Contraception Reviews

Copper IUD vs Birth control implant

Copper IUD

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Birth control implant

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Overview

Rated 4.0

7 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

12 reviews

Every 3 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.

Birth control implant ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control implant

What Lowdown reviewers 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

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Copper IUD reviews

7 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

  •  Still using

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.

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Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

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


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

  •  Still using

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

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

  •  Still using

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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

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


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Birth control implant reviews

12 reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Nov 23

  •  Stopped using

I was bleeding for about 6 months continuously by the end of what was a little over a year of having the nexplanon. It was prescribed to help with what was already a gruesome period for me, i had been bleeding very heavily for 2 weeks, each period for the 5 years of having my period before the nexplanon. After the nexplanon I began having cramping when i wasn't bleeding, what my doctor would explain as lightning crotch. When my periods got longer and heavier i was told to give the hormones more time to settle. When my cramping began getting worse to the point i couldn't use tampons and my periods began melding together into one continuous period, i was given naproxen for pain and to give it more time. The entire time my mood was continuously fluctuating, sometimes id be fine but a lot of the times i was angry/aggressive for no reason or borderline depressesd. This combined with the fact that the pads i was running through, think 8 of the big overnight pads in just for one school day and not including pads used at home, missing school from severe cramping and bleeding through pants and having to be brought new ones. My mom determined we were done waiting and we scheduled a removal appointment.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I used the Nexplanon implant for nearly one year. I had it removed recently because I experienced constant, heavy bleeding, including period-like symptoms like cramping, bloating, back aches and breast tenderness. I liked not having to think about taking a pill everyday, but the negative side effects were awful and outweighed the benefit.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Oct 23

  •  Still using

Been on nexplanon for abt 14 months now. Some negative side effects that suck like constant bleeding. I’ve been lightly bleeding everyday ever since my first period after insertion. I was recommended to regularly exercise and take hormone balancing supplements and I’ve been experiencing brown discharge for abt 2 weeks now since starting the supplements and exercise 2 months ago. 6 months into using nexplanon I experienced severe breast pain to where I considered visiting the ER it’s since not as bad but maybe once a month my breasts get swollen and hurt. Although the side effects I experienced and have been experiencing on nexplanon suck I think it’s worth it considering how effective this form of birth control is. I have a tendency to forget taking prescription medicine and I wanted a long term form of birth control and didn’t want to risk a possibly painful iud insertion so I decided to go with nexplanon.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Nov 23

  •  Stopped using

I was bleeding for about 6 months continuously by the end of what was a little over a year of having the nexplanon. It was prescribed to help with what was already a gruesome period for me, i had been bleeding very heavily for 2 weeks, each period for the 5 years of having my period before the nexplanon. After the nexplanon I began having cramping when i wasn't bleeding, what my doctor would explain as lightning crotch. When my periods got longer and heavier i was told to give the hormones more time to settle. When my cramping began getting worse to the point i couldn't use tampons and my periods began melding together into one continuous period, i was given naproxen for pain and to give it more time. The entire time my mood was continuously fluctuating, sometimes id be fine but a lot of the times i was angry/aggressive for no reason or borderline depressesd. This combined with the fact that the pads i was running through, think 8 of the big overnight pads in just for one school day and not including pads used at home, missing school from severe cramping and bleeding through pants and having to be brought new ones. My mom determined we were done waiting and we scheduled a removal appointment.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I used the Nexplanon implant for nearly one year. I had it removed recently because I experienced constant, heavy bleeding, including period-like symptoms like cramping, bloating, back aches and breast tenderness. I liked not having to think about taking a pill everyday, but the negative side effects were awful and outweighed the benefit.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Oct 23

  •  Still using

Been on nexplanon for abt 14 months now. Some negative side effects that suck like constant bleeding. I’ve been lightly bleeding everyday ever since my first period after insertion. I was recommended to regularly exercise and take hormone balancing supplements and I’ve been experiencing brown discharge for abt 2 weeks now since starting the supplements and exercise 2 months ago. 6 months into using nexplanon I experienced severe breast pain to where I considered visiting the ER it’s since not as bad but maybe once a month my breasts get swollen and hurt. Although the side effects I experienced and have been experiencing on nexplanon suck I think it’s worth it considering how effective this form of birth control is. I have a tendency to forget taking prescription medicine and I wanted a long term form of birth control and didn’t want to risk a possibly painful iud insertion so I decided to go with nexplanon.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 23

  •  Still using

It's great that I don't really have to worry about remembering to take it. I got it inserted September 2022, so I've had it for just over a year. I have always had irregular periods however with the implant, I skip a few months and then get it twice a month for a few months, then skip, etc. I've gained around 5 pounds but nothing too noticeable. I am more sensitive and emotional now and I have had a lower sex drive compared to the Nuvaring and the patch as well as cramps in my lower abdomen frequently. Overall, these cons are not anything that hugely affects my life and I recommend Nexplanon.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I used nexplanon in the past for 3 years straight, thought it was great, periods stopped, very effective at stopping pregnancy. However, this time around after getting a new boyfriend I decided to go back on it. The whole reason I got it again was because I had a high sex drive and same with my partner so we were going at it 5 times a day.. but now I have NO sex drive at all. I bled for months with no end and only recently at the 10 month mark did my periods go back to normal finally. But now I'm seeing weight gain, extremely tender breasts to where I wont let my boyfriend touch them anymore, and horrific cramps during sex. My anxiety just wont go away these days and I'm getting heart palpitations now. The moods swings were pretty bad the first 8 or so months. I'm ready to rip this thing out personally.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Sep 23

  •  Still using

So far, it’s been a lot of change and it’s not necessarily worth it


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 23

  •  Still using

Insertion was quick and painless and I haven’t noticed any side effects roughly 9 months in. My period essentially stopped with some occasional bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Sep 23

  •  Still using

Got Nexplanon inserted 3 months after my son was born, and at first it regulated my periods, until they stopped for a few months, then started again, short 3-4 day periods. Now my periods last 20 days. It is always kinda itchy, and it is scheduled to come out in November. I will not be using this birth control again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Sep 23

  •  Still using

It's been great and I've gotten this implant replaced in 2020. However, I've recently gotten pretty bad acne and profuse sweating when my period started (it was somewhat heavier spotting than usual and has continued for over a month now. I usually never get my period) I'm not sure if this is because of the implant, but other than these last 2 months, it has been a great experience.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Aug 23

  •  Still using

My only complaint would be that when I first got on it, I bled for 2 months straight, but I was put on estrogen and I have not had any excessive bleeding since then


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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