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 3.8

16 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

84% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

886 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

88% no impact on mood

88% no change

94% no impact

100% no impact

83% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

43% no impact on mood

46% stopped periods

47% no impact

59% no impact

54% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% 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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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

16 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Dec 25

Cap or diaphragm  

I decided to invest in the Caya diaphragm since I was determined to find a non-hormonal method I could use that wouldn’t impact sex too much (I get irritation with condoms and the copper coil moved out of place pretty much immediately). I really wanted it to work but unfortunately it was way too uncomfortable during sex. It feels like there’s just way too much ‘stuff’ inside me. And I think it obstructs my natural wetness (I suspect that’s why some people mention a lot of discharge upon removal). My partner also said while he could definitely feel it, it wasn’t uncomfortable. I’d choose condoms over the diaphragm unfortunately. Hope this helps :)

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 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 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Dec 25

Cap or diaphragm  

I decided to invest in the Caya diaphragm since I was determined to find a non-hormonal method I could use that wouldn’t impact sex too much (I get irritation with condoms and the copper coil moved out of place pretty much immediately). I really wanted it to work but unfortunately it was way too uncomfortable during sex. It feels like there’s just way too much ‘stuff’ inside me. And I think it obstructs my natural wetness (I suspect that’s why some people mention a lot of discharge upon removal). My partner also said while he could definitely feel it, it wasn’t uncomfortable. I’d choose condoms over the diaphragm unfortunately. Hope this helps :)


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 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


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

886 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Mirena coil  

The insertion process wasn’t pleasant and I found very painful however I will say it was very quick and the pain didn’t last. After leaving the doctors I felt fine apart from a little light headed but that was due to me stressing. The next day if I didn’t know if had it fitted I would be none the wiser as I felt normal and had no issues. Since then I have really liked not having to think about it, I had no periods at all but have started to get a day or so of spotting once a month at the 18 month mark and some light cramps. The only other negative to me is that it’s meant that I now always have to use lube for sex as it’s definitely affected dryness. The best overall contraception I have tried


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Such a hideous experience for me I went to the doctors to get it taken out ASAP. Had severe mental health dip and felt suicidal which was really unlike me. The pain on inspiration was absolutely awful (removal was easy and painless).


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

Random cramps throughout the day, they suddenly stop and start again a few days later. Period almost completely gone, but random spotting through ovulation and calculated period days (on clue app). Very bad breast tenderness during ovulation and periods


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Mirena coil  

The insertion process wasn’t pleasant and I found very painful however I will say it was very quick and the pain didn’t last. After leaving the doctors I felt fine apart from a little light headed but that was due to me stressing. The next day if I didn’t know if had it fitted I would be none the wiser as I felt normal and had no issues. Since then I have really liked not having to think about it, I had no periods at all but have started to get a day or so of spotting once a month at the 18 month mark and some light cramps. The only other negative to me is that it’s meant that I now always have to use lube for sex as it’s definitely affected dryness. The best overall contraception I have tried


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Such a hideous experience for me I went to the doctors to get it taken out ASAP. Had severe mental health dip and felt suicidal which was really unlike me. The pain on inspiration was absolutely awful (removal was easy and painless).


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

Random cramps throughout the day, they suddenly stop and start again a few days later. Period almost completely gone, but random spotting through ovulation and calculated period days (on clue app). Very bad breast tenderness during ovulation and periods


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

I’ve had the mirena in for almost 2 years and it’s been working great as a contraception and minimal side effects (very light periods).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Jaydess coil  

I'm on my second Jaydess (been using it for almost 6 years now), before I was on the pill (estrogen+progesterone combination) for about 6 years. Insertion is no fun for me, other than that I can only recommend it. Compared to the pill I have much lighter periods, period pain has significantly decreased (I get a little abdominal discomfort+back pain a day before the start of my period, and that's it). Acne stayed about the same as on the pill. I get a little breast swelling/tenderness for about one week every cycle which I think has slightly increased compared to the pill but isn't so bad. Sex drive and mood stayed about the same, if anything, my mood has become more stable on Jaydess actually (but that could also be attributed to me growing up I guess). Overall I'm satisfied with it


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Mar 26

Levosert coil  

I got the coil after having a failed mirena coil. Tried this one for almost 3yrs and didn't think I had alot of side effects, though reflecting on a time where I was not on contraception, I realised it had greatly impacted my moods and caused quite bad acne on my back, which I had never suffered with previous. I also would get debilitating cramps during my periods again which I never suffered with before. Only bonus was my very heavy periods were light, which made them way more manageable. I decided to get it taken out when my moods were having an adverse effect on my relationship and life.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Feb 26

Jaydess coil  

Insertion of the jaydess for me was incredibly painful and i had severe period cramps the days following insertion. Other than that for the first year i had no symptoms other than tender breasts and they had grown from C-DD (no complaints!) and often reccomended it to friends. However, after that i started getting regular thrush. It started off just coming before my period some months but now it is pretty much constant. Treatment only resolves symptoms for a short period and the its back! For this reason ive booked to have it taken out next week. Also the waitlist with my local clinic is so long ive been on it months and am no where near being seen so have had to go private unfortunately as the symptoms hae become unbearable :(


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Feb 26

Mirena coil  

After taking the pill for at least ten years I thought it was time to reconsider my options. Used the Lowdown to eventually choose the hormonal coil. Insertion was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable (for me, I know alot of people have had horrid experiences). My periods are very irregular (think maybe four a year and more spotting that bloody). My hormonal state throughout the month is more consistent, no major ups and downs than I used to get on the pill. I couldn't fault this as an option and also not having to remember to take the pill everyday was a huge bonus. Recent changes to the length of time for changing them meant I got an extra two years out of mine. Great long term option if you know you don't want to have children for a large chunk of time. Clicked some sweating and thrush as side effects, but can't be certain they're due to the coil or due to hitting mid-thirties, ha!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Feb 26

Mirena coil  

I'm hypermobile, and over time it has made my symptoms a lot worse despite my levels of exercise to strengthen. I'm now in pain regularly and sometimes struggle to sleep because of it. I've also started having migraines with aura and frequent headaches. Getting it taken out next week. It did however reduce my heavy bleeding to infrequent spotting, but I bled for 9 months straight after having it inserted.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Feb 26

Kyleena coil  

Had kyleena fitted on recommendation from my doctor due to severe painful heavy periods, I have adenomyosis and suspected endo. Insertion was uncomfortable but not excruciating, the cramp lasted a couple of seconds and I was fine. Bleeding started within hours and didn't stop for the duration of use, I was having excruciating pain every day to the point I couldn't walk, feel my legs and awful tail bone pain. I booked an appointment a month later and my doctor said I didn't look well and removed it without me even having to ask. I wish it had worked for me but it just didn't. The removal was fine and gave instant relief.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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