Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Injection

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Injection

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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 2.9

283 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen


Injection ingredients

Main hormones in Injection

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

33% somewhat negative

70% stopped periods

57% lost sex drive

50% gained weight

50% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

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
  •  3 days ago

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
  •  5 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
  •  1 week 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
  •  3 days ago

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
  •  5 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
  •  1 week 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


Injection reviews

283 reviews

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Sayana Press injection  

I like the injection as no periods at all but gained over 2 stone in weight and no amount of dieting, eating less or exercising helps loose any weight at all I just gain even more.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Noristerat injection  

I didn't notice any changes at first. I got my period for the first month or two, then the bleeding was irregular and lighter and eventually it stopped completely. I gained weight quickly. I would get hungry even after eating. I would get severe vaginal itching a few days after the shot.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Mar 25

Noristerat injection  

It is effective and it's convenient but unfortunately the side effects are really bad but it depends on different body types


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Sayana Press injection  

I like the injection as no periods at all but gained over 2 stone in weight and no amount of dieting, eating less or exercising helps loose any weight at all I just gain even more.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Noristerat injection  

I didn't notice any changes at first. I got my period for the first month or two, then the bleeding was irregular and lighter and eventually it stopped completely. I gained weight quickly. I would get hungry even after eating. I would get severe vaginal itching a few days after the shot.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Mar 25

Noristerat injection  

It is effective and it's convenient but unfortunately the side effects are really bad but it depends on different body types


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 25

Depo-Provera injection  

This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 25

Noristerat injection  

Caused me horrendous hunger such that i couldn't feel satisfied with any amount of food. It was terrible for me. And the side effects continue even after stopping. It was my first time in 11 years to back to hormonal contraception and l will never ever do it again. I only go non hormonal. I honestly can't take the risk.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Jan 25

Noristerat injection  

As a newer young and childless nuristrate injection patient I don't recommend it for use . So far my body is experiencing a hell of changes . Irregular periods ,green smelly discharge and ugly acne


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Dec 24

Noristerat injection  

Its a right contraception but it stopped my periods since I was young end now I'm struggling to conceive end I think I'm running out of time and my marriage it's on thin ice here so I don't think that someone can still use it


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Dec 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Dec 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I’ve only had the injection once and had to come off, I already suffer mental health for years and the depo made my anxiety worse, constant bloated, the bleeding never stopped which led me to constant itch down below due to wearing constant pads, my hair was falling out so so badly, now my baby hairs are growing through and I look awful, not like my self asteem is poor already,


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Nov 24

Injection  

Eix very terrible,,everything I eat taste very back even the food I love,have terrible headache n my period stopped with my first shot so was thinking I was pregnant,I’ve gained a lot lot of weight 😫😫


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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