Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Overview

Rated 3.5

876 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1460 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen


Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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

32% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

39% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Period pain

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Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

876 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

I had used the Mirena coil back to back post partum for 9 years very happily but my LEA meant I was only having withdrawal bleeds. After restoring bodyweight and menstruating naturally, I went back for Mirena but was given Jaydess. The insertion was more problematic and that she how I ended up with Jaydess over Mirena. I had irregular and more bleeding for the first 3 months but read the reviews on here to help me persevere. I was “angry” as on Mirena it was always so easy but then I wasn’t actually properly menstruating due to low energy availability (eating disorder) so I drew perhaps FALSE causation on Jaydess being wrong. I have very light but regular periods and my PME is definitely reduced. I’ve had it in a year and am very happy with it and my threads have stayed in place despite roughhousing which wasn’t always the case with the Mirena. I’m in no rush to have to it out even though I turn 50 this year.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Levosert coil  

Had this for adenomyosis and the pain stopped for a while but its back again now so the side affects aren't worth it for me. Having it removed later today


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

I love my hormonal coil. I have had no side effects what-so-ever and my bleeding is regular but extremly light, only monthly spotting. I did have ongoing spotting for around the first 6 months but no issue at all since then and the spotting was worth it for the final result of minimal bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Jaydess coil  

I had used the Mirena coil back to back post partum for 9 years very happily but my LEA meant I was only having withdrawal bleeds. After restoring bodyweight and menstruating naturally, I went back for Mirena but was given Jaydess. The insertion was more problematic and that she how I ended up with Jaydess over Mirena. I had irregular and more bleeding for the first 3 months but read the reviews on here to help me persevere. I was “angry” as on Mirena it was always so easy but then I wasn’t actually properly menstruating due to low energy availability (eating disorder) so I drew perhaps FALSE causation on Jaydess being wrong. I have very light but regular periods and my PME is definitely reduced. I’ve had it in a year and am very happy with it and my threads have stayed in place despite roughhousing which wasn’t always the case with the Mirena. I’m in no rush to have to it out even though I turn 50 this year.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Levosert coil  

Had this for adenomyosis and the pain stopped for a while but its back again now so the side affects aren't worth it for me. Having it removed later today


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

I love my hormonal coil. I have had no side effects what-so-ever and my bleeding is regular but extremly light, only monthly spotting. I did have ongoing spotting for around the first 6 months but no issue at all since then and the spotting was worth it for the final result of minimal bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1460 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Zelleta pill  

I used zelleta for 2 months within a few days of starting the pill my period started it lasted for 3 weeks with heavy bleeding then it stopped for 5 days the started again for 3 weeks and stopped for 3 days then started again for 3 weeks when I phoned the doctor they said it was normal when I told them I was using 1 to 2 pads in an 1 and a half they said it was normal I then stopped the pill in December my period started lasted 5 days and stopped now my next period is due to start. I would not recommend to anyone.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Completely ruined my skin and gave me awful acne after already suffering with it for years. Also gave me horrible headaches and migraines. Would never recommend this to anyone.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Been on Desogestrel for just over 3 months now, started October. Had a good run with no side effects until 6th Jan and have been spotting ever since with no sign of it stopping. Told by nurse it can take 3+ months for body to get used to it. Also have a big increase in spots on face, majority chin and neck but can be all over which is really annoying. Lower back pain and some cramps experienced also. Unsure how long I’ll leave it before asking GP to change as spotting everyday is a little annoying.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Zelleta pill  

I used zelleta for 2 months within a few days of starting the pill my period started it lasted for 3 weeks with heavy bleeding then it stopped for 5 days the started again for 3 weeks and stopped for 3 days then started again for 3 weeks when I phoned the doctor they said it was normal when I told them I was using 1 to 2 pads in an 1 and a half they said it was normal I then stopped the pill in December my period started lasted 5 days and stopped now my next period is due to start. I would not recommend to anyone.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Completely ruined my skin and gave me awful acne after already suffering with it for years. Also gave me horrible headaches and migraines. Would never recommend this to anyone.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Been on Desogestrel for just over 3 months now, started October. Had a good run with no side effects until 6th Jan and have been spotting ever since with no sign of it stopping. Told by nurse it can take 3+ months for body to get used to it. Also have a big increase in spots on face, majority chin and neck but can be all over which is really annoying. Lower back pain and some cramps experienced also. Unsure how long I’ll leave it before asking GP to change as spotting everyday is a little annoying.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Zelleta pill  

