"i chose to get the mirena to help with the symptoms of my period and naturally having 5-7 years of birth control was also attractive. i found the pain of insertion was not unlike some of the cramping i usually experience during my period, except it was one big one versus twenty minutes of painful contractions. following the procedure, i had very mild cramping. i have had some mild spotting, but nothing a panty liner can&#039;t handle. i am now on my period and my flow has already seemed to have lightened and my cramping is less severe. i am not currently sexually active, so i can&#039;t say much about effectiveness as birth control, but stats say over 99% effective, and condoms can only get it closer to 100%. very pleased so far."