Copper coil (IUD) vs Combined pill

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Copper coil (IUD)

Add your Copper coil (IUD) review

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 3.5

613 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2727 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Copper coil (IUD) ingredients

Most copper coils are made of a T-shaped frame of polyethylene (plastic) and barium sulphate. Copper wire is wound around the vertical arm.

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

54% no impact on mood

69% heavier periods

63% no impact

75% no impact

75% no impact on skin

Cycle return

44% in 1 month

31% somewhat negative

47% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

43% improved skin

Cycle return

37% don’t know impact

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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Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Copper coil (IUD) reviews

613 reviews

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Jan 26

Copper coil (IUD)  

The only down fall is low iron this has caused debilitating fatigue, so be prepare to have to maybe take iron supplements

Read more

Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jan 26

Copper coil (IUD)  

I got the Kyleena coil fitted in Jan 2025 - just for reference I am a 5"3 23yr old without ever given birth - the insertion was very uncomfortable but not the worst ever, I did it with my sexual health clinic as I find they are more patient and kind rather than a quick GP / hosp appointment. My 11 months with the coil were overall great, except extreme contraction like pain and very occasional periods that would either last hours or a day. I didn't bleed every month but would get the odd few days of a period, quite unpredictable. I got a scan in July time just to make sure it was in the right place due to the amount of pain I was getting, and was all fine. In November 2025 I suddenly got excruciating pain and was told the coil has moved (perhaps explains the contraction pain throughout the year, I presume my body was rejecting it). Thankfully I pushed for another scan otherwise I would've kept having unprotected sex lol. Despite all the above, I am getting another one fitted because it is a trusty bit of contraception - just be aware if you experience a lot of pain in the lower tummy, to get it checked out!!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Jan 26

Copper coil (IUD)  

I may have only had mine for 6 weeks but am currently very happy with my decision. Decided to get it to prevent a potential pregnancy as the morning after pill was potentially not going to be effective for where I was in my cycle. The insertion was uncomfortable as expected but the nurses were phenomenal, i was given a lidocaine gel and they talked me through every step. Had 24hrs of quite hefty cramps and light bleeding post insertion and it triggered my period early a few days later which was longer and heavier than my usual, but since then things have got back to normal in terms of my cycle length and symptoms I usually experience throughout and my next period came on time. Yes it’s heavier, a bit longer and the cramps are sometimes tough, but with a good regimen of painkillers, hot water bottles and being kinder to myself, i would take that over the risk of pregnancy any day. My partner doesn’t feel the strings when we have sex either. Will update in a few months 😊


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Jan 26

Copper coil (IUD)  

The only down fall is low iron this has caused debilitating fatigue, so be prepare to have to maybe take iron supplements


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jan 26

Copper coil (IUD)  

I got the Kyleena coil fitted in Jan 2025 - just for reference I am a 5"3 23yr old without ever given birth - the insertion was very uncomfortable but not the worst ever, I did it with my sexual health clinic as I find they are more patient and kind rather than a quick GP / hosp appointment. My 11 months with the coil were overall great, except extreme contraction like pain and very occasional periods that would either last hours or a day. I didn't bleed every month but would get the odd few days of a period, quite unpredictable. I got a scan in July time just to make sure it was in the right place due to the amount of pain I was getting, and was all fine. In November 2025 I suddenly got excruciating pain and was told the coil has moved (perhaps explains the contraction pain throughout the year, I presume my body was rejecting it). Thankfully I pushed for another scan otherwise I would've kept having unprotected sex lol. Despite all the above, I am getting another one fitted because it is a trusty bit of contraception - just be aware if you experience a lot of pain in the lower tummy, to get it checked out!!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Jan 26

Copper coil (IUD)  

I may have only had mine for 6 weeks but am currently very happy with my decision. Decided to get it to prevent a potential pregnancy as the morning after pill was potentially not going to be effective for where I was in my cycle. The insertion was uncomfortable as expected but the nurses were phenomenal, i was given a lidocaine gel and they talked me through every step. Had 24hrs of quite hefty cramps and light bleeding post insertion and it triggered my period early a few days later which was longer and heavier than my usual, but since then things have got back to normal in terms of my cycle length and symptoms I usually experience throughout and my next period came on time. Yes it’s heavier, a bit longer and the cramps are sometimes tough, but with a good regimen of painkillers, hot water bottles and being kinder to myself, i would take that over the risk of pregnancy any day. My partner doesn’t feel the strings when we have sex either. Will update in a few months 😊


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments


Combined pill reviews

2727 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Millinette 20/75 pill  

I’ve been on pills now for about 5-6 years, switched to Millinette from Ridgevidon about 18 months ago. I’ve always had terrible headaches on the pill, but millinette has seemed to decrease them a bit. This pill has made me have a lot more mood swings, loss of feeling and loss of sex drive. While the pill hasn’t been awful, it’s had its ups and downs. I am currently switching to the coil to see if anything changes, otherwise i’m okay with continuing millinette.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Millinette 20/75 pill  

