Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Overview
Rated 3.5
842 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1404 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
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
Period pain
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£From £0.22/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
842 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I've had a mirena coil for about 7 months now. Before getting it I had severely heavy periods. Most months I got a bad migraine. My iron was low. The GP didn't suggest anything to help with the heavy periods/monthly migraines/low iron. However when discussing contraception mirena coil was suggested. (I'm 40, have had 2 children). I was wary to mess with my hormones but the doctor said it could calm down my periods too. It was a long wait (almost 12 months). As soon as I got it I haven't had such heavy periods. Migraines haven't been an issue and my iron levels are back to normal. I haven't noticed any mood or weight changes. I've been happier and healthier because I haven't been dealing with the bad periods anymore. My periods are irregular, but very light. The only negative is a couple of times I've had stomach cramps, quite painful ones, they've gone away in under a day. There has been no follow up with a health professional. It would be nice if they did this to reassure everything is normal and ok.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had it put in at the end of January. Insertion wasn't fun and did hurt but no worse than the period cramps I used to get. Did spend the afternoon in bed. First few months were ok, some period pain but less than before and lighter periods. But as a few more months have passed I've been getting more migraines again. Also my body hair is more noticeable. My mood is mostly stable except now when I'm ovulating or period about to start, I get very irrational and angry. My last period was heavier than I would have had before the coil but hoping that was just a blip. Have also been spotting constantly the last 2-3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Year 1 was a lot of hormonal changes, strong random cramps and spotting (i had to get the position adjusted slightly about 8 months in), but the effect on my periods was almost immediate. Regular lighter periods with reduced cramps(outside of above) that no longer impacted my life negatively. It's a game changer. Once that all settled down, I was abel to start tracking my periods and moods and for the first time in my life knew when something was "outside the norm" and could get things checked out as they came. The positive impact outweighs the negative by far in my opinion. Peace of mind and regular light periods is absolutely worth it for someone who's emotions and hormones and periods have always affected negatively (before jaydess I'd pms what felt like 3 out of 4 weeks, cramp so hard id pass out and bled through so many clothes)
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I've had a mirena coil for about 7 months now. Before getting it I had severely heavy periods. Most months I got a bad migraine. My iron was low. The GP didn't suggest anything to help with the heavy periods/monthly migraines/low iron. However when discussing contraception mirena coil was suggested. (I'm 40, have had 2 children). I was wary to mess with my hormones but the doctor said it could calm down my periods too. It was a long wait (almost 12 months). As soon as I got it I haven't had such heavy periods. Migraines haven't been an issue and my iron levels are back to normal. I haven't noticed any mood or weight changes. I've been happier and healthier because I haven't been dealing with the bad periods anymore. My periods are irregular, but very light. The only negative is a couple of times I've had stomach cramps, quite painful ones, they've gone away in under a day. There has been no follow up with a health professional. It would be nice if they did this to reassure everything is normal and ok.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had it put in at the end of January. Insertion wasn't fun and did hurt but no worse than the period cramps I used to get. Did spend the afternoon in bed. First few months were ok, some period pain but less than before and lighter periods. But as a few more months have passed I've been getting more migraines again. Also my body hair is more noticeable. My mood is mostly stable except now when I'm ovulating or period about to start, I get very irrational and angry. My last period was heavier than I would have had before the coil but hoping that was just a blip. Have also been spotting constantly the last 2-3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Year 1 was a lot of hormonal changes, strong random cramps and spotting (i had to get the position adjusted slightly about 8 months in), but the effect on my periods was almost immediate. Regular lighter periods with reduced cramps(outside of above) that no longer impacted my life negatively. It's a game changer. Once that all settled down, I was abel to start tracking my periods and moods and for the first time in my life knew when something was "outside the norm" and could get things checked out as they came. The positive impact outweighs the negative by far in my opinion. Peace of mind and regular light periods is absolutely worth it for someone who's emotions and hormones and periods have always affected negatively (before jaydess I'd pms what felt like 3 out of 4 weeks, cramp so hard id pass out and bled through so many clothes)
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1404 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I spotted for 3 months straight, but then stopped periods all together. I felt a bit sick after taking it, so i should’ve probably taken it after food or at night but i took in the morning. I feel like it made me quite anxious, but i’ve been off it for two years and still have anxiety problems so i’m not 100% whether it’s related! The sickness feeling made me feel quite nervous i think. No other side effects.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
Compared to other mini pills ive tried, this one has the least side effects by far. The side effects I do get include slightly reduced sex drive, very sore breasts and I cry more easily. All of them are managable though.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I spotted for 3 months straight, but then stopped periods all together. I felt a bit sick after taking it, so i should’ve probably taken it after food or at night but i took in the morning. I feel like it made me quite anxious, but i’ve been off it for two years and still have anxiety problems so i’m not 100% whether it’s related! The sickness feeling made me feel quite nervous i think. No other side effects.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
Compared to other mini pills ive tried, this one has the least side effects by far. The side effects I do get include slightly reduced sex drive, very sore breasts and I cry more easily. All of them are managable though.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Ive been on this pill for a few years..Mood okay most of month but then after my period it seems to drop quite alot to low levels..which concerned me when im not depressed.. sore breasts at times .bleeding very little .no spotting.. but that could be my age. Sex drive okay. Skin seems okay- normal acne. I'm might try cerazette see if it helps mood issue.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
i’m not sure if it is normal but i have been on this pill for 3 months. a week into the taking the pill my period finally came back after around 100 days. since then ive had very irregular periods often bleeding for extended periods of time and also spotting more often with the periods being closer together. i have also experienced much more mood changes as i have felt somewhat more depressed on this pill. this might just be my experience and might also be influenced by the fact i am still going through pubity as i’m 16 yet i still can’t stop thinking that something is wrong .
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’m was happy with the mini pill as I took it while breastfeeding my son, however as soon as I weaned him my periods came back but they were all over the place. I bled for nearly 2 weeks straight then it finally stopped, but only for 3 days then it started again. If it wasn’t for this issue I’d have kept using the mini pill but I couldn’t deal with it anymore as it was preventing me from living my life normally
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Started this purely to help my skin after experiencing constant hormonal breakouts, which it did clear up and meant I could eat however I wanted basically with no consequences on my skin (sugar and fatty foods). However I feel as thought the pill has really dampened my mood making me low level depressed all the time. Also experienced a decreased sex drive and lots of hair loss - but still unsure whether these are directly related.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
After coming off a combined pill (Yasmin) that I was on for 14 years - I am now on Desogestrel, within a week I suffered a mild acne rash/breakout on chin and neck but some gel from my GP quickly sorted that. I am now 2 days late to what would have been a bleed/period and my lower back and period cramps are quite severe and prolonged - my breasts are bigger and tender to touch - hoping these symptoms begin to decrease if I get my bleed or not! Saw GP today to discuss and they’re just general side effects whilst my hormones adjust (I’m told to allow >3 months to review) - general mood has decreased a bit and I feel a bit numb emotionally but started feeling better today so fingers crossed I’m on the up!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Switched eventually to an implant because of having to remember to bring them everywhere each day. Overall a positive experience though - a reduction in headaches, and usually say it 'flattened' my mood. Whereas before there would be some very low mood points in my cycle, this greatly reduced those. Sometimes it felt a little dull as it seemed to also reduce some of the good spikes, but this was worth it to me to not have to deal with such mood swings.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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