Side effects
Copper coil (IUD) common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
75% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported period like cramps
42% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported vaginal discharge
41% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported lower back pain
33% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported tender breasts
19% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported thrush
Copper coil (IUD) rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
2% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported a latex allergy
1% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported discomfort wearing contact lenses
1% of Copper coil (IUD) reviewers reported migraine with aura
Possible Copper coil (IUD) side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Period like cramps (75%)
- Vaginal discharge (42%)
- Lower back pain (41%)
- Tender breasts (33%)
- Thrush (19%)
- Breast enlargement (14%)
- Vaginal dryness (12%)
- Nausea or vomiting (12%)
- Sweating more than usual (12%)
- Cystitis (11%)
- Pelvic infection (11%)
- Headaches (8%)
- Dizziness (6%)
- Body hair increase (5%)
- Migraines (4%)
- Body hair getting darker (4%)
- High blood pressure (3%)
- Hair loss (2%)
- A latex allergy (2%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (1%)
- Migraine with aura (1%)
Reviews
3.5
561 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I would advise to check the string length regularly or generally get it checked out regularly as mine became dislodged (had no symptoms) and I became pregnant. However I didnt experience any negative symptoms whilst using it and had a positive experience during the fitting of it - which I was worried about after reading reviews of the pain!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Gynaecologist attempted to insert IUD 3 times and was unable to due to my cervix being tough! Attempted insertion was fine, just felt like period cramps. Sad because I wanted this contraceptive method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The insertion wasn’t as bad as i was expecting but still quite painful and i had cramps for the whole day however was fine the next day. I struggled with a lot of back pain with the weeks following the doctors said could be sign of my body either rejecting it or getting used to it but it did get better with time. My moods are overall a lot better, on the pill i felt quite numb compared to what i feel now, i never had periods on the pill so i get quite down and irritated on them as everyone does but overall it’s nice to experience a range of emotions of a cycle. My sex drive has also increased a lot. I noticed i gained some weight on it and my breast have gotten a lot bigger and i do get very bloated for most of my cycle. My periods didn’t get heavier but i do get very painful cramps on them and while i ovulate. As i have only been on it for 4 months I’m still trying to keep an open mind to see if this settles down by the 6 month mark otherwise I may consider removal but overall i definitely prefer having non hormonal birth control
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I went with the copper coil as I didn’t want to use hormones. I’d previously used the depot injection and noticed a huge change when I stopped, hence sticking to none hormonal. The insertion wasn’t too bad, a quick ‘nip’ and it was over. The first 2-3 months my periods were pretty bad, massive cramps which I’m not used to and heavy bleeding. They quickly settled back to normal, no cramps etc. I’ve lived with this pretty much carefree up until the last month where I found out I was pregnant. My body had ‘rejected’ the coil and started to push it out of my body, hence the failure. It’s not ideal as the reason for the coil was to avoid this, but I suppose everything happens for a reason.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I wanted to write this review while it is fresh in my mind. I have decided to use the Copper IUD as I did not want to use hormonal contraceptives anymore. I had used the Yasmin pill most of my 20s and early 30s. I had managed to get a fitting earlier than anticipated (NHS waiting times seemed to be 3 months) and I was keen to get the procedure done ASAP. I was told to eat something before hand and take a pain killer. I know friends who have had this and they cited it was uncomfortable. Having had the procedure this morning, I was not prepared for the level of pain that I experienced. I nearly fainted twice and could not leave the room for about 40 minutes. I’m not someone that usually has any fainting episodes. The procedure itself was quite quick but my body had gone into vasovagal shock which is apparently “common”. I asked my nurse out of the 7 patients they would see a day, how often does this happen. They said it varies- some days there are no fainting issues and other days it might be everyone. I was asked to call someone to bring me home which I hadn’t anticipated being needed. I hope that the contraceptive method works out well for me given the level of pain. It just seems insurmountable to me that the levels of pain experienced by some people are not taken seriously when this procedure is done.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Aug 24
The copper coil has been really good for my periods, it has just affected my skin and my mental health
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Aug 24
Just had my copper iud inserted . It’s been 20 days since. I’m bleeding since 13 days. Doctor said to wait and watch. If the bleeding doesn’t stop then I will have to remove it. I wish it will suit me. I don’t like hormonal contraceptions.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Jul 24
I really wanted a contraceptive method which was not hormonal so the copper IUD was perfect for me. I had very light periods before and cramps once or twice a year. The only downside of the copper IUD is that my periods are heavier but very manageable and I have cramps every month but not painful enough to require painkillers. I was terrified for my insertion but to my surprise, it was not bad at all! I would rate it a 6/10 in pain that only lasts a minute. The cramping afterwards only lasted a day and was also similar to period cramps.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 24
I had side effects with the pill and was put on the copper coil. I had no side effects and no pregnancy so it was a winner for me. Insertion is not much fun but over quickly.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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