Male condom vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Male condom

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Overview

Rated 4.1

66 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

82% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

795 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sexual intercourse.

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

73% no impact on mood

88% no change

77% no impact

99% no impact

88% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

43% no impact on mood

48% stopped periods

47% no impact

59% no impact

53% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Protects against STIs

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

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Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Male condom reviews

66 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend

Read more

Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

795 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Kyleena coil  

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

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Worsened eczema, dry skin, overly sensitive skin


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

minimal side affects comparted to my experience on the combined pill


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Kyleena coil  

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

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

Worsened eczema, dry skin, overly sensitive skin


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

minimal side affects comparted to my experience on the combined pill


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

I had such high hopes for the Mirena to help with my heavy periods but sadly I'm nearing the six month mark and there has been no improvement in the long term, if anything my periods are worse and I can't find any reason online as to why. I couldn't put up with the monthly flooding any longer and the NHS waiting list was at least 12 months, so I paid privately for the Mirena to be fitted. The insertion was uncomfortable but bearable (I haven't had children) and I didn't experience any discomfort immediately afterwards. The cramps during menstruation in the first two months following the fitting were intense, but the period was lighter so it still seemed like a win overall and I remained hopeful the cramps would ease as my body got used to the coil. That has happened and the cramps have eased to next to nothing now, but strangely my periods after the three month mark have been horrendous. I've been losing clots bigger than I have experienced before and I am back in incontinence pads to manage the amount of blood I lose. I can't continue to afford to access private care and I remain on the NHS waiting list, where I guess I will discuss ablation when I finally reach the top of the list. I so wish this had worked for me because it seemed an easy option and importantly it didn't end my fertility, but sadly it wasn't to be. I don't know why I'm surprised it didn't work for me, this is just my luck!! I wish it hadn't cost me hundreds of pounds to find this out, but for those it works for it seems life changing so it very much felt like an avenue worth exploring.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Dec 24

Mirena coil  

Insertion was fine, just like a deep period cramp but only lasted 3 seconds. I was a little cranky for the rest of the day but no more than a regular period. I did bleed and spot for 4-6 weeks after insertion and then gradually over the last 12 months my periods have become lighter and lighter and have now stopped with only the odd day of spotting . What I will say is it doesn't totally prevent pms symptoms but has massively improved mines. I had to suffer from terrible tender breasts for 14 days leading up to my period and bad bloating ! That's gone now but I do still get a little emotional round about the time I would get my period. My only negative I can say is I have gained approx 1.5 stone but I can't say for certain it's this coil. I am hoping to diet and exs in the new year and lose it. Over all this is a brilliant form of contraception for me after trying so many pills , the implant , the patch you name it. This has been by far the best one with little to no side affects. I strongly recommend it.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Dec 24

Mirena coil  

Prepare for an immediate & severe drop in mood after insertion, coupled with intense pain for the first few weeks. My mood has stabilised a bit after 5 months, but overall I am much lower in mood and lack energy and motivation. The headaches are persistent and I have gained 1 stone. I bled for 3 months straight and now I bleed for approx half of the month, with painful periods and severe bloating.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Nov 24

Jaydess coil  

I’ve had this coil in for around 5 weeks now which isn’t a long time but it’s the best i’ve used so far. I have had positive experiences with copper IUDs in the past but they have all rejected due to strong period cramps, so I decided to give the Jaydess a try as it is the lowest dose of hormones available. I initially had it inserted a week after my period and the following week I started my period that lasted 17 days, very heavily. I didn't have any mood swings or weight gain in that time, but the cramps were SO bad for the entire time. On the weight gain, my experience might be skewed as I go to the gym and do very rigorous cardio 6 days per week. I have ultra dry skin also, so I cannot comment on acne as I luckily don’t suffer from it, apart from one super huge spot that came up on week 4. So far so good girls, stay safe and good luck!


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Nov 24

Mirena coil  

I have found the coil a very useful and relatively stress free form of contraception. I find the lighter periods much easier to deal with, my PMDD has been a lot more manageable with the coil and I appreciate not having to remember to deal with contraception regularly. My only issues have been some uncomfortable cramping occasionally and I did have an ovarian cyst which the doctor thought could be related to the hormonal contraception. The cyst did require an overnight hospital stay for pain relief but didn’t require surgery to fix, it went away on its own. Overall, taking everything into account I would still recommend the hormonal coil for ease etc - I think it is worth it!


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Nov 24

Mirena coil  

Mostly happy but dryness is a big issue, making sex uncomfortable and sometimes not possible. No other issues so will persist but was not an expected side effect!


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Nov 24

Kyleena coil  

Really good contraception however I feel my breasts are sore 3 weeks out of 4.


Gained weight

1 helpful

1 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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