Copper coil (IUD) vs Injection
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Overview
Rated 3.5
605 reviews
5 - 10 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.9
297 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
605 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I am a new user to the copper coil but am happy with how its going. I naturally have heavy periods (day 2 i would go through 4 pads extra absorbant in the day) but I'm in a place where i wanted to allow my body to heal after over 10 years of progesterone contraception ( implanon-mirena- copper coil). I feel this is a good balance for allowing my body to live in its natural state while also protecting from conception.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
More painful periods with extremes like waves of cramps accompanied by sweating, nausea and dizziness
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
My experience with the copper IUD happened over an 8 year period. Had my first copper IUD for 5 years, ages 19-24, was perfect, periods were heavier for around 3 months but went back to normal. No pregnancies, no pain, literally was a miracle contraception for me. Lost my IUD card so was not sure if I had a 5 or 10 year coil, clinic is impossible to get in touch with, so I thought I would get it replaced just in case. After replacing it I had horrible cramping, periods so heavy I would see stars, pain not only after sex, but after masturbating no longer than 2 mins. 6 months into my second IUD I went for scans and check ups as the pain was not getting better, everything seemed to be in place. Went to the clinic for a consultation and they advised get rid of it or go for the Kyleena. Got the Kyleena IUD which was amazing until I fell pregnant after having it for a mere 11 months. Terminated the pregnancy and went back to the copper IUD. I had three copper IUDs (YES 3 separate insertions) due to two of them moving out of place. All 3 of them gave me insane amounts of pain, WAY worse than the 2nd IUD, I’d get cramps going to pass a bowel movement or even overeating. Got this last one scanned and checked out due to the pain that was not subsiding, everything was in place, decided to leave it in despite the pain for another 3 months as I just really wanted it to be like the first one. After 3 months I was so depressed from how much pain I was in, I got it removed and now I am pain free. Giving this three stars because my first IUD was the best and I wish I could go back to it, the other 4 were seriously having an impact on my life and mental wellbeing, I spent a whole session with my therapist talking about my traumatic experience with this bloody thing. Please note I am an anomaly, but if you have it and the pain is not subsiding, do not hesitate to get it removed, some people’s bodies (such as mine) just reject it for whatever reason.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I am a new user to the copper coil but am happy with how its going. I naturally have heavy periods (day 2 i would go through 4 pads extra absorbant in the day) but I'm in a place where i wanted to allow my body to heal after over 10 years of progesterone contraception ( implanon-mirena- copper coil). I feel this is a good balance for allowing my body to live in its natural state while also protecting from conception.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
More painful periods with extremes like waves of cramps accompanied by sweating, nausea and dizziness
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
My experience with the copper IUD happened over an 8 year period. Had my first copper IUD for 5 years, ages 19-24, was perfect, periods were heavier for around 3 months but went back to normal. No pregnancies, no pain, literally was a miracle contraception for me. Lost my IUD card so was not sure if I had a 5 or 10 year coil, clinic is impossible to get in touch with, so I thought I would get it replaced just in case. After replacing it I had horrible cramping, periods so heavy I would see stars, pain not only after sex, but after masturbating no longer than 2 mins. 6 months into my second IUD I went for scans and check ups as the pain was not getting better, everything seemed to be in place. Went to the clinic for a consultation and they advised get rid of it or go for the Kyleena. Got the Kyleena IUD which was amazing until I fell pregnant after having it for a mere 11 months. Terminated the pregnancy and went back to the copper IUD. I had three copper IUDs (YES 3 separate insertions) due to two of them moving out of place. All 3 of them gave me insane amounts of pain, WAY worse than the 2nd IUD, I’d get cramps going to pass a bowel movement or even overeating. Got this last one scanned and checked out due to the pain that was not subsiding, everything was in place, decided to leave it in despite the pain for another 3 months as I just really wanted it to be like the first one. After 3 months I was so depressed from how much pain I was in, I got it removed and now I am pain free. Giving this three stars because my first IUD was the best and I wish I could go back to it, the other 4 were seriously having an impact on my life and mental wellbeing, I spent a whole session with my therapist talking about my traumatic experience with this bloody thing. Please note I am an anomaly, but if you have it and the pain is not subsiding, do not hesitate to get it removed, some people’s bodies (such as mine) just reject it for whatever reason.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Injection reviews
297 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Worst experience I’ve ever had. Since taking this I’ve felt constantly irritated, had complete lack of concentration and it’s completely wiped out my sex drive. I have now been bleeding for 2 months with no break. I have never regretted taking something so much it’s honestly made me miserable.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Aug 25
I’ve used it on an off for years sudden lost of weight within a month since using it again.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Aug 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Worst experience I’ve ever had. Since taking this I’ve felt constantly irritated, had complete lack of concentration and it’s completely wiped out my sex drive. I have now been bleeding for 2 months with no break. I have never regretted taking something so much it’s honestly made me miserable.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Aug 25
I’ve used it on an off for years sudden lost of weight within a month since using it again.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Aug 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Aug 25
I had no problems while using noristerate but I would get annoyed sometimes because I would experience spotting for 2 weeks before my next injection. I had little to no menstrual cycle.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Jul 25
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Jul 25
All women should really do the research before starting this medication. I have read quite a few stories online of women who have felt the same. I have basically felt like a completely different person. I am near on the end of one injection and I will not be going back for another. It’s absolutely ruined my relationship with my partner. I’ve been absolutely horrible to him and it’s only now I’m starting to realise just what this injection did to me. Thank goodness he’s so understanding and helped me through it because I was literally horrendous. Literally a few days after I had it I was a different person, I hated him. Everything he done annoyed me, I was rude and hurtful and I couldn’t control it. I would snap in and out of moods so badly that we named the other “person” Patrica. He was constantly walking on egg shells as he never knew which version he would get. I am so upset that I have felt this way in the last few months. So much so I was having suicidal thoughts. I pray that anyone doesn’t risk it because it’s been 3 months of hell for us.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Jul 25
This has been great for me helped regulate my moods no longer huge crashes i get around periods. Also it has completely stopped my periods which were heavy and painful, I get the occasional period pain leading up to when my injection is due but they are very very mild and don’t really effect me.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Jun 25
Things I’ve had history struggling with in the past: depression, anxiety, weight Things depo increased: depression, anxiety, weight
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Jun 25
started using it on April but so far my body is still the same & haven’t experienced breast enlargement yet
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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