The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Copper IUD vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Copper IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.3

26 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

11 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

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.

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

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

46% no impact on mood

Bleeds

46% no change

Sex drive

46% no impact

Weight

55% no impact

Skin

82% no impact on skin

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

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

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


Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

11 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Aug 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


Gained weight

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I have my tubes tied.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.


Increased sex drive

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Copper IUD with other birth control

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2026