Copper coil (IUD) vs Patch
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Overview
Rated 3.5
616 reviews
5 - 10 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.4
126 reviews
Weekly
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Copper coil (IUD) ingredients
Patch ingredients
Main hormones in Patch
progestogen
oestrogen
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
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Copper coil (IUD) reviews
616 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Brain fog ,Acne , weight gain , tender and painful breasts all the time as a result , extremely heavy periods, although it's non hormonal doesn't mean no side effects , be careful when considering " non hormonal contraception"
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Very frustrated with the copper coil, if it didn't make my periods so heavy and painful I would continue as there has been no other issues you would likely see in a hormonal contraceptive. If you can manage 2 weeks every month in a lot of pain, then it's worth it for the other two when I'm fine and no mood changes
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Brain fog ,Acne , weight gain , tender and painful breasts all the time as a result , extremely heavy periods, although it's non hormonal doesn't mean no side effects , be careful when considering " non hormonal contraception"
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Very frustrated with the copper coil, if it didn't make my periods so heavy and painful I would continue as there has been no other issues you would likely see in a hormonal contraceptive. If you can manage 2 weeks every month in a lot of pain, then it's worth it for the other two when I'm fine and no mood changes
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Patch reviews
126 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I was really getting on with the patch, ive been on it since 2024 and was on it previously for a couple years. But the last few months ive been really suffering which the patch is definitely contributing to. The last few periods I have been experiencing migraines with aura, I've been getting a lot of brown bleeding, the fatigue is unbearable and I almost passed out. Since ive been experiencing these side effects the last few months, I noticed lumps in my breast around the same time and I have just been diagnosed with fibrocystic tissue disease, which the hormones in the patch is not helping. I also experience a lot of breakthrough bleeding and bleeding after sex since being on the patch. Although, my periods are a lot lighter but I still bleed for 7 days. The period pains have not been as severe as they would be off the patch. It has definitely helped my pcos and adenomyosis.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I started using the Evra patch for my hormones. Before, I experienced frequent shifts in emotions within just a few minutes, including crying for no particular reason and then feeling fine 10 seconds later. I was advised to wear the patch continuously. Once I began, I found my symptoms were not too severe; they included back pain and cramps, some spotting, feeling nauseous but vomiting a few times a month during the first few months. I have now been on the patch continuously for six months, and I no longer experience any symptoms. My mood can sometimes drop randomly, but overall, I have no regrets about starting the patch.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I was really getting on with the patch, ive been on it since 2024 and was on it previously for a couple years. But the last few months ive been really suffering which the patch is definitely contributing to. The last few periods I have been experiencing migraines with aura, I've been getting a lot of brown bleeding, the fatigue is unbearable and I almost passed out. Since ive been experiencing these side effects the last few months, I noticed lumps in my breast around the same time and I have just been diagnosed with fibrocystic tissue disease, which the hormones in the patch is not helping. I also experience a lot of breakthrough bleeding and bleeding after sex since being on the patch. Although, my periods are a lot lighter but I still bleed for 7 days. The period pains have not been as severe as they would be off the patch. It has definitely helped my pcos and adenomyosis.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I started using the Evra patch for my hormones. Before, I experienced frequent shifts in emotions within just a few minutes, including crying for no particular reason and then feeling fine 10 seconds later. I was advised to wear the patch continuously. Once I began, I found my symptoms were not too severe; they included back pain and cramps, some spotting, feeling nauseous but vomiting a few times a month during the first few months. I have now been on the patch continuously for six months, and I no longer experience any symptoms. My mood can sometimes drop randomly, but overall, I have no regrets about starting the patch.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Feb 26
noticed that the side effects were less or more intense depending on where i put the patch on my body. i used to have it on my arm and had intense nausea nonstop and after putting on my hip/ bum it stopped. also cystitis symptoms however i’m not sure if they are related
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Feb 26
Started taking the Evra patch to help regulating my hormones and to help with bad health anxiety. The 3rd day I had it on resulted in me taking the patch off straight away due to immense nausea, panic, shaking and complete loss of appetite. 3 months later my hormones have been worse than ever with random crying and anxiety increasing throughout my cycle.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Jan 26
Overall good birth control. I do get random cramps throughout the day ever since I started it and my skin is irritated and itchy where I place my patch.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Jan 26
Overall good, so far effective. But my periods are a lot heavier and a lot more painful. Tender breasts for at least half of the month and random cramps throughout the month even when I’m not on my period.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Nov 25
The Evra patch has been a good choice for me so far, and it’s my first time on birth control! I would say the only downfall is around the edge of the patch gets dirty from adhesive, and that it’s nerve racking to swim a lot in fear it will come off! I went on vacation and was nervous but I used a tagaderm to keep it on when swimming!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Nov 25
The patch made me feel extremely unwell. I had nausea, heavy headed feeling, headaches, tiredness, sweating and soreness where the patch was placed. I ended up removing it before 24 hours was up because I couldn't sleep and felt so out of sorts.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
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