Hormonal IUD vs Male condom
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Male condom ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
41% no impact on mood
50% stopped periods
41% no impact
50% no impact
39% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
67% no impact on mood
67% no change
67% no impact
100% no impact
67% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal IUD reviews
46 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 days ago
I’ve had it for 6 months and I have my period twice a month and the pain is pretty consistent day to day.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
My first IUD placement (Mirena) was without numbing shots, and it really was quite painful. The immediate pain lasted only a few seconds, but I had hot flashes for a few minutes afterwards. The next week, I got the heaviest period of my life, followed by about 4 months of light bleeding. After that, I lost my period completely for about 3 years, and then very light and irregular periods until I had it replaced. My period used to cause painful acne and very frustrating mood swings, which I was quite happy to go without. I did have some discomfort during sex, but only with larger partners and only in certain positions. My second IUD was the Kyleena. I did have numbing shots for the placement, and it was much more comfortable - similar to getting a pap smear. My period has gone away again, and I haven't noticed any pain during sex (Kyleena is a little smaller). My only real concern about the IUD is that if I were to become pregnant while the IUD is in place, it is very likely to be ectopic. I do take a pregnancy test every couple of months, so if it does happen I can get the care I need. I live in a state with very good and safe abortion care, so I would be able to get help right away, but it's still something to keep in mind. All that being said, I would 100% recommend an IUD. I have been nearly period-free since 2018, which is well worth the pain of insertion. I really appreciate being able to avoid the acne, pain, and mood swings I used to get with my period, and I really really appreciate that I have an incredibly effective form of birth control that I only have to think about once every 8 years. I love my IUD so much, and I am probably going to use IUDs as my primary form of birth control for the rest of my life.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Feb 25
If you are considering the hormonal IUD route, I highly encourage you to read this! I primarily chose to switch over to the Mirena due to the weight gain I experienced while on the pill. To preface, I never had any issues with vaginal dryness prior to the switch. Following the insertion, I have been almost completely unable to get wet. As I stated before, this was never a problem for me regardless of arousal. It has been over a year, and without using an external lubricant, I physically cannot have sex due to the severity of this issue. It can be humiliating if the person i’m getting with isn’t aware of the causation. Just wanted to make it known, because it’s impacted my life pretty significantly.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 days ago
I’ve had it for 6 months and I have my period twice a month and the pain is pretty consistent day to day.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
My first IUD placement (Mirena) was without numbing shots, and it really was quite painful. The immediate pain lasted only a few seconds, but I had hot flashes for a few minutes afterwards. The next week, I got the heaviest period of my life, followed by about 4 months of light bleeding. After that, I lost my period completely for about 3 years, and then very light and irregular periods until I had it replaced. My period used to cause painful acne and very frustrating mood swings, which I was quite happy to go without. I did have some discomfort during sex, but only with larger partners and only in certain positions. My second IUD was the Kyleena. I did have numbing shots for the placement, and it was much more comfortable - similar to getting a pap smear. My period has gone away again, and I haven't noticed any pain during sex (Kyleena is a little smaller). My only real concern about the IUD is that if I were to become pregnant while the IUD is in place, it is very likely to be ectopic. I do take a pregnancy test every couple of months, so if it does happen I can get the care I need. I live in a state with very good and safe abortion care, so I would be able to get help right away, but it's still something to keep in mind. All that being said, I would 100% recommend an IUD. I have been nearly period-free since 2018, which is well worth the pain of insertion. I really appreciate being able to avoid the acne, pain, and mood swings I used to get with my period, and I really really appreciate that I have an incredibly effective form of birth control that I only have to think about once every 8 years. I love my IUD so much, and I am probably going to use IUDs as my primary form of birth control for the rest of my life.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Feb 25
If you are considering the hormonal IUD route, I highly encourage you to read this! I primarily chose to switch over to the Mirena due to the weight gain I experienced while on the pill. To preface, I never had any issues with vaginal dryness prior to the switch. Following the insertion, I have been almost completely unable to get wet. As I stated before, this was never a problem for me regardless of arousal. It has been over a year, and without using an external lubricant, I physically cannot have sex due to the severity of this issue. It can be humiliating if the person i’m getting with isn’t aware of the causation. Just wanted to make it known, because it’s impacted my life pretty significantly.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Male condom reviews
3 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Jan 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Dec 24
Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Sep 24
Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Jan 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Dec 24
Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Sep 24
Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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