really like it. Hormones mess with my head so this option has been great. I don't have cramping at all with it, but I do have heavy periods although it's not a big deal.

I have had the Mirena for about 6 months now, and it's great. Spotting for the first month or so, and pretty much no period since then! No acne, weight gain, anything. If your doctor recommends it for you, I would definitely give it a try.
Good luck!

I've had both at various times, and currently have the Mirena which is the hormonal one. I am not aware that there's any link with cancer but that's something to check with your doctor.
I really love the Mirena. I had a huge problem with the non hormone IUD as I had incredibly heavy bleeding which I ended up needing medication to control. After my second baby I found my periods getting worse and worse (V bad bleeding) so I got the Mirena both to control that and for birth control. It really is great. I still get periods but they are way lighter and now much more manageable - I know a lot of people stop getting periods at all with Mirena. The bleeding was irregular at first but this was OK as it was light, and it settled down after a few months - I have had it 3 years now and get regular light periods.
The hormone dose is very low, so even if you've had problems with hormones eg the Pill in the past, the Mirena can be fine - the pill didn't suit me but Mirena is fine. The hormone has actually helped me eg I hardly get PMS at all now which is a bonus!!
It is wonderful not to have to think about birth control - it's a few minute procedure to get it in, and then you can forget about it for 5 years. It's a little uncomfortable to have it in, but it's very quick, and I had cramping for about 24 hours, then nothing more.
It's certainly one of the lowest doses of hormones you can have, much lower than the pill. I'd give it a try and see how you like it. You can always have it out if it doesn't work for you