IUB Ballerine vs Hormonal coil (IUS)
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Overview
Rated 3.6
8 reviews
Every 5 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.5
774 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
IUB Ballerine ingredients
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
IUB Ballerine reviews
8 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Jul 24
I had my IUB inserted in March 2019. I didn't have any pregnancies before. The insertion of the device was the most painful experience of my life, almost passed out and threw up at the doctor's office, it was a really intense sharp pain. I also had very intense cramps for 2 days after insertion, no pain killers helped. I suppose that's what being in labor feels like, I constantly had an urge to push. After this, everything was fine, the device is reliable and comfortable; and I am using it for more than 5 years now (obgyn said I can use it up to 6 years if it works well). During these five years I had increased bloodflow and sometimes mid-cycle spotting because of the device, but nothing too bad. Overall, I would recommend.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
The IUB has had a positive effect on me and I would recommend if anyone is looking for a non-hormonal contraception. Bleeding has been heavier but after 6 months it is mainly heavy on days 1,2,3 and gone by day 5. Overall, I would recommend as it hasn’t affected my body majorly.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Jan 24
Bled for two weeks after insertion, ended up falling out halfway and had to take it out at the gynecologist. The ball design seems to not anchor it enough. Intimacy was painful and had spotting after.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Jul 24
I had my IUB inserted in March 2019. I didn't have any pregnancies before. The insertion of the device was the most painful experience of my life, almost passed out and threw up at the doctor's office, it was a really intense sharp pain. I also had very intense cramps for 2 days after insertion, no pain killers helped. I suppose that's what being in labor feels like, I constantly had an urge to push. After this, everything was fine, the device is reliable and comfortable; and I am using it for more than 5 years now (obgyn said I can use it up to 6 years if it works well). During these five years I had increased bloodflow and sometimes mid-cycle spotting because of the device, but nothing too bad. Overall, I would recommend.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
The IUB has had a positive effect on me and I would recommend if anyone is looking for a non-hormonal contraception. Bleeding has been heavier but after 6 months it is mainly heavy on days 1,2,3 and gone by day 5. Overall, I would recommend as it hasn’t affected my body majorly.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Jan 24
Bled for two weeks after insertion, ended up falling out halfway and had to take it out at the gynecologist. The ball design seems to not anchor it enough. Intimacy was painful and had spotting after.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
774 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I got this contraception to prevent pregnancy but completely lost libido and gained weight. There was no issue with insertion and removal and got rid of painful periods.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
This has been much better for me than the combined or mini pill - it has had no effect on my mood that I can tell and my periods have basically almost stopped (for the past 3 years I've had 6ish light periods a year, with 1 day of sever cramping). However, this is nothing as bad as my natural periods which normally have a week either side of just cramping. However, I have recently noticed increased breast soreness/tenderness, slight, persistent cramps and increased discharge after my last period. If this persists I'll talk to my doctor - I should be changing my coil soon away, so I'll report back :)
Improved skin
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had cramps for ten days after and then I felt good for a week. Then I got pain so bad and a fever that I got taken to an and e. I in hospital for 10 days and had pelvic inflammatory disease which caused a massive abscess on my ovary which may leave permanent damage. I was never warned of this would not recommend it was such a painful experience
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I got this contraception to prevent pregnancy but completely lost libido and gained weight. There was no issue with insertion and removal and got rid of painful periods.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
This has been much better for me than the combined or mini pill - it has had no effect on my mood that I can tell and my periods have basically almost stopped (for the past 3 years I've had 6ish light periods a year, with 1 day of sever cramping). However, this is nothing as bad as my natural periods which normally have a week either side of just cramping. However, I have recently noticed increased breast soreness/tenderness, slight, persistent cramps and increased discharge after my last period. If this persists I'll talk to my doctor - I should be changing my coil soon away, so I'll report back :)
Improved skin
