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
839 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
839 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Jun 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Jun 25
Not 100% sure what to think yet. Enjoying not having to worry about administrating my contraception as it’s in there and working. However I am having unpredictable spotting, some emotional mood swings and often being bloated.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Jun 25
Overall this was a good option for me. The insertion was painful but momentary, and was nice not to have to worry about taking pills. The spotting occurred more at the end of the coil’s lifespan (I’m having it taken out this week after 5 years). I did notice vaginal dryness (most noticeable when aroused, needing lube etc). Ultimately I am coming off this contraception because of this. I have vaginismus and the dryness hinders my ability to get/feel aroused. I know this is because of the coil because I have felt the effects wear off as the coil gets to the end of its lifespan (in the last 6 months of my 5 year stint)
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jun 25
I had the worst time on Mirena. I had a bad experience from day one at insertion - I found the whole experience so much more painful than I imagined that it would be - no one really prepares you for this. From the first day I started experiencing cramps and everyone said that they would ease up within no time however they did not. Month after month I experienced endless painful cramps and times where I would be doubled over in two on dates with my boyfriend - never have I had anything like that. As a girl, we very much always shut up and put up and I always felt like I could just push through it but there were times when it was really bad and I almost got it out, but you’d forget about it the next day as it’s such a good feeling to not have to Take a pill etc and it is very convenient. But it’s also crazy I actually had it in for as long as I did. I have never really had that bad periods and my bleeding was longer, the cramping much more intense and honestly just a whole lot worse than it was when I was off it. I didn’t really notice anything kind of sexually or from a weight or ski. perspective but I know that the cramping and the bleeding was enough for me to never touch this thing again. The Doctors kept telling me to hold out and just wait to see if it would change and it just never did. I would really recommend if you are having these symptoms any time past two months they are not going to get better and you’ll just continue to suffer. At the eight month mark I went and got it out and honestly it was the best thing I ever did. As soon as it was out, I felt like I could actually breathe again and havent suffered another cramp like it ever since (thank god!). I have gone back onto the mini pill now which I’m much more happy with - it does have some side-effects but nothing like that cramping!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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