Contraception Reviews

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

63 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

123 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

41% no impact on mood

Bleeds

43% stopped periods

Sex drive

43% no impact

Weight

49% no impact

Skin

43% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

45% no impact

Skin

41% improved skin

Cycle return

38% 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

63 reviews

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

Kyleena IUD  

Do not recommend if you’re prone to headaches or migraines loss of appetite from being nauseous

Read more

Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Jul 25

Mirena IUD  

This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Jul 25

Mirena IUD  

So far i’m loving mine! The spotting for the first month has been very annoying but nothing horrible. Cramping went away in four days, only negative so far is i’ve had a lower heat tolerance and (i’m blonde) my leg hair has gotten DARK. I have been consistently loosing weight since starting and plus, in my opinion, my sex drive is way up. My partner is on testosterone therapy so i’m finally able to keep up with him and we love it! I highly recommend so far!


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Kyleena IUD  

Do not recommend if you’re prone to headaches or migraines loss of appetite from being nauseous


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Jul 25

Mirena IUD  

This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Jul 25

Mirena IUD  

So far i’m loving mine! The spotting for the first month has been very annoying but nothing horrible. Cramping went away in four days, only negative so far is i’ve had a lower heat tolerance and (i’m blonde) my leg hair has gotten DARK. I have been consistently loosing weight since starting and plus, in my opinion, my sex drive is way up. My partner is on testosterone therapy so i’m finally able to keep up with him and we love it! I highly recommend so far!


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

123 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Yasmin birth control pill  

Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Altavera birth control pill  

I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Yasmin birth control pill  

Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Altavera birth control pill  

I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Combination birth control pill  

Stopped eating for 2 days


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Tri Estarylla birth control pill  

The only side effects for me personally, is when every time I am starting the first hormonal pill again after the placebo week, I wake up very nauseous. But on the second day your body should adjust to it again and it will go away. Other ones is decreased sex drive, slight vagina, dryness, and I also cry more often. Other than that, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. So I like this one.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Tri Lo Mili birth control pill  

Works to regulate period but did a number on me mentally.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 25

Isibloom birth control pill  

I've been continuously cycling with these pills (skipping periods) and I've found a lot of my period and pre-period symptoms have improved! My doctor recommended this because of my PMDD and hormonal acne and I've found that both are easier to manage on this pill.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Jul 25

Aviane birth control pill  

i’ve been on sronyx for 6+ years and since its been discontinued my pharmacy gave me aviane. i took one pack for the month and experienced the worst anxiety, nausea, mood swings, irritability, and general pain. it also caused heavy period like breakthrough bleeding and i do NOT ever want to take this afain


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Jul 25

Sronyx birth control pill  

been on sronyx for 6 years and it’s been great. only take like 3 periods a year and literally no issues ever. so sad this has been discontinued bec i am terrified to switch


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

Syeda birth control pill  

The pill was a great experience for me. I’d recommend it if you are someone capable of remembering to take it at the same time everyday. Also, I always know exactly when my period will be. Acne went away and no major side effects. The only potential negative is you have to deal with pharmacies and getting your prescription renewed regularly. I’m about to start a demanding job and am switching to an IUD for convenience.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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