Contraception Reviews

Hormonal IUD vs Birth control implant

Hormonal IUD

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Birth control implant

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Overview

Rated 3.6

36 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

35 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal IUD ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal IUD

progestin


Birth control implant ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control implant

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

47% no impact on mood

Bleeds

56% stopped periods

Sex drive

36% no impact

Weight

47% no impact

Skin

42% no impact on skin

Cycle return

56% in 1 month

Mood

31% no impact on mood

Bleeds

57% spotting

Sex drive

43% lost sex drive

Weight

40% gained weight

Skin

37% no impact on skin

Cycle return

75% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal IUD reviews

36 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th May 24

Kyleena IUD  

Getting it in hurt briefly, but tolerable. The first period after getting it was early and super intense, and I continued having spotting most days for the first three months or so, but bleeding dwindled over time and by a year later I was barely getting periods at all, which was great.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th May 24

Kyleena IUD  

I have been on kyleena almost 5 years, January 2025 it will be 5 and little to no problems. But I didn't know there was a mucus discharge, had thought I always had a yeast infection. Almost time to get a new one and I've started spotting again.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th May 24

Liletta IUD  

I could feel it when I exercised always. Starting year 5 I had terrible cystic acne and lower back pain that travelled down my left leg to my knee. It’s been 4 days since it was removed and my back is already feeling better. A heavy period starting the night I had it removed. It’s been going on 4 days and it is still heavy. I am hoping the acne goes away over time since it is out. It was nice not having heavy periods but not at the expense of my face and back. I have had to see a Dermatologist for several years now and the treatments don’t help much. I also saw a back doc and had a shot to help with the pain along with physical therapy for a few months. The shot helped for a month or two but the pain returned. I gained weight because it was uncomfortable to exercise and feel the IUD even when I walked uphill and the back and left leg pain. Insertion was traumatizing and I was conscious sedated for the removal which was a much better experience. Women should not have to go through that without conscious sedating. We should also be provided with more info on what to expect when we get it, how it might age, what to look for side effect wise, and guidance on getting it out and the aftermath. Terrible experience


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th May 24

Kyleena IUD  

Getting it in hurt briefly, but tolerable. The first period after getting it was early and super intense, and I continued having spotting most days for the first three months or so, but bleeding dwindled over time and by a year later I was barely getting periods at all, which was great.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th May 24

Kyleena IUD  

I have been on kyleena almost 5 years, January 2025 it will be 5 and little to no problems. But I didn't know there was a mucus discharge, had thought I always had a yeast infection. Almost time to get a new one and I've started spotting again.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th May 24

Liletta IUD  

I could feel it when I exercised always. Starting year 5 I had terrible cystic acne and lower back pain that travelled down my left leg to my knee. It’s been 4 days since it was removed and my back is already feeling better. A heavy period starting the night I had it removed. It’s been going on 4 days and it is still heavy. I am hoping the acne goes away over time since it is out. It was nice not having heavy periods but not at the expense of my face and back. I have had to see a Dermatologist for several years now and the treatments don’t help much. I also saw a back doc and had a shot to help with the pain along with physical therapy for a few months. The shot helped for a month or two but the pain returned. I gained weight because it was uncomfortable to exercise and feel the IUD even when I walked uphill and the back and left leg pain. Insertion was traumatizing and I was conscious sedated for the removal which was a much better experience. Women should not have to go through that without conscious sedating. We should also be provided with more info on what to expect when we get it, how it might age, what to look for side effect wise, and guidance on getting it out and the aftermath. Terrible experience


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Birth control implant reviews

35 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

To start, I gained about 20 pounds. My periods were sometimes non existent and then I would have a two week period, then two days of no bleeding, followed by another two week period. After a while the implant migrated in my arm and started to cause aches whenever I exercised. I could handle most side effects but the real issue was low libido. The implant made me actively avoid sex and even be a little repulsed by it. It definitely hurt my relationship. I did love the security of it and how little I had to worry about getting pregnant.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

I am approaching the removal date for my 3rd nexplanon. I’m researching alternative non hormonal options but may just go with another nexplanon as it has been nothing but positive for me for nearly a decade. I decided to leave this review to remind anyone reading that while reviews and the experiences of others are important, everyone is different and will react to birth control methods differently. The nexplanon has been extremely reliable for me with little to no noticeable negative reactions and it could be for you too.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

Mostly experienced irregular periods


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

To start, I gained about 20 pounds. My periods were sometimes non existent and then I would have a two week period, then two days of no bleeding, followed by another two week period. After a while the implant migrated in my arm and started to cause aches whenever I exercised. I could handle most side effects but the real issue was low libido. The implant made me actively avoid sex and even be a little repulsed by it. It definitely hurt my relationship. I did love the security of it and how little I had to worry about getting pregnant.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

I am approaching the removal date for my 3rd nexplanon. I’m researching alternative non hormonal options but may just go with another nexplanon as it has been nothing but positive for me for nearly a decade. I decided to leave this review to remind anyone reading that while reviews and the experiences of others are important, everyone is different and will react to birth control methods differently. The nexplanon has been extremely reliable for me with little to no noticeable negative reactions and it could be for you too.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Jun 24

Nexplanon implant  

Mostly experienced irregular periods


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 24

Nexplanon implant  

This is a good birth control compared to the other options. I previously tried the patches and it gave me an allergic reaction. Anyways, It was uncomfortable when they first insert the implant into your arm but then you get used to it. I will say that it is different for everyone but for me it has given me more acne spots, regulatted my periods, and given me more facial hair. Those being the only cons.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Mar 24

Nexplanon implant  

This birth control severely impacted my mental and physical health. This includes anxiety, depression, pelvic pain, irregular periods, heavy periods, spotting, headaches, laziness, grogginess, etc. Please do your research! Speak with a doctor you trust or multiple! Lastly, please consider if birth control is worth the side effects.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Mar 24

Nexplanon implant  

I liked the first two years and now I have weird symptoms, on the flip side it could be a couple of other things


Worse skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Mar 24

Nexplanon implant  

Know your body and know what’s going into you. Do your research and know the risks!


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Mar 24

Nexplanon implant  

I like the efficacy and not worrying about pregnancy. I dislike the mood effects and weight gain.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Mar 24

Nexplanon implant  

While I did not get pregnant, the side effect of bleeding so continuously made it difficult to do daily things and enjoy anything because I was constantly needing to ensure I had supplies with me as well as discomfort, irritation, and rawness.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Feb 24

Birth control implant  

not too bad, want a big fix.


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal IUD with other birth control

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