Just thought I'd add my experience here since I am currently researching my BCP options....
I got my Mirena a little over a year ago, 8 wks after having my second son. At the time I was breastfeeding and as with my first son, I didn't expect to see AF at all during that year until my son weaned. My initial issues with the Mirena was the pain. I spotted for a good 3 months and had sharp pains that continued for about a month or so longer. Then it seemed to just stop bothering me. No AF, no cramps, etc. In March of this year (after BF for 13 months) I got pneumonia and my son weaned during that time. Within one week of him weaning I got AF. A very very heavy AF worse than my post partum bleeding had ever been. It lasted for almost 2 weeks, but I decided to wait it out and see if my body adjusted. It's now almost June and I have had heavy heavy AF every 2-3 wks since March. In the past month, I've also gotten horrible acne which I never had before. So I finally made the decision to have it removed (July 1st, I can't wait!). I'll try to remember to update if things get better after it's gone. I never had "regular" AF, but I did have one at least every 3 months, but come on, every 2-3 weeks is crazy and each time I was left extremely fatigued
I just hope to find a BCP that will work well for me.