Contraception Reviews

Hormonal IUD vs Combination birth control pill

Hormonal IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.6

77 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

140 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

44% stopped periods

Sex drive

42% no impact

Weight

48% no impact

Skin

43% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

32% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

44% 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

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

Hormonal IUD reviews

77 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Hormonal IUD  

The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Hormonal IUD  

The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

140 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Nextstellis pill  

Pretty good but negativity effects mood.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Portia birth control pill  

I was fine when I started taking it last month until I had break through bleeding that is going on for 3 weeks. The pads are becoming irritating.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Nextstellis pill  

Pretty good but negativity effects mood.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Portia birth control pill  

I was fine when I started taking it last month until I had break through bleeding that is going on for 3 weeks. The pads are becoming irritating.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Tri Lo Mili birth control pill  

it’s making me sad and angry and anxious all the time. i’m also cramping more then usual.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Feb 26

Yaz birth control pill  

The loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness is affecting my relationship


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Feb 26

Nikki birth control pill  

The head aches are not to bad but the font go away with meds


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Jan 26

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Dec 25

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  18th Dec 25

Yaz birth control pill  

good for me


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Dec 25

Combination birth control pill  

Discharge throws off my mood and for sex..


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal 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