Withdrawal or pull out method vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Withdrawal or pull out method

Add your withdrawal or pull out method review

Hormonal coil (IUS)

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Overview

Rated 3.6

14 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

880 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

57% no impact on mood

71% no change

86% no impact

93% no impact

86% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% in 1 month

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

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Try it now

Add your withdrawal or pull out method review

Try it now

Add your Hormonal coil (IUS) review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

14 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I came off the combined pill around 4 years ago after trying many different pills and never quite feeling myself/having terrible clots in my periods on breaks. I'd been told by drs it was the only way to have safe sex from pregnancy and felt i had no choice. The good old fashioned pull out method has been my best friend ever since! Once i spoke to a very wise nurse who told me that i could try the natural cycle way or rely on pull out cleverly. Now i want to say that this isn't for everyone. I have been in a healthy long term relationship with someone i trust and with whom we communicate during all aspects of sex. Because of this we have been able to have all kinds of sex (including penetrative) without any pregnancy scares. My partner is a cis man and i a cis women, and the secret is FULL COMMUNICATION. If he is close to cuming he stops (NEVER ACTUALLY RELY ON PULLING OUT AS YOU CUM NO NO). It's about calming things down on his end when he thinks he'll climax. that means pulling out and moving to oral etc for a while before going again. Normlly this means i get a whole lotta love while he calms down so BONUS!! POSITIVES - I often cum first as it means i always get to cum as he can keep going and we are not relying on one way to have sex. I feel myself! We are more experimental and go on for longer. Its about trust so things feel more intimate, it has led to better communication and much better forplay. This means i cum more often. Knowing my own cycle and getting to know how my body and hormones work. Having sex slowly and sensually, with my pleasure and his both being taken into account due to the fact you can't just have full penetrative sex without thinking. NEGATIVES- he obvs can't cum in me. he doesnt personally feel sad about that. When finally he can't be in me anymore he has to cum using other ways to finish. It means it can be a bit stop and start (personally i think this is fun). You do have to be more careful. THIS IS DEFINITELY FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR SEXUAL PARTNER WELL. ITS ABOUT TRUST. You can't just bang it out like in the movies haha! I do pregnancy tetss every 3 months just in case pre cum has snuck in (it's very unlikely this gets you pregnant especially if your partner is aware of this. but worth thinking about) Overall, Chefs Kiss - but i do sometimes miss he cumming inside me ! BUT WON'T GO BACK

Read more

Very positive mood

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Only used it on occasion and normally alongside another form of contraception. I don't really recommend it as it feel risky


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

The withdrawal method is really not for everyone. But me and my partner prefer to not use male condoms and I use my Flo app to track my ovulation and period which helps me gauge when is the best time to use this method. As I’m not trying to fall pregnant again right now, and I don’t really want to use any hormonal contraceptives, this method has definitely worked for me but can only work if your willing to take control with family planning.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I came off the combined pill around 4 years ago after trying many different pills and never quite feeling myself/having terrible clots in my periods on breaks. I'd been told by drs it was the only way to have safe sex from pregnancy and felt i had no choice. The good old fashioned pull out method has been my best friend ever since! Once i spoke to a very wise nurse who told me that i could try the natural cycle way or rely on pull out cleverly. Now i want to say that this isn't for everyone. I have been in a healthy long term relationship with someone i trust and with whom we communicate during all aspects of sex. Because of this we have been able to have all kinds of sex (including penetrative) without any pregnancy scares. My partner is a cis man and i a cis women, and the secret is FULL COMMUNICATION. If he is close to cuming he stops (NEVER ACTUALLY RELY ON PULLING OUT AS YOU CUM NO NO). It's about calming things down on his end when he thinks he'll climax. that means pulling out and moving to oral etc for a while before going again. Normlly this means i get a whole lotta love while he calms down so BONUS!! POSITIVES - I often cum first as it means i always get to cum as he can keep going and we are not relying on one way to have sex. I feel myself! We are more experimental and go on for longer. Its about trust so things feel more intimate, it has led to better communication and much better forplay. This means i cum more often. Knowing my own cycle and getting to know how my body and hormones work. Having sex slowly and sensually, with my pleasure and his both being taken into account due to the fact you can't just have full penetrative sex without thinking. NEGATIVES- he obvs can't cum in me. he doesnt personally feel sad about that. When finally he can't be in me anymore he has to cum using other ways to finish. It means it can be a bit stop and start (personally i think this is fun). You do have to be more careful. THIS IS DEFINITELY FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR SEXUAL PARTNER WELL. ITS ABOUT TRUST. You can't just bang it out like in the movies haha! I do pregnancy tetss every 3 months just in case pre cum has snuck in (it's very unlikely this gets you pregnant especially if your partner is aware of this. but worth thinking about) Overall, Chefs Kiss - but i do sometimes miss he cumming inside me ! BUT WON'T GO BACK


Very positive mood

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Only used it on occasion and normally alongside another form of contraception. I don't really recommend it as it feel risky


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

The withdrawal method is really not for everyone. But me and my partner prefer to not use male condoms and I use my Flo app to track my ovulation and period which helps me gauge when is the best time to use this method. As I’m not trying to fall pregnant again right now, and I don’t really want to use any hormonal contraceptives, this method has definitely worked for me but can only work if your willing to take control with family planning.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

