Contraception Reviews

Copper IUD vs Hormonal IUD

Copper IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Hormonal IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.3

25 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

79 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

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.

Hormonal IUD ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal IUD

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

36% no impact on mood

Bleeds

72% heavier periods

Sex drive

56% no impact

Weight

68% no impact

Skin

68% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% in 1 month

Mood

39% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% stopped periods

Sex drive

41% no impact

Weight

49% no impact

Skin

42% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% 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

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

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

Copper IUD reviews

25 reviews

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

Paragard IUD  

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.

Read more

Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Jan 26

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jan 26

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

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Jan 26

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jan 26

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


Hormonal IUD reviews

79 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Mirena IUD  

’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Apr 26

Kyleena IUD  

I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Apr 26

Hormonal IUD  

The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Mirena IUD  

’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Apr 26

Kyleena IUD  

I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Apr 26

Hormonal IUD  

The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 26

Kyleena IUD  

No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Mar 26

Mirena IUD  

Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Mar 26

Mirena IUD  

Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Feb 26

Mirena IUD  

I love mirena


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Feb 26

Kyleena IUD  

Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Feb 26

Hormonal IUD  

DO NOT GET


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jan 26

Kyleena IUD  

I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Copper IUD with other birth control

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2026