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.
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Explore reviews for every method and birth control brand.
Explore reviews for every method and birth control brand. Read more reviews
Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Don't

Read more

Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 days ago

Kyleena IUD  

I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve been on this for 2.5 years, my periods average 17-28 days, heavy flow, and cramps that leave me throwing up and laying on the ground. My vaginal dryness was horrible, I feel so bad for my partner because we have to stop for more lube.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

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

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Copper IUD  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Paragard IUD  

It worked and I didn’t have to worry. Only issue was my periods were soooooo heavy it made me severely anemic. After about 3-4 years I had to take it out and my periods were lighter and my anemia got better


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve lost my sex drive almost completely. I don’t enjoy sex anymore it feels like a chore. My weight has fluctuated 15lbs while on Nexplanon. Vaginal dryness has also been a problem due to my sex drive not being there.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

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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

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Louise

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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

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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

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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.

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