Contraception Reviews

Mini pill vs Copper IUD

Mini pill

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Copper IUD

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Overview

Rated 2.3

3 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.0

5 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

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

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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

Mini pill reviews

3 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

This pill has helped me so much with heavy periods. The first month I spotted, then had a quick, light period. The second month was the lightest period I've had in years. The issue I'm having is I have more cramps on it than off, and the biggest issue is that it's making me moody and tense. I love what it's done for my period physically, but I'm snapping at my family much more than I used to. I see the doctor next week. I'm not sure what I'll do yet.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

I've experienced less pain around my uterus and ovaries, cysts are reduced, my breast are slightly enlarged and tender, my bones (especially hip, knee, and ankle joints) ache and hurt occasionally, mysex drive seems to have increased (I still find my partner very attractive just as before, which based on experiences I've seen others go through was a potential risk).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Aug 23

Severe menstrual period and severe cramping I have never felt pain like this in my life and I'm 32 years old.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

This pill has helped me so much with heavy periods. The first month I spotted, then had a quick, light period. The second month was the lightest period I've had in years. The issue I'm having is I have more cramps on it than off, and the biggest issue is that it's making me moody and tense. I love what it's done for my period physically, but I'm snapping at my family much more than I used to. I see the doctor next week. I'm not sure what I'll do yet.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

I've experienced less pain around my uterus and ovaries, cysts are reduced, my breast are slightly enlarged and tender, my bones (especially hip, knee, and ankle joints) ache and hurt occasionally, mysex drive seems to have increased (I still find my partner very attractive just as before, which based on experiences I've seen others go through was a potential risk).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Aug 23

Severe menstrual period and severe cramping I have never felt pain like this in my life and I'm 32 years old.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Copper IUD reviews

5 reviews

Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

I experienced a lot of common side effects of the IUD, it may have been caused by the fact that it was misplaced, and I didn't find out until I went in to get it removed. While I used it, it was an effective contraceptive, even with it being misplaced. I used it for almost six months, and the negative symptoms didn't alleviate at all throughout that time. I would recommend a provider who has a lot of knowledge about IUDs and who doesn't downplay pain before considering it, but it can be a great choice


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 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

I experienced a lot of common side effects of the IUD, it may have been caused by the fact that it was misplaced, and I didn't find out until I went in to get it removed. While I used it, it was an effective contraceptive, even with it being misplaced. I used it for almost six months, and the negative symptoms didn't alleviate at all throughout that time. I would recommend a provider who has a lot of knowledge about IUDs and who doesn't downplay pain before considering it, but it can be a great choice


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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