Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Implant

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Implant

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Overview

Rated 3.5

826 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

602 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen


Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

43% no impact on mood

47% stopped periods

48% no impact

59% no impact

53% no impact on skin

Cycle return

32% don’t know impact

37% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

57% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

826 reviews

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

Mirena coil  

I've not had any significant side effects...so far. But the one thing I don't like is that I struggle to track my period. I don't bleed it bleed very little. Some periods are just spotting. In theory this is great, but the rest of my body is still experiencing a cycle and without the bleeding it can be hard to track. I still try to, but I'm about ready to give up. If you are like me and spent 10 years on the pill, this can feel a bit jarring. I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster that is normal but I'm not really use to it. My cramping is normal compared to before I had coil. I've had acne rosacea crop up and after a year of it I strongly thing it's linked to hormones but not sure how much the coil plays a part (though I did NOT have this before coil, I am also 40 and may be perimenopauseal). Insertion recovery was totally fine. Very little discomfort. However I was undergoing a minor gyno procedure at the same time and as a result got a general! Highly recommend should it be available. Won't lie, not sure I would have the coil again after this one....I'm still not sold in all honesty. It just emotionally felt evasive as a method of BC.

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Overall my periods were regular but once I got the coil I had very irregular periods and extra cramping. I also have frequent dizzy spells and headaches since it has been inserted. And I've seen an increase in spots and body hair since starting with the coil


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

Struggled to fit the Mirena & so fitted the Kyleena instead - potentially leading to an insufficient amount of progesterone as i continued to have irregular bleeding. After about 12 months this settled down and month on month this has lessened and my cycle continued. However, I experienced consistent cramping like I'd never had before and from 15 months onwards severe & debilitating pain about a week before my period. This is why I had it removed.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

I've not had any significant side effects...so far. But the one thing I don't like is that I struggle to track my period. I don't bleed it bleed very little. Some periods are just spotting. In theory this is great, but the rest of my body is still experiencing a cycle and without the bleeding it can be hard to track. I still try to, but I'm about ready to give up. If you are like me and spent 10 years on the pill, this can feel a bit jarring. I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster that is normal but I'm not really use to it. My cramping is normal compared to before I had coil. I've had acne rosacea crop up and after a year of it I strongly thing it's linked to hormones but not sure how much the coil plays a part (though I did NOT have this before coil, I am also 40 and may be perimenopauseal). Insertion recovery was totally fine. Very little discomfort. However I was undergoing a minor gyno procedure at the same time and as a result got a general! Highly recommend should it be available. Won't lie, not sure I would have the coil again after this one....I'm still not sold in all honesty. It just emotionally felt evasive as a method of BC.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Overall my periods were regular but once I got the coil I had very irregular periods and extra cramping. I also have frequent dizzy spells and headaches since it has been inserted. And I've seen an increase in spots and body hair since starting with the coil


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

Struggled to fit the Mirena & so fitted the Kyleena instead - potentially leading to an insufficient amount of progesterone as i continued to have irregular bleeding. After about 12 months this settled down and month on month this has lessened and my cycle continued. However, I experienced consistent cramping like I'd never had before and from 15 months onwards severe & debilitating pain about a week before my period. This is why I had it removed.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Implant reviews

602 reviews

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve had the implant for 2 years and it’s great that I haven’t had a pregnancy scare. However, my periods are so irregular it’s a joke. I keep track of my periods on an app called Flo and my cycle seems really abnormal. One month I’d be spotting for a week then my period would be over, the next month I’d either miss the whole month or I’d be bleeding on and off for 12 days or more, stop and be on again a week or 2 later, it’s never the same week every month. I can’t keep up with how irregular it is so I’m thinking to change contraception.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I found the procedure fine. Changed from the pill so I didn’t have to take medication daily which was convenient. I did get acne on this contraception which did get severe so had to change.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Loved that it was bullet proof and low maintenance + Long lasting. Didn't like the irregular bleeding in the last year so changed to the pill early for more flexibility and control


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve had the implant for 2 years and it’s great that I haven’t had a pregnancy scare. However, my periods are so irregular it’s a joke. I keep track of my periods on an app called Flo and my cycle seems really abnormal. One month I’d be spotting for a week then my period would be over, the next month I’d either miss the whole month or I’d be bleeding on and off for 12 days or more, stop and be on again a week or 2 later, it’s never the same week every month. I can’t keep up with how irregular it is so I’m thinking to change contraception.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I found the procedure fine. Changed from the pill so I didn’t have to take medication daily which was convenient. I did get acne on this contraception which did get severe so had to change.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Loved that it was bullet proof and low maintenance + Long lasting. Didn't like the irregular bleeding in the last year so changed to the pill early for more flexibility and control


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Have been using the implant for years. Went to clinic to get replacement, would be my fourth, and practice didn't put implant in. Only discovered months later. Scary process all round, getting 10+ appointments to locate it! Only to be told it wasn't inserted in the first place.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

my periods stopped but i noticed when i wanted to have sex i wasn’t able to get wet easily. i also developed acne for the first time after i stopped due to the sudden loss of hormones. overall it worked and i enjoyed no periods and no other symptoms outside of sex.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/wopuld stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues so far!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

I feel really happy about my experience on the implant. The first 6 months while it settled in were hard, I had a month long period then no bleeding since then. Emotionally speaking I cried every day for the first 6 months, then it was like a light switch went off and I've been fine since! Towards the end of my 3 years I started to get some break through bleeding so had it changed and a new one put in about 3 months earlier than expected but this was no trouble. I have been on it now for 4.5 years and would recommend to everyone but I know I've been lucky having no bleeding at all. I am looking to get off hormonal contraception and want to regulate my cycle to hope to have children in the next few years and want to experience a normal hormonal cycle so this is the only reason I'm changing from the implant! Overall I've had a really great time on the implant and feel reassured while being on the most effective form of birth control against unwanted pregnancy- which is a nice plus for the implant!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

Have chronic thrush. Trying to constantly battle doctors to get it treated but they say it’s nothing to do with the implant 😕


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Feb 25

Nexplanon implant  

Normal for me I’m a U.S. bodybuilder nothing has change a lot of women gain weight because it can be an appetite enhancing affect. I’ve stayed the same tracking calories my spotting is normals as other off and on some missed periods and most lighter and little do not heavy. Experiencing hard sore nipples. And depression seems more there but not to bad. Do feel tired though out the day.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 25

Nexplanon implant  

Used this for 1,5 years and I love it. The implant completely stopped my period this whole time, except 1 small break-thru bleeding 1yr ago. Insertion was not painful. Started using due to painful periods. Now living pain-free!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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