"i switched to mirena because i was sick of consistently taking the pill at the same time. i haven&#039;t had kids before- so the insertion was pretty painful (although about 5 minutes in duration...easier than childbirth). i was crampy and had normal period bleeds for about 2 weeks and thought what have i gotten myself into. after that- it&#039;s almost like it all went away. i have minimal spotting occasionally and maybe a morning of cramps once a month. no pill to remember. and my partner stated the first time we had sex he felt the string but since it has softened he cannot. i love this birth control and would recommend it."