Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Male condom

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Male condom

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Overview

Rated 3.5

871 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.1

67 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

82% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sexual intercourse.

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

72% no impact on mood

87% no change

76% no impact

97% no impact

85% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Protects against STIs

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Try it now

Add your male condom review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

871 reviews

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

Benilexa coil  

I previously had the copper coil for 4 years because I wasn't keen on using a hormonal contraception but I wish I'd changed to benelixa sooner. I opted for a numbing injection during the procedure and hardly felt anything, it was great. Afterwards there was some very mild cramping and unfortunately I did get mild thrush within the week, however since then it's been amazing. Hardly any pain during periods and they are sooo much lighter. I used to bloat all the time but now I never do. I also lost about 4lbs and have stayed at that weight ever since. I had thinning hair previously and now have lots of new baby hairs coming in all over my head which I'm delighted about. Sex drive has decreased ever so slightly but not enough to be a problem. No changes to my skin or any other negative side effects. Really can't recommend it more, I'm delighted with not being in agony every month and I have much more energy since I'm only losing about a quarter of blood compared to before.

Read more

Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

I’ve had the kyleena iud for just over a year. Initially, I had more painful periods but that’s common for about 6 months as your body adjusts but this has since gone away. After about 6 months, I started to suffer with vaginal dryness. This was easily managed with lube during sex but after a year it really started to get bad. It was causing constant thrust (5 times in 3 months) which I had never been prone to before and the pain during sex can sometimes mean we have to stop or I’ll be okay for a bit but then after will be bleeding or have sort of friction burns. It’s coming out soon but it’s just a shame about the dryness as I loved it otherwise


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

My first year of the coil seemed to be okay. Took a while to get used to and on the grand scheme of things after about 3 months my period pretty much left.. but in the last year, I’ve been getting symptoms of anger, forgetfulness and generally feeling checked out. Going to speak to GP to find another option.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Benilexa coil  

I previously had the copper coil for 4 years because I wasn't keen on using a hormonal contraception but I wish I'd changed to benelixa sooner. I opted for a numbing injection during the procedure and hardly felt anything, it was great. Afterwards there was some very mild cramping and unfortunately I did get mild thrush within the week, however since then it's been amazing. Hardly any pain during periods and they are sooo much lighter. I used to bloat all the time but now I never do. I also lost about 4lbs and have stayed at that weight ever since. I had thinning hair previously and now have lots of new baby hairs coming in all over my head which I'm delighted about. Sex drive has decreased ever so slightly but not enough to be a problem. No changes to my skin or any other negative side effects. Really can't recommend it more, I'm delighted with not being in agony every month and I have much more energy since I'm only losing about a quarter of blood compared to before.


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

I’ve had the kyleena iud for just over a year. Initially, I had more painful periods but that’s common for about 6 months as your body adjusts but this has since gone away. After about 6 months, I started to suffer with vaginal dryness. This was easily managed with lube during sex but after a year it really started to get bad. It was causing constant thrust (5 times in 3 months) which I had never been prone to before and the pain during sex can sometimes mean we have to stop or I’ll be okay for a bit but then after will be bleeding or have sort of friction burns. It’s coming out soon but it’s just a shame about the dryness as I loved it otherwise


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

My first year of the coil seemed to be okay. Took a while to get used to and on the grand scheme of things after about 3 months my period pretty much left.. but in the last year, I’ve been getting symptoms of anger, forgetfulness and generally feeling checked out. Going to speak to GP to find another option.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

67 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 25

Hanx condom  

this is a test


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend


Very positive mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 25

Hanx condom  

this is a test


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend


Very positive mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Mar 24

Pasante condom  

You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Feb 24

Pasante condom  

I have no problem apart from feeling friction more quicker then using without a condom.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 24

Mates condom  

I am happy using the male condom as it does not effect my hormones nor cause massive physical issues.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Feb 24

Durex condom  

I like to use them because they don’t affect you / if you have had bad experiences with hormonal birth control in the past


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 24

Durex condom  

My partner uses a male condom which comes with no symptoms as it is not harmonal. However, I struggle with intense ovulation symptoms that ranges from lower abdominal cramps to spotting in mucus. This started 3 years ago (age 25) and first occurred periodically but for the past year it has been almost every month. The mucosal spotting is not heavy and does not require pads. However, it use to last only 1-2 days but now it extends 3-4 days.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Durex condom  

For me using condoms worked great and I had virtually no complaints during the years I used them.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal coil (IUS) with other contraceptives

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