Copper coil (IUD) vs Combined pill

I genuinely love my copper coil (IUD) that lasts 10 years, and I wanted to write this review as I used to hear horror stories about it and it almost put me off, but I didn't experience this and I want to reassure others that may be considering this. I got my copper coil in March 2023 after an unwanted pregnancy as a last resort. No hormonal contraception worked for me and I often experienced negative side effects, so I felt my last attempt was the copper coil. What a GREAT choice! Yes, the insertion is uncomfortable, but I asked for cervical numbing cream and it was mildly uncomfortable for two minutes. Definitely bearable with numbing cream. Since then, my periods are still regular a little bit heavier. and I do get a few more cramps. Very easily managed with a menstrual cup and painkillers. I love not having to think about my contraception, and I don't need to think about getting it replaced for TEN years. What a dream! It's a life saver for those of us that struggle with hormonal contraceptives.

As the copper IUD gets so much negative press I wanted to post my genuine positive experience. Initially I was apprehensive to get the coil after hearing so much fear mongering, and so many users saying they had major cramping (perhaps some did), but this wasn't the case for me. I experienced the worst period cramps that I have ever had within the first 7-10 days post-insertion, but it was manageable with ibuprofen + heating pad. Once I got through those initial days it practically subsided (apart from the slight numbness around my cervix from the procedure which healed around the month marker so I recommend taking any kind of sex slowly to avoid worsening it). Between days 10 and my first period I had occasional mild cramps here and there, but after that first period the cramps completely subsided. Fast forward to month 6 I can confidently say that the cramps only occur at normal times of the month (just before or the first days of your period) just slightly more painful but not unbearable. When it came to bleeding side-effects in the first 3 months I never got any spotting between periods and my period came on time but was heavier than usual (more bleeding but the same number of days as without an IUD). However after that 3 month marker I remember the bleeding becoming lighter, to the point now where it is similar if not the same as the amount pre-IUD. In conclusion the IUD has worked great for me, and I barely even notice it now. If you can do visit a sexual health clinic over a GP surgery, as they seem to be more experienced. Please don't let peoples bad experiences put you off, I strongly believe that for 99% of IUD users the bad experiences are based upon people noticing the fine details with their body that perhaps was there before but now that they have the IUD they become a 'worrier'. That every little cramp means something bad. I say that if you have an issue, go and see a professional who's qualified and not ask the internet.

I’ve had no issues since having it put in January 2022. Having it placed was uncomfortable but not painful (I was 22 and not had any children). I was done with the side effects of hormonal contraception and I’m glad I made the switch.

This contraception is highly effective, but for me the main side-effect is major hair loss and irregular periods.

My legs randomly ache, I have. 0 sex drive, the thought of being touched is making me sick. I have severe anxiety and I’m borderline suicidal. This is not the right pill for me but going back to my gp and getting another one seems exhausting.

I am 26. Have been on yasmin pill 7 months, I take in the evening just after food. I have PCOS and PMDD. I have found it to be good- it has really stabilised my mood as im not getting hormone fluctuations and has helped with insomnia and mood swings. The side effects: Breasts getting bigger [they might be slightly tender but also have large breasts to begin] and potentially more anxious/irritable but I also have more stress in my life so I think this is due to that. I have not noticed changes to skin [pimple every so often like before]. I also do 3 pill packs back to back without a break week and this caused some intermittent bleeding so now I do 2 pills back to back and this has gone away. I would recommend, once you get into the rhythm of taking a pill is easier.

I was on marvelon for 5 years and it really worked for me. Unfortunately I developed severe migraines in my pill free week so I had to stop taking it. But it was the best pill I ever tried.

This pill gave me severe emotional dysregulation (notably anger) to the point it almost felt like a fever dream. Granted, I only used it for a month, but that's because I genuinely couldn't tolerate it and had never experienced anything similar on other pills. I was angry to the point of having rage-inducing nightmares and feeling provoked by most harmless interactions. It also made me stress and ruminate a lot more. Frankly, I think it is appalling that such medication is deemed fit for use - which generally circles back to the issue of dismissal in women's healthcare. It was an absolute nightmare, and no one should have to tolerate going through that even if it does "get better eventually." To provide some perspective, the contraceptive pill in men's trials was shut down simply because it caused headaches. So why should we put up with symptoms that are a million times worse? Echoing other reviewers, I'd rather switch to a brand that doesn't come with the hassle (though ideally, the whole industry needs to fix up). Why this is the most commonly prescribed brand in the UK is beyond me.

I used this quite a while ago, I do not notably recall any mood-altering changes (hence why I rated "poor" instead of "terrible" to be fair, since every individual is different). But I will list below effects from when I was actively taking it and afterwards: - Heavier and more painful periods. I already struggle with painful periods, but while using Levest, they became unbearably painful (OTC barely helped, sweating, dizziness & nausea due to the pain). - I subtly started gaining more weight, despite no lifestyle or dietary changes. - I believe I had increased bodily hair growth. - After a period of heavy and painful periods, I eventually stopped having my period altogether, despite the 7 day break each month. When I stopped using it altogether, my cycle didn't resume. At one point, I didn't get my period for half a year until eventually being diagnosed with PCOS. However, Levest did not mask my symptoms during use either, it felt like it induced them (weight gain, hair growth, cycle dysregulation). I read another comment on here on hyperandrogenism concerns - and this symptom also relates to PCOS. While the issue of "pill-induced PCOS" is controversial and unconfirmed, it's still relatively acknowledged that those predisposed to the condition may find that using certain birth controls can induce it when otherwise dormant (especially progestin dominant ones, such as Levest). Synthetic progestin is often structured very similarly to androgens, hence why the body may register it as such. I heard that more recent brands have improved upon its configuration, so it's less similar - but from experience, I would say Levest hasn't quite got it yet.

Before I started contraception, I used to feel horribly sad around four days before I started my period. I knew it was my hormones making me feel this way, and I felt powerless. Since starting Levest, that has gone! My skin feels clearer too, I still get the occasional spot but they don’t seem to get as bad as they did before. I get tender breasts and light crawling around a week before going on my break week, which is similar to before, but now my breasts don’t get as painful. My periods now are more painful than they used to be on the first day, but the cramps are sorted quickly with a big breakfast and paracetamol, with no pain after the first day. They also come on the same day each cycle, are shorter than before, and tail off quicker. I also get a headache for a day or two during my break week - in the first couple of months of taking Levest, the headaches were almost unbearable, lasting a up to three days, but have got less painful and last a shorter amount of time as each month passed. On month seven, the headache was only mild and only lasted a day, which I’m counting as a win. My breasts seem to have got bigger, and I’ve put on about half a stone in six months - which is neither here nor there really, but I do feel like I’ve changed shape more than putting on weight? Some of my jeans no longer fit, but they did when I was a similar weight previously… I may try a tablet with a lower dose of oestrogen after this box of pills, to try to eliminate the headaches completely if they don’t go themselves, but they are nowhere near as bad as they were at the start.

Reduced my period pains massively. I used to get really really bad period pains before I got put on this pill, once I was put on it, I still got pains but nowhere near as bad as they were.

I have been on this pill for about 2 months and already have had a far better experience then I had on my pervious on.How ever the only think I have really noticed a difference is my appetite has increased quite a bit .surprisingly I was preparing myself for my sex drive to completely change and lose it all but it has actually been somewhat the same

Overall a good experience. Main side effects were becoming more irritable and increased body odour