Some types of contraception can affect your periods, making them lighter, heavier, more painful or less painful.
If you have heavy or painful periods, you may be offered a method of contraception to treat this even if you do not need contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Help with painful periods
Methods of contraception that can help make periods less painful are:
- combined pill
- IUS (hormonal coil)
- contraceptive implant
- contraceptive injection
Help with heavy periods
Methods of contraception that can help with heavy periods are:
- combined pill
- IUS (hormonal coil)
- progestogen-only pill
- contraceptive implant
- contraception injection
The IUS is generally the most effective type of contraception for help with heavy periods.
Methods that can make periods heavier or more painful
An IUD (copper coil) can make your periods heavier and more painful. This usually gets better within a few months.
If side effects are a problem then you can have your IUD removed. Contact the GP surgery or sexual health clinic where you got the IUD fitted for advice.