880 reviews

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Jaydess coil  

Insertion of the jaydess for me was incredibly painful and i had severe period cramps the days following insertion. Other than that for the first year i had no symptoms other than tender breasts and they had grown from C-DD (no complaints!) and often reccomended it to friends. However, after that i started getting regular thrush. It started off just coming before my period some months but now it is pretty much constant. Treatment only resolves symptoms for a short period and the its back! For this reason ive booked to have it taken out next week. Also the waitlist with my local clinic is so long ive been on it months and am no where near being seen so have had to go private unfortunately as the symptoms hae become unbearable :(


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

After taking the pill for at least ten years I thought it was time to reconsider my options. Used the Lowdown to eventually choose the hormonal coil. Insertion was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable (for me, I know alot of people have had horrid experiences). My periods are very irregular (think maybe four a year and more spotting that bloody). My hormonal state throughout the month is more consistent, no major ups and downs than I used to get on the pill. I couldn't fault this as an option and also not having to remember to take the pill everyday was a huge bonus. Recent changes to the length of time for changing them meant I got an extra two years out of mine. Great long term option if you know you don't want to have children for a large chunk of time. Clicked some sweating and thrush as side effects, but can't be certain they're due to the coil or due to hitting mid-thirties, ha!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

I'm hypermobile, and over time it has made my symptoms a lot worse despite my levels of exercise to strengthen. I'm now in pain regularly and sometimes struggle to sleep because of it. I've also started having migraines with aura and frequent headaches. Getting it taken out next week. It did however reduce my heavy bleeding to infrequent spotting, but I bled for 9 months straight after having it inserted.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Jaydess coil  

Insertion of the jaydess for me was incredibly painful and i had severe period cramps the days following insertion. Other than that for the first year i had no symptoms other than tender breasts and they had grown from C-DD (no complaints!) and often reccomended it to friends. However, after that i started getting regular thrush. It started off just coming before my period some months but now it is pretty much constant. Treatment only resolves symptoms for a short period and the its back! For this reason ive booked to have it taken out next week. Also the waitlist with my local clinic is so long ive been on it months and am no where near being seen so have had to go private unfortunately as the symptoms hae become unbearable :(


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena coil  

After taking the pill for at least ten years I thought it was time to reconsider my options. Used the Lowdown to eventually choose the hormonal coil. Insertion was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable (for me, I know alot of people have had horrid experiences). My periods are very irregular (think maybe four a year and more spotting that bloody). My hormonal state throughout the month is more consistent, no major ups and downs than I used to get on the pill. I couldn't fault this as an option and also not having to remember to take the pill everyday was a huge bonus. Recent changes to the length of time for changing them meant I got an extra two years out of mine. Great long term option if you know you don't want to have children for a large chunk of time. Clicked some sweating and thrush as side effects, but can't be certain they're due to the coil or due to hitting mid-thirties, ha!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Mirena coil  

I'm hypermobile, and over time it has made my symptoms a lot worse despite my levels of exercise to strengthen. I'm now in pain regularly and sometimes struggle to sleep because of it. I've also started having migraines with aura and frequent headaches. Getting it taken out next week. It did however reduce my heavy bleeding to infrequent spotting, but I bled for 9 months straight after having it inserted.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena coil  

Had kyleena fitted on recommendation from my doctor due to severe painful heavy periods, I have adenomyosis and suspected endo. Insertion was uncomfortable but not excruciating, the cramp lasted a couple of seconds and I was fine. Bleeding started within hours and didn't stop for the duration of use, I was having excruciating pain every day to the point I couldn't walk, feel my legs and awful tail bone pain. I booked an appointment a month later and my doctor said I didn't look well and removed it without me even having to ask. I wish it had worked for me but it just didn't. The removal was fine and gave instant relief.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 8+ yr
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jan 26

Jaydess coil  

I had used the Mirena coil back to back post partum for 9 years very happily but my LEA meant I was only having withdrawal bleeds. After restoring bodyweight and menstruating naturally, I went back for Mirena but was given Jaydess. The insertion was more problematic and that she how I ended up with Jaydess over Mirena. I had irregular and more bleeding for the first 3 months but read the reviews on here to help me persevere. I was “angry” as on Mirena it was always so easy but then I wasn’t actually properly menstruating due to low energy availability (eating disorder) so I drew perhaps FALSE causation on Jaydess being wrong. I have very light but regular periods and my PME is definitely reduced. I’ve had it in a year and am very happy with it and my threads have stayed in place despite roughhousing which wasn’t always the case with the Mirena. I’m in no rush to have to it out even though I turn 50 this year.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Jan 26

Levosert coil  

Had this for adenomyosis and the pain stopped for a while but its back again now so the side affects aren't worth it for me. Having it removed later today


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Jan 26

Mirena coil  

I love my hormonal coil. I have had no side effects what-so-ever and my bleeding is regular but extremly light, only monthly spotting. I did have ongoing spotting for around the first 6 months but no issue at all since then and the spotting was worth it for the final result of minimal bleeding.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Jan 26

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Jan 26

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal coil (IUS)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Jan 26

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Withdrawal or pull out method with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them