Contraception Reviews

Mini pill vs Copper IUD

Mini pill

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Copper IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.4

40 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

24 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

Mood

38% no impact on mood

Bleeds

38% stopped periods

Sex drive

38% no impact

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

38% worse skin

Cycle return

63% don’t know impact

Mood

38% no impact on mood

Bleeds

71% heavier periods

Sex drive

58% no impact

Weight

71% no impact

Skin

71% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% in 1 month

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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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mini pill reviews

40 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mini pill  

Still affected by a bit of acne, but not experiencing mood swings like when I was on Yaz. However, I am having severe break through bleeding every few weeks, and it lasts for 1-2 weeks every time unless I stop taking the pills and let it happen.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mini pill  

Still affected by a bit of acne, but not experiencing mood swings like when I was on Yaz. However, I am having severe break through bleeding every few weeks, and it lasts for 1-2 weeks every time unless I stop taking the pills and let it happen.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Copper IUD reviews

24 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Jan 26

Paragard IUD  

So, I’ve had this IUD placed twice. The first time, I had an expulsion and had no clue. Didn’t feel anything. Went for a follow up and she said it was hanging out, to my surprise. I have had it placed again and so far so good. No pain on insertion either time since my provider used Lidocaine. The only issue I find is that my sex drive basically disappears for some reason. Other than that, no complaints.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jan 26

Paragard IUD  

It worked and I didn’t have to worry. Only issue was my periods were soooooo heavy it made me severely anemic. After about 3-4 years I had to take it out and my periods were lighter and my anemia got better


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Aug 25

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Jan 26

Paragard IUD  

So, I’ve had this IUD placed twice. The first time, I had an expulsion and had no clue. Didn’t feel anything. Went for a follow up and she said it was hanging out, to my surprise. I have had it placed again and so far so good. No pain on insertion either time since my provider used Lidocaine. The only issue I find is that my sex drive basically disappears for some reason. Other than that, no complaints.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Jan 26

Paragard IUD  

It worked and I didn’t have to worry. Only issue was my periods were soooooo heavy it made me severely anemic. After about 3-4 years I had to take it out and my periods were lighter and my anemia got better


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Aug 25

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jul 25

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Paragard IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Apr 25

Copper IUD  

My Periods are very strong and I sometimes have to change my pad every 30minutes


Very negative mood

11 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Mar 25

Copper IUD  

Weight gain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Feb 25

Copper IUD  

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Dec 24

Paragard IUD  

Good


Worse skin

3 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Nov 24

Copper IUD  

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

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