Copper coil (IUD) vs Cap or diaphragm
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Copper coil (IUD) ingredients
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
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
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Copper coil (IUD) reviews
561 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I would advise to check the string length regularly or generally get it checked out regularly as mine became dislodged (had no symptoms) and I became pregnant. However I didnt experience any negative symptoms whilst using it and had a positive experience during the fitting of it - which I was worried about after reading reviews of the pain!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Gynaecologist attempted to insert IUD 3 times and was unable to due to my cervix being tough! Attempted insertion was fine, just felt like period cramps. Sad because I wanted this contraceptive method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The insertion wasn’t as bad as i was expecting but still quite painful and i had cramps for the whole day however was fine the next day. I struggled with a lot of back pain with the weeks following the doctors said could be sign of my body either rejecting it or getting used to it but it did get better with time. My moods are overall a lot better, on the pill i felt quite numb compared to what i feel now, i never had periods on the pill so i get quite down and irritated on them as everyone does but overall it’s nice to experience a range of emotions of a cycle. My sex drive has also increased a lot. I noticed i gained some weight on it and my breast have gotten a lot bigger and i do get very bloated for most of my cycle. My periods didn’t get heavier but i do get very painful cramps on them and while i ovulate. As i have only been on it for 4 months I’m still trying to keep an open mind to see if this settles down by the 6 month mark otherwise I may consider removal but overall i definitely prefer having non hormonal birth control
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I would advise to check the string length regularly or generally get it checked out regularly as mine became dislodged (had no symptoms) and I became pregnant. However I didnt experience any negative symptoms whilst using it and had a positive experience during the fitting of it - which I was worried about after reading reviews of the pain!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Gynaecologist attempted to insert IUD 3 times and was unable to due to my cervix being tough! Attempted insertion was fine, just felt like period cramps. Sad because I wanted this contraceptive method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The insertion wasn’t as bad as i was expecting but still quite painful and i had cramps for the whole day however was fine the next day. I struggled with a lot of back pain with the weeks following the doctors said could be sign of my body either rejecting it or getting used to it but it did get better with time. My moods are overall a lot better, on the pill i felt quite numb compared to what i feel now, i never had periods on the pill so i get quite down and irritated on them as everyone does but overall it’s nice to experience a range of emotions of a cycle. My sex drive has also increased a lot. I noticed i gained some weight on it and my breast have gotten a lot bigger and i do get very bloated for most of my cycle. My periods didn’t get heavier but i do get very painful cramps on them and while i ovulate. As i have only been on it for 4 months I’m still trying to keep an open mind to see if this settles down by the 6 month mark otherwise I may consider removal but overall i definitely prefer having non hormonal birth control
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Cap or diaphragm reviews
14 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 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
34 years old
🇬🇧 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
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Feb 23
I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 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
34 years old
🇬🇧 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
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Feb 23
I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Dec 22
Having experienced terrible physical and mental health side effects from both types of contraceptive pill (Combined and POP), and permanent pain and repeated UTIs with the copper coil, I hoped that Caya diaphragm would be a suitable non-hormonal method to try. Unfortunately, I found insertion very tricky - it seems I have a case of "deep vagina, small fingers", as I could never tell whether I'd pushed the diaphragm up far enough to cover my cervix, and sex was always a bit uncomfortable. I'm naturally prone to cystitis and thrush, and getting both while using the diaphragm also put me off using it long term. However, on the plus side - I didn't get pregnant (though I was still breastfeeding a lot, and my periods hadn't yet returned postpartum), and I did manage to avoid the hormonal depression, skin changes and weight gain/loss that I've experienced in the past with pills.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th May 21
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Aug 19
Fiddly and a faff. Didn’t bother a couple of times and ended up pregnant. He’s nearly 20 now and I’m still married to his father so not all bad :) Tried the copper coil for a bit after but it gave me very heavy periods and stomach cramps which had never been a problem before. Switched to the mirena coil and now on my third - no periods for 15 years and no menopausal symptoms despite being 52. What’s not to like?
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Aug 19
I was only using it shortly, as I wanted to avoid hormones. It was not bad, but the need of using a spermicide as well was the reason why I stopped, I had vaginal discharge caused by the spermicide.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Aug 19
As someone who has struggled with more mainstream contraception, this was a miracle. Zero side effects and non-invasive! You're able to insert it up to two hours before sex so it doesn't have the moodkiller effect of a condom, and neither partner can feel it once it's in, unless you're searching for it with a finger. Inserting and removing it takes a little getting used to, but the initial learning curve is very much worth it. (And any Mooncup users will find it easy enough.) Note you will need to be fitted by a nurse/ health practitioner to ensure its effectiveness. This can be tricky to find unless you live in a larger city/ you have a very thorough doctor, but it was worth persisting for me.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Aug 19
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Aug 19
Tried the pill in my early 20s but didn’t like the side effects, felt generally unwell and slightly “down” while taking it. Started using the cap in my mid-twenties, first one fitted at the wonderful Marie Stopes Centre, but subsequent ones refitted after two preganancies by my (female) GP. Used it for about 25 years until menopause (apart from gaps to have children). Brilliant if used properly with gel or cream, no side effects, and means when you want to attempt a pregnancy your body doesn’t have to adjust to your normal hormone levels as it does if you take the pill. Pregnant within 3 months of trying for both my preganancies.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
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