Copper coil (IUD) vs Patch
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Copper coil (IUD) ingredients
Patch ingredients
Main hormones in Patch
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Copper coil (IUD) reviews
561 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I would advise to check the string length regularly or generally get it checked out regularly as mine became dislodged (had no symptoms) and I became pregnant. However I didnt experience any negative symptoms whilst using it and had a positive experience during the fitting of it - which I was worried about after reading reviews of the pain!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Gynaecologist attempted to insert IUD 3 times and was unable to due to my cervix being tough! Attempted insertion was fine, just felt like period cramps. Sad because I wanted this contraceptive method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The insertion wasn’t as bad as i was expecting but still quite painful and i had cramps for the whole day however was fine the next day. I struggled with a lot of back pain with the weeks following the doctors said could be sign of my body either rejecting it or getting used to it but it did get better with time. My moods are overall a lot better, on the pill i felt quite numb compared to what i feel now, i never had periods on the pill so i get quite down and irritated on them as everyone does but overall it’s nice to experience a range of emotions of a cycle. My sex drive has also increased a lot. I noticed i gained some weight on it and my breast have gotten a lot bigger and i do get very bloated for most of my cycle. My periods didn’t get heavier but i do get very painful cramps on them and while i ovulate. As i have only been on it for 4 months I’m still trying to keep an open mind to see if this settles down by the 6 month mark otherwise I may consider removal but overall i definitely prefer having non hormonal birth control
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I would advise to check the string length regularly or generally get it checked out regularly as mine became dislodged (had no symptoms) and I became pregnant. However I didnt experience any negative symptoms whilst using it and had a positive experience during the fitting of it - which I was worried about after reading reviews of the pain!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Gynaecologist attempted to insert IUD 3 times and was unable to due to my cervix being tough! Attempted insertion was fine, just felt like period cramps. Sad because I wanted this contraceptive method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The insertion wasn’t as bad as i was expecting but still quite painful and i had cramps for the whole day however was fine the next day. I struggled with a lot of back pain with the weeks following the doctors said could be sign of my body either rejecting it or getting used to it but it did get better with time. My moods are overall a lot better, on the pill i felt quite numb compared to what i feel now, i never had periods on the pill so i get quite down and irritated on them as everyone does but overall it’s nice to experience a range of emotions of a cycle. My sex drive has also increased a lot. I noticed i gained some weight on it and my breast have gotten a lot bigger and i do get very bloated for most of my cycle. My periods didn’t get heavier but i do get very painful cramps on them and while i ovulate. As i have only been on it for 4 months I’m still trying to keep an open mind to see if this settles down by the 6 month mark otherwise I may consider removal but overall i definitely prefer having non hormonal birth control
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Patch reviews
101 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
After switching from the combined pill due to depression, I was interested in the patch as I could change it weekly instead of remembering to take a pill everyday. I started the patch and my periods became regular and my mood increased greatly, I do experience bad PMS but It is much better compared to when I was on the pill. I do get cramps sometimes between periods but nothing too bad. You can also use the patch to skip periods but I enjoy having a regular “cycle” and when I did use it to skip a period for a holiday I ended up spotting for a month! Overall the patch is great for me and I don’t plan on changing as it has helped my mental health so much.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
It’s convenient to only change once a week. I’ve found when I’ve been on holiday if you are in the water it does loosen and sometimes come off in the water which is not helpful. I have experienced a lot of breakthrough bleeding very randomly but it has helped with my skin. My sex drive has basically gone it’s that low which I have struggled with but my mood and endometriosis pain during periods has helped
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
After switching from the combined pill due to depression, I was interested in the patch as I could change it weekly instead of remembering to take a pill everyday. I started the patch and my periods became regular and my mood increased greatly, I do experience bad PMS but It is much better compared to when I was on the pill. I do get cramps sometimes between periods but nothing too bad. You can also use the patch to skip periods but I enjoy having a regular “cycle” and when I did use it to skip a period for a holiday I ended up spotting for a month! Overall the patch is great for me and I don’t plan on changing as it has helped my mental health so much.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
It’s convenient to only change once a week. I’ve found when I’ve been on holiday if you are in the water it does loosen and sometimes come off in the water which is not helpful. I have experienced a lot of breakthrough bleeding very randomly but it has helped with my skin. My sex drive has basically gone it’s that low which I have struggled with but my mood and endometriosis pain during periods has helped
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Jul 24
New boobs, same me. Generally a good experience- my periods are less painful which is a plus and my breasts went up a cup size or two (a plus for the boyfriend apparently). I became more emotionally sensitive to start with but that quickly settled down. I'm still trying to discover the best place to stick the patch as it does become unstuck in areas that often crease but I haven't got pregnant yet so it must be doing its job. So far, upper arm is the best. I recommend to anyone not wanting to take a pill every day.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jun 24
This has been the best contraception I've ever used. I have had no side effects and would recommend this to anyone who struggles with the pill or with typically reacts poorly to oestrogen.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
After years of fighting with GPs about my period concerns and being put on and off different contraceptions that my body reacted horribly to, I decided to go private and do my research into what could be a possible solution. The girls at The Lowdown have been so helpful throughout the year and a bit that i’ve been with them. The website is so easy and efficient in helping you choose what’s best for your body, and if you have any further questions the girls are quick to respond through emails and whatsapp. I decided a little over a year ago that I’d make the change to go on the Evra patch. After years of different pills not working with my body or making things worse, I was desperate for a solution that was easy but was still in my control (a non intrusive method). The patch has been a life saver and within 3/4 months my periods were at the same time every month, shorter, lighter and less painful. I’m sure it won’t work for everyone but it works great for me, and i’d much rather pay for the product and the service The Lowdown provides, than spend one more minute arguing with my GP.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd May 24
I have noticed I am feeling a lot hotter than normal and my vigina has become dry. I was becoming worried
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
I felt that my mood was impacted and my partner at the time noticed I had become a lot more irritable. I also experienced a lot of headaches which I usually rarely suffer from.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
I’ve tried sooo many contraceptions and this is the first one I’ve tried with very minimal side effects. My moods have been very stable, I have less PMS symptoms, my weight hasn’t changed and my sex drive hasn’t changed. When I want to hide the patch I just apply it to my lower belly where my undies would sit so that aspect is not a problem either.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
I’ve been on the patch for 8/9 months now and my experience is mixed. I love the convenience of a patch, and that stomach issues don’t affect the effectiveness like the pill. However, I have had the worst skin I’ve ever had with rosacea suddenly appearing after 3 months on patch use. I’ve never had bad skin before and suddenly have done after this with no other lifestyle changes. Recently I’ve had spotting in my 3rd week of using the patch, this never happened previously. I’ve also had a weight gain, and tender breasts.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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