Hormonal IUD vs Mini pill
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Mini pill
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
43% no impact on mood
51% stopped periods
40% no impact
49% no impact
40% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
24% no impact on mood
36% stopped periods
40% no impact
52% no impact
44% no impact on skin
50% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal IUD reviews
47 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks 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
• 1 month 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 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks 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
• 1 month 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
Mini pill reviews
25 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I gained 30 pounds after starting this birth control. Could not figure out what was going on with my body until I found a reddit thread where other people were experiencing the same.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 25
I’m hoping it gets better. Switched from Errin to Slynd 6 months ago. Hair loss stopped. Acne got better. Those were an immediate win. Month 1 - bled for 1 week. Month 2 - bled for 3 weeks. Month 3 - bled for 2.5 weeks. Month 4 - bled for 2 weeks. Month 5 - bled for 1.5 weeks. Month 6 - bled for 1 week. I naturally have a short cycle, and in the process of trying to force my cycle into a 30 day cadence, I’ve gotten 1-2 days per month of severe headaches before my period (thought my head would blow off without Tylenol) and minor dull headaches for ~1 week before each period. The headaches didn’t happen with Errin - but they are happening with Slynd (and also happened a few year back when I took the combo pill).
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Feb 25
It does what it needs to do, pregnancy prevention. Intense emotional fluctuations following the “usual” postpartum journey is definitely a downside
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I gained 30 pounds after starting this birth control. Could not figure out what was going on with my body until I found a reddit thread where other people were experiencing the same.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 25
I’m hoping it gets better. Switched from Errin to Slynd 6 months ago. Hair loss stopped. Acne got better. Those were an immediate win. Month 1 - bled for 1 week. Month 2 - bled for 3 weeks. Month 3 - bled for 2.5 weeks. Month 4 - bled for 2 weeks. Month 5 - bled for 1.5 weeks. Month 6 - bled for 1 week. I naturally have a short cycle, and in the process of trying to force my cycle into a 30 day cadence, I’ve gotten 1-2 days per month of severe headaches before my period (thought my head would blow off without Tylenol) and minor dull headaches for ~1 week before each period. The headaches didn’t happen with Errin - but they are happening with Slynd (and also happened a few year back when I took the combo pill).
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Feb 25
It does what it needs to do, pregnancy prevention. Intense emotional fluctuations following the “usual” postpartum journey is definitely a downside
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Dec 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Dec 24
My experience thus far has been great with minor concerns for acne.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 24
started taking it about a week and a half ago. i missed a day on sunday, so i took two on monday. today is tuesday and im having terrible cramps. other than that, emotionally its better than the combination pill.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Nov 24
This pill improved my sex drive which had been very reduced by the combination pill. It allowed me to put on more muscle too! The weight gain was mostly muscle, which I was so happy about. It was just hard to take the same exact time everyday.
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Oct 24
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Sep 24
10/10 highly recommend. Stopped my periods which increased my quality of life!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Aug 24
I just feel as if Norinthdrone isn’t agreeing with me but this is my second time being prescribed this particular birthcontrol for my Endo since it’s progestin only and I’m trying to make it work to be healthy and no get pregnant but it’s really taking a toll on me and my new marriage…I don’t know if I should stay and deal with the side effects and Endo or get off of it and deal with Endo pain and maybe a pregnancy.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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