Copper coil (IUD) vs Injection
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Overview
Rated 3.5
590 reviews
5 - 10 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.9
284 reviews
Every 2-3 months
Frequency
94% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Short term
Effect on fertility
Copper coil (IUD) ingredients
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
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
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Copper coil (IUD) reviews
590 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Injection reviews
284 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Worst decision I’ve ever made Gained a lot of weight Depressed Anxious Moods all over the place
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I like the injection as no periods at all but gained over 2 stone in weight and no amount of dieting, eating less or exercising helps loose any weight at all I just gain even more.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Apr 25
I didn't notice any changes at first. I got my period for the first month or two, then the bleeding was irregular and lighter and eventually it stopped completely. I gained weight quickly. I would get hungry even after eating. I would get severe vaginal itching a few days after the shot.
Worse skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Worst decision I’ve ever made Gained a lot of weight Depressed Anxious Moods all over the place
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I like the injection as no periods at all but gained over 2 stone in weight and no amount of dieting, eating less or exercising helps loose any weight at all I just gain even more.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Apr 25
I didn't notice any changes at first. I got my period for the first month or two, then the bleeding was irregular and lighter and eventually it stopped completely. I gained weight quickly. I would get hungry even after eating. I would get severe vaginal itching a few days after the shot.
Worse skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd Mar 25
It is effective and it's convenient but unfortunately the side effects are really bad but it depends on different body types
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Mar 25
This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Feb 25
Caused me horrendous hunger such that i couldn't feel satisfied with any amount of food. It was terrible for me. And the side effects continue even after stopping. It was my first time in 11 years to back to hormonal contraception and l will never ever do it again. I only go non hormonal. I honestly can't take the risk.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Jan 25
As a newer young and childless nuristrate injection patient I don't recommend it for use . So far my body is experiencing a hell of changes . Irregular periods ,green smelly discharge and ugly acne
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Dec 24
Its a right contraception but it stopped my periods since I was young end now I'm struggling to conceive end I think I'm running out of time and my marriage it's on thin ice here so I don't think that someone can still use it
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Dec 24
Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Dec 24
I’ve only had the injection once and had to come off, I already suffer mental health for years and the depo made my anxiety worse, constant bloated, the bleeding never stopped which led me to constant itch down below due to wearing constant pads, my hair was falling out so so badly, now my baby hairs are growing through and I look awful, not like my self asteem is poor already,
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments

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