Cap or diaphragm vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Cap or diaphragm

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Hormonal coil (IUS)

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Overview

Rated 3.9

14 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

84% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

751 reviews

Every 3-8 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Cap or diaphragm ingredients

A contraceptive diaphragm or cap is a circular dome made of thin
soft silicone
although they come in different shapes
sizes and materials. You need to use it with a gel that kills sperm called spermicide. The most common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9.

Hormonal coil (IUS) ingredients

Main hormones in Hormonal coil (IUS)

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

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

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

14 reviews

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

  •  Still using

Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

  •  Still using

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 23

  •  Still using

I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments

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

  •  Still using

Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

  •  Still using

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 23

  •  Still using

I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments


Hormonal coil (IUS) reviews

751 reviews

Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Stopped using

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

  •  Stopped using

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
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

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

  •  Stopped using

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

  •  Stopped using

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
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

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
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

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

  •  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
  •  2 weeks 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
  •  2 weeks 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
  •  2 weeks 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
  •  2 weeks 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
  •  1 month ago

  •  Still using

Amazing


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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