Levonorgestrel pill

I thought I didn’t have much negative side effect after this and I’ve taken it about twice or thrice in the last ten years when another contraceptive method has failed. Every time I have taken it, about a month after I have an incredible amount of hair fall which really worried me. 

Levonorgestrel pill-review-id-5ceebcd0-9e1f-4a6b-8606-d89ecb1781d9

I took this within 24hours of sex, during which the condom had failed. It didn't work and I ended up having an abortion.

Levonorgestrel pill-review-id-06010aa0-6fee-48d3-b52b-c8607035d206

I took this morning after pill last month and had no side effects but took it again this month and it delayed my period by 11 days and prolonged it by an extra few days. I was also heavier during this time. 

Levonorgestrel pill-review-id-3c85346c-f071-4b69-95c1-1ee854c1c7cd

ellaOne pill

I mean, it did the job! I didn't get pregnant! I was early in my cycle (around cycle day 12) It was a super precaution as I was unsure if withdrawal was effective at the time. I was in an awful mood about 1/2 days after taking it (like mega PMS) and had spotting just before my period started. I also had a bout of thrush just before I got my period too after taking it.

ellaOne pill-review-id-670135a2-ede7-4363-8f8a-bbf2ec7ffa3a

Had to take after a condom issue (whoopsie) while waiting to get an appointment for a coil fitting. Was concerned about all the side effects I’d read online but was really relieved that I didn’t experience any and was simple to take. Does the job (I’m not pregnant) but very, very expensive from local pharmacist. I wasn’t offered a range of the options available and in future will be ordering from the lowdown if needed again

ellaOne pill-review-id-d82bd870-6063-43b9-995a-fbd44a45f5a7

I become pregnant even after taking Ellaone literally the morning after. I was so shocked to find out this will not work if you have already ovulated!!!! Please be careful!! I did not know this and was told by the nurse when I had to get an abortion. Very traumatic experience and did not think this would happen to me.

ellaOne pill-review-id-f1119957-c094-4e99-9ac7-58ed93b36c08

Sayana Press injection

I started using the sayana press following an increase in undesirable side effects of the implant.
There was no difference between the injection on my body, I absolutely loved using this for years. Lately, I have become increasingly moody and have random cramping throughout the month, especially when the next injection is due. I am going to come off the injection but overall it was very convenient for me.

Sayana Press injection-review-id-b858c686-e225-429c-ab4f-9c4d2a432784

recently left a review saying periods stopped, just after this i had my first one. it was considerably lighter and shorter but spotting before and after. the spotting did continue for 1week+

Sayana Press injection-review-id-e3e37651-7b21-4e25-9a89-6fba1340aedd

As my first form of contraception I’m really pleased, I opted for this as I don’t think my lifestyle supports the pill and due to familial health issues I had a reduced list of options. I’d heard a number of negative side effects but I haven’t experienced most of these. My period hasn’t come nor any spotting, this was a surprise but I’m not complaining. The only negative so far has been a slight increase of headaches, aside from this my experience (albeit not long) is fairly positive. The main thing to take away is that the post symptoms are super individual and dependent on your body, so the only way to really know is to do your research and then try what you think will suit you best. 

Sayana Press injection-review-id-cf39b3ca-235d-4f8f-a2c6-3819f19d0bac

Evra patch

I've had lots of problems with depression and anxiety on the pill and was recommended the patch. In the first month it worked well although when I tried to take it back to back I got painful bloating and cramps as my period tried to start. In month 3 though I had to stop. I became increasingly anxious and noticed that I was struggling to concentrate, not enjoying things, not looking forward to anything, worrying excessively that something bad was going to happen. After spending a lot of the weekend crying, I decided to stop the patch. After a day I already feel a lot more positive again. I will miss my boobs being bigger but the patch just doesn't work for me. I can't live like that. 

Evra patch-review-id-743047e0-7fdd-42b9-8d1e-74e06419d2b7

I am currently on the patch and have mixed feelings. I have been on it for over a year and can confidently say I have significantly less mood swings than I did on Rivigedon. Also increased my breast size by 2 cup sizes which I am very happy about. However, for the first 9 months or so I kept getting thrush religiously every 3-6 weeks even though I never had it before this contraception. Within recent months I do not get it as frequently however still crops up every now and again. However the thing which is making me consider changing is the SIGNIFICANTLY lowered sex drive and vaginas dryness. I feel like not many people do not have this side effect on the patch but I just got unlucky.

