Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Implant
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Overview
Rated 3.5
838 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
605 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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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
838 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
First 6 months is an adjustment period so I had plenty of headache and feeling sick but after a while my body used to it and I am fine. 100% contraception effectiveness and no heavy period.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Insertion was definitely a little more than just "uncomfortable', it was incredibly painful and emotionally felt very invasive. Took about a day or two to get over the cramps. Felt very faint the first night after having it inserted. Have had experience with SA before though and after telling the nurses they were incredibly supportive throughout the procedure. Side effects wise I got on pretty well for the first year. My periods did stop after a few months, which I found to be a bit strange as I like to track my cycle and I found this a bit strange at first, as I could feel my other symptoms of my cycle but felt a bit off kilter when I didn't have my usual period. Not having to worry about condoms or taking a pill everyday is great though. But after about a year of having the hormonal coil I've noticed my mood and mental health take a bit of a dip. I feel a bit like my emotions are just sitting a bit flatter, I'm a bit more irritable, I don't experience quite the same amount of joy as I used to. I do have a lot going on in life at the moment, but I can't help but notice day to day, even on good days, that I'm not as cheerful or reacting to things in the same way I used to. Emotionally not feeling like myself I don't feel is worth this,no I'm going to seek advice on whether to have this removed or not I think.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
So far I love the mirena coil! Insertion was definitely painful (not just “uncomfortable”!), but the pain was very brief. I had cramps for a couple of days, and then light bleeding/spotting for about a month. However since then I’ve had no periods, and don’t even know it’s there. I get a few more spots now but that’s from rarely getting any when I was on the pill, it’s not a lot. My weight has stayed exactly the same. I was terrified of getting it fitted but am so glad I did, if it continues like this then I will take 30 seconds of pain for 8 years of not having to think about contraception, no periods and no side effects!
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
First 6 months is an adjustment period so I had plenty of headache and feeling sick but after a while my body used to it and I am fine. 100% contraception effectiveness and no heavy period.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Insertion was definitely a little more than just "uncomfortable', it was incredibly painful and emotionally felt very invasive. Took about a day or two to get over the cramps. Felt very faint the first night after having it inserted. Have had experience with SA before though and after telling the nurses they were incredibly supportive throughout the procedure. Side effects wise I got on pretty well for the first year. My periods did stop after a few months, which I found to be a bit strange as I like to track my cycle and I found this a bit strange at first, as I could feel my other symptoms of my cycle but felt a bit off kilter when I didn't have my usual period. Not having to worry about condoms or taking a pill everyday is great though. But after about a year of having the hormonal coil I've noticed my mood and mental health take a bit of a dip. I feel a bit like my emotions are just sitting a bit flatter, I'm a bit more irritable, I don't experience quite the same amount of joy as I used to. I do have a lot going on in life at the moment, but I can't help but notice day to day, even on good days, that I'm not as cheerful or reacting to things in the same way I used to. Emotionally not feeling like myself I don't feel is worth this,no I'm going to seek advice on whether to have this removed or not I think.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
So far I love the mirena coil! Insertion was definitely painful (not just “uncomfortable”!), but the pain was very brief. I had cramps for a couple of days, and then light bleeding/spotting for about a month. However since then I’ve had no periods, and don’t even know it’s there. I get a few more spots now but that’s from rarely getting any when I was on the pill, it’s not a lot. My weight has stayed exactly the same. I was terrified of getting it fitted but am so glad I did, if it continues like this then I will take 30 seconds of pain for 8 years of not having to think about contraception, no periods and no side effects!
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Implant reviews
605 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Random bleeding throughout which was frustrating. Partner felt like I seemed happier in general once I came off. Suffered anxiety attacks after coming off the implant (may or may not be related currently unsure)
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Great for if you are looking for contraception that you can forget about and prevent periods however it caused lasting weight gain and awful mood such as unreasonable anger which was almost misdiagnosed as a personality disorder until I came off the contraception.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I had 3 implants back to back and really rated them. I felt they personally kept me in a very even emotional space as I didn’t have hormonal cycle mood fluctuations and didn’t experience any persistent low mood on it. My period stopped when I had the implant (which I loved) and had no side effects, which was great as after coming off the implant to conceive found when on no hormones I got terrible headaches and acne around my period which I had forgotten about! On reflection I probably did have slightly worse skin on the implant but not significantly. Around the 2 year mark each time it ‘ran out’ and suddenly there didn’t seem to be enough hormone to stop my periods and had persistent breakthrough bleeding which prompted me to get them changed early each time which resolved the issue. I have since been told you can take ibruprofen for a few days to counter this but have no experience of this. The reason it gets 4 stars not 5 is I really struggled to get it taken out as many health care practitioners are trained in insertion and many less is removal. When I wanted to start a family I was told there would be a 3 month wait for removal which was absolutely unacceptable to me and I ended up getting a family member who is a Dr to cut it out at home as I was so desperate. This lack of bodily autonomy I found very distressing and has put me off getting one again incase there’s a delay removing it, however it was late 2021 so may have been in part due to Covid so have to take that into account
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Random bleeding throughout which was frustrating. Partner felt like I seemed happier in general once I came off. Suffered anxiety attacks after coming off the implant (may or may not be related currently unsure)
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Great for if you are looking for contraception that you can forget about and prevent periods however it caused lasting weight gain and awful mood such as unreasonable anger which was almost misdiagnosed as a personality disorder until I came off the contraception.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I had 3 implants back to back and really rated them. I felt they personally kept me in a very even emotional space as I didn’t have hormonal cycle mood fluctuations and didn’t experience any persistent low mood on it. My period stopped when I had the implant (which I loved) and had no side effects, which was great as after coming off the implant to conceive found when on no hormones I got terrible headaches and acne around my period which I had forgotten about! On reflection I probably did have slightly worse skin on the implant but not significantly. Around the 2 year mark each time it ‘ran out’ and suddenly there didn’t seem to be enough hormone to stop my periods and had persistent breakthrough bleeding which prompted me to get them changed early each time which resolved the issue. I have since been told you can take ibruprofen for a few days to counter this but have no experience of this. The reason it gets 4 stars not 5 is I really struggled to get it taken out as many health care practitioners are trained in insertion and many less is removal. When I wanted to start a family I was told there would be a 3 month wait for removal which was absolutely unacceptable to me and I ended up getting a family member who is a Dr to cut it out at home as I was so desperate. This lack of bodily autonomy I found very distressing and has put me off getting one again incase there’s a delay removing it, however it was late 2021 so may have been in part due to Covid so have to take that into account
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th May 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th May 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Apr 25
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
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th Apr 25
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Mar 25
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Mar 25
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

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