Copper coil (IUD) vs Combined pill
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Overview
Rated 3.5
616 reviews
5 - 10 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2743 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Copper coil (IUD) ingredients
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
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
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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£From £0.16/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Copper coil (IUD) reviews
616 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Brain fog ,Acne , weight gain , tender and painful breasts all the time as a result , extremely heavy periods, although it's non hormonal doesn't mean no side effects , be careful when considering " non hormonal contraception"
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Very frustrated with the copper coil, if it didn't make my periods so heavy and painful I would continue as there has been no other issues you would likely see in a hormonal contraceptive. If you can manage 2 weeks every month in a lot of pain, then it's worth it for the other two when I'm fine and no mood changes
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Brain fog ,Acne , weight gain , tender and painful breasts all the time as a result , extremely heavy periods, although it's non hormonal doesn't mean no side effects , be careful when considering " non hormonal contraception"
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Very frustrated with the copper coil, if it didn't make my periods so heavy and painful I would continue as there has been no other issues you would likely see in a hormonal contraceptive. If you can manage 2 weeks every month in a lot of pain, then it's worth it for the other two when I'm fine and no mood changes
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2743 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
pros - clear skin, less oily, went up a cup size, lighter periods and option to skip them entirely cons - after a few years it just got rid of my sparkle. I’ve noticed whenever i stopped using it i was more outgoing, more horny, enjoyed sex more. One of the main reasons was just how dry it was down there making sex feel like a chore.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
It's good, it stopped ovulation and didn't have an effect on my body except mental health. The first month was also a challenge, I bled every day (small amount but it was so annoying). Gave me really bad mood swings. It also made my periods somewhat irregular. When i would take placebo pills, even though theres 4 of them for 4 days of period, it would always be longer and never the same amount of days.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Worked well as a contraceptive. I didn’t get pregnant. However I noticed extreme mood swings/anxiety. I had a series of panic attacks whilst on this pill relating to things that normally wouldn’t have pushed me to a panic attack and the weight gain from this pill. The weight gain wasn’t too extreme but it was noticeable in a way that I didn’t like (very bloated, pregnant looking).
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
pros - clear skin, less oily, went up a cup size, lighter periods and option to skip them entirely cons - after a few years it just got rid of my sparkle. I’ve noticed whenever i stopped using it i was more outgoing, more horny, enjoyed sex more. One of the main reasons was just how dry it was down there making sex feel like a chore.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
It's good, it stopped ovulation and didn't have an effect on my body except mental health. The first month was also a challenge, I bled every day (small amount but it was so annoying). Gave me really bad mood swings. It also made my periods somewhat irregular. When i would take placebo pills, even though theres 4 of them for 4 days of period, it would always be longer and never the same amount of days.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Worked well as a contraceptive. I didn’t get pregnant. However I noticed extreme mood swings/anxiety. I had a series of panic attacks whilst on this pill relating to things that normally wouldn’t have pushed me to a panic attack and the weight gain from this pill. The weight gain wasn’t too extreme but it was noticeable in a way that I didn’t like (very bloated, pregnant looking).
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I was tri-cycling this pill and passed a a decidual cast after the first 6 weeks with no bleeding ( was not painful to pass). My periods were lighter when breaking between 3 packs. I did get some breakthrough bleeding during my second tri-cycle. I had really tender breasts in the first few months with some breast enlargement but that passed and no other issues.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was switched from taking the Yasmin pill to Dretine. I was told they had the exact same hormones. I have polycystic ovaries and Yasmin had been working perfectly for me. The first few months on Dretine were hell. I became severely depressed. Crying every day, anxious and mood swings. This lasted 2-3 months. This did get better. But it shouldn’t be the case that you have to go through this when taking the pill. I’ve taken the pill in different ways to help control pain and breakthrough bleeding but nothing something seems to stop the breakthrough bleeding. It’s always dark brown and clots. I also experienced a major increase in my blood pressure. My skin has been clear and pain levels are low.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I didn't start it on day 1 of my period. So this month I got my period anyway. I went to my GP (who prescribed it to me) and we determined it's my period due to timing, consistency etc. Good to note however that since I took it to control menhorragia. 10 days into taking it, my cycle lengthened to a week (minus spotting) and it's a lot less heavy than I know it. I'm hoping to feel better next month and thinking to skip the placebo entirely but I was told it can lengthen the spotting/breakthrough bleeds. There doesn't seem to be a right or wrong. Just trial and error then adjust. Note : Don't take it mid cycle. Take it as they tell you day 1 of your period. I did this because of severe reasons at the time and was also very sick. I hoped it would prevent the usual mess. In a way I succeeded somehow, just not the way I'd have liked. But then I'm too hard on myself too.
Lost weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Zero libido and very painful to have sex when I tried. Stopped periods which was great for endometriosis but slowed my digestion so much the bloating and endo belly was uncomfortable all the time, caused pain in hips, lower abdomen and lower back. Had constant reflux unless I slept upright which wasn’t ideal.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It was very convenient and I was on it for 28 years. Im not sure if it mighf have been a causal factor in my low sex libido and recurring depressive episodes.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The pill made me most suicidal. Anxiety and depression were through the roof.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I started the combined pill Drovelis late in my cycle. On day nine of taking the pink pill I got a breakthrough bleed. It's been 10 days and it only increased the last maybe 4 days. I am currently taking iron though and since I'm using it mostly to manage menhorragia im hoping the breakthrough bleeding will taper soon. In contrast my periods were terrible. Dragged over 12 days. Haemorragic. I never went to hospital for them in years but probably barely saved myself on time. I also had them every 26 days which was less than ideal so timed apart. Its worrying but I'm told to continue and see how it goes into the next pack or I'll have to consult with my GP and consider changing brand if my situation doesn't improve. My moods are terrible. I get crying spells and am a lot quieter than I used to be. I'm usually outgoing and very opinionated. Might review again next month. But since it's my first experience I thought id give it a shot
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Women's health, reviewed.
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