Copper coil (IUD) vs Male condom

My experience of the copper IUD is mixed, even if overall positive. I first got it as emergency contraception after my first sexual experience, and was not properly offered any pain relief. The pain was excruciating and slightly traumatic, but also as I wasn't used to things going inside my vagina either. However it served me perfectly for 5 years, and no hormones and side effects from those. When it was time for renewal I was prepared emotionally and knew what pain relief to ask for. The procedure itself was quick and felt very empowering. They offered me the 10 year one which was slightly bigger and I thought it was no big deal. I was in constant low level pain and discomfort with it, and periods became excruciating. I got it switched back to a 5 year one and this cleared up. Again. the procedure was fairly quick as I knew my body and had good pain relief. My last one suited me fine up until around 2020, when the combination of the stress from the pandemic and using an expired lube gave me recurring yeast infections that lasted at least a year. I then discovered that it had slipped and so got it removed, deciding to switch to Fertility Awareness Method. After that, the recurring yeast infections stopped.

Personally, I would never get another coil again. The reason for 2 stars is I actually had the copper coil inserted in 2018 and it was okay but I had it removed in 2021 after asking for it to be removed for over a year. My periods were heavier as expected, but I also had thrush every month, BV multiple times and it just became so uncomfortable dealing with this constantly. I had the copper coil again this year (march 2025) and it was awful. The insertion this time took an hour compared to the 10 minutes last time. I was in so much pain I was heaving, I have had three babies and this was worse than birthing a child. They finally got it in and I ended up with a mild infection probably due to how long and how many attempts it took. A week later it started to settle down 🤞🏼 however almost three months later and I'm having it removed next week. I don't know if it's misplaced (they will be checking this first) but I feel it 'stabbing' me randomly every day. I will be walking and suddenly stop and feel like it's stabbing me or trying to come out, but I can still feel the strings. On two occasions it's hurts me during sex which is a red flag. My periods are 10-12 days long and I'm getting through a pack of pads every 1-2 days, plus the thrush is back again. I was offered a replacement however I have declined and I am currently trying to decide which combined pill may be best for me, tho I am nervous about going on the pill now!

I was having heavier periods

this is a test

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.

Potentially safe

You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.

I have no problem apart from feeling friction more quicker then using without a condom.

I am happy using the male condom as it does not effect my hormones nor cause massive physical issues.

I like to use them because they don’t affect you / if you have had bad experiences with hormonal birth control in the past

My partner uses a male condom which comes with no symptoms as it is not harmonal. However, I struggle with intense ovulation symptoms that ranges from lower abdominal cramps to spotting in mucus. This started 3 years ago (age 25) and first occurred periodically but for the past year it has been almost every month. The mucosal spotting is not heavy and does not require pads. However, it use to last only 1-2 days but now it extends 3-4 days.

For me using condoms worked great and I had virtually no complaints during the years I used them.