Contraception Reviews

Hormonal IUD vs Contraceptive gel

Hormonal IUD

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Contraceptive gel

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Overview

Rated 3.6

81 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

6 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal IUD ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal IUD

progestin

Contraceptive gel ingredients

Birth control gels include spermicides and a new gel called Phexxi. These gels contain chemicals which prevent sperm from reaching an egg by affecting the sperm's motility and helping to block the cervix (opening into the womb).

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

44% stopped periods

Sex drive

41% no impact

Weight

49% no impact

Skin

42% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Mood

33% very positive

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

50% increased sex drive

Weight

67% no impact

Skin

83% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal IUD reviews

81 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day 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

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena IUD  

None just increased sex drive


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Jun 26

Mirena IUD  

’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena IUD  

None just increased sex drive


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Jun 26

Mirena IUD  

’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Contraceptive gel reviews

6 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Contraceptive gel  

Severe lower back pain at 7months using it coming to the front as well especially when laying down


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Jun 25

Phexxi gel  

It’s okay still having pain with the Slynd which is awful


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Contraceptive gel  

Severe lower back pain at 7months using it coming to the front as well especially when laying down


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Jun 25

Phexxi gel  

It’s okay still having pain with the Slynd which is awful


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

2 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Dec 23

Phexxi gel  

Phexxi works great — if you actually use it. Oops! My kid sister used Phexxi for about a year either by itself or along with condoms when she was ovulating. Then one time when she and her boyfriend were staying in my apartment for a family wedding, they picked me as the designated driver and the two of them had way too much to drink. They were all over each other in the car on the way home. Which was kind of cute but then when we got back to my place she wanted me to help her insert her birth control. I took her back to their bedroom and started getting her out of her clothes and I was like why don’t you just skip using it if you’re not in the middle of your cycle, and then she showed me her period tracker on her phone. Yep, not a good time to skip using protection, but still … She passed out while I was reading the instructions on the applicator, so I just was like whatever, I’m not doing this. I got off the rest of her clothes and woke her up and said I would tell her boyfriend she was ready. She didn’t even ask if I had inserted her Phexxi. The walls in my apartment are thin, so I heard the entire “discussion” when he couldn’t find their box of condoms. She was too drunk and horny to say no. She had no idea she was about to try to conceive. And yes, she became a mommy that night.


Increased sex drive

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal IUD with other birth control

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