Injection vs Hormonal coil (IUS)
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Overview
Rated 2.9
269 reviews
Every 2-3 months
Frequency
97% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Short term
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.5
780 reviews
Every 3-8 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Injection reviews
269 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
780 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I got my kyleena almost 4 months ago. It’s the first birth control I’ve been on and I put off getting any for ages because I was scared of the hormones. I’ve seen too many of my friends get depressed from the pill and so was very anti pill. My mental health is good overall and I didn’t want anything to mess with that. I wasn’t keen on the copper coil either because I didn’t want heavier and more painful periods. I’d never heard of an IUS/hormonal coil before my GP mentioned it and most people I’ve mentioned it to haven’t either but really should! I chose kyleena in the end because I liked the fact that yes there were hormones but because it’s a small dose and localised (directly in your uterus), you’re not supposed to get any mood effects. The most common side effect is irregular and lighter bleeding and for me choosing birth control came down to deciding which side effects were the least bad for me. Insertion I'm generally fine with pain and injections etc, minor operations don't really bother me so it will be different for different people but insertion was really quick and easy for me! I took some painkillers beforehand as advised and there was about 10 seconds of painful cramping where I was wincing but nothing I couldn't handle :) It was a bit uncomfortable because it was my first time with a speculum but my GP was great! I started bleeding lightly pretty immediately after and some mild cramping. The GP showed me how to check my threads on a model and I checked at home by myself relatively easily, it was weird at first but used to it now and easy to find. Side effects So far the only obvious side effects for me have been changes to bleeding and cramping. My periods used to be very regular and not too bad. Every 27ish days and lasted for 6 days with days 5-6 being very light and only days 1-2 being heavy. They’re still changing as my body gets used to the coil but appear to be getting lighter and lighter and maybe going away completely. My first period post insertion was noticeably a lot lighter. I used to use a mooncup and haven't used it at all since, because I'm just not bleeding enough (and the advice on whether you should use a suction cup with an IUD/IUS is slightly confusing). I'm just using light flow period pants (WUKA's period thongs specifically which I love). I bled most days for the first maybe second month but still really light. It's gradually getting less frequent and lighter so I've gone weeks with no bleeding before having an extremely light almost unnoticeable period. My cycle length is varying from 18-30+ days which is a bit annoying for someone who used to be so regular but I'll take it over other side effects. I’m still ‘spotting’ throughout my cycle but it’s almost unnoticeable it’s so light. Not quite safe in white underwear yet but any bleeding I have is more like brown/pink discharge and doesn't stain the way blood would. Cramping Pre coil my cramping ranged from non existent to mostly there for a few days but not too bothersome to occasionally needing to be strapped to a hot water bottle feeling sorry for myself on days 2 and 4. I now get random cramping at any point throughout my cycle and it doesn’t really line up my my period anymore. I do get cramps on my period but not in the pattern I used to. Sometimes it’s the most painful I’ve had, more often and is sometimes more of a stabbing than a dull ache but it’s still manageable and I imagine loads better than copper coil. Sometimes I think the hair on my stomach is ever so slightly darker (common progesterone side effect) but I’m not sure how true that is. I do complain about the irregular bleeding and cramping, it can be irritating but it’s not the end of the world and seems to be levelling out 🤞 I’m ultimately very happy that my coil so far seems to have no effect on my mood which was my main concern. It’ll obviously work differently for different people but I’d recommend looking into it and considering it! I’m still new to it and am curious to see how it goes long term but so far largely good!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The mirena coil overall worked very well for me. It took a few months to settle initially, and I’m glad I stuck it out. However, at the 5 year mark I started to experience unpleasant symptoms - hair loss, pelvic pain, recurrent thrush. So I’ve now had it removed and gone for kyleena coil, so will see how that goes!
