Contraception Reviews

Male condom vs Birth control shot

Male condom

Want to switch birth control?

Birth control shot

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 4.5

4 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

26 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sex.

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

75% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

50% improved skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

35% somewhat negative

Bleeds

35% stopped periods

Sex drive

35% lost sex drive

Weight

50% gained weight

Skin

31% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 3-6 months

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Try it now

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Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Male condom reviews

4 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Male condom  

Read more

Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Male condom  


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Birth control shot reviews

26 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Mar 25

Depo-Provera shot  

The beginning i bled a lot, 40 plus day periods with few breaks in between. After about a year my periods went away and I only have spotting now. I recently found out I should only be using this form for no more than 2 years but this is my best option. It has been affecting my bones because I experience pain in my knees and hips that I haven't before this birth control. It does control my acne and is reliable which is a plus for me, i haven't experienced weight gain which is a common side effect. I have migraines more often after my shot and leading up to it as well. Overall I don't care for birth control in general and will be looking for other options.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Feb 25

Depo-Provera shot  

i get non-stop acne


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Depo-Provera shot  

I became depressed and experienced pregnancy symptoms. I had it for a year. Half way through that year is when I realized it was the birth control that was making me feel out of wack. I had a horrible reaction receiving last shot and that was it. I continued using it because I thought my body was suppose to get use to it. I’ve changed a lot since then and not in a positive way.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Nov 24

Depo-Provera shot  

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


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 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

2 helpful

1 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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 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 alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Male condom with other birth control

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