Birth control implant vs Hormonal IUD
Birth control implant ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control implant
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
27% no impact on mood
54% spotting
31% lost sex drive
45% gained weight
31% no impact on skin
50% don’t know impact
41% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
42% no impact
48% no impact
44% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control implant reviews
67 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
My birth control has helped me by making my periods really light but then im bleeding for 7 days straight. Its help with some physical changes, but also hurt some important ones like weight. Other than that, I love this so far. But I shall report back in a few months with an update -Sunstruck
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
• 1 month 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 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
My birth control has helped me by making my periods really light but then im bleeding for 7 days straight. Its help with some physical changes, but also hurt some important ones like weight. Other than that, I love this so far. But I shall report back in a few months with an update -Sunstruck
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
• 1 month 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
Hormonal IUD reviews
64 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks 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 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Jul 25
This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks 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 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Jul 25
This is my second hormonal IUD, I like the effectiveness of not getting pregnant, I’ve been lucky how effective it is. however I’ve been getting horrible cystic acne all over my face. It’s constantly, almost 2 times a month. It was never like this before until I reached my thirties. I constantly eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, take vitamins. I no longer smoke cigarettes and no longer binge drink alcohol (occasionally). I am constantly switching my facial topicals, using peels, masks, LED therapy, electric facial brushes and using hydrafacial. I started taking supplements for acne. Nothing seems to work . I spoke to my PCP about this and she suggests following up to get me prescribed with oral anti acne meds. Still debating about taking oral anti acne pills, since it’s either antibiotics or a diuretic. But I’ve had it with the hormonal acne on my face. It always happens when my body is on the cycle, invisible period, but with slight cramps, PMS mood, breast tenderness, oily skin, and acne, plus the craving of sweets. Without bleeding has been a godsend, but the PMS symptoms especially the acne is taking a toll on me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 13th Jul 25
So far i’m loving mine! The spotting for the first month has been very annoying but nothing horrible. Cramping went away in four days, only negative so far is i’ve had a lower heat tolerance and (i’m blonde) my leg hair has gotten DARK. I have been consistently loosing weight since starting and plus, in my opinion, my sex drive is way up. My partner is on testosterone therapy so i’m finally able to keep up with him and we love it! I highly recommend so far!
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Jul 25
TLDR: -If you struggle with PMS already, please ask your doctor about the effects progesterone only birth control can have. I wish I had known that it can make it worse. -Expect new kinds of cramps. For me it was lightning rectum pain
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Jul 25
So far I've had this for about a month and some change and I love it! Made my period significantly less painful this time around ❤️
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jul 25
Honestly, the Mirena in my opinion isn’t bad at all. I have increased migraines but with OTC pain meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen, it helps a lot! I highly recommend this IUD just for the fact that it did lighten my period and lessen the cramps BUT I will add, it’s been continuous spotting since I’ve gotten it which isn’t a huge deal, just very annoying. Then I don’t know about yall, but the sweating…and over heating is crazy. This 4th of July I had to be taken by ambulance to the ER because I overheated so bad I passed out for over two hours, completely unresponsive BUT good vitals. I’m a very healthy 23 year old so that was completely unusual for me, I live in the Midwest so the heat can be a killer but it’s never EVER made me pass out or even dizzy, let alone unresponsive. So following with that, I wouldn’t say it’s a bad IUD, minus all the inconveniences. I haven’t gotten pregnant at least! Oh and to add, my sex drive is annoying my partner, he threatened to give me an ice bath last night to be exact😅
Increased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
I have been on the marina for almost a year and every time I get my period I am in severe pain….. when I’m driving I have to pull over on the side of the road to spit up and hold my stomach. Today it was so bad. I had to call in early. I throw up most times…… moral of the story I’m getting it taken out
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jun 25
I got the IUD put in and since then I have experienced intense nausea and frequent headaches.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Jun 25
I’ve only been on it for going on 3 weeks now. The first week was cramping and low back pain. Week 2 was nausea and hunger pains. I’m starting week 3 now and I’m working with my hunger, tiredness, and possibly some mood swings. So far I really like it. I don’t feel it, it doesn’t hurt or nothing.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
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