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
28% no impact on mood
52% spotting
35% lost sex drive
46% gained weight
32% worse skin
46% in 1 month
40% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
40% no impact
49% no impact
43% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control implant reviews
82 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd May 26
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd May 26
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal IUD reviews
80 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Jun 26
’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 26
I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Jun 26
’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 26
I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Apr 26
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 26
No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Mar 26
Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Mar 26
Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Feb 26
Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Feb 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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