Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Hormonal coil (IUS)

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Overview

Rated 2.7

1455 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

873 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen


Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

32% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

43% no impact on mood

46% stopped periods

47% no impact

59% no impact

54% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Try it now

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1455 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Noriday pill  

I felt satisfied until I came on here and realised my symptoms might be to do with this pill. I had a baby 14 months ago and have recently felt awful - low self esteem,anxiety, back pain, bad skin, weight gain, bloating, headaches, migraines... The list goes on. I thought it was part and parcel of having a small human but I'm starting to think it might be because of the noriday. In terms of my periods this is the best mini pill I've tried which is why I've still given it 3 stars. They're shorter and not too heavy or painful so an improvement for me. But due to the other symptoms I might have to look at an alternative. Maybe the dreaded coil.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Cerelle pill  

The good thing about Cerelle is that it stopped my periods. However, it triggered an androgenic response for me so I gained weight on it, got lots of stretch marks (which I have never had before), experienced hair loss, experience increased and darker body hair, and it gave me bad skin, also seemed to be more irritable all the time. I have been changed to a combined pill now so fingers crossed everything gets better!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

it has helped massively with my cramps which is the reason i was put onto it. my tender breasts and spotting are what i have struggled with the most


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

3 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Noriday pill  

I felt satisfied until I came on here and realised my symptoms might be to do with this pill. I had a baby 14 months ago and have recently felt awful - low self esteem,anxiety, back pain, bad skin, weight gain, bloating, headaches, migraines... The list goes on. I thought it was part and parcel of having a small human but I'm starting to think it might be because of the noriday. In terms of my periods this is the best mini pill I've tried which is why I've still given it 3 stars. They're shorter and not too heavy or painful so an improvement for me. But due to the other symptoms I might have to look at an alternative. Maybe the dreaded coil.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Cerelle pill  

The good thing about Cerelle is that it stopped my periods. However, it triggered an androgenic response for me so I gained weight on it, got lots of stretch marks (which I have never had before), experienced hair loss, experience increased and darker body hair, and it gave me bad skin, also seemed to be more irritable all the time. I have been changed to a combined pill now so fingers crossed everything gets better!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

it has helped massively with my cramps which is the reason i was put onto it. my tender breasts and spotting are what i have struggled with the most


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

3 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

873 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Mirena coil  

Expressed concerns as not very tolerant to pop pills, was told it’s localised so wouldn’t be the same. Insertion caused intense one sided stabbing pain. This cramping then continued for the 6 weeks that I tolerated it, especially after eating. Bleeding and spotting was literally all day everyday. My moods worsened, anxiety went through the roof and I felt horrible! Didn’t have sex at all with it in! Asked to have it removed and gp ignored me. Arranged appointment with sexual health clinic, 4 week wait. You are at their mercy for removal, no control of your own body. Luckily an amazing nurse who could see the distress it was causing me. Instant relief once removed. Mood lifted and amazing not to be bleeding every single day. I couldn’t have waited out the 6 months, if I could I would have removed it myself.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Kyleena coil  

Was on the injection for over 6 years and was advised to change due to adenomyosis diagnosis. Injection gifted me no periods for 6 years and I’ve still not had any sine changing to coil. Insertion was painful but 6/10 initially. Hot water bottle and pills helped. Cramping did occur infrequently for 2-3 weeks post insertion. Breasts have definitely enlarged and far more tender to touch, feel heavier and unfortunately don’t fit my bra’s anymore. 1st world problems. No issues during intimacy or post either. Other than the cramps, no complaints!


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Benilexa coil  

I previously had the copper coil for 4 years because I wasn't keen on using a hormonal contraception but I wish I'd changed to benelixa sooner. I opted for a numbing injection during the procedure and hardly felt anything, it was great. Afterwards there was some very mild cramping and unfortunately I did get mild thrush within the week, however since then it's been amazing. Hardly any pain during periods and they are sooo much lighter. I used to bloat all the time but now I never do. I also lost about 4lbs and have stayed at that weight ever since. I had thinning hair previously and now have lots of new baby hairs coming in all over my head which I'm delighted about. Sex drive has decreased ever so slightly but not enough to be a problem. No changes to my skin or any other negative side effects. Really can't recommend it more, I'm delighted with not being in agony every month and I have much more energy since I'm only losing about a quarter of blood compared to before.


