Hormonal IUD vs Sterilization
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Sterilization ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
39% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
41% no impact
46% no impact
44% 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
69 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 25
Has helped overall by stopping my periods which were long (5-7 days) and heavy.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 13th Oct 25
It's ok. No unplanned pregnancy but my periods last for 2-3 weeks and I gained 25lbs in 2 years with no changes to eating habits.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Nov 25
Has helped overall by stopping my periods which were long (5-7 days) and heavy.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 13th Oct 25
It's ok. No unplanned pregnancy but my periods last for 2-3 weeks and I gained 25lbs in 2 years with no changes to eating habits.
Improved skin
2 more effects
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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