Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Copper IUD

Birth control shot

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Copper IUD

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.0

26 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

19 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

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

35% somewhat negative

Bleeds

35% stopped periods

Sex drive

35% lost sex drive

Weight

50% gained weight

Skin

31% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 3-6 months

Mood

37% no impact on mood

Bleeds

68% heavier periods

Sex drive

58% no impact

Weight

68% no impact

Skin

79% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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

Birth control shot reviews

26 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.

Read more

Worse skin

1 more effect

11 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.


Worse skin

1 more effect

11 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

2 helpful

0 comments


Copper IUD reviews

19 reviews

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Oct 24

Paragard IUD  

I’ve had it for over a year, I’m happy with it since it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy but I’ve all the sudden been getting weird side effects and hormone imbalances and bloating.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Aug 24

Paragard IUD  

I love the copper IUD as I was looking for a non hormonal way of birth control. Besides the heavy bleeding and intense cramps during my period, it’s great!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  31st Jul 24

Paragard IUD  

I wanted the copper IUD because it was non-hormonal and my DR said the only real side effect was worse periods (which she said would be fine for me because my periods are were not too bad in the first place. Insertion was not as painful as I thought it would be. Periods have become extremely painful and mood has definitely suffered


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jul 24

Paragard IUD  

This was super painful to implant and more pain each month I used it during my period-longer and heavier as well as cramping and spotting each month at ovulation. Eventually I had the device removed and I started taking a birth control pill to regulate my hormones in hopes of lowering instance of migraines due to hormonal fluctuations. Now on a pill designed to prevent hormonal migraines, I realize that during my IUD years I had much less frequent migraines so perhaps there is no correlation between my migraines and birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th May 24

Paragard IUD  

I had Paraguard for almost 7 years. When it was first inserted (insanely painful) I was told it would last for 12 years, however it fell out recently. Only half fell out, as one arm broke off and I was recommended to have a hysteroscopy under full anesthesia to remove the missing part. Luckily it came out on its own and I didn’t require the operation but it was a terrifying experience. Throughout the past 7 years the only issues I had was very heavy periods and severe cramps (including sharp pain when going to the bathroom). Other than that, it was great for me and nice to have regular periods.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

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