Cap or diaphragm vs Hormonal IUD
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
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
42% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
44% no impact
48% no impact
42% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
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
Hormonal IUD reviews
62 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
So far i’m loving mine! The spotting for the first month has been very annoying but nothing horrible. Cramping went away in four days, only negative so far is i’ve had a lower heat tolerance and (i’m blonde) my leg hair has gotten DARK. I have been consistently loosing weight since starting and plus, in my opinion, my sex drive is way up. My partner is on testosterone therapy so i’m finally able to keep up with him and we love it! I highly recommend so far!
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
TLDR: -If you struggle with PMS already, please ask your doctor about the effects progesterone only birth control can have. I wish I had known that it can make it worse. -Expect new kinds of cramps. For me it was lightning rectum pain
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
So far i’m loving mine! The spotting for the first month has been very annoying but nothing horrible. Cramping went away in four days, only negative so far is i’ve had a lower heat tolerance and (i’m blonde) my leg hair has gotten DARK. I have been consistently loosing weight since starting and plus, in my opinion, my sex drive is way up. My partner is on testosterone therapy so i’m finally able to keep up with him and we love it! I highly recommend so far!
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
TLDR: -If you struggle with PMS already, please ask your doctor about the effects progesterone only birth control can have. I wish I had known that it can make it worse. -Expect new kinds of cramps. For me it was lightning rectum pain
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
So far I've had this for about a month and some change and I love it! Made my period significantly less painful this time around ❤️
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Honestly, the Mirena in my opinion isn’t bad at all. I have increased migraines but with OTC pain meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen, it helps a lot! I highly recommend this IUD just for the fact that it did lighten my period and lessen the cramps BUT I will add, it’s been continuous spotting since I’ve gotten it which isn’t a huge deal, just very annoying. Then I don’t know about yall, but the sweating…and over heating is crazy. This 4th of July I had to be taken by ambulance to the ER because I overheated so bad I passed out for over two hours, completely unresponsive BUT good vitals. I’m a very healthy 23 year old so that was completely unusual for me, I live in the Midwest so the heat can be a killer but it’s never EVER made me pass out or even dizzy, let alone unresponsive. So following with that, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad IUD, minus all the inconveniences. I haven’t gotten pregnant at least! Oh and to add, my sex drive is annoying my partner, he threatened to give me an ice bath last night to be exact😅
Increased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I have been on the marina for almost a year and every time I get my period I am in severe pain….. when I’m driving I have to pull over on the side of the road to spit up and hold my stomach. Today it was so bad. I had to call in early. I throw up most times…… moral of the story I’m getting it taken out
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jun 25
I got the IUD put in and since then I have experienced intense nausea and frequent headaches.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Jun 25
I’ve only been on it for going on 3 weeks now. The first week was cramping and low back pain. Week 2 was nausea and hunger pains. I’m starting week 3 now and I’m working with my hunger, tiredness, and possibly some mood swings. So far I really like it. I don’t feel it, it doesn’t hurt or nothing.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th May 25
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Apr 25
Top side effects not reported
10 helpful
0 comments
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