IUB Ballerine vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
IUB Ballerine

Want to switch contraception?

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.19/day

Overview

Rated 3.6

5 reviews

Every 5 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1188 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

IUB Ballerine ingredients

The Ballerine IUB consists of 17 copper pearls which form a spherical shape. The frame is made from nitinol
is a metal alloy of nickel and titanium
and coated with polyethylene terephthalate.

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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

Period pain

Try it now

Want to switch contraception?

Try it now

£From £0.19/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

IUB Ballerine reviews

5 reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

This really works for me. I’ve been on the pill and has Kyleena for 6 years, but I feel more connected to my body. I had to remove it the second time I got kyleena up, cause I felt so depressed, and I feel it helped getting it out. With ballerina I don’t feel anything. There were heavy bleeding the first 3 months but then it turned to normal afterwards. I get a little crappy before period, but I can take a pill and then it is okay. I am really happy with this choice

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

2 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I had the ballerine inserted in September. My doctor had prescribed me a medication to soften the cervix, ponstan, and a numbing gel for the insertion. Insertion was a bit painful, I had intense cramp-like pains for probably 30 seconds in two bursts; once for measurement and then the actual insertion. It was over quickly and went smoothly. I had cramps for the rest of the day and they came in waves. I took the ponstan and used a hot water bottle. When I woke up the next day I felt normal again. I bled for a good stretch after I got it in. It was light, but persisted for about 3 weeks or so. Keep in mind I'd come off the pill (cerazette) so my body was definitely out of whack. I got my first period earlier this month with the coil in. It was very heavy, and a bit more crampy than usual. Nothing unbearable, but much heavier than the pill in comparison. It lasted about 6 days, with 3 days of very heavy bleeding. That being said, it was the best decision I ever made. My mood has stabilised, I feel less anxious day to day and much more energetic. I'm very happy with the Ballerine.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jul 23

  •  Still using

Other than the fact that there are no hormones involved there is really no benefits! I lost so my blood in 10+ day a month period that I have an iron deficiency for the first time in my life. I wanted to take it out, my GP couldn’t take it, then hospital gynaecologist tried with a local anesthetiser didn’t manage. I need a full body anesthetiser to remove it from my body! DON’T do this to yourself!


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

This really works for me. I’ve been on the pill and has Kyleena for 6 years, but I feel more connected to my body. I had to remove it the second time I got kyleena up, cause I felt so depressed, and I feel it helped getting it out. With ballerina I don’t feel anything. There were heavy bleeding the first 3 months but then it turned to normal afterwards. I get a little crappy before period, but I can take a pill and then it is okay. I am really happy with this choice


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

2 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I had the ballerine inserted in September. My doctor had prescribed me a medication to soften the cervix, ponstan, and a numbing gel for the insertion. Insertion was a bit painful, I had intense cramp-like pains for probably 30 seconds in two bursts; once for measurement and then the actual insertion. It was over quickly and went smoothly. I had cramps for the rest of the day and they came in waves. I took the ponstan and used a hot water bottle. When I woke up the next day I felt normal again. I bled for a good stretch after I got it in. It was light, but persisted for about 3 weeks or so. Keep in mind I'd come off the pill (cerazette) so my body was definitely out of whack. I got my first period earlier this month with the coil in. It was very heavy, and a bit more crampy than usual. Nothing unbearable, but much heavier than the pill in comparison. It lasted about 6 days, with 3 days of very heavy bleeding. That being said, it was the best decision I ever made. My mood has stabilised, I feel less anxious day to day and much more energetic. I'm very happy with the Ballerine.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jul 23

  •  Still using

Other than the fact that there are no hormones involved there is really no benefits! I lost so my blood in 10+ day a month period that I have an iron deficiency for the first time in my life. I wanted to take it out, my GP couldn’t take it, then hospital gynaecologist tried with a local anesthetiser didn’t manage. I need a full body anesthetiser to remove it from my body! DON’T do this to yourself!


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1188 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

First contraceptive pill I have tried in years. It made me have really bad thoughts and made me feel really depressed so had to come off it. If you live with mental health symptoms, please be weary of this potential side effect.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I was worried about side effects going on to Hana but had zero side effects apart from breast tenderness for the the first two weeks, and a regular period (although slightly lighter and shorter than normal) in week 3. I started seeing some spotting in week 5, I'm in week 7 now and on day 16 of continuous bleeding. It's reasonably light but inconvenient. No PMS symptoms other than the breast tenderness, which started in week 1/2 and is the same as the breast tenderness I got with PMS. I'm going to stick with it for now but if the breast tenderness and continuous bleeding hasn't stopped after 3 months I may give up on it as it's pretty inconvenient.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I was worried about side effects going on to Hana but had zero side effects apart from breast tenderness for the the first two weeks, and a regular period (although slightly lighter and shorter than normal) in week 3. I started seeing some spotting in week 5, I'm in week 7 now and on day 16 of continuous bleeding. It's reasonably light but inconvenient. No PMS symptoms other than the breast tenderness, which started in week 1/2 and is the same as the breast tenderness I got with PMS. I'm going to stick with it for now but if the breast tenderness and continuous bleeding hasn't stopped after 3 months I may give up on it as it's pretty inconvenient.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

