Birth control implant vs Copper IUD
Birth control implant ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control implant
Copper IUD ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
27% no impact on mood
53% spotting
32% lost sex drive
46% gained weight
32% no impact on skin
50% don’t know impact
36% no impact on mood
73% heavier periods
59% no impact
68% no impact
73% no impact on skin
33% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control implant reviews
66 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
Nothing worked prior to the implant…3 conceived while using another form of controlled release birth control, and my last 2 were planned by getting the implant removed. My periods are somewhat irregular but also extremely lighter than before and shorter lasting, however I have noticed every other month that it’s rougher than before, cramps, headache etc. but then 19 days later it’s just normal. I’ve also been able to maintain the same weight while using the implant and regardless of changes in my lifestyle that would suggest a fluctuation in weight over the last 7 years
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Terrible….the way my skin broke out with cystic acne….OMG I want to sue if I could, I thought I loosing all the blood in my body because I was on my period for a month every time it came, and the cramps were more painful than without this birth control, my experience was terrible I had no idea what was causing the acne until I went to a dermatologist and she asked about my birth control method and that’s when I decided to end it , I took my life back the day I got this thing out of my arm.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Jul 25
Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
Nothing worked prior to the implant…3 conceived while using another form of controlled release birth control, and my last 2 were planned by getting the implant removed. My periods are somewhat irregular but also extremely lighter than before and shorter lasting, however I have noticed every other month that it’s rougher than before, cramps, headache etc. but then 19 days later it’s just normal. I’ve also been able to maintain the same weight while using the implant and regardless of changes in my lifestyle that would suggest a fluctuation in weight over the last 7 years
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Terrible….the way my skin broke out with cystic acne….OMG I want to sue if I could, I thought I loosing all the blood in my body because I was on my period for a month every time it came, and the cramps were more painful than without this birth control, my experience was terrible I had no idea what was causing the acne until I went to a dermatologist and she asked about my birth control method and that’s when I decided to end it , I took my life back the day I got this thing out of my arm.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Jul 25
Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Copper IUD reviews
22 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Cooper IUD is very effective for me, i experienced a lot of virginal discharge at first, then reduced after some years and then it increased again sometimes thick and yellow though at checking, I don't have any infection. I have also stopped periods in the last few months, may be it is menopause since I am 48.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Jul 25
I have had the Paraguard IUD for 7 months, it is effective but there are still many side effects that I feel may not be explained upfront. I experience cramps so much worse, a few days of the month the pain magnitude is so bad it affects my normal functioning and focus. I have experienced late appendicitis pain and these cramps are consistently quite a bit worse. I also developed pre-menstrual cramps a week before menstruation, which are also quite bad. Aside from this, I developed some acne around my chin and jaw that I did not have issues with before. The cramps have not gotten any better in the 7 months I have had it since insertion.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Jul 25
Painful insertion. Worst period of my life the month after insertion. Puked 3 times and lightheaded due to how much i was bleeding. Overly emotional, cramping, exhausted, and nauseous but hey my acne is better after switching from nexplanon to copper iud.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Cooper IUD is very effective for me, i experienced a lot of virginal discharge at first, then reduced after some years and then it increased again sometimes thick and yellow though at checking, I don't have any infection. I have also stopped periods in the last few months, may be it is menopause since I am 48.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Jul 25
I have had the Paraguard IUD for 7 months, it is effective but there are still many side effects that I feel may not be explained upfront. I experience cramps so much worse, a few days of the month the pain magnitude is so bad it affects my normal functioning and focus. I have experienced late appendicitis pain and these cramps are consistently quite a bit worse. I also developed pre-menstrual cramps a week before menstruation, which are also quite bad. Aside from this, I developed some acne around my chin and jaw that I did not have issues with before. The cramps have not gotten any better in the 7 months I have had it since insertion.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Jul 25
Painful insertion. Worst period of my life the month after insertion. Puked 3 times and lightheaded due to how much i was bleeding. Overly emotional, cramping, exhausted, and nauseous but hey my acne is better after switching from nexplanon to copper iud.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Apr 25
My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes
Very negative mood
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Mar 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Feb 25
This birth control contributed to me getting BV and frequent yeast infections AND it was placed way too low and cause sex to be painful and my IUD was oxidizing inside of me and when I got it out, the IUD was literally falling apart I would not recommend this birth control
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Nov 24
The insertion was unbelievably painful and I will not be getting it put back in after three months. 2 days in I nearly went back to get it taken out but decided to push through. The pain subsided however I occasionally get the most awful pains randomly which will last 3+ days sporadically with no period to go with it.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Oct 24
I’ve had it for over a year, I’m happy with it since it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy but I’ve all the sudden been getting weird side effects and hormone imbalances and bloating.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Aug 24
I love the copper IUD as I was looking for a non hormonal way of birth control. Besides the heavy bleeding and intense cramps during my period, it’s great!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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