Combined pill vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Overview

Rated 2.8

2400 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

747 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen


Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

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£From £0.16/day

Try it now

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combined pill reviews

2400 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Stopped using

Sadly this pill effected my mood very very badly. During the 17 pills where the progestin used in it was at its highest I suffered extreme suicidal thoughts and couldn't get out of bed for several days. I realised it was the pill and immediately stopped taking it and my mood stabilised pretty quickly once it was out my system. Obviously we are all different and I think I'm quite sensitive to synthetic progesterone, I also already struggle with pms and very low mood before my period. That is actually why I was trying this pill to try and help my pms but it made everything even worse. So it might be fine for you but for me it was a massive no.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Still using

I changed which pill I was using due to problems with mood, and honestly, I don't think much has changed. I take the pill for 3 months at a time and have a break—the periods are a lot more variable in terms of side effects (some are awful but some are more bearable), but are definitely heavier.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

i was on this pill for maybe 2 years or less, awful. i’ve came off it about a week ago and i’ve started a new one called lizinna. my sex drive decreased a lot , i was always agitated about everything that much it started affecting my relationship. i gained weight which was shocking as i have a fast metabolism and used to be skinny. i became very lazy and just wanted to rot in bed all the time . everything just annoyed me and i had terrible mood swings not recommended


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Stopped using

Sadly this pill effected my mood very very badly. During the 17 pills where the progestin used in it was at its highest I suffered extreme suicidal thoughts and couldn't get out of bed for several days. I realised it was the pill and immediately stopped taking it and my mood stabilised pretty quickly once it was out my system. Obviously we are all different and I think I'm quite sensitive to synthetic progesterone, I also already struggle with pms and very low mood before my period. That is actually why I was trying this pill to try and help my pms but it made everything even worse. So it might be fine for you but for me it was a massive no.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Still using

I changed which pill I was using due to problems with mood, and honestly, I don't think much has changed. I take the pill for 3 months at a time and have a break—the periods are a lot more variable in terms of side effects (some are awful but some are more bearable), but are definitely heavier.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

i was on this pill for maybe 2 years or less, awful. i’ve came off it about a week ago and i’ve started a new one called lizinna. my sex drive decreased a lot , i was always agitated about everything that much it started affecting my relationship. i gained weight which was shocking as i have a fast metabolism and used to be skinny. i became very lazy and just wanted to rot in bed all the time . everything just annoyed me and i had terrible mood swings not recommended


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

747 reviews

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Still using

I’m 44 with recently diagnosed PCOS and endometriosis which is why my specialist told me to try the Mirena to lighten the lining of my uterus and help with my awful periods. I had to go off of the pill at 40 and suffered for 2 years while debating what to do. I got the mirena in at 42 and have had it 2.5 years now. I do get pelvic pain and cramping twice a month for a few days randomly and feel like I can tell which ovary is active but it is still better than dealing with the bleeding and irregular periods I had previously. My periods are non existant apart from spotting for a few days but not enough to even merit wearing a liner! Sex drive is definitely lower and dryness comes and goes as well but breasts have grown which I’m not upset about! I’m leaving it for another 2 years then will decide if I should opt for a hysterectomy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Still using

Wish I'd got the Mirena coil sooner it's been great for me! I have no side effects, my periods have almost stopped except for a little spotting once a month. Insertion for me was a little painful and I had immediate cramps but by the end of the day they had passed (I had an anaesthetic injection which probably helped with the pain). My first period after insertion was heavier and more painful than usual and I had some spotting throughout the month for about 6 months, but now my periods have almost stopped.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I had an awful time getting it in and out. I have never given birth, which can make it worse. The cramping pain was so bad, I vomited when getting it in and they had to use arterial forceps to remove it as the strings got lost (ouch). My skin was better and my moods were more stable. My period also stopped which saved a lot of money. I gained a lot of weight, though and the amount and intensity of my migraines increased a lot. I also had terrible cramping pain despite no periods, which was linked to PCOS. I haven’t had any symptoms since getting it removed 2 years ago.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Still using

