Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Overview
Rated 3.5
852 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1413 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
852 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Have only had the coil for 2 months (although feels like much longer) so will give it a bit more of a chance, I also acknowledge that everyone reacts differently and my side effects seem to be less common, however in my experience and at this point in time, the negative side effects FAR outweigh the positives. My GP talked me into trying Mirena for managing my PCOS and the excruciating pain I would experience on occasion from burst ovarian cysts, as well as the birth control aspect. I’ve gone from an abnormally long (but fairly painless) cycle to an even longer one, bleeding and in moderate-severe pain almost daily. If my stomach doesn’t hurt, my head will be, or both. I’m not joking when I say I look pregnant from abdominal swelling on top of it all.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
63 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
It was a very positive as i was having irregular heavy periods And personally I had a much better libido When in the past, bloods tested low in testerol levels of 7.5 i II wish this had been aware of of this before bow, i thought there was something not quite right as apparently 12 or above is the better level of testerol for women
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I've had the Mirena coil for about 10 months now, my doctor recommended it to stop uterine polyps from reappearing. Prior to the coil I had very heavy, extremely painful periods and pretty bad iron deficiency, but now my periods are super light and not painful at all!! The insertion was painful but not worse that the period cramps I used to get before; I spotted for 3 months straight but after that I started having semi-regular periods. I noticed that I had much more energy (probably because my iron levels were back to normal), my libido increased and I lost weight. I am really really happy with the coil.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Have only had the coil for 2 months (although feels like much longer) so will give it a bit more of a chance, I also acknowledge that everyone reacts differently and my side effects seem to be less common, however in my experience and at this point in time, the negative side effects FAR outweigh the positives. My GP talked me into trying Mirena for managing my PCOS and the excruciating pain I would experience on occasion from burst ovarian cysts, as well as the birth control aspect. I’ve gone from an abnormally long (but fairly painless) cycle to an even longer one, bleeding and in moderate-severe pain almost daily. If my stomach doesn’t hurt, my head will be, or both. I’m not joking when I say I look pregnant from abdominal swelling on top of it all.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
63 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
It was a very positive as i was having irregular heavy periods And personally I had a much better libido When in the past, bloods tested low in testerol levels of 7.5 i II wish this had been aware of of this before bow, i thought there was something not quite right as apparently 12 or above is the better level of testerol for women
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I've had the Mirena coil for about 10 months now, my doctor recommended it to stop uterine polyps from reappearing. Prior to the coil I had very heavy, extremely painful periods and pretty bad iron deficiency, but now my periods are super light and not painful at all!! The insertion was painful but not worse that the period cramps I used to get before; I spotted for 3 months straight but after that I started having semi-regular periods. I noticed that I had much more energy (probably because my iron levels were back to normal), my libido increased and I lost weight. I am really really happy with the coil.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1413 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I stopped taking the pill yesterday. I used desogestrel for four months for my endometriosis. I tried really hard to stay positive, to remind myself that it takes time for the side effects to go away and for my endo pain to lessen. Well, unfortunately desogestrel hasn't helped at all, but has made everything worse for me. I've gained 5 kgs in these four months. I've always been naturally skinny and never gained (or lost) weight, so gaining this much in such a short amount of time is a lot for my body and self-esteem. Most of my pants don't fit anymore. Sure, some of it is just endo bloating, but the weight gain does play a part in it. And then there's the hot flashes. One minute I'm sweating like crazy, the next I'm feeling cold. I've also had constant breakthrough bleeding, so I'm using pantyliners daily. For the last two months of using the pills, I've had my periods every other week, which means I'm in terrible pain more often than I was without the pills. That's why I finally decided I've had enough and stopped taking desogestrel. I can't stand all the side effects and the pain. But this is just my experience, the pills might work for someone else! :)
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I used this for a month hoping it would help with period cramps. Do not recommend. I used it perfectly and felt nauseous everyday after taking it. I got a 9 day period (with cramps) during what was supposed to be my "ovulation" week.It had me feeling very anrgy, caused me period like pains and headaches daily.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
