Cap or diaphragm vs Hormonal coil (IUS)
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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
827 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Cap or diaphragm 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
Cap or diaphragm reviews
15 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Apr 25
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jan 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Apr 25
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jan 24
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
827 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I had a Kyleena coil inserted, after 6 months I was still having week long breakthrough bleeds between periods. I had the coil checked and it was in position, no problems according to the doctor. A month later I was pregnant, with the coil still in the correct place. Unfortunately the Kyleena coil didn't work to protect me from pregnancy, caused me to have breakthrough bleeds and have recurrent episodes of thrush.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I've not had any significant side effects...so far. But the one thing I don't like is that I struggle to track my period. I don't bleed it bleed very little. Some periods are just spotting. In theory this is great, but the rest of my body is still experiencing a cycle and without the bleeding it can be hard to track. I still try to, but I'm about ready to give up. If you are like me and spent 10 years on the pill, this can feel a bit jarring. I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster that is normal but I'm not really use to it. My cramping is normal compared to before I had coil. I've had acne rosacea crop up and after a year of it I strongly thing it's linked to hormones but not sure how much the coil plays a part (though I did NOT have this before coil, I am also 40 and may be perimenopauseal). Insertion recovery was totally fine. Very little discomfort. However I was undergoing a minor gyno procedure at the same time and as a result got a general! Highly recommend should it be available. Won't lie, not sure I would have the coil again after this one....I'm still not sold in all honesty. It just emotionally felt evasive as a method of BC.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Overall my periods were regular but once I got the coil I had very irregular periods and extra cramping. I also have frequent dizzy spells and headaches since it has been inserted. And I've seen an increase in spots and body hair since starting with the coil
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I had a Kyleena coil inserted, after 6 months I was still having week long breakthrough bleeds between periods. I had the coil checked and it was in position, no problems according to the doctor. A month later I was pregnant, with the coil still in the correct place. Unfortunately the Kyleena coil didn't work to protect me from pregnancy, caused me to have breakthrough bleeds and have recurrent episodes of thrush.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I've not had any significant side effects...so far. But the one thing I don't like is that I struggle to track my period. I don't bleed it bleed very little. Some periods are just spotting. In theory this is great, but the rest of my body is still experiencing a cycle and without the bleeding it can be hard to track. I still try to, but I'm about ready to give up. If you are like me and spent 10 years on the pill, this can feel a bit jarring. I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster that is normal but I'm not really use to it. My cramping is normal compared to before I had coil. I've had acne rosacea crop up and after a year of it I strongly thing it's linked to hormones but not sure how much the coil plays a part (though I did NOT have this before coil, I am also 40 and may be perimenopauseal). Insertion recovery was totally fine. Very little discomfort. However I was undergoing a minor gyno procedure at the same time and as a result got a general! Highly recommend should it be available. Won't lie, not sure I would have the coil again after this one....I'm still not sold in all honesty. It just emotionally felt evasive as a method of BC.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Overall my periods were regular but once I got the coil I had very irregular periods and extra cramping. I also have frequent dizzy spells and headaches since it has been inserted. And I've seen an increase in spots and body hair since starting with the coil
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Struggled to fit the Mirena & so fitted the Kyleena instead - potentially leading to an insufficient amount of progesterone as i continued to have irregular bleeding. After about 12 months this settled down and month on month this has lessened and my cycle continued. However, I experienced consistent cramping like I'd never had before and from 15 months onwards severe & debilitating pain about a week before my period. This is why I had it removed.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I experienced irregular periods, major mood swings and no sex drive at all. Would not recommend this at all.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Insertion isn't pleasant, but once it's in place, there's nothing to do for years! I had my first Mirena coil over 8 years ago and haven't had a period since insertion, only very occasional spotting (maybe once every 3-6months). I know some women like to track their cycle, but I never think about it and prefer it that way! Would recommend.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Loved this until I got BV then no treatment would fix it until I got IUS removed
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Apr 25
The threads disappeared on the first coil so had it changed early (wasn't great as they had to go digging about to find the threads). Had another put straight in at the time thinking it was a one off but the same happened with the second so I had it removed early as soon as I noticed them becoming shorter to avoid the first scenario again and switched to the implant. Great that my periods stopped on it and it's super low maintenance though.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 25
Extremely painful insertion. Blood loss continuously for about 3 months, bleeding everyday. Then periods became irregular, passing clots the size of my palm. Periods worsened after merina, when ironically merina was prescribed for heavy periods. Dermatitis caused by merina after 2 months. Told that results with merina are variable, and to wait and see. Not good advice considering the health issues and extreme blood loss caused by merina so far.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Apr 25
I mean as a contraceptive it works because I haven’t gotten pregnant. A positive my periods are extremely light and irregular, but as a distant irregular. But my skin has never been so worse in my life, I constantly have big deep spots on my chin. I used to have quite dry skin but now on the oily side.
Worse skin
1 helpful
0 comments

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