Birth control patch vs Hormonal IUD
Birth control patch ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control patch
progestin
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
71% somewhat negative
43% regular periods
57% no impact
57% don’t know impact
43% don’t know impact
100% don’t know impact
42% no impact on mood
47% stopped periods
46% no impact
47% no impact
38% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control patch reviews
7 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Apr 25
Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Apr 25
Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal IUD reviews
55 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th May 25
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Apr 25
Top side effects not reported
10 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th May 25
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Apr 25
Top side effects not reported
10 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Apr 25
I got the Kyleena prescribed off-label to me after suffering from ridiculously heavy periods in my teens. I used to bleed 200mls+ on some periods and even Tranexamic acid didn’t help. This IUD has been an absolute life-saver and my periods are so much lighter. I will admit I have experienced some side effects - I used to have clear skin 95% of the time, however since the IUD I permanently have 1 or 2 pimples around my jawline which can be quite annoying. My periods are often very long now (7-11 days) despite being light which also gets frustrating. Those are the two main side effects I’ve experienced, but overall it’s been a positive experience.
Worse skin
10 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Apr 25
I got the Kyleena prescribed off-label for my heavy menstrual bleeding. I used to bleed sometimes over 200ml per period, even Tranexamic acid didn’t help. This IUD has been a life saver - my periods are so much lighter. Overall it’s been a positive experience. I won’t pretend it doesn’t have other side effects though. My periods are now way longer than they used to be (7-11 days) although not heavy at all. I also had clear skin 95% of the time prior to the IUD but now I permanently have one or two pimples around my jawline which can be pretty annoying.
Worse skin
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Apr 25
Irregular cycles. Mood swings, fatigue, brain fog and headaches seem to correlate to menstrual cycle. Effective birth control but still unsure if symptoms are related to Mirena or independent migraine, thyroid or other issues.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Apr 25
I’m pretty pleased for the most part. It’s my 2nd IUD, first hormonal one. My periods are pretty much gone and I love that. They were pretty bad before. The downside is that my scalp sweats PROFUSELY with very little physical exertion and my face is super oily. So much so that I have several pimples along and into my hairline. I’m very upset about that. I’m on month 7 and the pimples just started, but the sweating and oil started almost right away.
Worse skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 25
Decreased sex drive
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Mar 25
I’ve had it for 6 months and I have my period twice a month and the pain is pretty consistent day to day.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Popular birth control
Combination pillImplantShotThe legal stuff
Terms of usePrivacy & cookieContent policy©The Lowdown 2025