Contraception Reviews

Copper IUD vs Birth control implant

Copper IUD

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Birth control implant

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Overview

Rated 3.3

21 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

64 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

Mood

38% no impact on mood

Bleeds

71% heavier periods

Sex drive

62% no impact

Weight

67% no impact

Skin

71% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

55% spotting

Sex drive

33% lost sex drive

Weight

45% gained weight

Skin

33% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% don’t know impact

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

21 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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.

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

Painful insertion. Worst period of my life the month after insertion. Puked 3 times and lightheaded due to how much i was bleeding. Overly emotional, cramping, exhausted, and nauseous but hey my acne is better after switching from nexplanon to copper iud.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Apr 25

Copper IUD  

My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes


Very negative mood

11 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

Painful insertion. Worst period of my life the month after insertion. Puked 3 times and lightheaded due to how much i was bleeding. Overly emotional, cramping, exhausted, and nauseous but hey my acne is better after switching from nexplanon to copper iud.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Apr 25

Copper IUD  

My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes


Very negative mood

11 helpful

0 comments


Birth control implant reviews

64 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon is a great contraceptive, I have had no pregnancy scares. Break through took about 1.5 years last 2-3 months of constant spotting older blood.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

This is a test!


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

Overall it manages my endometriosis very well by preventing periods. It also is very effective in preventing pregnancy without any other methods needed. I barely notice it, my mood is better because I'm not going through painful horrible endometriosis cycles anymore. I took it out and was still able to get pregnant a few months later when I decided I wanted to. Any side effects are significantly better than the stuff I deal with for my condition. Really it makes me feel secure, more stabilized, and in significantly less pain.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon has made my periods go from regular, about 5 day periods once a month to one month on one month off. It started with 3 weeks on, 1 week off but has gradually gotten better atleast I have a month off of it now. I also find it hard to get lubricated for sex, even though that was never a problem before. Overall though, I have not gotten pregnant and "woohoo" very very frequently with my partner, so that is a plus!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

The efficacy of the implant is the only positive thing I can say about this. When I had this put in, I was young and very naive. I did not know hormonal birth control caused weight gain or mood changes or acne or anything. I was only told the positive things about it by my doctor like, no more periods and it may help your acne. This was also when nexplanon was new on the market. When I finally learned that it could cause weight gain was after I put on all the weight and wondered why? I don't remember how I finally realized the connection between the weight gain and implant but I decided to lookup reviews on it and almost every single woman said it caused significant weight gain for them. That was when I decided to have the second implant removed. I also must note that I had always been on the very thin side up to this point. The weight snuck up on me slowly over time. Mind you I had already had a child by the time I got this put in and had no weight issues before, during or after my pregnancy. This was 6 or 7 years after I had given birth. Just please be aware of the side effects.


Gained weight

9 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

It doesn’t make me feel normal or comfortable or confident


Very negative mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

Is okay


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Copper IUD with other birth control

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