Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Female condom
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Overview
Rated 3.5
841 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.5
4 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
79% - 95%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
Female condom ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
Protects against STIs
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
841 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I had it put in at the end of January. Insertion wasn't fun and did hurt but no worse than the period cramps I used to get. Did spend the afternoon in bed. First few months were ok, some period pain but less than before and lighter periods. But as a few more months have passed I've been getting more migraines again. Also my body hair is more noticeable. My mood is mostly stable except now when I'm ovulating or period about to start, I get very irrational and angry. My last period was heavier than I would have had before the coil but hoping that was just a blip. Have also been spotting constantly the last 2-3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Year 1 was a lot of hormonal changes, strong random cramps and spotting (i had to get the position adjusted slightly about 8 months in), but the effect on my periods was almost immediate. Regular lighter periods with reduced cramps(outside of above) that no longer impacted my life negatively. It's a game changer. Once that all settled down, I was abel to start tracking my periods and moods and for the first time in my life knew when something was "outside the norm" and could get things checked out as they came. The positive impact outweighs the negative by far in my opinion. Peace of mind and regular light periods is absolutely worth it for someone who's emotions and hormones and periods have always affected negatively (before jaydess I'd pms what felt like 3 out of 4 weeks, cramp so hard id pass out and bled through so many clothes)
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I got the coil fitted to control heavy periods with contraception as a bonus. I’m aware I might be still in the settling down phase, this is my experience so far. Fitting was uncomfortable but I’ve had 3 vaginal birth so nothing touches that! Cramps for a few days but settled down. So far I have been bleeding most of the time since having it fitted, not heavy, light, but constant and irregular patterns. Very annoying. Low self esteem and low mood. Weight gain, despite being more physically active and eating healthily. Increase in headaches and migraines. Generally unimpressed at the lack of connection with healthcare professionals and Mirena coil users. So many women reporting poor experience yet doctors aren’t relaying this information. Will be having it removed. I choose control over my body over convenience.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I had it put in at the end of January. Insertion wasn't fun and did hurt but no worse than the period cramps I used to get. Did spend the afternoon in bed. First few months were ok, some period pain but less than before and lighter periods. But as a few more months have passed I've been getting more migraines again. Also my body hair is more noticeable. My mood is mostly stable except now when I'm ovulating or period about to start, I get very irrational and angry. My last period was heavier than I would have had before the coil but hoping that was just a blip. Have also been spotting constantly the last 2-3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Year 1 was a lot of hormonal changes, strong random cramps and spotting (i had to get the position adjusted slightly about 8 months in), but the effect on my periods was almost immediate. Regular lighter periods with reduced cramps(outside of above) that no longer impacted my life negatively. It's a game changer. Once that all settled down, I was abel to start tracking my periods and moods and for the first time in my life knew when something was "outside the norm" and could get things checked out as they came. The positive impact outweighs the negative by far in my opinion. Peace of mind and regular light periods is absolutely worth it for someone who's emotions and hormones and periods have always affected negatively (before jaydess I'd pms what felt like 3 out of 4 weeks, cramp so hard id pass out and bled through so many clothes)
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I got the coil fitted to control heavy periods with contraception as a bonus. I’m aware I might be still in the settling down phase, this is my experience so far. Fitting was uncomfortable but I’ve had 3 vaginal birth so nothing touches that! Cramps for a few days but settled down. So far I have been bleeding most of the time since having it fitted, not heavy, light, but constant and irregular patterns. Very annoying. Low self esteem and low mood. Weight gain, despite being more physically active and eating healthily. Increase in headaches and migraines. Generally unimpressed at the lack of connection with healthcare professionals and Mirena coil users. So many women reporting poor experience yet doctors aren’t relaying this information. Will be having it removed. I choose control over my body over convenience.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Female condom reviews
4 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th May 20
Used it once - it came off inside me within 5 minutes and I didn't realise so ended up having completely unprotected sex and having to get a STI test.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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