Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Combined pill
Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review
£From £0.16/day
Overview
Rated 3.5
785 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2503 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Try it now
Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review
Try it now
£From £0.16/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
785 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
After having a bad experience with the Nexplanon implant (very low mood) I decided to try the Jaydess coil as recommended by my doctor. Insertion is very painful as expected but the taking out is fine, I am currently coming to the end of my second coil so I'm swapping to the Mirena for a longer lifespan but I have loved this coil - I had some painful cramps for about 3 months at the beginning of the first coil but after about 6 months everything settled down. I've had no periods, no mood changes, no weight gain, my skin hasn't been great but it has improved recently and I wouldn't confidently say this was down to the coil anyway, more likely lifestyle choices.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Kyleena was good within the first 2 years that I had it, but I think that when the hormones start depleting that new side effects occur. Better than any other options I had, and insertion wasn’t painful as the healthcare provider used LA during. Looking at either swapping it out for a new Kyleena or to swap out for the copper coil as I’m now suffering extreme bloating and acne 3.5years after insertion. Hope this helps.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Kept me from becoming pregnant but at a very high cost... Extreme cramps throughout the month, even after removing the original coil (it was seen to be in the wrong place via ultrasound) and replaced with new one. Pain actually got worse as time went on, after about 8 months I had to get it out as the cramps were debilitating and extreme. I also had a migraine for the first time in my life, and often experienced dizziness and nausea. I also had a patch of recurring thrush infections which was hard to get over as it was so stubborn. The only positive sides were the reduction in bleeding/periods and lack of pregnancy. I will never use a coil again.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
After having a bad experience with the Nexplanon implant (very low mood) I decided to try the Jaydess coil as recommended by my doctor. Insertion is very painful as expected but the taking out is fine, I am currently coming to the end of my second coil so I'm swapping to the Mirena for a longer lifespan but I have loved this coil - I had some painful cramps for about 3 months at the beginning of the first coil but after about 6 months everything settled down. I've had no periods, no mood changes, no weight gain, my skin hasn't been great but it has improved recently and I wouldn't confidently say this was down to the coil anyway, more likely lifestyle choices.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Kyleena was good within the first 2 years that I had it, but I think that when the hormones start depleting that new side effects occur. Better than any other options I had, and insertion wasn’t painful as the healthcare provider used LA during. Looking at either swapping it out for a new Kyleena or to swap out for the copper coil as I’m now suffering extreme bloating and acne 3.5years after insertion. Hope this helps.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Kept me from becoming pregnant but at a very high cost... Extreme cramps throughout the month, even after removing the original coil (it was seen to be in the wrong place via ultrasound) and replaced with new one. Pain actually got worse as time went on, after about 8 months I had to get it out as the cramps were debilitating and extreme. I also had a migraine for the first time in my life, and often experienced dizziness and nausea. I also had a patch of recurring thrush infections which was hard to get over as it was so stubborn. The only positive sides were the reduction in bleeding/periods and lack of pregnancy. I will never use a coil again.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Combined pill reviews
2503 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I was automatically put on the pill as soon as i became sexually active, within 6 months of this I was on put on antidepressants, of course I didn’t realise and wasn’t told the possibility of a connection. I conceived my 2nd child whilst on the pill. As I got older and became single again I came off the pill and saw a huge change in myself, I also came off the antidepressants easily and felt healthier mentally, I also felt an increase in libido….Something I lost completely whilst on the pill. I’m now dating again and looking for an alternative contraceptive as I cannot go back to how I was before. I also recently found out that the pill can contribute to the production of gallstones.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I’ve been taking this for over a month and I’ve had terrible skin, I’ve never had spots in my life and I’ve got so many. I’ve also rarely ever had thrush, which I have now read is a common side effect. Also some hair loss. Not a great pill at all, have stopped taking completely.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Started off on this pill, I'm one of those lucky people who are never sick but while on this pill I would quite regularly feel nauseous a few hours after taking it and on about 5 occasions would vomit aswell, which for me was very unusual but after switching to a different pill these side effects went away.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I was automatically put on the pill as soon as i became sexually active, within 6 months of this I was on put on antidepressants, of course I didn’t realise and wasn’t told the possibility of a connection. I conceived my 2nd child whilst on the pill. As I got older and became single again I came off the pill and saw a huge change in myself, I also came off the antidepressants easily and felt healthier mentally, I also felt an increase in libido….Something I lost completely whilst on the pill. I’m now dating again and looking for an alternative contraceptive as I cannot go back to how I was before. I also recently found out that the pill can contribute to the production of gallstones.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I’ve been taking this for over a month and I’ve had terrible skin, I’ve never had spots in my life and I’ve got so many. I’ve also rarely ever had thrush, which I have now read is a common side effect. Also some hair loss. Not a great pill at all, have stopped taking completely.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Started off on this pill, I'm one of those lucky people who are never sick but while on this pill I would quite regularly feel nauseous a few hours after taking it and on about 5 occasions would vomit aswell, which for me was very unusual but after switching to a different pill these side effects went away.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I got prescribed the combination pill due to recurring endometrial polyps. I'm pretty happy with this pill, it took me 3 months to adapt to taking it with frequent mood swings, irritation and sore breasts in the beginning, but once I got past that I really saw the benefits. My hair had been progressively thinning for 3 years before I started this medication, let me confirm that as soon as I started taking this it went away like magic. My hair is thicker and my hairline is barely visible now, it's so much thicker and I'm thrilled. No pregnancies on this pill either so it does work. I do still have tender breasts from time to time and some light cramping but I still feel it's worth taking. 9/10 recommend.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I originally went on the Gederal 30/150 combined pill because I had irregular periods and acne. This pill was recommended by my doctor to specifically help with acne. I really liked this pill, I didn’t feel like I experienced any side effects and it really helped clear up my skin. I still got the occasional spot but my skin was so much better. I also liked the ease of being able to chose if/when I got my period by continually taking the pill or having a 7 day break. My periods were super regular and would typically start 2 days after starting the 7 day break, and they would last 5 days with 1-2 heavier days in the middle but mostly very light. I didn’t notice any mood changes. Unfortunately, after about 7 years on this pill I had a few migraines with auras and was told by my GP that I had to stop taking this pill due to the risk of Stroke. I am now on the mini-pill which I am experiencing some negative side effects with.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I decided to go back on COC pills after years of having depo injections. The pills have made my periods lighter and I only get some cramps the day before I have my bleed. No real side effects apart from weight gain and my breasts have increased in size and are more tender (all the time not just when having my period).
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
This pill has been awful for me. I went on as had really bad irregular periods but i have seen no change except bleeding in between, extreme abdominal pain and hair loss. I have also seen my skin which is normally clear be breaking out all the time. I am only speaking of my experience
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Apart from the vaginal dryness and loss of sex drive, i’m happy with this pill as it did not have any really negative side effects for me, plus it grew my breasts which i liked.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I was only on this for 2 weeks because my anxiety was sky high. I had panic attacks so bad my chest hurt and I couldn't breathe. At the time, I had nothing to worry about in my life. It is scary because if I had taken Marvelon during the time I was severely depressed, then this pill might've sent me over the edge. GP said it wasn't the pill. However, a few days after stopping Marvelon, the anxiety and panic attacks disappeared. It was definitely Marvelon.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
main thing for me was the super low sex drive. filling this out, interested to also see sweating a lot as an option. As I do sweat a lot, very easily so very interested (and hope) that is a side effect as looking to change/come off.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Women's health, reviewed.
Get the best women’s health info in your inbox
You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy
Slide into our DMs
Built by doctors and experts
Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind
Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them