Hormonal IUD vs Spermicide
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Spermicide ingredients
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
Not enough data to say
Not enough data to say
Not enough data to say
Not enough data to say
Not enough data to say
Not enough data to say
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
• 4 days 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
• 4 days 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
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