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
39% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
40% no impact
47% no impact
43% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
28% no impact on mood
31% lighter periods
37% lost sex drive
43% no impact
40% improved skin
35% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal IUD reviews
70 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 25
Has helped overall by stopping my periods which were long (5-7 days) and heavy.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 25
Has helped overall by stopping my periods which were long (5-7 days) and heavy.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combination birth control pill reviews
134 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 18th Dec 25
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 18th Dec 25
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Dec 25
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Nov 25
I really like it! I take it daily and bae no bad side effects, and actually feel my mood has improved
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Nov 25
I started taking this pill post partial hysterectomy for worsening PMDD symptoms. Within week 1 I totally lost my libido (I generally have a super high drive and have sex daily with my partner). I have had a couple of headaches as well since starting which is not a frequent thing for me. After the first few days I felt bloated as well. I do not have to worry about pregnancy since having a partial hysterectomy, however the other side effects are uncomfortable enough I do not want to continue this pill.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
It was fine, but not the best. I noticed feeling increasingly agitated often and it made my cramps a lot worse when I had a pill period. Overall wasn't a bad med, but not my favorite. Main symptom that made me get off it was really bad hot flashes everyday.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Oct 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Sep 25
hey readers! i’m 18 and have been on it since 15. my periods were 50-70 days late and now i can pin it down on a calander! i’ve always been slimmer due to my sickness (cvs) and this has helped it tremendously too, i haven’t noticed much weight gain. (shoutout to my gyno) that being said my friends have had some other feedback so it is very personal to your body. but for me it has been life changing! i am considering maybe a shorter period length now that mine are 4 days and not 7.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Sep 25
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
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