Hormonal IUD vs Sterilization
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Sterilization ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
40% no impact on mood
43% stopped periods
43% no impact
48% no impact
45% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
33% very positive
67% stopped periods
67% don’t know impact
33% lost weight
67% don’t know impact
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal IUD reviews
65 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
I'm almost 28 years old, have had periods for the last decade and a half. They have always been regular and heavy to the point that if I didn't take iron supplements 5x a week and tranexamic acid during my periods, I'd have anemia. So I got Kyleena in December 2024. Insertion was fine, some cramping but nothing too serious. I had cramping on and off during the times my periods were supposed to come and some spotting/bleeding, but it was usually what I saw towards the beginning of my cycle. I had one reduced-level period in mid-August. I have had to go from 36D to 36DD to 36DDD/38DD bras over the span of a few months. At first I thought it was just weight gain (went from 170 to 195lb), but I have been almost 200lb before and my breast size increased this much this quickly. Even after losing 10 pounds my breast size has shown little to no decrease. I hate it. I also suspect that the IUD influenced my sciatica in my lumbar spine, which began in February 2025 and has taken several weeks of PT and a round of oral steroids to resolve. I am still not up to 100% all these months later. Overall a 2/5. The decreased period length, flow, and frequency is almost not enough to justify having this torture device in. If I get pregnant w/this in, I'll be so angry.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I've had horrible bloating. From when I wake up till I go to bed my clothing size changes up to two pant sizes because of the bloating depending on what I eat. As in it's so much worse with things like potatoes. I've had to switch to basically only wearing stretchy clothes because it gets so bad.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Aug 25
Do not recommend if you’re prone to headaches or migraines loss of appetite from being nauseous
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
I'm almost 28 years old, have had periods for the last decade and a half. They have always been regular and heavy to the point that if I didn't take iron supplements 5x a week and tranexamic acid during my periods, I'd have anemia. So I got Kyleena in December 2024. Insertion was fine, some cramping but nothing too serious. I had cramping on and off during the times my periods were supposed to come and some spotting/bleeding, but it was usually what I saw towards the beginning of my cycle. I had one reduced-level period in mid-August. I have had to go from 36D to 36DD to 36DDD/38DD bras over the span of a few months. At first I thought it was just weight gain (went from 170 to 195lb), but I have been almost 200lb before and my breast size increased this much this quickly. Even after losing 10 pounds my breast size has shown little to no decrease. I hate it. I also suspect that the IUD influenced my sciatica in my lumbar spine, which began in February 2025 and has taken several weeks of PT and a round of oral steroids to resolve. I am still not up to 100% all these months later. Overall a 2/5. The decreased period length, flow, and frequency is almost not enough to justify having this torture device in. If I get pregnant w/this in, I'll be so angry.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I've had horrible bloating. From when I wake up till I go to bed my clothing size changes up to two pant sizes because of the bloating depending on what I eat. As in it's so much worse with things like potatoes. I've had to switch to basically only wearing stretchy clothes because it gets so bad.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Aug 25
Do not recommend if you’re prone to headaches or migraines loss of appetite from being nauseous
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Sterilization reviews
3 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 13th Apr 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Apr 25
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Aug 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 13th Apr 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Apr 25
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Aug 24
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
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