Hormonal IUD vs Withdrawal or pull out method
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
40% no impact on mood
45% stopped periods
42% no impact
50% no impact
42% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
46% no impact on mood
46% no change
46% no impact
55% no impact
82% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal IUD reviews
82 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
11 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th May 26
Increased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Apr 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Jan 26
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th May 26
Increased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Apr 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Jan 26
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Aug 25
Gained weight
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Sep 24
Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.
Very positive mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th May 24
I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 24
It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Popular birth control
Combination pillImplantShotThe legal stuff
Terms of usePrivacy & cookieContent policy©The Lowdown 2026
