The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Hormonal IUD vs Combination birth control pill

Hormonal IUD

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Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.6

82 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

150 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal IUD ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal IUD

progestin


Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

45% stopped periods

Sex drive

42% no impact

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

42% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

33% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

39% improved skin

Cycle return

35% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

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

Hormonal IUD reviews

82 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

Wish doctors were honest about how Kyleena (and hormonal IUDs in general) cause acne breakouts in women. I asked doctors and they repeatedly assured me that since hormonal IUDs use a localized progestin, the hormone doesn't enter into the bloodstream and cause acne. But this is not true. I had never struggled with acne prior to my Kyleena insertion. I've now had my IUD for over 3 years, and ever since I have persistent hormonal acne on my chin. It's still a good birth control product, but please keep in mind that acne is a common side effect of the hormonal IUD, affecting between 14-30% of people who have one.

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

initial "spotting" turned out to be almost 10 days of light to medium bleeding but cramps and bleeding have become much lighter compared to my regular cycle


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mirena IUD  

None just increased sex drive


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

Wish doctors were honest about how Kyleena (and hormonal IUDs in general) cause acne breakouts in women. I asked doctors and they repeatedly assured me that since hormonal IUDs use a localized progestin, the hormone doesn't enter into the bloodstream and cause acne. But this is not true. I had never struggled with acne prior to my Kyleena insertion. I've now had my IUD for over 3 years, and ever since I have persistent hormonal acne on my chin. It's still a good birth control product, but please keep in mind that acne is a common side effect of the hormonal IUD, affecting between 14-30% of people who have one.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

initial "spotting" turned out to be almost 10 days of light to medium bleeding but cramps and bleeding have become much lighter compared to my regular cycle


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mirena IUD  

None just increased sex drive


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

150 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mili birth control pill  

I had my first baby in 2024 and decided to breastfeed for about 9 months. After I was done, I decided to get on birth control pills. I have never really been on birth control pills in my life. I have struggled with hormonal acne since I was in 8th grade. It has really affected the way I feel about myself. I was very happy with how my skin looked while on this pill. However, after being on it for about a year, I started noticing averse side effects “down there”. I have absolutely no desire or sex drive which is not normal, it’s dry, and occasionally would cause itching and burning and skin discoloration. I have decided that it’s just not worth it anymore, and I decided to quit taking this pill. I’m very lucky to not have had any other side effects. I’m crossing my fingers that my body and hormones return to the way they were pre pregnancy and pre birth control.


Improved skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

2 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Aviane birth control pill  

I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mili birth control pill  

I had my first baby in 2024 and decided to breastfeed for about 9 months. After I was done, I decided to get on birth control pills. I have never really been on birth control pills in my life. I have struggled with hormonal acne since I was in 8th grade. It has really affected the way I feel about myself. I was very happy with how my skin looked while on this pill. However, after being on it for about a year, I started noticing averse side effects “down there”. I have absolutely no desire or sex drive which is not normal, it’s dry, and occasionally would cause itching and burning and skin discoloration. I have decided that it’s just not worth it anymore, and I decided to quit taking this pill. I’m very lucky to not have had any other side effects. I’m crossing my fingers that my body and hormones return to the way they were pre pregnancy and pre birth control.


Improved skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

2 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Aviane birth control pill  

I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mili birth control pill  

I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Jul 26

Nortrel 0.5/35 birth control pill  

I really liked this birth control for a year. But now I don’t know what happened. My periods used to be very light like nothing at all. But recently I started getting cramps before my 3 month placebo week and I took my placebo week and have been bleeding very heavily for over 7 days into my active pills


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Jun 26

Nikki birth control pill  

Take in the morning, gets nauseous and loses appetite around dinner time everyday


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th May 26

Nikki birth control pill  

I'm on this pill post-hysterectomy to manage cysts/tumors recurring on my remaining ovary as an alternative to additional surgeries. The nausea has been brutal and I've recently started having major tooth sensitivity. My doctor, whom I trust, told me to give it 3 months for my body to adjust to Nikki. I would have stopped taking it already due to the nausea and dizziness but I'm really trying to avoid another surgery, so I'm sticking with it for now. Maybe I can update after the 3 month mark.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
14 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Apr 26

Tri Lo Mili birth control pill  

I started taking this pill for painful period cramps and it has worked wonders! My period is more regular as well and shorter and less painful. My skin cleared up really well the only problem i have is the migraines and my blood sugar. The migraines are very painful but only last a few minutes luckily and since started taking the pill my blood sugar sky rockets or falls rather quickly.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Apr 26

Mili birth control pill  

I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Apr 26

Vienva birth control pill  

Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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