Contraception Reviews

Birth control implant vs Copper IUD

Birth control implant

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Copper IUD

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Overview

Rated 3.8

6 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.5

4 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control implant ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control implant

Copper IUD ingredients

Copper coils are made of a T-shaped frame of polyethylene (plastic) and barium sulphate. Copper wire is wound around the vertical arm.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Checkout our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control implant reviews

6 reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Insertion was quick and painless and I haven’t noticed any side effects roughly 9 months in. My period essentially stopped with some occasional bleeding.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Got Nexplanon inserted 3 months after my son was born, and at first it regulated my periods, until they stopped for a few months, then started again, short 3-4 day periods. Now my periods last 20 days. It is always kinda itchy, and it is scheduled to come out in November. I will not be using this birth control again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

It's been great and I've gotten this implant replaced in 2020. However, I've recently gotten pretty bad acne and profuse sweating when my period started (it was somewhat heavier spotting than usual and has continued for over a month now. I usually never get my period) I'm not sure if this is because of the implant, but other than these last 2 months, it has been a great experience.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Insertion was quick and painless and I haven’t noticed any side effects roughly 9 months in. My period essentially stopped with some occasional bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Got Nexplanon inserted 3 months after my son was born, and at first it regulated my periods, until they stopped for a few months, then started again, short 3-4 day periods. Now my periods last 20 days. It is always kinda itchy, and it is scheduled to come out in November. I will not be using this birth control again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

It's been great and I've gotten this implant replaced in 2020. However, I've recently gotten pretty bad acne and profuse sweating when my period started (it was somewhat heavier spotting than usual and has continued for over a month now. I usually never get my period) I'm not sure if this is because of the implant, but other than these last 2 months, it has been a great experience.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Copper IUD reviews

4 reviews

Used for 5 - 8 yr
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Jul 23

Was great for first three years, inserted 6 weeks post partum after 4th child, however 1 year in and I noticed alopecia had begun but didnt progress further than two small patches of hair loss in back of hair line. 2 years in underwent a lot of stress and lost a lot of weight. Gained it back in covid. 4 -5 years in could not shed 1kg despite everything. Resistance training, cardio, macro tracking, eating for my cycle. Begun experiencing debilitating pain in hips and groin especially during intercourse. Anxiety and symptoms of PMDD seeped in, becoming intense every month throughout luteal phase. Periods were getting heavier and heavier, datigue before and during period was so severe i was missing shifts at work and nearly lost my job. Duration started at 7-10 days then slowed to 5/6 days with spotting for 3-4 days. Started to experience menses symptoms during ovulation including spotting, cramping, swelling, cravings and mood swings. Gynecologist highly recommended removal after debilitating pain, nausea, dizziness and headaches. Possibly anaemic due to blood loss. Overall, great for first 1-3 years. Then bad, very bad. My paraguard should have been left in another 5 years. Personally my moods shifted that quick, there was no way i could do even another month of it! I believe it should have been changed regardless of my symptoms at that time frame. Gynecologist prescribed mini pill (microlut in Australia to be exact) 30mcg of levenorgestrel. Started it day 5/6 of cycle (period just finishing) so far, tiny bit of left over spotting from period, slight tenderness in breasts, slight bloating and cramping. I am mostly oestrogen dominant, with very big noticeable fluctuations in my luteal phase, hoping the small increase of progesterone will help the cravings and severe 3-5kg fluid retention at the time. Dont see dr for another 4 months. Currently needing cortisone (steroid) injections for inflammation in my hips from copper, hair slightly growing back in bald spots. I urge anyone getting this device or if you already have it in, research further. My body is a freaking mess as it begun to wreck havoc on my body. All signs and symptoms of copper toxicity, plus copper binds to oestrogen so i believe my rising fluctuating levels of oestrogen in the luteal phase were exacerbated by the iud.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 23

I’m in perimenopause so it’s difficult to know if the coil has changed my periods, as they have naturally changed a lot in the last three years. I don’t think they are heavier because of the coil and have never had bad cramps while using it. Would definitely recommend


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jul 23

Honestly I am very happy. I was on the pill and it did not agree with me. I gained weight, cried all the time, had huge breasts. Now I am on the IUD and I am so happy. It hurts for the first three days then nothing.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Jul 23

Was great for first three years, inserted 6 weeks post partum after 4th child, however 1 year in and I noticed alopecia had begun but didnt progress further than two small patches of hair loss in back of hair line. 2 years in underwent a lot of stress and lost a lot of weight. Gained it back in covid. 4 -5 years in could not shed 1kg despite everything. Resistance training, cardio, macro tracking, eating for my cycle. Begun experiencing debilitating pain in hips and groin especially during intercourse. Anxiety and symptoms of PMDD seeped in, becoming intense every month throughout luteal phase. Periods were getting heavier and heavier, datigue before and during period was so severe i was missing shifts at work and nearly lost my job. Duration started at 7-10 days then slowed to 5/6 days with spotting for 3-4 days. Started to experience menses symptoms during ovulation including spotting, cramping, swelling, cravings and mood swings. Gynecologist highly recommended removal after debilitating pain, nausea, dizziness and headaches. Possibly anaemic due to blood loss. Overall, great for first 1-3 years. Then bad, very bad. My paraguard should have been left in another 5 years. Personally my moods shifted that quick, there was no way i could do even another month of it! I believe it should have been changed regardless of my symptoms at that time frame. Gynecologist prescribed mini pill (microlut in Australia to be exact) 30mcg of levenorgestrel. Started it day 5/6 of cycle (period just finishing) so far, tiny bit of left over spotting from period, slight tenderness in breasts, slight bloating and cramping. I am mostly oestrogen dominant, with very big noticeable fluctuations in my luteal phase, hoping the small increase of progesterone will help the cravings and severe 3-5kg fluid retention at the time. Dont see dr for another 4 months. Currently needing cortisone (steroid) injections for inflammation in my hips from copper, hair slightly growing back in bald spots. I urge anyone getting this device or if you already have it in, research further. My body is a freaking mess as it begun to wreck havoc on my body. All signs and symptoms of copper toxicity, plus copper binds to oestrogen so i believe my rising fluctuating levels of oestrogen in the luteal phase were exacerbated by the iud.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 23

I’m in perimenopause so it’s difficult to know if the coil has changed my periods, as they have naturally changed a lot in the last three years. I don’t think they are heavier because of the coil and have never had bad cramps while using it. Would definitely recommend


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jul 23

Honestly I am very happy. I was on the pill and it did not agree with me. I gained weight, cried all the time, had huge breasts. Now I am on the IUD and I am so happy. It hurts for the first three days then nothing.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jul 23

Personally, I didn't experience any side effects other than 2 years after getting the IUD put in, when my periods got really heavy. I then had it taken out and my periods went back to normal almost instantly. I experienced 2 days of light spotting after having it taken out.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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