Copper IUD vs Cap or diaphragm
Copper IUD ingredients
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
35% no impact on mood
73% heavier periods
58% no impact
69% no impact
69% no impact on skin
43% in 1 month
67% no impact on mood
100% no change
67% no impact
100% no impact
100% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
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
Copper IUD reviews
26 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
Using Nova-T copper IUD. Haven't had this before having my IUD put in. Might be a coincidence I guess. Since having the IUD put in I feel very anxious and cry easily/ generally have trouble regulating my emotions for the first 3-4 days around the beginning of my period. During more stressful points in my life I would get insomnia around this time (and only this time) due to anxiety. One night I could not sleep at all, for several (probably ~10 more or less) I could only sleep for 3-4 hours. I would feel paranoid that my partner doesn't love me. My periods have also increased in length from ~5-6 days (including spotting I think) to 9 days (not including spotting) or 12-14 days including spotting. Apart from that no other symptoms, but the emotional changes are difficult.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jun 26
The worst experience ever and highly disappointed that no one actually says the truth about this apart of people who used it. No doctor says about those secondary effects and it’s criminal.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Jan 26
So, I’ve had this IUD placed twice. The first time, I had an expulsion and had no clue. Didn’t feel anything. Went for a follow up and she said it was hanging out, to my surprise. I have had it placed again and so far so good. No pain on insertion either time since my provider used Lidocaine. The only issue I find is that my sex drive basically disappears for some reason. Other than that, no complaints.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
Using Nova-T copper IUD. Haven't had this before having my IUD put in. Might be a coincidence I guess. Since having the IUD put in I feel very anxious and cry easily/ generally have trouble regulating my emotions for the first 3-4 days around the beginning of my period. During more stressful points in my life I would get insomnia around this time (and only this time) due to anxiety. One night I could not sleep at all, for several (probably ~10 more or less) I could only sleep for 3-4 hours. I would feel paranoid that my partner doesn't love me. My periods have also increased in length from ~5-6 days (including spotting I think) to 9 days (not including spotting) or 12-14 days including spotting. Apart from that no other symptoms, but the emotional changes are difficult.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jun 26
The worst experience ever and highly disappointed that no one actually says the truth about this apart of people who used it. No doctor says about those secondary effects and it’s criminal.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Jan 26
So, I’ve had this IUD placed twice. The first time, I had an expulsion and had no clue. Didn’t feel anything. Went for a follow up and she said it was hanging out, to my surprise. I have had it placed again and so far so good. No pain on insertion either time since my provider used Lidocaine. The only issue I find is that my sex drive basically disappears for some reason. Other than that, no complaints.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
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
2 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
2 helpful
0 comments
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