I had the mirena for five years. My main issue is that I have high blood pressure and smoke, so I can't take an estrogen based BC. When it was time to take out the Lorena, I couldn't afford another one and my insurance doesn't cover it. My doctor put me on Jolivette (another name is Nora-B I think). It's a progesterone only pill. But also it's 28 day hormone, no sugar pill. I have irregular cycles and when I have one they are severe bleeding and cramps so bad I can't move. Even if I have one monthly with BC, the cramps are horrible, so I need 28 day hormone. With the Jolivette, the most I get is spotting every so often. I do get some cramps, bit nowhere near what I used to before BC.