Copper coil (IUD) vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Copper coil (IUD)

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Overview

Rated 3.5

590 reviews

5 - 10 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

823 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

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.

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

54% no impact on mood

68% heavier periods

63% no impact

75% no impact

75% no impact on skin

Cycle return

45% in 1 month

43% no impact on mood

47% stopped periods

48% no impact

59% no impact

54% no impact on skin

Cycle return

32% 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

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

Copper coil (IUD) reviews

590 reviews

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Copper coil (IUD)  

After having children the contraceptive pill didn’t seem to work, I tried various types and had breakthrough bleeding. I decided to try the copper coil. Insertion was so painful but my periods have been regular and through tracking apps I’ve got to understand my cycle and know what my hormones are doing which I quite like.

Read more

Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Copper coil (IUD)  

The copper coil hurt the first day of insertion but then immediately settled. My periods have become slightly heavier and cramps a bit more painful but still very manageable with just paracetamol and ibuprofen. I am lucky in that my periods only last 4-5 days anyway. My moods change with a normal cycle pattern, I get some acne during my luteal phase. I love having protection but not having the negative impacts on my MH like hormonal contraception had. Would recommend.


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Copper coil (IUD)  

It's so hard finding contraception that doesn't have side effects and I wanted a hormone free form, so opted for copper IUD. Insertion is manageable, with painkillers beforehand. The first period was tough, I invested in a tens machine pad but the cramps were hard, but not worse than the worst period I've had. Second period non existent, literally three days and barely any blood, but third was heavy and lasted for 10 days. I stopped using the coil not because of any of this alone, but because I'm sure the inflammation in my body was making me uncharacteristically anxious. So hard to put my finger on, but since I got it removed it's been a weight off my shoulders. I'm now worrying that hormonal IUD will make me more anxious, and I haven't had it put in yet. It's overall not been too awful- I wouldn't not recomend it but I had it put in for emergency contraception so hoping there is a better solution out there without the anxiety side effects.


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Copper coil (IUD)  

After having children the contraceptive pill didn’t seem to work, I tried various types and had breakthrough bleeding. I decided to try the copper coil. Insertion was so painful but my periods have been regular and through tracking apps I’ve got to understand my cycle and know what my hormones are doing which I quite like.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Copper coil (IUD)  

The copper coil hurt the first day of insertion but then immediately settled. My periods have become slightly heavier and cramps a bit more painful but still very manageable with just paracetamol and ibuprofen. I am lucky in that my periods only last 4-5 days anyway. My moods change with a normal cycle pattern, I get some acne during my luteal phase. I love having protection but not having the negative impacts on my MH like hormonal contraception had. Would recommend.


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Copper coil (IUD)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Copper coil (IUD)  

It's so hard finding contraception that doesn't have side effects and I wanted a hormone free form, so opted for copper IUD. Insertion is manageable, with painkillers beforehand. The first period was tough, I invested in a tens machine pad but the cramps were hard, but not worse than the worst period I've had. Second period non existent, literally three days and barely any blood, but third was heavy and lasted for 10 days. I stopped using the coil not because of any of this alone, but because I'm sure the inflammation in my body was making me uncharacteristically anxious. So hard to put my finger on, but since I got it removed it's been a weight off my shoulders. I'm now worrying that hormonal IUD will make me more anxious, and I haven't had it put in yet. It's overall not been too awful- I wouldn't not recomend it but I had it put in for emergency contraception so hoping there is a better solution out there without the anxiety side effects.


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

823 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Hormonal coil (IUS)  

I experienced irregular periods, major mood swings and no sex drive at all. Would not recommend this at all.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Mirena coil  

Insertion isn't pleasant, but once it's in place, there's nothing to do for years! I had my first Mirena coil over 8 years ago and haven't had a period since insertion, only very occasional spotting (maybe once every 3-6months). I know some women like to track their cycle, but I never think about it and prefer it that way! Would recommend.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Mirena coil  

Loved this until I got BV then no treatment would fix it until I got IUS removed


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Hormonal coil (IUS)  

I experienced irregular periods, major mood swings and no sex drive at all. Would not recommend this at all.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Mirena coil  

Insertion isn't pleasant, but once it's in place, there's nothing to do for years! I had my first Mirena coil over 8 years ago and haven't had a period since insertion, only very occasional spotting (maybe once every 3-6months). I know some women like to track their cycle, but I never think about it and prefer it that way! Would recommend.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Mirena coil  

Loved this until I got BV then no treatment would fix it until I got IUS removed


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

The threads disappeared on the first coil so had it changed early (wasn't great as they had to go digging about to find the threads). Had another put straight in at the time thinking it was a one off but the same happened with the second so I had it removed early as soon as I noticed them becoming shorter to avoid the first scenario again and switched to the implant. Great that my periods stopped on it and it's super low maintenance though.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Extremely painful insertion. Blood loss continuously for about 3 months, bleeding everyday. Then periods became irregular, passing clots the size of my palm. Periods worsened after merina, when ironically merina was prescribed for heavy periods. Dermatitis caused by merina after 2 months. Told that results with merina are variable, and to wait and see. Not good advice considering the health issues and extreme blood loss caused by merina so far.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Levosert coil  

I mean as a contraceptive it works because I haven’t gotten pregnant. A positive my periods are extremely light and irregular, but as a distant irregular. But my skin has never been so worse in my life, I constantly have big deep spots on my chin. I used to have quite dry skin but now on the oily side.


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

The mirena coil stopped my periods and worked as a contraceptive, however it stimulated hair growth on my face which was not there before. As a result I have required many courses of laser. I do not have PCOS and have had testing, however I think the hormones in the mirena coil started the changes that are now continuing despite having the coil since removed. The coil was also extremely painful to have inserted.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Had the Mirena Coil in for around 9 months and it's made my periods so much lighter but a bit more irregular. It was really painful upon insertion and I'm still getting stabby cramps around when I should be having my period. Overall, I think it's worth it because my periods are so much lighter.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I had three Mirenas over the course of about 9 years. The first two were perfect, with no side effects and stopping my periods. For me the insertions and removals were fine. Maybe a 3 out of 10 pain wise and some mild cramps afterwards. Unfortunately I know that's not everyone's experience. After about 3.5 years of each Mirena, I got lots of breakthrough bleeding and my GP decided to change it early to prevent this. Unfortunately my third Mirena gave me unpredictable bleeding for months, which was affecting my life as I was always worried I'd bleed through clothes or during sex. I also kept getting recurrent thrush, which I'd not experienced before. For me another negative was that the strings always seemed to be really prominent and my boyfriend could feel them during sex. Overall a mixed experience - after years of hassle-free birth control I eventually changed to the POP due to the unpredictable bleeding I was getting with Mirena.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

I found that when I got it inserted I had a light, almost discharge like period for 3 months and then once that finally went, I started having irregular periods and and someone whose always had regular periods this was infuriating. The reason I went on was for period pain and I found the pills, both mini and progesterone only, made my mood drop in terms of I was always angry and anxious and my general body image went on a downward spiral. I had no issues with the mirena up until about 3 months ago when all of this started happening again. I’m hoping this will help for others in my situation


Somewhat negative mood

2 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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