Cap or diaphragm vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Cap or diaphragm

Add your cap or diaphragm review

Hormonal coil (IUS)

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Overview

Rated 3.9

15 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

84% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

842 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Cap or diaphragm ingredients

A contraceptive diaphragm or cap is a circular dome made of thin soft silicone although they come in different shapes sizes and materials. You need to use it with a gel that kills sperm called spermicide. The most common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9.

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

87% no impact on mood

87% no change

93% no impact

100% no impact

80% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

43% no impact on mood

47% stopped periods

47% no impact

59% no impact

53% no impact on skin

Cycle return

32% don’t know impact

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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Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

15 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Apr 25

Cap or diaphragm  

I’ve enjoyed using the cap around my fertile window but struggle to feel 100% confident I have inserted it correctly. When removing the cap I notice a lot of discharge but not after use, only when removing. Way better than the pill or condoms for me.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th May 24

Cap or diaphragm  

Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

Cap or diaphragm  

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

2 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Apr 25

Cap or diaphragm  

I’ve enjoyed using the cap around my fertile window but struggle to feel 100% confident I have inserted it correctly. When removing the cap I notice a lot of discharge but not after use, only when removing. Way better than the pill or condoms for me.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th May 24

Cap or diaphragm  

Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

Cap or diaphragm  

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

2 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

842 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Mirena coil  

I've had a mirena coil for about 7 months now. Before getting it I had severely heavy periods. Most months I got a bad migraine. My iron was low. The GP didn't suggest anything to help with the heavy periods/monthly migraines/low iron. However when discussing contraception mirena coil was suggested. (I'm 40, have had 2 children). I was wary to mess with my hormones but the doctor said it could calm down my periods too. It was a long wait (almost 12 months). As soon as I got it I haven't had such heavy periods. Migraines haven't been an issue and my iron levels are back to normal. I haven't noticed any mood or weight changes. I've been happier and healthier because I haven't been dealing with the bad periods anymore. My periods are irregular, but very light. The only negative is a couple of times I've had stomach cramps, quite painful ones, they've gone away in under a day. There has been no follow up with a health professional. It would be nice if they did this to reassure everything is normal and ok.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Mirena coil  

I had it put in at the end of January. Insertion wasn't fun and did hurt but no worse than the period cramps I used to get. Did spend the afternoon in bed. First few months were ok, some period pain but less than before and lighter periods. But as a few more months have passed I've been getting more migraines again. Also my body hair is more noticeable. My mood is mostly stable except now when I'm ovulating or period about to start, I get very irrational and angry. My last period was heavier than I would have had before the coil but hoping that was just a blip. Have also been spotting constantly the last 2-3 months.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

Year 1 was a lot of hormonal changes, strong random cramps and spotting (i had to get the position adjusted slightly about 8 months in), but the effect on my periods was almost immediate. Regular lighter periods with reduced cramps(outside of above) that no longer impacted my life negatively. It's a game changer. Once that all settled down, I was abel to start tracking my periods and moods and for the first time in my life knew when something was "outside the norm" and could get things checked out as they came. The positive impact outweighs the negative by far in my opinion. Peace of mind and regular light periods is absolutely worth it for someone who's emotions and hormones and periods have always affected negatively (before jaydess I'd pms what felt like 3 out of 4 weeks, cramp so hard id pass out and bled through so many clothes)


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Mirena coil  

I've had a mirena coil for about 7 months now. Before getting it I had severely heavy periods. Most months I got a bad migraine. My iron was low. The GP didn't suggest anything to help with the heavy periods/monthly migraines/low iron. However when discussing contraception mirena coil was suggested. (I'm 40, have had 2 children). I was wary to mess with my hormones but the doctor said it could calm down my periods too. It was a long wait (almost 12 months). As soon as I got it I haven't had such heavy periods. Migraines haven't been an issue and my iron levels are back to normal. I haven't noticed any mood or weight changes. I've been happier and healthier because I haven't been dealing with the bad periods anymore. My periods are irregular, but very light. The only negative is a couple of times I've had stomach cramps, quite painful ones, they've gone away in under a day. There has been no follow up with a health professional. It would be nice if they did this to reassure everything is normal and ok.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Mirena coil  