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was nervous to try Jaydess as I have previously struggled with mild hormonal acne. However after 11 months, there have been barely any side effects apart from spotting in between periods. I found the pill had so many more side effects! My mood is unchanged, body unchanged, skin broke out ever so slightly but mainly fine. Sex drive unchanged. The only negative is it is painful having it inserted (and I had cramping for 2-3 months around the time of my period). But now I barely get cramps and my period is very light! Would recommend!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I got my kyleena almost 4 months ago. It’s the first birth control I’ve been on and I put off getting any for ages because I was scared of the hormones. I’ve seen too many of my friends get depressed from the pill and so was very anti pill. My mental health is good overall and I didn’t want anything to mess with that. I wasn’t keen on the copper coil either because I didn’t want heavier and more painful periods. I’d never heard of an IUS/hormonal coil before my GP mentioned it and most people I’ve mentioned it to haven’t either but really should! I chose kyleena in the end because I liked the fact that yes there were hormones but because it’s a small dose and localised (directly in your uterus), you’re not supposed to get any mood effects. The most common side effect is irregular and lighter bleeding and for me choosing birth control came down to deciding which side effects were the least bad for me. Insertion I'm generally fine with pain and injections etc, minor operations don't really bother me so it will be different for different people but insertion was really quick and easy for me! I took some painkillers beforehand as advised and there was about 10 seconds of painful cramping where I was wincing but nothing I couldn't handle :) It was a bit uncomfortable because it was my first time with a speculum but my GP was great! I started bleeding lightly pretty immediately after and some mild cramping. The GP showed me how to check my threads on a model and I checked at home by myself relatively easily, it was weird at first but used to it now and easy to find. Side effects So far the only obvious side effects for me have been changes to bleeding and cramping. My periods used to be very regular and not too bad. Every 27ish days and lasted for 6 days with days 5-6 being very light and only days 1-2 being heavy. They’re still changing as my body gets used to the coil but appear to be getting lighter and lighter and maybe going away completely. My first period post insertion was noticeably a lot lighter. I used to use a mooncup and haven't used it at all since, because I'm just not bleeding enough (and the advice on whether you should use a suction cup with an IUD/IUS is slightly confusing). I'm just using light flow period pants (WUKA's period thongs specifically which I love). I bled most days for the first maybe second month but still really light. It's gradually getting less frequent and lighter so I've gone weeks with no bleeding before having an extremely light almost unnoticeable period. My cycle length is varying from 18-30+ days which is a bit annoying for someone who used to be so regular but I'll take it over other side effects. I’m still ‘spotting’ throughout my cycle but it’s almost unnoticeable it’s so light. Not quite safe in white underwear yet but any bleeding I have is more like brown/pink discharge and doesn't stain the way blood would. Cramping Pre coil my cramping ranged from non existent to mostly there for a few days but not too bothersome to occasionally needing to be strapped to a hot water bottle feeling sorry for myself on days 2 and 4. I now get random cramping at any point throughout my cycle and it doesn’t really line up my my period anymore. I do get cramps on my period but not in the pattern I used to. Sometimes it’s the most painful I’ve had, more often and is sometimes more of a stabbing than a dull ache but it’s still manageable and I imagine loads better than copper coil. Sometimes I think the hair on my stomach is ever so slightly darker (common progesterone side effect) but I’m not sure how true that is. I do complain about the irregular bleeding and cramping, it can be irritating but it’s not the end of the world and seems to be levelling out 🤞 I’m ultimately very happy that my coil so far seems to have no effect on my mood which was my main concern. It’ll obviously work differently for different people but I’d recommend looking into it and considering it! I’m still new to it and am curious to see how it goes long term but so far largely good!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The mirena coil overall worked very well for me. It took a few months to settle initially, and I’m glad I stuck it out. However, at the 5 year mark I started to experience unpleasant symptoms - hair loss, pelvic pain, recurrent thrush. So I’ve now had it removed and gone for kyleena coil, so will see how that goes!
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was nervous to try Jaydess as I have previously struggled with mild hormonal acne. However after 11 months, there have been barely any side effects apart from spotting in between periods. I found the pill had so many more side effects! My mood is unchanged, body unchanged, skin broke out ever so slightly but mainly fine. Sex drive unchanged. The only negative is it is painful having it inserted (and I had cramping for 2-3 months around the time of my period). But now I barely get cramps and my period is very light! Would recommend!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Overall it has made my hormonal state worse. I am having it removed after 5 months as the moment I enter my luteal phase I have horrible mood swings, and depression-like symptoms and have become extremely sensitive to sugar, which then affects my mental state to the point of crying for no other reason. I also had a traumatic experience getting it in, please do your reading before getting any IUDs in. Ask for pain relief.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
The mirena coil was excruiciating to have inserted, I am so shocked that no pain relief was offered and i had to spend the rest of the day in bed with severe cramps which continued for a few days. My skin had a very poor reaction and i developed quite bad cystic acne across my face, chest and back as a result, which I did not have previously.
Worse skin
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
The Jaydess coil increased my period pain massively and gave me severe acne, which took years to heal after it was removed. For the first couple months on it I was spotting constantly and developed anemia.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I got this contraception to prevent pregnancy but completely lost libido and gained weight. There was no issue with insertion and removal and got rid of painful periods.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
This has been much better for me than the combined or mini pill - it has had no effect on my mood that I can tell and my periods have basically almost stopped (for the past 3 years I've had 6ish light periods a year, with 1 day of sever cramping). However, this is nothing as bad as my natural periods which normally have a week either side of just cramping. However, I have recently noticed increased breast soreness/tenderness, slight, persistent cramps and increased discharge after my last period. If this persists I'll talk to my doctor - I should be changing my coil soon away, so I'll report back :)
Improved skin
0 helpful
2 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Sep 24
I had cramps for ten days after and then I felt good for a week. Then I got pain so bad and a fever that I got taken to an and e. I in hospital for 10 days and had pelvic inflammatory disease which caused a massive abscess on my ovary which may leave permanent damage. I was never warned of this would not recommend it was such a painful experience
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Aug 24
Mirena prescribed for painful, heavy, irregular periods in peri-menopause. My quality of life improved dramatically as a result. I had some bleeding daily for first 6 weeks, but my periods have now stopped other than an occasional slight spotting episode. No more pain, flooding or embarrassment, with my iron levels restored, so feeling energetic and less tired. No side effects other than breast tenderness and some mood changes initially. Life changing.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
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