Contraception Reviews

Combination birth control pill vs Copper IUD

Combination birth control pill

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Copper IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.4

80 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.8

14 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

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

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

30% regular periods

Sex drive

38% lost sex drive

Weight

45% no impact

Skin

41% improved skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

36% somewhat negative

Bleeds

71% heavier periods

Sex drive

50% no impact

Weight

71% no impact

Skin

79% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combination birth control pill reviews

80 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

the combo pill helped get my period back to its normal cycle after spotting for 3 years on nexplanon. i definitely feel like i have retained some water weight in my stomach, arms, and face. i also have more acne than i did when i was on nexplanon. the last symptoms im dealing with are more anxiety and more sweat on my feet and palms. i’m open to trying different combo pills but i think im going to stay on this one for a year to feel the full effects/symptoms.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Tri Lo Estarylla birth control pill  

Quiero vajar la meuctracion con estas pastillas


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Aviane birth control pill  

I use BC to control my heavy 3 week long bleeds. I'm 43, and went from PCOS bleeds to perimenopause bleeds. This one worked well, but did cause breakthrough bleeding a little in the first few packs. By breakthrough I mean an actual period gush, not spotting, I also had spotting off and on. It did shorten my periods to about 7 days. My mood seemed down a bit more, and my libido did decrease a little. However, I had the big O just fine, with my previous one(elinest) I couldnt. I'm starting Amethyst which is a slightly lower dose of the same hormones, hopefully that helps even me more. Overall, I would take Aviane again if I had to.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

the combo pill helped get my period back to its normal cycle after spotting for 3 years on nexplanon. i definitely feel like i have retained some water weight in my stomach, arms, and face. i also have more acne than i did when i was on nexplanon. the last symptoms im dealing with are more anxiety and more sweat on my feet and palms. i’m open to trying different combo pills but i think im going to stay on this one for a year to feel the full effects/symptoms.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Tri Lo Estarylla birth control pill  

Quiero vajar la meuctracion con estas pastillas


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Aviane birth control pill  

I use BC to control my heavy 3 week long bleeds. I'm 43, and went from PCOS bleeds to perimenopause bleeds. This one worked well, but did cause breakthrough bleeding a little in the first few packs. By breakthrough I mean an actual period gush, not spotting, I also had spotting off and on. It did shorten my periods to about 7 days. My mood seemed down a bit more, and my libido did decrease a little. However, I had the big O just fine, with my previous one(elinest) I couldnt. I'm starting Amethyst which is a slightly lower dose of the same hormones, hopefully that helps even me more. Overall, I would take Aviane again if I had to.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Copper IUD reviews

14 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

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
28 years old
🇺🇸 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
18 years old
🇺🇸 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

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

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
28 years old
🇺🇸 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
18 years old
🇺🇸 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

Copper IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jul 24

Paragard IUD  

This was super painful to implant and more pain each month I used it during my period-longer and heavier as well as cramping and spotting each month at ovulation. Eventually I had the device removed and I started taking a birth control pill to regulate my hormones in hopes of lowering instance of migraines due to hormonal fluctuations. Now on a pill designed to prevent hormonal migraines, I realize that during my IUD years I had much less frequent migraines so perhaps there is no correlation between my migraines and birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th May 24

Paragard IUD  

I had Paraguard for almost 7 years. When it was first inserted (insanely painful) I was told it would last for 12 years, however it fell out recently. Only half fell out, as one arm broke off and I was recommended to have a hysteroscopy under full anesthesia to remove the missing part. Luckily it came out on its own and I didn’t require the operation but it was a terrifying experience. Throughout the past 7 years the only issues I had was very heavy periods and severe cramps (including sharp pain when going to the bathroom). Other than that, it was great for me and nice to have regular periods.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Mar 24

Paragard IUD  

I've never used any forms of birth control before, so I don't know what to compare it to other than being normal and not on birth control. Insertion was uncomfortable but not very painful, and I had pain in my cervix and spotting for about a week afterward. My body adjusted very quickly and I had normally spaced periods right after. The most noticeable difference is that my period is lighter and longer. My sex drive noticeably decreased, and my emotions are dampened/numbed. I forget that I even have it 99% of the time, as I don't notice it in my daily life. If all you're looking for is plain and simple low-maintenance birth control, this is it.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Dec 23

Paragard IUD  

Cramping is significantly worse than before I had the IUD. Periods have lasted about 3 weeks when they used to only last 5-7 days. After the IUD was inserted, I ended up having 3 UTIs and cervicitis.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Dec 23

Paragard IUD  

I don’t know yet. It’s only been 3 weeks since I got it but I have not stopped bleeding (it started as only spotting and the blood looked brown on my pad and the amount increased to a light period then it went back to spotting.) now after the 2nd week the blood started to look red again and its still only spotting. So now I don’t know is this is my regular period or what! I have iron deficiency anemia, all this bleeding can’t be good. Is this going to be always. I have no cramps which I’m greatful for.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 23

Paragard IUD  

The insertion process was a bit painful, but not the worst experience in my case. I would highly recommend tanking some pain medication beforehand. After insertion I experienced some stronger cramps and my period became a bit heavier for a few months (I was coming off the pill and had lighter periods). Now for the past two months my periods have been lighter than ever with only a couple days of light bleeding at most. My cramps feel a bit worse when I get them, but that doesn’t happen too frequently to me.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 23

Paragard IUD  

I experienced a lot of common side effects of the IUD, it may have been caused by the fact that it was misplaced, and I didn't find out until I went in to get it removed. While I used it, it was an effective contraceptive, even with it being misplaced. I used it for almost six months, and the negative symptoms didn't alleviate at all throughout that time. I would recommend a provider who has a lot of knowledge about IUDs and who doesn't downplay pain before considering it, but it can be a great choice


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

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