Contraception Reviews

Copper IUD vs Combination birth control pill

Copper IUD

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Combination birth control pill

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Overview

Rated 3.4

23 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

134 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

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.

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

35% no impact on mood

Bleeds

74% heavier periods

Sex drive

61% no impact

Weight

70% no impact

Skin

70% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

35% 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

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Copper IUD reviews

23 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

It worked and I didn’t have to worry. Only issue was my periods were soooooo heavy it made me severely anemic. After about 3-4 years I had to take it out and my periods were lighter and my anemia got better

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Aug 25

Paragard IUD  

Cooper IUD is very effective for me, i experienced a lot of virginal discharge at first, then reduced after some years and then it increased again sometimes thick and yellow though at checking, I don't have any infection. I have also stopped periods in the last few months, may be it is menopause since I am 48.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jul 25

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 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

It worked and I didn’t have to worry. Only issue was my periods were soooooo heavy it made me severely anemic. After about 3-4 years I had to take it out and my periods were lighter and my anemia got better


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Aug 25

Paragard IUD  

Cooper IUD is very effective for me, i experienced a lot of virginal discharge at first, then reduced after some years and then it increased again sometimes thick and yellow though at checking, I don't have any infection. I have also stopped periods in the last few months, may be it is menopause since I am 48.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jul 25

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


Combination birth control pill reviews

134 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  18th Dec 25

Yaz birth control pill  

good for me


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  18th Dec 25

Yaz birth control pill  

good for me


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Dec 25

Combination birth control pill  

Discharge throws off my mood and for sex..


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Nov 25

Vienva birth control pill  

I really like it! I take it daily and bae no bad side effects, and actually feel my mood has improved


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Nov 25

Junel 21 1/20 birth control pill  

I started taking this pill post partial hysterectomy for worsening PMDD symptoms. Within week 1 I totally lost my libido (I generally have a super high drive and have sex daily with my partner). I have had a couple of headaches as well since starting which is not a frequent thing for me. After the first few days I felt bloated as well. I do not have to worry about pregnancy since having a partial hysterectomy, however the other side effects are uncomfortable enough I do not want to continue this pill.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

It was fine, but not the best. I noticed feeling increasingly agitated often and it made my cramps a lot worse when I had a pill period. Overall wasn't a bad med, but not my favorite. Main symptom that made me get off it was really bad hot flashes everyday.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Oct 25

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

It’s worked and been totally fine.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Sep 25

Hailey Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

hey readers! i’m 18 and have been on it since 15. my periods were 50-70 days late and now i can pin it down on a calander! i’ve always been slimmer due to my sickness (cvs) and this has helped it tremendously too, i haven’t noticed much weight gain. (shoutout to my gyno) that being said my friends have had some other feedback so it is very personal to your body. but for me it has been life changing! i am considering maybe a shorter period length now that mine are 4 days and not 7.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Sep 25

Vienva birth control pill  

Irregular periods and it's got worse.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

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Compare the Copper IUD with other birth control

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