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

884 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

631 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

46% stopped periods

47% no impact

59% no impact

54% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% don’t know impact

37% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

49% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

55% 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

884 reviews

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

Jaydess coil  

Random cramps throughout the day, they suddenly stop and start again a few days later. Period almost completely gone, but random spotting through ovulation and calculated period days (on clue app). Very bad breast tenderness during ovulation and periods

Read more

Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I’ve had the mirena in for almost 2 years and it’s been working great as a contraception and minimal side effects (very light periods).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

I'm on my second Jaydess (been using it for almost 6 years now), before I was on the pill (estrogen+progesterone combination) for about 6 years. Insertion is no fun for me, other than that I can only recommend it. Compared to the pill I have much lighter periods, period pain has significantly decreased (I get a little abdominal discomfort+back pain a day before the start of my period, and that's it). Acne stayed about the same as on the pill. I get a little breast swelling/tenderness for about one week every cycle which I think has slightly increased compared to the pill but isn't so bad. Sex drive and mood stayed about the same, if anything, my mood has become more stable on Jaydess actually (but that could also be attributed to me growing up I guess). Overall I'm satisfied with it


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Jaydess coil  

Random cramps throughout the day, they suddenly stop and start again a few days later. Period almost completely gone, but random spotting through ovulation and calculated period days (on clue app). Very bad breast tenderness during ovulation and periods


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I’ve had the mirena in for almost 2 years and it’s been working great as a contraception and minimal side effects (very light periods).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

I'm on my second Jaydess (been using it for almost 6 years now), before I was on the pill (estrogen+progesterone combination) for about 6 years. Insertion is no fun for me, other than that I can only recommend it. Compared to the pill I have much lighter periods, period pain has significantly decreased (I get a little abdominal discomfort+back pain a day before the start of my period, and that's it). Acne stayed about the same as on the pill. I get a little breast swelling/tenderness for about one week every cycle which I think has slightly increased compared to the pill but isn't so bad. Sex drive and mood stayed about the same, if anything, my mood has become more stable on Jaydess actually (but that could also be attributed to me growing up I guess). Overall I'm satisfied with it


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments


Implant reviews

631 reviews

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I 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/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

3 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon has changed my life by taking away my PMS/PMDD mental health symptoms. I have a lot of trust in the evidence that it works effectively to prevent pregnancy. I found both the original insertion and the replacement to be non painful procedures. The replacement took a bit longer because it was fiddly for them to get the rod out. This was not painful but slightly uncomfortable but the nurses were so friendly that it was okay. It completely randomises my periods. I still get a slight breast tenderness before my periods which helps me to know when it is coming. It feels like my PMS is quiet and slow where as before it was fast and brutal. Recently after my new insertion I’ve had a bit of dizziness here and there, but I am still working out why… it could be due to my diet. Generally I prefer my experience on Nexplanon to what my natural experience was like and would continue to use it even if I stopped being sexually active.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I 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/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

3 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon has changed my life by taking away my PMS/PMDD mental health symptoms. I have a lot of trust in the evidence that it works effectively to prevent pregnancy. I found both the original insertion and the replacement to be non painful procedures. The replacement took a bit longer because it was fiddly for them to get the rod out. This was not painful but slightly uncomfortable but the nurses were so friendly that it was okay. It completely randomises my periods. I still get a slight breast tenderness before my periods which helps me to know when it is coming. It feels like my PMS is quiet and slow where as before it was fast and brutal. Recently after my new insertion I’ve had a bit of dizziness here and there, but I am still working out why… it could be due to my diet. Generally I prefer my experience on Nexplanon to what my natural experience was like and would continue to use it even if I stopped being sexually active.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Mar 26

Nexplanon implant  

Stopped my periods for the first 4 years then they became heavier - lasting up to 3 weeks


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
14 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

It's my first time on birth control and I get way angrier then I used to but all I'm seeing from my body is positive things


Improved skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

Was previously on the progesterone only pill but did not want to have to remember it daily. Have had no issues with Nexplanon and had it changed recently after having the first for three years.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I would recommend getting the implant. There has been little to no difference in my body while using it and it has been a positive experience. I did notice my periods have gone from Light and regular every month to continue being light but very irregular and can last anything from 4 days to 3 months at a time. I also had one other negative experience a few weeks into having the implant. (I do think it was just my body adjusting as I haven’t had anything the same since). Where I was continuously being sick for 2 days, There was no signs of me being ill or have eaten anything unusual. I do think the implant has made very little changes to my body. Obviously a 3 month period is annoying but it does end you just need to be patient. I’m coming up to 2 years on my implant so I do feel as though my input is helpful as some people aren’t patient enough to wait out the symptoms like a long period.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

1 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

wish i knew got it honestly periods stopped completely so much weight loss rlly bad increase in my mh and mood makes me feel so not me


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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