Contraception Reviews

Copper IUD vs Birth control shot

Copper IUD

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Birth control shot

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Overview

Rated 3.4

22 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

33 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

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 shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

36% no impact on mood

Bleeds

73% heavier periods

Sex drive

59% no impact

Weight

68% no impact

Skin

73% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

Mood

36% somewhat negative

Bleeds

42% stopped periods

Sex drive

33% lost sex drive

Weight

46% gained weight

Skin

39% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 3-6 months

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Copper IUD reviews

22 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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.

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Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month 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
  •  14th Jul 25

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
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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
  •  1 month 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
  •  14th Jul 25

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


Birth control shot reviews

33 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My right breast has swelling so bad that it have my body aching this is different from just regular breast swelling from had a baby it honestly got me a lil scared cuz it making me weak have any one had this happen while on b.c


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My right breast has swelling so bad that it have my body aching this is different from just regular breast swelling from had a baby it honestly got me a lil scared cuz it making me weak have any one had this happen while on b.c


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on this form of birth control for 3 months now. I got my first dose on the last day of my cycle. This is my first time ever on birth control. After the first dose my cycle went away. I got my second dose 2 weeks later than what I was supposed to, because my gynecologist rescheduled my appointment (because they’d be closed that day). I started bleeding a medium-light flow 7 days after i was Supposed to get my second dose. I have been bleeding for 28 days straight now. The flow is the lightest it has been so far today, but it’s annoying to deal with. I get my third dose of depo in 2 months, and I’m honestly thinking of quitting it.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th May 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I’ve been on Depo for 4 years and I’m almost 2 months off of it and I’m actively trying for a baby and my body is definitely all out of wack trying to regulate I’ve spotted for a week I’ve had bad cramps and stomach aches and I still haven’t ovulated yet but hopefully I will soon !!! All I can say is coming off the shot take it easy and get rest because your body is trying to get everything back in order and it’s not entirely fun


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st May 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.


Worse skin

1 more effect

11 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Apr 25

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Apr 25

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

2 helpful

0 comments

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