Evra patch-review-id-a37f0498-3c80-41a9-90b3-d3512b31a73e

I was hesitant to swap contraception to the patch but wish I had done it sooner! Patch is small and discreet and can be placed in areas so it cannot be seen. Only change it once a week and works perfectly. No side defects besides from on the patch free week I don’t have a period. Leaves a sticky patch on skin when taken off but washes off easily. Would recommend to anyone!!!

Evra patch-review-id-24453a17-bf5c-4d3f-9c5d-93284c2b64bf

Yasmin pill

I first started using Yasmin when i was almost 17, and mainly did it to improve my skin a bit. Initially my skin got so so much worse and it took about 3-4 months to fully clear up. On it my skin was the main improvement ; it really worked wonders for my skin. My body hair decreased and maybe got a bit lighter, my skin wasn’t as oily and my boobs grew a tiny bit. However after about 4 months of using it i started getting horrible anxiety. I was constantly stressing and crying to the point where people around me thought I was delusional. I also started getting horrible panic attacks, that sometimes would happen every day. I really felt like i was at my lowest point on this pill. Normal things like getting on a train would stress me out to the point where i fully avoided taking trains. I really felt like i was going psycho and all my friends and family couldn’t recognise me anymore!! I really felt like id lost my personality. I know it works for others but the psychological side effects i got from this pill whilst on it were not worth the skin benefits that came with it. 

Yasmin pill-review-id-28efb46e-0421-4471-ab53-b22d20c459b6

I went on Yasmin to try and control my prolonged periods. I committed to giving it 3 months but could not tolerate it any longer. Although the prolonged periods stopped, I got breakthrough bleeding / spotting every month. I also had extremely bad head aches for weeks at a time and felt really low. I had a few major dizzy spells where I’d completely lose my balance too which I can’t say for sure was the pill, but the other side effects definitely were. I even at times had intense increased urination where I would need to go for a wee every ten minutes (no exaggeration). I really wanted this pill to work after hearing good things about it and if I could’ve given it longer to settle I would’ve but I couldn’t tolerate the side effects any more. 

Yasmin pill-review-id-bf163de5-bc26-4cf7-87d7-14232b2241cf

I felt more positive mindset wise but a lot worse during my period ( such as period cramps and pms )

I used Yasmin for 8 months, lost 8kg and my appetite. Until getting off the pill I didn’t realise that I had felt nauseous other than vomiting every week or two. I had a little brain fog but other than those I didn’t find any other side effects and I really liked it.

Yasmin pill-review-id-3a3fd962-0af0-4813-9bb4-abcfcaf3414f

Implant

The removal was painless but my arm was very achy for a few days after. My body feels like it went back to normal pretty fast - happy to be not using hormonal contraception now. 

To start off with the implant was great for me for the first 6 months, but then my side effects settled in and I hated it! My sex drive decreased and I had spotting all the time. Really happy to have it taken out. 

Nexplanon implant-review-id-5c6d2829-cf13-4381-9be7-42956edb175e

In many ways this is the perfect contraception for me and I've had it since 2018, now in 2022. Discreet, no need to have painful cervix insertion, works a charm, stopped my periods (irregular before so they were difficult to deal with/predict), and not too many hormones (I felt the pill made me more emotional). However the one major side effect is decreased libido and changed sensation during sex due to vaginal dryness. This is a downside for me and I am considering changing once the 3 years is up.

Nexplanon implant-review-id-dd9af18f-96a6-4dc8-82cd-7f1ced78054b

I felt better in myself when I stopped taking it as I couldn't feel anything in my arm that made me want to gag

Was great for the first year and a half, but around the year and a half to two year mark it starting pinging inside my arm feeling like an electric shock and made me feel very sick

Does implant cause headaches?

How our community feel they have been impacted by headaches on implant

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Reviewers that reported headaches as a side effect

Used for 12 - 18 mo

25 years old

Verified review

• 27th Jan 23

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Used for 3 - 5 yr

26 years old

Verified review

• 5th Dec 22

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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr

23 years old

Verified review

• 17th Nov 22

Read full review

Implant common side effects

Tender breasts

Vaginal discharge

Period like cramps

Vaginal dryness

Breast enlargement

Possible implant side effects

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