Implant vs Hormonal coil (IUS)
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Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
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Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
573 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
It was good for the first implant but then when my second one was fitted I bled for almost a whole year and became very exhausted
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I really enjoyed the implant for the first 12 months, however after this I started to spot more and more and for longer periods. These were also accompanied with increased fatigue and pain. The breakout bleeding than got progressively worse until the end of the 3 year period. Otherwise little to no symptoms which was made the increasing spotting so much more annoying!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It was my first time on contraception, I was afraid to forget the pill and had the feeling that the implant had less hormones in it. My mood was very fluctuating for the first 4-6 months but then settled. My period was much lighter at the beginning and not painful for the first few months, then actually got irregular after 7-8 months (only a few days, then nothing for 2 weeks, then 3 weeks long period...) The insertion of the implant was very easy and not too painful, been able to feel it since the beginning.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
It was good for the first implant but then when my second one was fitted I bled for almost a whole year and became very exhausted
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I really enjoyed the implant for the first 12 months, however after this I started to spot more and more and for longer periods. These were also accompanied with increased fatigue and pain. The breakout bleeding than got progressively worse until the end of the 3 year period. Otherwise little to no symptoms which was made the increasing spotting so much more annoying!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It was my first time on contraception, I was afraid to forget the pill and had the feeling that the implant had less hormones in it. My mood was very fluctuating for the first 4-6 months but then settled. My period was much lighter at the beginning and not painful for the first few months, then actually got irregular after 7-8 months (only a few days, then nothing for 2 weeks, then 3 weeks long period...) The insertion of the implant was very easy and not too painful, been able to feel it since the beginning.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews
751 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I started it after changing from the copper coil. Having previously had no issues with the mirena coil i thought this would be fine but instead i got constant spotting, bled after sex, had a painful and irritated cervix and lost my sex drive.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I have pmdd, I could not track my cycle with an iud fitted, it helped initially then made me so much worse. I seen 3 doctors who didn't help, I'm now treating holistically, tracking my cycle and tailoring my food, lifestyle, exercising to my cycle and Somatic healing.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
This was the first coil I had put in and the process itself was okay but felt very woozy and nearly fainted on the way home. Overall it was not a pleasant experience! I have since swapped to the copper coil and this process, whilst not fun, went a lot smoother! I had the hormonal coil removed primarily due to it's effect on my mood (feeling very low a lot of the time) and big drop in sex drive. It's worked very well for many of my friends but really just didn't suit me!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I started it after changing from the copper coil. Having previously had no issues with the mirena coil i thought this would be fine but instead i got constant spotting, bled after sex, had a painful and irritated cervix and lost my sex drive.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I have pmdd, I could not track my cycle with an iud fitted, it helped initially then made me so much worse. I seen 3 doctors who didn't help, I'm now treating holistically, tracking my cycle and tailoring my food, lifestyle, exercising to my cycle and Somatic healing.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
This was the first coil I had put in and the process itself was okay but felt very woozy and nearly fainted on the way home. Overall it was not a pleasant experience! I have since swapped to the copper coil and this process, whilst not fun, went a lot smoother! I had the hormonal coil removed primarily due to it's effect on my mood (feeling very low a lot of the time) and big drop in sex drive. It's worked very well for many of my friends but really just didn't suit me!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
The insertion process took longer place at my GP without the local anaesthetic and it was much less scary than made out to be. It took 10 minutes, I experienced a few cramps the day of and for the following few days but was otherwise ok. Initially I had no bleeding but from around 5 days post insertion to 6 weeks post insertion, I had significant spotting which affected my mood and my sex drive. Eventually this stopped. I did have irregular periods, however when they did come, they were the same as usual, no lighter. I suffered with acne and intermenstrual cramps during this time. I put up with it for 12 months to ensure I had time for it to settle in but unfortunately this was not the right choice for me.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
• 2 weeks ago
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
• 2 weeks ago
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
• 2 weeks ago
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
• 2 weeks ago
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
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