Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)
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Overview
Rated 3.5
796 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 4.4
7 reviews
Permanent
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Permanent
Effect on fertility
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
796 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Overall I am really happy with my Mirena coil. Only thing I really wanted to note was that my periods did initially stop completely but they have started coming back after about 2.5/3 years of having it. Although they are much lighter than before I have the coil it was something I wasnt expecting. I think its because the hormones from the coil are slightly weaker than when it first went in, so right now its enough against pregnancy but not enough against my periods (is my thinking). anyways other than that i love it. I dont think it affects my moods as much as the pill etc because the hormones are really localised to the uterus area rather than being all of my bloodstream, as such, i believe its a lot less hormones too than for the pill .
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
In the beginning for the first few months I had breakthrough bleeding. Then it’s settled and my periods became regular. I kept Kyleena in for the full 5 years and found this method of contraception easy as didn’t involve remembering to take anything. My periods were between 5-6 days long - I still had cramps which I managed with heat and painkillers. This method gives you the peace of mind that you are protected against falling pregnant. I would recommend.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Overall I am really happy with my Mirena coil. Only thing I really wanted to note was that my periods did initially stop completely but they have started coming back after about 2.5/3 years of having it. Although they are much lighter than before I have the coil it was something I wasnt expecting. I think its because the hormones from the coil are slightly weaker than when it first went in, so right now its enough against pregnancy but not enough against my periods (is my thinking). anyways other than that i love it. I dont think it affects my moods as much as the pill etc because the hormones are really localised to the uterus area rather than being all of my bloodstream, as such, i believe its a lot less hormones too than for the pill .
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
In the beginning for the first few months I had breakthrough bleeding. Then it’s settled and my periods became regular. I kept Kyleena in for the full 5 years and found this method of contraception easy as didn’t involve remembering to take anything. My periods were between 5-6 days long - I still had cramps which I managed with heat and painkillers. This method gives you the peace of mind that you are protected against falling pregnant. I would recommend.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) reviews
7 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Mar 24
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jul 23
This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!
Very positive mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Mar 24
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jul 23
This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!
Very positive mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Dec 20
It maybe ok for some people and for some, like the other women here it may even be good, but for myself and a lot of other women this was and still is the worst thing that could have happened to me. My life has been irrevocably damaged by this procedure and is still being damaged. The complex migraines I have suffered since having the procedure caused me to have a stroke 3 days after my 39th birthday, I have never smoked, eat healthy, organic food and don’t abuse my body. Before this procedure I was extremely fit, quick minded, outgoing and energetic. It might not harm everyone but if you are one of the growing number of women that have been affected you will regret it for the rest of your life. Even a reversal may not completely fix things (as I found) depending on how badly the tubes have been damaged. Really do your research, join support groups for ptls and ask the women who are all suffering the same symptoms, as many questions as you can.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Sep 20
I chose sterilization several years ago to prevent pregnancy. It was the right decision for me and I have had no long-lasting effects.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th Nov 19
Best decision ever. I never have to worry about a pregnancy scare. Note: only do this if you are sure you never want to become pregnant naturally.
Increased sex drive
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Jun 19
I decided to get sterilised at age 25 after awful side effects from hormonal contraceptives (which doctors brushed off as nothing) including weight gain, depression, mood swings and complete loss of libido. I didn't want kids so I went to Marie Stopes and had my tubes tied privately (think it cost about £1000). Doctors on the NHS had more or less told me I was supposed to have kids and they only sterilised women who are older or who have already had kids...women's healthcare is shockingly bad. Anyway, other than temporary pain and discomfort after the surgery, which gradually tapered off after 2 weeks (I was in bad period-level pain immediately after, but by the next day I was just uncomfortable and this got better day by day), I feel completely myself and have done ever since...zero side effects! P.s. don't trust NHS doctors when it comes to women's health - they lie.
Top side effects not reported
7 helpful
0 comments
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