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

820 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

600 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

54% 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

820 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Mirena coil  

The threads disappeared on the first coil so had it changed early (wasn't great as they had to go digging about to find the threads). Had another put straight in at the time thinking it was a one off but the same happened with the second so I had it removed early as soon as I noticed them becoming shorter to avoid the first scenario again and switched to the implant. Great that my periods stopped on it and it's super low maintenance though.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Mirena coil  

Extremely painful insertion. Blood loss continuously for about 3 months, bleeding everyday. Then periods became irregular, passing clots the size of my palm. Periods worsened after merina, when ironically merina was prescribed for heavy periods. Dermatitis caused by merina after 2 months. Told that results with merina are variable, and to wait and see. Not good advice considering the health issues and extreme blood loss caused by merina so far.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Levosert coil  

I mean as a contraceptive it works because I haven’t gotten pregnant. A positive my periods are extremely light and irregular, but as a distant irregular. But my skin has never been so worse in my life, I constantly have big deep spots on my chin. I used to have quite dry skin but now on the oily side.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Mirena coil  

The threads disappeared on the first coil so had it changed early (wasn't great as they had to go digging about to find the threads). Had another put straight in at the time thinking it was a one off but the same happened with the second so I had it removed early as soon as I noticed them becoming shorter to avoid the first scenario again and switched to the implant. Great that my periods stopped on it and it's super low maintenance though.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Mirena coil  

Extremely painful insertion. Blood loss continuously for about 3 months, bleeding everyday. Then periods became irregular, passing clots the size of my palm. Periods worsened after merina, when ironically merina was prescribed for heavy periods. Dermatitis caused by merina after 2 months. Told that results with merina are variable, and to wait and see. Not good advice considering the health issues and extreme blood loss caused by merina so far.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Levosert coil  

I mean as a contraceptive it works because I haven’t gotten pregnant. A positive my periods are extremely light and irregular, but as a distant irregular. But my skin has never been so worse in my life, I constantly have big deep spots on my chin. I used to have quite dry skin but now on the oily side.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments


Implant reviews

600 reviews

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

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 day 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
  •  3 days ago

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 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

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 day 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
  •  3 days ago

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

Implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Feb 25

Nexplanon implant  

Positives of the Nexplexon implant is it is a very effective contraceptive and the insertion was quick and painless. However, I have been constantly bleeding (spotting and heavier bleeding) since I had it inserted 6 months ago. I have had bad cramping and lower back pain along side the bleeding. My overall mood has been effected as I feel exhausted most of the time, although I do work some night shifts so this may be a contributing factor. My sex drive has been lower than normal. I have noticed my boobs ache and feel sore. I am considering having it removed, if the bleeding does not settle.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Jan 25

Nexplanon implant  

I believe it ruined mindset, mental health and confidence. I am normally not over the top and this sounds like an exaggeration. Although I had a really tough year and these would've affected my perspective. I always have and would utilise those negative situations to motivate me and channel sadness into action. But when I was on the implant: - I had lost all confidence in myself and abilities - My skin got worse and I have always had super clear skin - I had more hair than usual - I was super easy to agitation and struggled to regulate my emotions - I became anxious and depressed (please note some of this would be situational and not just the implant). I thought it was all situational. Until I got it removed a month ago. I am still in the process of my hormones regulating which has been difficult. But after a month I am slowly finding my personality coming back. I am not isolating as much. I am channelling my energy into action and turning my life around again! I feel more like myself day by day.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal coil (IUS) with other contraceptives

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