The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Hormonal IUD vs Sterilization

Hormonal IUD

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Sterilization

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.6

82 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

3 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

Effect on fertility

Hormonal IUD ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal IUD

progestin

Sterilization ingredients

Plastic or titanium clamps or silicone ring may be used to block the fallopian tubes.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

45% stopped periods

Sex drive

42% no impact

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

42% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Mood

33% very positive

Bleeds

67% stopped periods

Sex drive

67% don’t know impact

Weight

33% lost weight

Skin

67% don’t know impact

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

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

82 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

Wish doctors were honest about how Kyleena (and hormonal IUDs in general) cause acne breakouts in women. I asked doctors and they repeatedly assured me that since hormonal IUDs use a localized progestin, the hormone doesn't enter into the bloodstream and cause acne. But this is not true. I had never struggled with acne prior to my Kyleena insertion. I've now had my IUD for over 3 years, and ever since I have persistent hormonal acne on my chin. It's still a good birth control product, but please keep in mind that acne is a common side effect of the hormonal IUD, affecting between 14-30% of people who have one.

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena IUD  

None just increased sex drive


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

Wish doctors were honest about how Kyleena (and hormonal IUDs in general) cause acne breakouts in women. I asked doctors and they repeatedly assured me that since hormonal IUDs use a localized progestin, the hormone doesn't enter into the bloodstream and cause acne. But this is not true. I had never struggled with acne prior to my Kyleena insertion. I've now had my IUD for over 3 years, and ever since I have persistent hormonal acne on my chin. It's still a good birth control product, but please keep in mind that acne is a common side effect of the hormonal IUD, affecting between 14-30% of people who have one.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena IUD  

None just increased sex drive


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments


Sterilization reviews

3 reviews

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal IUD with other birth control

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