Contraception Reviews

Copper IUD vs Vaginal ring

Copper IUD

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Vaginal ring

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Overview

Rated 3.8

14 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

9 reviews

3 weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

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.

Vaginal ring ingredients

Main hormones in Vaginal ring

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

36% somewhat negative

Bleeds

71% heavier periods

Sex drive

50% no impact

Weight

71% no impact

Skin

79% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Mood

33% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% lighter periods

Sex drive

56% lost sex drive

Weight

67% gained weight

Skin

33% improved skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

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

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Copper IUD reviews

14 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

I’ve had it for over a year, I’m happy with it since it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy but I’ve all the sudden been getting weird side effects and hormone imbalances and bloating.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Aug 24

Paragard IUD  

I love the copper IUD as I was looking for a non hormonal way of birth control. Besides the heavy bleeding and intense cramps during my period, it’s great!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 24

Paragard IUD  

I wanted the copper IUD because it was non-hormonal and my DR said the only real side effect was worse periods (which she said would be fine for me because my periods are were not too bad in the first place. Insertion was not as painful as I thought it would be. Periods have become extremely painful and mood has definitely suffered


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

I’ve had it for over a year, I’m happy with it since it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy but I’ve all the sudden been getting weird side effects and hormone imbalances and bloating.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Aug 24

Paragard IUD  

I love the copper IUD as I was looking for a non hormonal way of birth control. Besides the heavy bleeding and intense cramps during my period, it’s great!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 24

Paragard IUD  

I wanted the copper IUD because it was non-hormonal and my DR said the only real side effect was worse periods (which she said would be fine for me because my periods are were not too bad in the first place. Insertion was not as painful as I thought it would be. Periods have become extremely painful and mood has definitely suffered


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Vaginal ring reviews

9 reviews

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jun 24

NuvaRing  

I like the ring, I have gained a bit of weight though. I am also very nervous about blood clot risk so I might switch to minipill, but the ring has made my periods very bearable and I can choose to only have them every two months! I also had a decrease in body acne on the ring, particularly on my back. I would recommend this method if you are not overweight, smoke, or are over 35 as the risk of blood clots goes does a lot and it’s easy to use! I also have experienced headaches for the first time in my life since being on this, they’re mild but not fun.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Annovera ring  

This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

NuvaRing  

I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jun 24

NuvaRing  

I like the ring, I have gained a bit of weight though. I am also very nervous about blood clot risk so I might switch to minipill, but the ring has made my periods very bearable and I can choose to only have them every two months! I also had a decrease in body acne on the ring, particularly on my back. I would recommend this method if you are not overweight, smoke, or are over 35 as the risk of blood clots goes does a lot and it’s easy to use! I also have experienced headaches for the first time in my life since being on this, they’re mild but not fun.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Annovera ring  

This birth control caused me to have 2 strokes and I almost died. I do not recommend it at all. My doctor insisted I use it and within the first year I had more frequent and more severe headaches. I gained a ton of weight and my cholesterol shot up despite my being a very active vegetarian and working with a dietician. After 18 months on it I had my first stroke and it went undiagnosed, I had a severe headache and I went blind. The hospital sent me home and told me it was "just a migraine." 10 months later I had a massive bilateral stroke that has ruined my life. I am only in my 30s. Run far away from this medication.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

NuvaRing  

I was on this birth control for 10 years until I got a blood clot and had to be on blood thinners for a month. Not fun.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jan 24

Annovera ring  

I’m not a birth control novice and wanted to try Annovera due to its novel progestin and ease of use. It’s worth noting that I’m extremely sensitive to progestin related side effects. I have never felt worse in my life than the week I used this ring. I endured episodes of uncontrollable vomiting, horrendous body aches, and a constant feeling of internal rage!! Plus, the level of discharge it caused was frankly disturbing and unlike anything I’ve experienced in the past. Felt better almost immediately upon removal. Obviously every person’s experience will be unique but I definitely wouldn’t recommend Annovera to anyone.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
37 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jan 24

NuvaRing  

First three months were great. No period no break through bleeding no side effects. On month 4 I started having extreme cramps and breakthrough bleeding often. I would remove ring (1 hour) and re insert it due to the cramps. I even tried having regular cycles. Nothing helped with bleeding or cramps. I like not having to take a pill everyday, but I don’t think it’s worth the cramps and break through bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Oct 23

NuvaRing  

Very easy to use. Periods were heavy at first but very light on last days. Main problem was discharge. Caused a increase in my migraines


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Oct 23

NuvaRing  

I’ve used NuvaRing for over 20years and highly recommend it. It’s super easy to put in and take out. And I really like that I don’t have to worried about it for 3 weeks!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Oct 23

NuvaRing  

I generally like my Nuvaring, when I'm responsible about using it correctly. I feel confident that it works and I can forget about it most of the time, until I forget to take it out or put it in on the right day. I have used it to skip a period every once in a while. When used inconsistently like that, in combo with not taking out or putting in on the right days, I developed terrible migraines and strange neurological symptoms, like lightheadedness and scalp numbness/tingling. But when I used it regularly again, the symptoms disappeared. I do think I gained weight on it.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Vaginal ring  
Used for 8+ yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Aug 23

NuvaRing  

Overall, the birth control is reliable. I like not having to worry about it on a daily basis and it does not interfere with sex.


Improved skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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