Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Female condom

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

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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

Female condoms (sometimes referred to as a Femidom) are soft thin pouches that are made of a thin
strong plastic called polyurethane
a substance called nitrile
or latex.

What Lowdown reviewers say

43% no impact on mood

47% stopped periods

47% no impact

59% no impact

53% no impact on skin

Cycle return

32% don’t know impact

100% no impact on mood

100% no change

100% no impact

100% no impact

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Protects against STIs

Try it now

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Try it now

Add your Female condom review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

841 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Mirena coil  

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.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

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

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

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

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Mirena coil  

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

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

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

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Mirena coil  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jan 22

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 21

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jan 22

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 21

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th May 20

Female condom  

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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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