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

24 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

36 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

38% no impact on mood

Bleeds

71% heavier periods

Sex drive

58% no impact

Weight

71% no impact

Skin

71% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% in 1 month

Mood

33% somewhat negative

Bleeds

42% stopped periods

Sex drive

36% lost sex drive

Weight

47% gained weight

Skin

39% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% 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

24 reviews

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

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.

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

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 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


Birth control shot reviews

36 reviews

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

Depo-Provera shot  

Don't


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Nov 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Birth control shot  

Irregular periods


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Depo-Provera shot  

Don't


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Nov 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Birth control shot  

Irregular periods


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Aug 25

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
  •  9th Aug 25

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

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