The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Copper IUD vs Sterilization

Copper IUD

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Sterilization

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Overview

Rated 3.3

26 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

3 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

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.

Sterilization ingredients

Plastic or titanium clamps or silicone ring may be used to block the fallopian tubes.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

35% no impact on mood

Bleeds

73% heavier periods

Sex drive

58% no impact

Weight

69% no impact

Skin

69% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% in 1 month

Mood

33% very positive

Bleeds

67% stopped periods

Sex drive

67% don’t know impact

Weight

33% lost weight

Skin

67% don’t know impact

Cycle return

Not enough data to 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

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

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Want to switch birth control?

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Copper IUD reviews

26 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Copper IUD  

Using Nova-T copper IUD. Haven't had this before having my IUD put in. Might be a coincidence I guess. Since having the IUD put in I feel very anxious and cry easily/ generally have trouble regulating my emotions for the first 3-4 days around the beginning of my period. During more stressful points in my life I would get insomnia around this time (and only this time) due to anxiety. One night I could not sleep at all, for several (probably ~10 more or less) I could only sleep for 3-4 hours. I would feel paranoid that my partner doesn't love me. My periods have also increased in length from ~5-6 days (including spotting I think) to 9 days (not including spotting) or 12-14 days including spotting. Apart from that no other symptoms, but the emotional changes are difficult.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jun 26

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 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Copper IUD  

Using Nova-T copper IUD. Haven't had this before having my IUD put in. Might be a coincidence I guess. Since having the IUD put in I feel very anxious and cry easily/ generally have trouble regulating my emotions for the first 3-4 days around the beginning of my period. During more stressful points in my life I would get insomnia around this time (and only this time) due to anxiety. One night I could not sleep at all, for several (probably ~10 more or less) I could only sleep for 3-4 hours. I would feel paranoid that my partner doesn't love me. My periods have also increased in length from ~5-6 days (including spotting I think) to 9 days (not including spotting) or 12-14 days including spotting. Apart from that no other symptoms, but the emotional changes are difficult.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jun 26

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


Sterilization reviews

3 reviews

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Copper IUD with other birth control

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