I’m 44 with recently diagnosed PCOS and endometriosis which is why my specialist told me to try the Mirena to lighten the lining of my uterus and help with my awful periods. I had to go off of the pill at 40 and suffered for 2 years while debating what to do. I got the mirena in at 42 and have had it 2.5 years now. I do get pelvic pain and cramping twice a month for a few days randomly and feel like I can tell which ovary is active but it is still better than dealing with the bleeding and irregular periods I had previously. My periods are non existant apart from spotting for a few days but not enough to even merit wearing a liner! Sex drive is definitely lower and dryness comes and goes as well but breasts have grown which I’m not upset about! I’m leaving it for another 2 years then will decide if I should opt for a hysterectomy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Still using

Wish I'd got the Mirena coil sooner it's been great for me! I have no side effects, my periods have almost stopped except for a little spotting once a month. Insertion for me was a little painful and I had immediate cramps but by the end of the day they had passed (I had an anaesthetic injection which probably helped with the pain). My first period after insertion was heavier and more painful than usual and I had some spotting throughout the month for about 6 months, but now my periods have almost stopped.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I had an awful time getting it in and out. I have never given birth, which can make it worse. The cramping pain was so bad, I vomited when getting it in and they had to use arterial forceps to remove it as the strings got lost (ouch). My skin was better and my moods were more stable. My period also stopped which saved a lot of money. I gained a lot of weight, though and the amount and intensity of my migraines increased a lot. I also had terrible cramping pain despite no periods, which was linked to PCOS. I haven’t had any symptoms since getting it removed 2 years ago.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

the coil was much better than the pill for me, especially in terms of my mental health.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Still using

jaydess coil. i wanted a low hormone coil after bad experiences with pills. best thing ive tried. some negative mood and quite a few cramps initially, but pretty good now.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Amazing


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Still using

After having fibroid operation . I wanted contraceptive with no estrogen and ideally low progesterone. Wasn't many choices it was either mini pill or coil which you take on time all the time which didn't suit me. Plus I don't suit the more modern progesterone. Makes me crazy so it had to be iud coil. I've had many Mirena in past which were great masking at my heavy bleeding from my fibroids. But tended to have low moods which I put down to progesterone. So why I went for kylenna, a coil lower version progesterone with same amount of years. Initial side effects but amazed how little I bleed and i feel moods swings aren't strong as they were on the Mirena coil. I feel more even. I think definitely sensitive to hormone changes so I see this as a benefit for me.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 24

  •  Still using

I never leave reviews but felt like I needed to because I was terrified of getting this, I’ve always struggled with hormonal acne, thrush and am incredibly susceptible to drastic mood changes due to birth control. This was my last hope as the pill never agreed with me and I didn’t want the heavy bleeding from the copper coil. The insertion was really not even bad it did hurt a bit but was over so fast, I even went for a walk with my friend that evening and was absolutely fine! I had some cramps and bleeding for a few days after but nothing major and since I have had no side effects except a late and very light period that’s it! So please don’t be as terrified was after hearing so many horror stories, I was completely fine :)


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Mar 24

  •  Still using

In my teens/early 20s I was on the combined pill, but decided to stop and never go back to it as I felt it messed with my body and mood too much. Getting the IUS was the best decision I made. It was quite uncomfortable during insertion but the doctor put me at ease. I got quite a few cramps in the first few days but it quickly settled down. Periods are much lighter to the point where they are barely there, with only the occasional short-lived cramping. I haven’t noticed any particular side effects that affect me. I can forget about contraception for 5 years which is fantastic! Although this has hormones in I am happy that it is a much lower dose than some of the other options. Would definitely recommend and get it again in the future.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Mar 24

  •  Stopped using

Overall helped to regulate my periods, but also had significant side effects on my food intake/weight and on my energy levels.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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