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had cramps for ten days after and then I felt good for a week. Then I got pain so bad and a fever that I got taken to an and e. I in hospital for 10 days and had pelvic inflammatory disease which caused a massive abscess on my ovary which may leave permanent damage. I was never warned of this would not recommend it was such a painful experience
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Mirena prescribed for painful, heavy, irregular periods in peri-menopause. My quality of life improved dramatically as a result. I had some bleeding daily for first 6 weeks, but my periods have now stopped other than an occasional slight spotting episode. No more pain, flooding or embarrassment, with my iron levels restored, so feeling energetic and less tired. No side effects other than breast tenderness and some mood changes initially. Life changing.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
After being on the combined pill for the last 13 years for my heavy periods I was ready for a change and I am so happy I did. I had previously tried to have a coil fitting at my local GP surgery but the pain was so much so that I asked the procedure be stopped. I went back a few months later and asked for a topical local anesthetic which really helped and was able to have it fitted successfully. The coil has honestly changed my life, just over six months in and my periods have now virtually stopped. With only a day of light bleeding. My mood has massively changed and I feel so much happier in myself, I don't think I even realised the full affect the combined pill was having on me, even my husband has commented on how much happier I seem. It was definitely worth it!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I tried the Kyleena coil for nearly 6 months. I previously tried a wide variety of contraception methods but nothing agreed with me. This was the worst one. Even during my sixth month of having it, the pain was like nothing I've experienced before. Very painful during sex. Hot flushes frequently. Heavy bleeding for the majority of the time I had the coil. Awful cramps. Constantly tired to the point I was napping on breaks at work. I'd sleep for 13 hours at a time and still feel tired. The only positive was that my mood didn't seem to change.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Honestly life changing. I decided with my GP to try the Mirena Coil for heavy painful periods and endometriosis symptoms. My periods had gotten so bad that they were having a significant impact on my life. Insertion wasn’t comfortable but the nurse was amazing at explaining everything and making me as comfortable a possible. I spotted for the first 8+ weeks, which was annoying but I would take this over the heavy bleeding and severe pain I had been dealing with any day! Once the spotting stopped, I haven’t had any bleeding or periods since - and none of the horrible symptoms. This contraception has changed my life and my only regret is not trying it sooner. I was terrified about going on hormonal contraception and read many reviews on this site before giving it a try and I hope this review can maybe help someone who’s also scared about trying contraception.
Very positive mood
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Aug 24
I had the Jaydess coil fitted this morning (third one) i had a 12 month break as i came out of a long term relationship, prior to that i had two fitted, they last 3 years compared to the other longer ones but its still along time. Fitting was uncomfortable but i took pain killers before and the staff are always lovely, it also doesn't last long but for anyone who has had children its similar to a contraction and then its over, the pain isn't ongoing (or hasn't ever been for me) I chose the Jaydess because i have tried so many other pills and not gone on with them, this coil has a really low hormone dose its the equivalent to one progesterone only pill a week. Previously i have noticed that: Possible mood improvement, slight weight loss (although i do track food and train at the gym but weight loss felt easier) periods were much lighter and did regulate eventually, sometimes they would go on longer than others but nothing to write home about. Overall i think women have such a tough time trying to decide on contraception but this has been a great option for me (i appreciate we are all different) but its low hormone, smaller to fit and minimal side effects.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Aug 24
So I was on the hormonal coil for about 9-10 months. The actual insertion wasn’t pleasant and was very painful, although, it wasn’t as bad as people were making it out to be, it was bearable. I didn’t enjoy the coil as I had non stop breakthrough bleeding the entire time I was on it, and it wasn’t red blood, it was horrible brown sludge, it really began to effect my sex life with my partner and made me feel a bit gross about myself. The coil also made my skin horrible and made me very emotional. All in all, not a good experience and definitely prefer the combined pill.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 31st Jul 24
Really pleased with my decision to use this form of contraception. Love not having periods. I do still get some spotting and some of the symptoms/emotions I associate with my period approximately monthly.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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