Contraception Reviews

Contraceptive gel vs Birth control shot

Contraceptive gel

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Birth control shot

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Overview

Rated 4.3

4 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

20 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Contraceptive gel ingredients

Birth control gels include spermicides and a new gel called Phexxi. These gels contain chemicals which prevent sperm from reaching an egg by affecting the sperm's motility and helping to block the cervix (opening into the womb).

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

50% very positive

Bleeds

75% no change

Sex drive

75% increased sex drive

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

35% somewhat negative

Bleeds

35% stopped periods

Sex drive

40% lost sex drive

Weight

55% gained weight

Skin

40% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 3-6 months

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Contraceptive gel reviews

4 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

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.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

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

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
56 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

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

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

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

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
56 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments


Birth control shot reviews

20 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Depo-Provera shot  

It's very good but I feel the vagina dryness is a lot


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 24

Depo-Provera shot  

Have been nonstop throwing up and being nauseous and dizzy, lost a lot of weight from that alone. Have a bad fever and a lot of hot flashes, very uncomfortable and won’t ever do this again. Ever. Ever. Ever again.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jul 24

Depo-Provera shot  

I first started receiving the shot as a teenager (for 2 years) and the only side effect I experienced was no periods, which is what I wanted. I started back on it 5 years ago after trying 2 other types of BC that I did not like. Once again, my periods stopped, but this time I also gained about 30 lbs, my breasts grew, and I suffered from excessive sweating/ hot flashes. The weight gain was no issue to me since I have always been very tall and skinny. Putting on some extra weight was a plus. It was the constant sweating and hot flashes that made me stop taking the shot. I would even sweat from my head and *down there*, which I never used to before. It was very embarrassing and difficult for me to control. I was showering 3-4 times a day in between trying to work and go to school. Not to mention all of the different types of deodorant I had to try to remedy this issue. If I can find a viable solution, I would most definitely restart this BC.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Depo-Provera shot  

It's very good but I feel the vagina dryness is a lot


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 24

Depo-Provera shot  

Have been nonstop throwing up and being nauseous and dizzy, lost a lot of weight from that alone. Have a bad fever and a lot of hot flashes, very uncomfortable and won’t ever do this again. Ever. Ever. Ever again.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jul 24

Depo-Provera shot  

I first started receiving the shot as a teenager (for 2 years) and the only side effect I experienced was no periods, which is what I wanted. I started back on it 5 years ago after trying 2 other types of BC that I did not like. Once again, my periods stopped, but this time I also gained about 30 lbs, my breasts grew, and I suffered from excessive sweating/ hot flashes. The weight gain was no issue to me since I have always been very tall and skinny. Putting on some extra weight was a plus. It was the constant sweating and hot flashes that made me stop taking the shot. I would even sweat from my head and *down there*, which I never used to before. It was very embarrassing and difficult for me to control. I was showering 3-4 times a day in between trying to work and go to school. Not to mention all of the different types of deodorant I had to try to remedy this issue. If I can find a viable solution, I would most definitely restart this BC.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Jul 24

Depo-Provera shot  

Depo Provera stopped my periods completely. After being on it for more than a year, I can’t fit into my favorite belt that I easily could a year ago. Mind you, last year I was more sedentary — this year I’ve been training for 5Ks. That’s how much weight I’ve gained on Depo.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jun 24

Birth control shot  

Moody


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24

Depo-Provera shot  

I never had any real big side affects when I was on depo over a decade ago but now that I'm older and went back on it, the breast tenderness (only 1) and slight discharge is becoming nearly unbearable. It happens about 3-5days after getting the shot and lasts 4-7days. I gotta decide if this is worth it.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Jun 24

Depo-Provera shot  

I am having pigmentation down there and its always a thrush always itching causing discomfort .


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th May 24

Depo-Provera shot  

Made me very moody for the first month. Also seems to be concerning long term side effects.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Apr 24

Depo-Provera shot  

Unsure about depo considering switching too pill.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Mar 24

Depo-Provera shot  

It’s not for me gave me lots of acne and constant mood swings.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Contraceptive gel with other birth control

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