Contraception Reviews

Hormonal IUD vs Mini pill

Hormonal IUD

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Mini pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.5

74 reviews

3 - 8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

38 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hormonal IUD ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal IUD

progestin


Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

38% no impact on mood

Bleeds

45% stopped periods

Sex drive

41% no impact

Weight

47% no impact

Skin

43% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Mood

37% no impact on mood

Bleeds

40% stopped periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

45% no impact

Skin

37% no impact on skin

Cycle return

57% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Menopause

Period pain

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hormonal IUD reviews

74 reviews

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Mirena IUD  

Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Mirena IUD  

I love mirena


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Mirena IUD  

Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Mirena IUD  

I love mirena


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Kyleena IUD  

Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments


Mini pill reviews

38 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Mini pill  

Still affected by a bit of acne, but not experiencing mood swings like when I was on Yaz. However, I am having severe break through bleeding every few weeks, and it lasts for 1-2 weeks every time unless I stop taking the pills and let it happen.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I like Slynd except it has caused almost daily headaches. No effect on libido which I always have with estrogen-containing pills, but high is great. But more spotting than normal.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I had break through bleeding for about the first 4 months. After my period stopped completely. I'm a bit more tired, but no depression or mood swings.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Mini pill  

Still affected by a bit of acne, but not experiencing mood swings like when I was on Yaz. However, I am having severe break through bleeding every few weeks, and it lasts for 1-2 weeks every time unless I stop taking the pills and let it happen.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I like Slynd except it has caused almost daily headaches. No effect on libido which I always have with estrogen-containing pills, but high is great. But more spotting than normal.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I had break through bleeding for about the first 4 months. After my period stopped completely. I'm a bit more tired, but no depression or mood swings.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I do have a heart problem hence as to why my obgyn has switched me to a progestin only bc. I do like that i dont get my period anymore but i HATE the vaginal dryness. Im considering moving on to something else because i cant take it anymore honestly.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  18th Jan 26

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

Worked fine for many years and helped with having much lighter, shorter periods with less cramps, but after briefly switching to the shot and then switching back to the pill I have been having breakthrough bleeding every other week for months now and my periods are no longer lighter or shorter so I'm trialing a different type now.


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Dec 25

Mini pill  

No pain


Improved skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Nov 25

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 25

Slynd birth control pill  

I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Aug 25

Slynd birth control pill  

i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.


Improved skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Aug 25

Slynd birth control pill  

I am on Slynd for heavy period and clotting. It stopped the heaviness and clotting. I do have some dryness in my mouth and apparently my vagina. It may have contributed to acne but not sure.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hormonal IUD with other birth control

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