Cap or diaphragm vs Copper IUD
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
Copper IUD ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
67% no impact on mood
100% no change
67% no impact
100% no impact
100% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
38% no impact on mood
71% heavier periods
62% no impact
67% no impact
71% no impact on skin
33% in 1 month
Benefits: What this birth control can help with
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Cap or diaphragm reviews
3 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 25
I’ve been using the FemCap for years now and honestly, I’m so impressed. It’s non-hormonal, super discreet, and once you get the hang of insertion, it’s incredibly easy to use. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hormone-free option.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jan 25
I had to come off hormonal contraception due to health reasons so needed a barrier method. It was quite awkward to insert and always had to keep checking it in case it dislodged itself, was sometimes painful or uncomfortable, my partner could feel it. I was also using an approved spermicide with it but still became pregnant within a month of use.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
My very favorite thing about the Caya is that there really are no side effects. I am not putting anything into my body that is changing the way my body functions- I put it in, leave it in a while, and then I remove it. No hormones, nothing! I’ve been advised that while the Caya can be 80+% effective when used correctly, it’s best to use it with spermicide and condoms. It is tricky to insert the first few times but super easy to remove and I quickly got the hang of a quick and easy insertion! I did find it really difficult to find a pharmacy that sold the Caya (I guess they aren’t as popular now)- but all in all, it’s been fantastic so far! I love that my body gets to function as it normally would but that the Caya helps prevent pregnancy
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 25
I’ve been using the FemCap for years now and honestly, I’m so impressed. It’s non-hormonal, super discreet, and once you get the hang of insertion, it’s incredibly easy to use. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hormone-free option.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jan 25
I had to come off hormonal contraception due to health reasons so needed a barrier method. It was quite awkward to insert and always had to keep checking it in case it dislodged itself, was sometimes painful or uncomfortable, my partner could feel it. I was also using an approved spermicide with it but still became pregnant within a month of use.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
My very favorite thing about the Caya is that there really are no side effects. I am not putting anything into my body that is changing the way my body functions- I put it in, leave it in a while, and then I remove it. No hormones, nothing! I’ve been advised that while the Caya can be 80+% effective when used correctly, it’s best to use it with spermicide and condoms. It is tricky to insert the first few times but super easy to remove and I quickly got the hang of a quick and easy insertion! I did find it really difficult to find a pharmacy that sold the Caya (I guess they aren’t as popular now)- but all in all, it’s been fantastic so far! I love that my body gets to function as it normally would but that the Caya helps prevent pregnancy
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Copper IUD reviews
21 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I have had the Paraguard IUD for 7 months, it is effective but there are still many side effects that I feel may not be explained upfront. I experience cramps so much worse, a few days of the month the pain magnitude is so bad it affects my normal functioning and focus. I have experienced late appendicitis pain and these cramps are consistently quite a bit worse. I also developed pre-menstrual cramps a week before menstruation, which are also quite bad. Aside from this, I developed some acne around my chin and jaw that I did not have issues with before. The cramps have not gotten any better in the 7 months I have had it since insertion.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Painful insertion. Worst period of my life the month after insertion. Puked 3 times and lightheaded due to how much i was bleeding. Overly emotional, cramping, exhausted, and nauseous but hey my acne is better after switching from nexplanon to copper iud.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Apr 25
My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes
Very negative mood
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I have had the Paraguard IUD for 7 months, it is effective but there are still many side effects that I feel may not be explained upfront. I experience cramps so much worse, a few days of the month the pain magnitude is so bad it affects my normal functioning and focus. I have experienced late appendicitis pain and these cramps are consistently quite a bit worse. I also developed pre-menstrual cramps a week before menstruation, which are also quite bad. Aside from this, I developed some acne around my chin and jaw that I did not have issues with before. The cramps have not gotten any better in the 7 months I have had it since insertion.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Painful insertion. Worst period of my life the month after insertion. Puked 3 times and lightheaded due to how much i was bleeding. Overly emotional, cramping, exhausted, and nauseous but hey my acne is better after switching from nexplanon to copper iud.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Apr 25
My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes
Very negative mood
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Mar 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Feb 25
This birth control contributed to me getting BV and frequent yeast infections AND it was placed way too low and cause sex to be painful and my IUD was oxidizing inside of me and when I got it out, the IUD was literally falling apart I would not recommend this birth control
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Nov 24
The insertion was unbelievably painful and I will not be getting it put back in after three months. 2 days in I nearly went back to get it taken out but decided to push through. The pain subsided however I occasionally get the most awful pains randomly which will last 3+ days sporadically with no period to go with it.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Oct 24
I’ve had it for over a year, I’m happy with it since it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy but I’ve all the sudden been getting weird side effects and hormone imbalances and bloating.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Aug 24
I love the copper IUD as I was looking for a non hormonal way of birth control. Besides the heavy bleeding and intense cramps during my period, it’s great!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 24
I wanted the copper IUD because it was non-hormonal and my DR said the only real side effect was worse periods (which she said would be fine for me because my periods are were not too bad in the first place. Insertion was not as painful as I thought it would be. Periods have become extremely painful and mood has definitely suffered
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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