In general I had a good experience with Slynd. It helped my underlying endometriosis significantly and for the 4 months I was on it I had no period cramps or pain for the first time ever. Unfortunately I had to stop taking it because I was spotting everyday. I thought my body needed time to adjust but after 4 months I was still wearing a pantyliner every day. It was very minimal and I had no pain but I just didn't want to wear liners every day. Once I stopped Slynd I went back to 'normal' after about 3 days but sadly my periods are back to being painful. As an aside, I noticed a reduction in sweating whilst on Slynd and several days I would go without antiperspirant or deodorant.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I stopped taking the pill yesterday. I used desogestrel for four months for my endometriosis. I tried really hard to stay positive, to remind myself that it takes time for the side effects to go away and for my endo pain to lessen. Well, unfortunately desogestrel hasn't helped at all, but has made everything worse for me. I've gained 5 kgs in these four months. I've always been naturally skinny and never gained (or lost) weight, so gaining this much in such a short amount of time is a lot for my body and self-esteem. Most of my pants don't fit anymore. Sure, some of it is just endo bloating, but the weight gain does play a part in it. And then there's the hot flashes. One minute I'm sweating like crazy, the next I'm feeling cold. I've also had constant breakthrough bleeding, so I'm using pantyliners daily. For the last two months of using the pills, I've had my periods every other week, which means I'm in terrible pain more often than I was without the pills. That's why I finally decided I've had enough and stopped taking desogestrel. I can't stand all the side effects and the pain. But this is just my experience, the pills might work for someone else! :)
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I used this for a month hoping it would help with period cramps. Do not recommend. I used it perfectly and felt nauseous everyday after taking it. I got a 9 day period (with cramps) during what was supposed to be my "ovulation" week.It had me feeling very anrgy, caused me period like pains and headaches daily.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
In general I had a good experience with Slynd. It helped my underlying endometriosis significantly and for the 4 months I was on it I had no period cramps or pain for the first time ever. Unfortunately I had to stop taking it because I was spotting everyday. I thought my body needed time to adjust but after 4 months I was still wearing a pantyliner every day. It was very minimal and I had no pain but I just didn't want to wear liners every day. Once I stopped Slynd I went back to 'normal' after about 3 days but sadly my periods are back to being painful. As an aside, I noticed a reduction in sweating whilst on Slynd and several days I would go without antiperspirant or deodorant.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Great pill been on and off twice for a few years, no side effects bar really really really tender and sore and sensitive breasts. I have such bad health anxiety and honestly this had my questioning if I needed to go to the doctors because of the scary big C that’s how sore and tender my breasts have been, can’t even lie on them.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Went on this for fibroid heavy bleeding and period pain. Have daily bleeding and spotting since starting, and periods are now more irregular and as heavy as before. It didn't help with pain at all. Im going to finish out this month's pack and go off them. However, I got some acupuncture two weeks ago and the pain during my period this month has been greatly reduced. Would reccommend trying it!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Since i was 18 i tried 7 different contraception methods (pills and nuvaring). However i had diagnosed migraines, but none of the OBGYNs i was seeing though this was a concern. Now i am 24 and i finally found a competent OBGYN thanks to my friend. She was the only one who really looked through and studied my medical history and suggested taking desogestrel for my ovarian cysts and corpus luteum cyst, which were more rare occasion. I started my second pack today and i’m scared to jinx but the last two weeks were amazing. The first two weeks were a hell, i had bleeding for quite some time and then spotting for a week or more. Now i don’t have any spotting, my sex drive is the same, i am happy and i feel like i even started to lose weight. I am planning to update my story next month to see how my body would feel on these pills.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Aug 25
I was taking the contraception to stop painful periods or although I wasn’t any physical pain, my mental health went in freefall.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th Aug 25
It feels nice not having a period. But I’ve noticed I’ve become more spotty , I sweat more also & get thrush
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Aug 25
Has helped with PMDD symptoms, have not had a period since I’ve been using it. Complete loss of sex drive which I really don’t like.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Aug 25
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

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