Contraception Reviews

Cap or diaphragm vs Copper IUD

Cap or diaphragm

Want to switch birth control?

Copper IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.7

3 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

71% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

21 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Cap or diaphragm ingredients

A birth control diaphragm or cap is a reusable barrier method of birth control that is inserted into the vagina before sex. It is covered in spermicide (a gel that kills sperm) and prevents pregnancy by covering the cervix so sperm can’t get into the womb. There are a few things that can make the diaphragm or cap less effective. These include if it doesn't fit properly
you remove it too early
it is damaged
you forget to use spermicide
or it is used with other oil-based products. If these things happen you may need to use emergency birth control.

Copper IUD ingredients

Copper coils are made of a T-shaped frame of polyethylene (plastic) and barium sulphate. Copper wire is wound around the vertical arm.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

67% no impact on mood

Bleeds

100% no change

Sex drive

67% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

38% no impact on mood

Bleeds

71% heavier periods

Sex drive

62% no impact

Weight

67% no impact

Skin

71% no impact on skin

Cycle return

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

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

3 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 25

FemCap  

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.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jan 25

FemCap  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 23

Caya  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 25

FemCap  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jan 25

FemCap  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 23

Caya  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Apr 25

Copper IUD  

My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes


Very negative mood

11 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Apr 25

Copper IUD  

My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes


Very negative mood

11 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Mar 25

Copper IUD  

Weight gain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Feb 25

Copper IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Dec 24

Paragard IUD  

Good


Worse skin

3 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Nov 24

Copper IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Oct 24

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Aug 24

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 24

Paragard IUD  

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

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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