"i&#039;ve been on and off different birth control methods for years (since high school) i am now 27 and this is by far the best contraceptive i&#039;ve used. 

not to reiterate what others have said, but the pain for the first few weeks was rough. but nothing an advil or tylenol couldn&#039;t take care of. i think of it most like an the level of discomfort you feel after any outpatient procedure. 

i was spotty for about 5 weeks after i first got it inserted. after that i had normal periods. some of the greatest benefits to me were 

1. not gaining weight!  (i actually lost weight, my boobs got bigger, and my body just looked more womanly- including my butt!) 

2. no real side effects but a little cramping discomfort every now and again."