I had it put in at the end of January. Insertion wasn't fun and did hurt but no worse than the period cramps I used to get. Did spend the afternoon in bed. First few months were ok, some period pain but less than before and lighter periods. But as a few more months have passed I've been getting more migraines again. Also my body hair is more noticeable. My mood is mostly stable except now when I'm ovulating or period about to start, I get very irrational and angry. My last period was heavier than I would have had before the coil but hoping that was just a blip. Have also been spotting constantly the last 2-3 months.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

Year 1 was a lot of hormonal changes, strong random cramps and spotting (i had to get the position adjusted slightly about 8 months in), but the effect on my periods was almost immediate. Regular lighter periods with reduced cramps(outside of above) that no longer impacted my life negatively. It's a game changer. Once that all settled down, I was abel to start tracking my periods and moods and for the first time in my life knew when something was "outside the norm" and could get things checked out as they came. The positive impact outweighs the negative by far in my opinion. Peace of mind and regular light periods is absolutely worth it for someone who's emotions and hormones and periods have always affected negatively (before jaydess I'd pms what felt like 3 out of 4 weeks, cramp so hard id pass out and bled through so many clothes)


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

I got the coil fitted to control heavy periods with contraception as a bonus. I’m aware I might be still in the settling down phase, this is my experience so far. Fitting was uncomfortable but I’ve had 3 vaginal birth so nothing touches that! Cramps for a few days but settled down. So far I have been bleeding most of the time since having it fitted, not heavy, light, but constant and irregular patterns. Very annoying. Low self esteem and low mood. Weight gain, despite being more physically active and eating healthily. Increase in headaches and migraines. Generally unimpressed at the lack of connection with healthcare professionals and Mirena coil users. So many women reporting poor experience yet doctors aren’t relaying this information. Will be having it removed. I choose control over my body over convenience.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Jun 25

Mirena coil  

First 6 months is an adjustment period so I had plenty of headache and feeling sick but after a while my body used to it and I am fine. 100% contraception effectiveness and no heavy period.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Jun 25

Mirena coil  

Insertion was definitely a little more than just "uncomfortable', it was incredibly painful and emotionally felt very invasive. Took about a day or two to get over the cramps. Felt very faint the first night after having it inserted. Have had experience with SA before though and after telling the nurses they were incredibly supportive throughout the procedure. Side effects wise I got on pretty well for the first year. My periods did stop after a few months, which I found to be a bit strange as I like to track my cycle and I found this a bit strange at first, as I could feel my other symptoms of my cycle but felt a bit off kilter when I didn't have my usual period. Not having to worry about condoms or taking a pill everyday is great though. But after about a year of having the hormonal coil I've noticed my mood and mental health take a bit of a dip. I feel a bit like my emotions are just sitting a bit flatter, I'm a bit more irritable, I don't experience quite the same amount of joy as I used to. I do have a lot going on in life at the moment, but I can't help but notice day to day, even on good days, that I'm not as cheerful or reacting to things in the same way I used to. Emotionally not feeling like myself I don't feel is worth this,no I'm going to seek advice on whether to have this removed or not I think.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Jun 25

Mirena coil  

So far I love the mirena coil! Insertion was definitely painful (not just “uncomfortable”!), but the pain was very brief. I had cramps for a couple of days, and then light bleeding/spotting for about a month. However since then I’ve had no periods, and don’t even know it’s there. I get a few more spots now but that’s from rarely getting any when I was on the pill, it’s not a lot. My weight has stayed exactly the same. I was terrified of getting it fitted but am so glad I did, if it continues like this then I will take 30 seconds of pain for 8 years of not having to think about contraception, no periods and no side effects!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Jun 25

Mirena coil  

Had the coil for just over a year and bled daily (although only light). Only had a few days a month not bleeding


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Jun 25

Mirena coil  

Generally the Mirena has been great. Only noticed most of the side effects after 4 years having it in - and they’re still very manageable.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jun 25

Kyleena coil  

So I’ve had the kyleena put in just over 2 years ago. For the first 18 months it was great, there was no side effects and my periods were getting lighter and less painful! After that, I started noticing quite a bit of hair loss during showers and brushing, visibly making my hair look thinner. I’ve always had thick hair so this was quite upsetting and I put it down to the stress I had during college. Now I’m in a new job that I’m loving, the hair loss hasn’t subsided. It’s still falling a lot everyday so I’m deciding to get the kyleena removed in a months time. I’ve been to the GP and got bloods done in which everything came back fine. So hopefully once I’ve the kyleena removed my hair will slowly start growing back :(


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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