Contraception Reviews

Your birth control.
Your choice.

The site to rate, review and compare birth control. Use our tools to find the right one for you.
times-logovice-logowired-logostylist-logonhs-logograzia-logoforbes-logochannel-logorefinery-logobbc-logoglamour-logodaily-mail-logostyle-logothe-sun-logometro-logobustle-logotelegraph-logomarie-claire-logocosmopolitan-logotimes-logovice-logowired-logostylist-logonhs-logograzia-logoforbes-logochannel-logorefinery-logobbc-logoglamour-logodaily-mail-logostyle-logothe-sun-logometro-logobustle-logotelegraph-logomarie-claire-logocosmopolitan-logo

Hey 👋 How can The Lowdown help you?

Get your recommendation

Which birth control is best
for me?

Use our recommender tool to find the most suitable birth control for you

Compare birth control options

Compare birth control
options

Get medical info and real user reviews on methods & brands of birth control

Browse birth control reviews

Browse birth control
reviews

Read real life experiences on birth control side effects and benefits from our community

Review your birth control

Review your birth
control

Satisfied or fed up with your birth control? Share your review to help others understand real experiences

Like TripAdvisor for your vagina

Explore reviews for every method and birth control brand.
Explore reviews for every method and birth control brand. Read more reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

  •  Still using

I have been taking it for a month now and can say that my breasts have gotten a lot bigger than they usually did before my period, but they hurt and I have sore nipples most of the time, mood swings, a lot of brown discharge, but I will see if they will go away after the 3 months of adjusting to it, otherwise the effects are really not that bad. I find it quite benefic.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

When I started take this pill 3 weeks in I noticed my hair falling out I took it almost 2 months iv been off of it 3 weeks and my hair is still falling out when will it stop


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

I got my first Mirena when I was 17. I would describe the insertion process as uncomfortable but not painful. I did have a vagal response (came close to passing out) right after, but it didn't last long, I just needed to sit for a minute. I experienced very light cramping for about 4-6 days afterwards. I did lose some weight that year that may have been attributed to the birth control, I went from 120lbs to 100lbs (there were no other pressing reasons for the quick change in my weight other than the BC, perhaps stress as it was my senior year of high school). At the time, the Mirena was thought to be effective for five years, so I had it removed and replaced with another Mirena when I was 22. The removal and reinsertion was more uncomfortable than the initial insertion, but totally manageable in my experience. Overall, I did not experience many hormonal side effects that I noticed. I pretty much stopped menstruating after the first few months of having it, aside from very occasional, very light spotting. I would sometimes experience symptoms of PMS without the bleeding (a little fatigue, some mood changes). I did develop some cystic acne in the first 1-3 years of being on my second IUD, but it was truly not much and never lasted long. My favorite part of this method is how effective and easy to use it is. I was truly never concerned about pregnancy from 17-27 which allowed for a lot of freedom in terms of my sex life. In my long term relationship, we do not use condoms (both have been screened for STIs) and I feel completely safe and comfortable with my partner not pulling out (I know that's a personal detail but I what to emphasize that that's how effective it truly is in my experience). I did recently decide to remove my hormonal IUD and replace it with the non-hormonal IUD. My Mirena still had at least 2 years left in it, but since I had not had a period or had gone through that natural, hormonal process in 10 years, I wanted to give my body a break from hormonal birth control to develop that relationship with my body. If I did not have the option/privilege to change methods, I would have 100% kept my Mirena until it expired, and probably got a third one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Love the Mirena!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

It’s fine.. maybe. if you’re susceptible to anxiety at all then i don’t recommend. Random crying fits. Had to admit myself to the ER because of my second sudden panic attack since starting. I’ve never dealt with that before. I have only been on the patch for 3 weeks, perhaps the side effects would have subsided if i waited it out but im not willing to risk it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

While taking this pill I have a great number of headaches since taking it. I also find myself going into depression. Thinking about a lot of negativities things. I also don't have a sex drive. The plus side about taking this pill, I have clearer skin.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

The only problem I had using the birth parches was that it gave me an allergy and would turn my skin red and dry. I had to stop using it and switched to the birth control implant which is a way better method.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

  •  Still using

This is a good birth control compared to the other options. I previously tried the patches and it gave me an allergic reaction. Anyways, It was uncomfortable when they first insert the implant into your arm but then you get used to it. I will say that it is different for everyone but for me it has given me more acne spots, regulatted my periods, and given me more facial hair. Those being the only cons.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Compare the side effects

Dive into the world’s largest anecdotal dataset on every pro and con of birth control

We recommend your perfect match

We’ve built a unique algorithm to match you with a form of contraceptive that suits your lifestyle and medical history

We recommend your perfect match

We’ve built a unique algorithm to match you with a form of contraceptive that suits your lifestyle and medical history

Made by women, for women

I started taking the Pill when I was 16, and the side effects really impacted my life. I set up The Lowdown to help women like me take control of their reproductive health

Alice, The Lowdown Founder

Trusted by women like you

Join the thousands of women who trust in our community

Trustpilot

Louise

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

An amazing organization. The lowdown is focused just on womens health and this makes for focused expertise. I had a fantastic consultation where I got focused, excellent advice. In a 30 minute appointment 20 years of poor service from every other Dr I've ever spoken to was undone and rectified. I wish I had this in my 20s! If you are considering this please book an appointment. You will not regret it.

EG

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Brilliant, non judgmental and informative, changing the conversation about contraception. The website is also brilliant, a really good source of informative and interesting information. I’m so pleased I know about this website, it is changing contraceptive knowledge for the better! Keep it up girls!!

Yasemin Ali

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Like most I can’t get in front of my nurse or GP so have resulted in buying my contraception online. It feels like a womens clinic, just online. Couldn’t fault them.

Louise

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Completely lost faith in my local contraceptive clinic. Started searching online with the intent to purchase the contraceptive of my choice instead. This is when I stumbled across the Lowdown, and they have been fantastic ever since. An abundance of info on the site, which I felt was important to enable me to make an informed decision.

Kerry C

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Website was very easy to use, and is the only resource I have found of this kind, which compares different types of pills and gives detailed information about potential side effects and pros/cons. I had not registered with my local GP after moving, and was running out of my pill. My order arrived the next day - would definitely use again!

Anna Leitner

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Making contraception easier to access… It should be this easy, stress free, not time consuming…Best customer service. Best way to receive contraception. Will recommend this place - especially to those who get anxious or frustrated about going to their local clinic//GP

Lou

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

They are always available at the other end of the phone (WhatsApp), and reply promptly to messages. Reasonable pricing and prompt delivery.

VB

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

I had a consultation with Fran who was super friendly and personable. The consultation was amazing to the point I cried with the relief. Fran explained what methods were open to me based on my preferences, answered all of my many questions and I am now trialling out the things she has suggested. Cannot express how grateful I am for this service is available and am looking to see what else the website can offer.

Ana-Sofica

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Great service. The process is straightforward and even if you don't know what you want/need there's a handy questionnaire available and if further support is needed there is the option to book an appointment with a clinician. Prices are fair and depend on the brand and length of subscription. Also the process of cancelling the subscription is very straightforward and transparent. Thanks.

A community on a mission to make women heard

Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo
Instagram photo

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2024