Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Implant
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Overview
Rated 3.5
881 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
628 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
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
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Try it now
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
881 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I got the coil after having a failed mirena coil. Tried this one for almost 3yrs and didn't think I had alot of side effects, though reflecting on a time where I was not on contraception, I realised it had greatly impacted my moods and caused quite bad acne on my back, which I had never suffered with previous. I also would get debilitating cramps during my periods again which I never suffered with before. Only bonus was my very heavy periods were light, which made them way more manageable. I decided to get it taken out when my moods were having an adverse effect on my relationship and life.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Insertion of the jaydess for me was incredibly painful and i had severe period cramps the days following insertion. Other than that for the first year i had no symptoms other than tender breasts and they had grown from C-DD (no complaints!) and often reccomended it to friends. However, after that i started getting regular thrush. It started off just coming before my period some months but now it is pretty much constant. Treatment only resolves symptoms for a short period and the its back! For this reason ive booked to have it taken out next week. Also the waitlist with my local clinic is so long ive been on it months and am no where near being seen so have had to go private unfortunately as the symptoms hae become unbearable :(
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
After taking the pill for at least ten years I thought it was time to reconsider my options. Used the Lowdown to eventually choose the hormonal coil. Insertion was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable (for me, I know alot of people have had horrid experiences). My periods are very irregular (think maybe four a year and more spotting that bloody). My hormonal state throughout the month is more consistent, no major ups and downs than I used to get on the pill. I couldn't fault this as an option and also not having to remember to take the pill everyday was a huge bonus. Recent changes to the length of time for changing them meant I got an extra two years out of mine. Great long term option if you know you don't want to have children for a large chunk of time. Clicked some sweating and thrush as side effects, but can't be certain they're due to the coil or due to hitting mid-thirties, ha!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I got the coil after having a failed mirena coil. Tried this one for almost 3yrs and didn't think I had alot of side effects, though reflecting on a time where I was not on contraception, I realised it had greatly impacted my moods and caused quite bad acne on my back, which I had never suffered with previous. I also would get debilitating cramps during my periods again which I never suffered with before. Only bonus was my very heavy periods were light, which made them way more manageable. I decided to get it taken out when my moods were having an adverse effect on my relationship and life.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Insertion of the jaydess for me was incredibly painful and i had severe period cramps the days following insertion. Other than that for the first year i had no symptoms other than tender breasts and they had grown from C-DD (no complaints!) and often reccomended it to friends. However, after that i started getting regular thrush. It started off just coming before my period some months but now it is pretty much constant. Treatment only resolves symptoms for a short period and the its back! For this reason ive booked to have it taken out next week. Also the waitlist with my local clinic is so long ive been on it months and am no where near being seen so have had to go private unfortunately as the symptoms hae become unbearable :(
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
After taking the pill for at least ten years I thought it was time to reconsider my options. Used the Lowdown to eventually choose the hormonal coil. Insertion was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable (for me, I know alot of people have had horrid experiences). My periods are very irregular (think maybe four a year and more spotting that bloody). My hormonal state throughout the month is more consistent, no major ups and downs than I used to get on the pill. I couldn't fault this as an option and also not having to remember to take the pill everyday was a huge bonus. Recent changes to the length of time for changing them meant I got an extra two years out of mine. Great long term option if you know you don't want to have children for a large chunk of time. Clicked some sweating and thrush as side effects, but can't be certain they're due to the coil or due to hitting mid-thirties, ha!
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Implant reviews
628 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Stopped my periods for the first 4 years then they became heavier - lasting up to 3 weeks
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
14 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Stopped my periods for the first 4 years then they became heavier - lasting up to 3 weeks
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
14 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Jan 26
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th Dec 25
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
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Dec 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Dec 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th Dec 25
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Nov 25
Apart for heavy long periods, I Became mean and short fused. My sex drive is zero. I am less excited and feeling empty. Had the implant for 8 months, the behaviour changes are not settling.I am generally miserable and its damaging my relationship.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Nov 25
Safest and easiest contraception in my opinion. However does come with lots of side effects as any medication does, it is manageable but irritating at times (headaches, irregular bleeding every month and lower back pain). I also get rashes at the implant site quite frequently and heard this is very common- gets itchy but normal apparently
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Nov 25
Of all the contraceptives I tried I was most satisfied with the implant. I had mostly no side effects and it stopped my period completely after 1 year (had some spotting irregularly in the first year). It was a very effective method, with painless insertion and changes (had 3 implants in 7 years). I removed it because I wanted to give my body a break before potentially trying for a baby. The main side effect and reason I took off one star is the loss of libido and vaginal dryness. My libido was very low and when I did get into sex, the dryness made things painful. Overall the sensation and pleasure of sex took a hit, but it was manageable. Now that I am off the implant I notice a resurgence in libido and feel more connected to my body and sexual self.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
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