First contraceptive pill I have tried in years. It made me have really bad thoughts and made me feel really depressed so had to come off it. If you live with mental health symptoms, please be weary of this potential side effect.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I was worried about side effects going on to Hana but had zero side effects apart from breast tenderness for the the first two weeks, and a regular period (although slightly lighter and shorter than normal) in week 3. I started seeing some spotting in week 5, I'm in week 7 now and on day 16 of continuous bleeding. It's reasonably light but inconvenient. No PMS symptoms other than the breast tenderness, which started in week 1/2 and is the same as the breast tenderness I got with PMS. I'm going to stick with it for now but if the breast tenderness and continuous bleeding hasn't stopped after 3 months I may give up on it as it's pretty inconvenient.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I was worried about side effects going on to Hana but had zero side effects apart from breast tenderness for the the first two weeks, and a regular period (although slightly lighter and shorter than normal) in week 3. I started seeing some spotting in week 5, I'm in week 7 now and on day 16 of continuous bleeding. It's reasonably light but inconvenient. No PMS symptoms other than the breast tenderness, which started in week 1/2 and is the same as the breast tenderness I got with PMS. I'm going to stick with it for now but if the breast tenderness and continuous bleeding hasn't stopped after 3 months I may give up on it as it's pretty inconvenient.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I have been put on the progestogen-only pill recently after 10 years on the combined pill, because none of my doctors ever bothered asking if I suffer from migraines before :) I have been on it for just over a month and I have not enjoyed it. I feel really, really tired (which is a side effect that is listed as 'uncommon' on the leaflet), not feeling like myself at all and have had some digestive problems with ups and downs of constipation/diarrhoea which I did not suffer from before going on this pill. I also found this pill more of a faff compared to the combined pill, as you have to take it every day at the same time. I normally take it at 9AM but that means that if I am going anywhere early in the morning, I have to take the packet with me. Although mine has a 12-hour window in which it can be taken and it still provides cover, I prefer to stick to the same time for safety. I also do not enjoy the fact that there is no 'guaranteed' bleeding to know that I am not pregnant, and that bleeding can happen at any point, randomly. That does not work with my lifestyle and it made me truly miss my previous combined pill which didn't need too much adjusting to my life. I have not had other major side effects (but then again, I have been on a pill for 10 years), but I have decided that this doesn't suit my lifestyle and I will stop taking it soon. I have invested in a Ladycomp device (99.3% accuracy, same as the pill but without hormones!) and once I finish this packet of pills I will be stopping all hormonal contraception. It's a shame that, for someone who definitely does not want a pregnancy, there aren't many options available but I am glad I found Ladycomp which has the same accuracy as the pill without taking hormones. I hope the Lowdown will start talking about it on their platform soon!! :)


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Still using

My sex drive is like nothing it’s gone. More spots than before. My cycle length is around 50 days and my period is lasting for 9.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
51 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Still using

I was on Cerelle for 6 mths which was not working out for me as I had prolonged, frequent irregular periods on it. The doctor suggested changing to Norgeston and it has been great. I have been on it now for 5 months and my periods, although not regular (actually there has been a slightly longer gap between periods, which is nice) have been back to normal length of around 6 days long. In fact better than normal as I’d been getting very heavy periods possibly due to me being perimenopausal. I’ve got lighter periods now that don’t come as often with no bad side effects. Also, a good side effect is that I don’t get feelings of depresssion any more before my period like I used to when not on the pill. I did have a blip recently with bleeding - but it’s because I missed a pill and I bled for 20 days, so I asked my doctor and they told me to take 2 pills a day until the bleeding had stopped for 7 days and this has worked. I recommend this pill!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

The POP is quite new to me having been on the Depo for a long time. I was on Lovima to begin with but then the pharmacy gave me this one on my next prescription to begin with things were as normal there didn’t seem much off a change until I started experiencing severe anxiety like I never have before. My heart was racing for no reason and I was in a constant anxious state. I felt like I was going crazy. I called the pharmacy as I was needing a new prescription but asked if I could try a different brand as this one was not agreeing with me and the pharmacist says it sounds more off a pill problem then a you problem which made me feel a lot better as I say I felt I was going crazy. I am now on a different brand off POP so swing how this goes.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Still using

I had to switch from my combined pill due to risk of breast cancer and stroke. I loved my previous pill but this one I've had such negative experiences, so anxious and depressed and angry, as well as random bleeding and making my work and home life difficult to cope with. I will not be taking this pill beyond the 3 months prescribed


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Oct 23

  •  Still using

kept periods at a normal level, just sometimes more frequently. extremely helped cramps, as i suffered very badly with them before. increased sex drive, and has not had much of an effect on my mood. i do have acne but i had acne before, and i can sometimes get rid of it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Tried this after not wanting to be on the implant anymore without realising it's the same hormone! Anyways, my period got lighter but they lasted 10 days as opposed to 5 days. I gained a good few kilos in weight. Also started having period-like cramps even without being on my period, which was odd. I have recent stopped and will be trying Noriday.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the IUB Ballerine with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

  • Set up a subscription and never run out

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

LegitScript approved

Pharmacy services provided by Phlo Technologies Ltd.

CQC provider

GPhC reg number: 9011171

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2023