Implant vs Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)
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Overview
Rated 2.8
632 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 4.5
8 reviews
Permanent
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Permanent
Effect on fertility
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
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
Implant reviews
632 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
3 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
3 comments
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) reviews
8 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Jan 26
I had a laparoscopic bisalpingectomy. Obviously it is a surgery, which means a few weeks of recovery and scars can take a few months to properly heal and fade, but I am so glad I got it done. It is permanent, so that is something to keep in mind if you are not 100% sure, but very safe and reliable.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 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 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Jan 26
I had a laparoscopic bisalpingectomy. Obviously it is a surgery, which means a few weeks of recovery and scars can take a few months to properly heal and fade, but I am so glad I got it done. It is permanent, so that is something to keep in mind if you are not 100% sure, but very safe and reliable.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 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
1 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
Women's health, reviewed.
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