Hormonal IUD vs Combination birth control pill
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
41% no impact on mood
48% stopped periods
44% no impact
48% no impact
39% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
28% no impact on mood
31% lighter periods
39% lost sex drive
43% no impact
40% improved skin
41% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal IUD reviews
54 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Top side effects not reported
10 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I got the Kyleena prescribed off-label to me after suffering from ridiculously heavy periods in my teens. I used to bleed 200mls+ on some periods and even Tranexamic acid didn’t help. This IUD has been an absolute life-saver and my periods are so much lighter. I will admit I have experienced some side effects - I used to have clear skin 95% of the time, however since the IUD I permanently have 1 or 2 pimples around my jawline which can be quite annoying. My periods are often very long now (7-11 days) despite being light which also gets frustrating. Those are the two main side effects I’ve experienced, but overall it’s been a positive experience.
Worse skin
10 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Top side effects not reported
10 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I got the Kyleena prescribed off-label to me after suffering from ridiculously heavy periods in my teens. I used to bleed 200mls+ on some periods and even Tranexamic acid didn’t help. This IUD has been an absolute life-saver and my periods are so much lighter. I will admit I have experienced some side effects - I used to have clear skin 95% of the time, however since the IUD I permanently have 1 or 2 pimples around my jawline which can be quite annoying. My periods are often very long now (7-11 days) despite being light which also gets frustrating. Those are the two main side effects I’ve experienced, but overall it’s been a positive experience.
Worse skin
10 helpful
0 comments
Combination birth control pill reviews
109 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous
Worse skin
1 more effect
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous
Worse skin
1 more effect
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Improved skin
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
So far, I have not had the great experience. I keep spotting a lot after my period ended and seems like it’s never ending so far no cramping, but never experienced this before.
Very positive mood
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Apr 25
Headaches when using placebo pills. Improved when taken continuously but then had weeks of spotting. Thighs noticeably bigger. Weight increase 2-3 pounds over 3 months. Previously on Yaz in my late 20s and early 30s - loved it. This one did not work for me in my mid 40s
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
No see drive. Gained 15 pounds over 6 years, mostly at the start. Can't seem to lose weight. It's the only bc pill that doesn't seem to affect my heart arrhythmia. Got pregnant twice on this stuff though!
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I actually really enjoyed the effect Estarylla had on my mood. It helped me through PPD (in combination with prenatals and exercise). However, it gave me nasty cystic acne, so I had to switch. Other birth controls have messed with my mood negatively, so I was really bummed to give this one up after the positive effect it had. The sex was good, too.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Apr 25
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
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