Contraceptive gel vs Birth control implant
Contraceptive gel ingredients
Birth control implant ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control implant
What Lowdown reviewers say
40% very positive
60% no change
60% increased sex drive
60% no impact
100% no impact on skin
100% don’t know impact
28% no impact on mood
53% spotting
35% lost sex drive
47% gained weight
32% worse skin
46% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Contraceptive gel reviews
5 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Birth control implant reviews
79 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Feb 26
Well I would like to speak to somebody what does it mean when I been on birth control when It ended my five years but keep forgetting about it I'm about 4 or 5 years over an still haven't taken it out please can y'all contact me an let me know if that really bad actually it might even be more than 5 years over mabe like 6 or 7 or 8 years over what isn't good or side affects or is it messing up my insides I need to know theses things please?
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Feb 26
I have had the implant inserted 3 times. First 2 times barely had a period here and there. Always had one for a little longer right after it was placed. But the last time over a year ago it was fine until the last 4 months. I have had a period about every 2 weeks. Starts stops, starts stops. Not sure why but super annoying. Better than the pill and having a pregnancy. My kids are grown. My period has always been 28 days like clockwork. Wish I could not have the sporadic spotting but what do we do??🤪.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Jan 26
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Feb 26
Well I would like to speak to somebody what does it mean when I been on birth control when It ended my five years but keep forgetting about it I'm about 4 or 5 years over an still haven't taken it out please can y'all contact me an let me know if that really bad actually it might even be more than 5 years over mabe like 6 or 7 or 8 years over what isn't good or side affects or is it messing up my insides I need to know theses things please?
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Feb 26
I have had the implant inserted 3 times. First 2 times barely had a period here and there. Always had one for a little longer right after it was placed. But the last time over a year ago it was fine until the last 4 months. I have had a period about every 2 weeks. Starts stops, starts stops. Not sure why but super annoying. Better than the pill and having a pregnancy. My kids are grown. My period has always been 28 days like clockwork. Wish I could not have the sporadic spotting but what do we do??🤪.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Jan 26
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Jan 26
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
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Jan 26
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Dec 25
When I first started this birth control, I had a period for three months on and than it stopped for three months and that cycle continues into my second year where my periods got more regular like normal. Now in my 4-5 year of use and getting a fresh implant i do not get a period at all. I also noticed a significant amount of weight gain when i started on it about 35 lbs.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Dec 25
Worse skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Nov 25
Nexplanon was effective as far as preventing pregnancy. However it has caused sharp pains in my head and heart, increased pulse, high blood pressure. Anxiety, depression, hopelessness. Swelling in my legs up to my knees. Huge weight gain and difficulty loosing weight. It has slipped and hasn’t been found. Sleepless nights, due to increased heart beat at night. An adrenaline attack only at night.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Nov 25
I got on the birth control on the same day I had a surgical abortion due to abnormal ultrasound 14 weeks into pregnancy in 2019. My body was going through a lot of hormonal changes as expected. Severe bleeding for several weeks occurred yet once my body adjusted to the birth control, I have not had any issues. Lighter regular periods with no side effects or unexpected pregnancies. I kept the first implant 5 years to the date of insertion and had a new one inserted in 2024. No heavy bleeding, side effects, or changes occurred. Highly recommended for those who wish to avoid pregnancy until the time is right and do not want the responsibility of taking the pill daily. Give patience to the implant as it may be slightly overwhelming at first but rest assured I have had absolutely no problems, pains, or poor side effects!
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Oct 25
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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