Was put on zeletta 5 weeks ago had one normal period 2 weeks later, then 2 weeks ago I started heavily bleeding a week later it became even heavier especially at night where i get intense cramping and fill a pad or tampon every 1-2hrs losing significantly large blood clots, several phone calls to doctors who claimed "its normal" on zelleta then prescribed me tranexamic acid 4 days ago which has not helped at all the large blood clots, cramping and heavy bleeding still continues so today 2 weeks later my doctor has asked me to stop and up dosage of tranexamic acid. I also noticed a breakout with large spots on face that ive never had! Very low mood and loss of motivation crying over the most smallest of things! This pill has ruined me this past 2 weeks and wreaked havoc on my body hoping now ive stopped the bleeding and cramping will ease, I honestly wish id looked into this more before started but was told it was the same as the last brand cerelle (which I had no issues with) so started to take. I have never experienced anything like this and its really taken a toll on me.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Hi everyone, I’ve been on Cerazette since October. Before that I had a Mirena coil, but I was bleeding constantly and had it removed after 10 months. First month on Cerazette was great period on time, only 4 days. Since then it’s been a mess: weeks of spotting short breaks a few days of bleeding then spotting again now spotting again with very sore breasts, which feels like another period starting My GP says to wait 6 months for things to settle, but I was told the same with Mirena and it never improved. I can’t use other hormonal methods and coils don’t suit me, so I’m really stuck. This constant bleeding/spotting is physically and mentally exhausting, and it’s affecting my relationship too. Did anyone actually see improvement on Cerazette? If yes, how long did it take? Or did you eventually have to stop? Thanks for any honest experiences.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

2 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Noriday pill  

I felt satisfied until I came on here and realised my symptoms might be to do with this pill. I had a baby 14 months ago and have recently felt awful - low self esteem,anxiety, back pain, bad skin, weight gain, bloating, headaches, migraines... The list goes on. I thought it was part and parcel of having a small human but I'm starting to think it might be because of the noriday. In terms of my periods this is the best mini pill I've tried which is why I've still given it 3 stars. They're shorter and not too heavy or painful so an improvement for me. But due to the other symptoms I might have to look at an alternative. Maybe the dreaded coil.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Cerelle pill  

The good thing about Cerelle is that it stopped my periods. However, it triggered an androgenic response for me so I gained weight on it, got lots of stretch marks (which I have never had before), experienced hair loss, experience increased and darker body hair, and it gave me bad skin, also seemed to be more irritable all the time. I have been changed to a combined pill now so fingers crossed everything gets better!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Dec 25

Desogestrel pill  

it has helped massively with my cramps which is the reason i was put onto it. my tender breasts and spotting are what i have struggled with the most


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

3 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Dec 25

Cerazette pill  

I started the pill 12 months ago and it was fine for the first 2 months,no pain or anything but then i started bleeding and i havnt stopped bleeding for 10 months straight,it ranges in how heavy it is but it is constant everyday


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Dec 25

Desogestrel pill  

My overall experience on this pill was a very negative one. I was on this pill for 12 months. I'm hoping to switch to the coil in January, still deciding which one, the copper or Mirena. I am 42 years old. On the mini pill I was emotional, very irritable and anxiety was through the roof. I could be okay one minute then the next I could flip a switch and be kicking off over minor things. I had racing thoughts most of the time which led me to be crying and causing my anxiety to be out of control. The spotting and breakthrough bleeding were horrendous which led to heavy clotting and sometimes it would happen unexpectingly. Sex most of the time wasn't happening due to this. The stomach cramps are so painful and because of this I felt unmotivated to do any hobbies and lost interest. I describe my hair as fine but I noticed it started to really thin and fall out which has led me to have low self-esteem and not wanting to engage in social events.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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