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Mirena coil  

Expressed concerns as not very tolerant to pop pills, was told it’s localised so wouldn’t be the same. Insertion caused intense one sided stabbing pain. This cramping then continued for the 6 weeks that I tolerated it, especially after eating. Bleeding and spotting was literally all day everyday. My moods worsened, anxiety went through the roof and I felt horrible! Didn’t have sex at all with it in! Asked to have it removed and gp ignored me. Arranged appointment with sexual health clinic, 4 week wait. You are at their mercy for removal, no control of your own body. Luckily an amazing nurse who could see the distress it was causing me. Instant relief once removed. Mood lifted and amazing not to be bleeding every single day. I couldn’t have waited out the 6 months, if I could I would have removed it myself.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Kyleena coil  

Was on the injection for over 6 years and was advised to change due to adenomyosis diagnosis. Injection gifted me no periods for 6 years and I’ve still not had any sine changing to coil. Insertion was painful but 6/10 initially. Hot water bottle and pills helped. Cramping did occur infrequently for 2-3 weeks post insertion. Breasts have definitely enlarged and far more tender to touch, feel heavier and unfortunately don’t fit my bra’s anymore. 1st world problems. No issues during intimacy or post either. Other than the cramps, no complaints!


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Benilexa coil  

I previously had the copper coil for 4 years because I wasn't keen on using a hormonal contraception but I wish I'd changed to benelixa sooner. I opted for a numbing injection during the procedure and hardly felt anything, it was great. Afterwards there was some very mild cramping and unfortunately I did get mild thrush within the week, however since then it's been amazing. Hardly any pain during periods and they are sooo much lighter. I used to bloat all the time but now I never do. I also lost about 4lbs and have stayed at that weight ever since. I had thinning hair previously and now have lots of new baby hairs coming in all over my head which I'm delighted about. Sex drive has decreased ever so slightly but not enough to be a problem. No changes to my skin or any other negative side effects. Really can't recommend it more, I'm delighted with not being in agony every month and I have much more energy since I'm only losing about a quarter of blood compared to before.


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

I’ve had the kyleena iud for just over a year. Initially, I had more painful periods but that’s common for about 6 months as your body adjusts but this has since gone away. After about 6 months, I started to suffer with vaginal dryness. This was easily managed with lube during sex but after a year it really started to get bad. It was causing constant thrust (5 times in 3 months) which I had never been prone to before and the pain during sex can sometimes mean we have to stop or I’ll be okay for a bit but then after will be bleeding or have sort of friction burns. It’s coming out soon but it’s just a shame about the dryness as I loved it otherwise


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

My first year of the coil seemed to be okay. Took a while to get used to and on the grand scheme of things after about 3 months my period pretty much left.. but in the last year, I’ve been getting symptoms of anger, forgetfulness and generally feeling checked out. Going to speak to GP to find another option.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Dec 25

Mirena coil  

Hard to tell if it’s improved but I definitely have breast tenderness


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Nov 25

Kyleena coil  

Kyleena was recommended with mr having Adenomyosis due to wrongly being given the copper coil before and bleeding for months on end. Kyleena had irregular periods to begin, the only sidr effect for the first 4 months were severe coldnesd/flu like symptoms the day before my period for all 4 months. As my periods stopped, my sex drive and mental health crashed. I'm on month 9 and awaiting removal.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Nov 25

Kyleena coil  

Having used the pill on and off for 20 years I was hesitant to use another hormonal contraception but I was so happy with kyleena - no noticeable mentsl or physical symptoms. Insertion is not pleasant but it's over in seconds.i experienced some period cramps in first few weeks but then periods became extremely light and pain free for the last 3-4 years. I would get this method again without hesitation.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Nov 25

Mirena coil  

I had a terrible experience with Mirena. It started with severe cramping after insertion. The cramping continued for weeks. I got a UTI from it. Then the other symptoms started - severe depression, sneezing, severe sinus pain, insomnia. I experienced severe vaginal dryness and vulvodynia (shooting pain down there) which ultimately led me to showing up at my gp and begging for it to be removed.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Nov 25

Hormonal coil (IUS)  

Periods stopped, no noticeable side effects other than toward the end of the 5 years when I had a few side effects (tender breasts, spots, mood swings) which I put down to hormonal change as the coil was coming to expiry date. Now I've had it replaced and I have no side effects. Stable mood, skin clear, no periods, no stomach/back/head pain.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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