I switched from Ridgevidon to Millinette. Since being on any pill, i’ve had extremely bad headaches. My doctor told me to switch, seeing if a different strength of pill would change anything. While I do think I get less headaches, my sex drive decreased significantly. I also suffer with a lot more brain fog, and just general lack of feeling. Mood swings have definitely increased on the pill, but I notice they’re worse on this one. The pill isn’t an awful choice, it’s had its ups and downs. I’m currently waiting to have the coil fitted to see if there’s any changes.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Drovelis pill  

I have just completed my first month and have absolutely loved the change for me. I was suffering from PMDD for ages before starting, and this has significantly helped my mood disorder and emotional episodes. However I have gotten tender breasts when walking or running, nothing insane. And my discharge! Its so watery and so much. Sometimes I stand up and its like a small pee puddle, anyway, I have had an overall positive experience


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Millinette 20/75 pill  

I’ve been on pills now for about 5-6 years, switched to Millinette from Ridgevidon about 18 months ago. I’ve always had terrible headaches on the pill, but millinette has seemed to decrease them a bit. This pill has made me have a lot more mood swings, loss of feeling and loss of sex drive. While the pill hasn’t been awful, it’s had its ups and downs. I am currently switching to the coil to see if anything changes, otherwise i’m okay with continuing millinette.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Millinette 20/75 pill  

I switched from Ridgevidon to Millinette. Since being on any pill, i’ve had extremely bad headaches. My doctor told me to switch, seeing if a different strength of pill would change anything. While I do think I get less headaches, my sex drive decreased significantly. I also suffer with a lot more brain fog, and just general lack of feeling. Mood swings have definitely increased on the pill, but I notice they’re worse on this one. The pill isn’t an awful choice, it’s had its ups and downs. I’m currently waiting to have the coil fitted to see if there’s any changes.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Drovelis pill  

I have just completed my first month and have absolutely loved the change for me. I was suffering from PMDD for ages before starting, and this has significantly helped my mood disorder and emotional episodes. However I have gotten tender breasts when walking or running, nothing insane. And my discharge! Its so watery and so much. Sometimes I stand up and its like a small pee puddle, anyway, I have had an overall positive experience


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Dretine pill  

I went on this pill to sort out mood swings before my period and it absolutely sorted that out. I only took it for about 3 months though, because I had some dizziness and nausea while I was on it at random times which was bearable but not enjoyable so I switched to a different pill. I now take Milinette 20/75 and the lower oestrogen dose (20 vs. 30 with dretine) sorted out the nausea.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

I went on the pill to sort out my mood swings on my period - I would get a drop in mood in the week before my period which made me very emotional, but aside from that I normally have very even moods and don't ever experience serious lows. However, a few days into taking Rigevidon i experienced a low I've never before experienced, with honestly no possible external event in my life that might explain it. It was far worse than any mood swing I've ever had, and it lasted about 3 days before I stopped taking the pill entirely. This is not to scare anyone considering taking it (my mum was on this pill for 15 years and loved it!) and it's possible the drop in mood might have evened out if i had taken it for longer, but I wasn't able to stick it out. Both dretine and milinette have done wonders for my mood swings though!


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Millinette 20/75 pill  

Highly recommend. Went on the 20-75 because I've previously had nausea issues on a 30mg (dretine) and I haven't had any nausea problems with this. Cleared up a bit of hormonal acne, no noticeable side effects except a slightly lower sex drive. I take 3 packs back to back and then a break so have some breakthrough bleeding but nothing major and my periods do come regularly when I take the break. I went on it to sort out mood swings and it absolutely sorted that out - now have to come off it and go onto a mini-pill for adenomyosis but I wish i didn't have to!


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

I ended up getting headaches daily which is why i stopped after taking it for 7 years. After stopping (7 months currently) i am dizzy DAILY. I dont have spinning dizziness. its more off balance feeling all the time nearly. I only took this pill to regulate my periods more as this is what was prescribed by the doctors..


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Drovelis pill  

I have positive and negative experiences with this pill. Negative, I gaint weight, I am tired and have not libido. Positive, no cramps, less of blood, no mood swings


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Yacella pill  

My skin seems to have cleared up nicely over the short course I have been taking it. My periods have not come at all, but I am experiencing breakthrough bleeding on my gap week that doesn't cause any discomfort for me. No significant weight change as far as I can tell. The only issue I really have is my mood and mental health has depleted rapidly. I wake up feeling sick with anxiety every morning and get into a low depressive mood during the day which is affecting my energy, my friendships and overall ability to enjoy life. The fact is that I recently got an ADHD diagnosis and was just coming to terms with myself around the time that these depressive moods started, so ultimately with a consultation I will be trying to change the brand that I am on.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Yaz pill 🇺🇸  

I was very depressed on Yaz Pill, crying every morning and some days didn't want to get out of bed, I gained water weight for the first 6 - 8 months. I did have an increased sex drive on Yaz compared to my current pill.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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