Combined pill vs Hormonal coil (IUS)
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2731 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.5
882 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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
Combined pill reviews
2731 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Started on this pill when I was 18, all was well at the start, my skin cleared up and my periods were much lighter/less painful. I then started to not feel like myself and be quite emotionally dull, I started getting headaches on the week off and being more fatigued than normal. Good for those who are looking to lighten periods or reduce PMS
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have found my experience with Yasmin ok. I like that my mood is much better than on other pills and I feel more like myself, but I have completely lost my sex drive and experienced other negative symptoms unfortunately
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
This is the worst thing I’ve ever done and I’m not exaggerating. Constantly up and down with my emotions, although mostly down and uncontrollable crying a lot of the time. Had a huge panic attack 2 weeks in, had to call 111 as I thought I was having a heart attack. Made me binge endlessly and uncontrollably. Made my muscles ache and made me more susceptible to injuries, and as a regular gymgoer, it significantly affected my training and fitness and I couldn’t understand why, but the longer I was on it, the worse I felt. Decided to come off after 2 months. Would HIGHLY recommend avoiding this pill. It really? really did not agree with me.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Started on this pill when I was 18, all was well at the start, my skin cleared up and my periods were much lighter/less painful. I then started to not feel like myself and be quite emotionally dull, I started getting headaches on the week off and being more fatigued than normal. Good for those who are looking to lighten periods or reduce PMS
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have found my experience with Yasmin ok. I like that my mood is much better than on other pills and I feel more like myself, but I have completely lost my sex drive and experienced other negative symptoms unfortunately
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
This is the worst thing I’ve ever done and I’m not exaggerating. Constantly up and down with my emotions, although mostly down and uncontrollable crying a lot of the time. Had a huge panic attack 2 weeks in, had to call 111 as I thought I was having a heart attack. Made me binge endlessly and uncontrollably. Made my muscles ache and made me more susceptible to injuries, and as a regular gymgoer, it significantly affected my training and fitness and I couldn’t understand why, but the longer I was on it, the worse I felt. Decided to come off after 2 months. Would HIGHLY recommend avoiding this pill. It really? really did not agree with me.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
882 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Feb 26
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Feb 26
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Feb 26
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
Used for 8+ yr
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Jan 26
I had used the Mirena coil back to back post partum for 9 years very happily but my LEA meant I was only having withdrawal bleeds. After restoring bodyweight and menstruating naturally, I went back for Mirena but was given Jaydess. The insertion was more problematic and that she how I ended up with Jaydess over Mirena. I had irregular and more bleeding for the first 3 months but read the reviews on here to help me persevere. I was “angry” as on Mirena it was always so easy but then I wasn’t actually properly menstruating due to low energy availability (eating disorder) so I drew perhaps FALSE causation on Jaydess being wrong. I have very light but regular periods and my PME is definitely reduced. I’ve had it in a year and am very happy with it and my threads have stayed in place despite roughhousing which wasn’t always the case with the Mirena. I’m in no rush to have to it out even though I turn 50 this year.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Jan 26
Had this for adenomyosis and the pain stopped for a while but its back again now so the side affects aren't worth it for me. Having it removed later today
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Jan 26
I love my hormonal coil. I have had no side effects what-so-ever and my bleeding is regular but extremly light, only monthly spotting. I did have ongoing spotting for around the first 6 months but no issue at all since then and the spotting was worth it for the final result of minimal bleeding.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Jan 26
Expressed concerns as not very tolerant to pop pills, was told it’s localised so wouldn’t be the same. Insertion caused intense one sided stabbing pain. This cramping then continued for the 6 weeks that I tolerated it, especially after eating. Bleeding and spotting was literally all day everyday. My moods worsened, anxiety went through the roof and I felt horrible! Didn’t have sex at all with it in! Asked to have it removed and gp ignored me. Arranged appointment with sexual health clinic, 4 week wait. You are at their mercy for removal, no control of your own body. Luckily an amazing nurse who could see the distress it was causing me. Instant relief once removed. Mood lifted and amazing not to be bleeding every single day. I couldn’t have waited out the 6 months, if I could I would have removed it myself.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
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