Contraception Reviews

Mini pill vs Birth control shot

Mini pill

Want to switch birth control?

Birth control shot

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.4

32 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

35 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin


Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

31% no impact on mood

Bleeds

38% stopped periods

Sex drive

41% no impact

Weight

47% no impact

Skin

38% no impact on skin

Cycle return

57% don’t know impact

Mood

34% somewhat negative

Bleeds

43% stopped periods

Sex drive

37% lost sex drive

Weight

46% gained weight

Skin

40% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 3-6 months

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mini pill reviews

32 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 25

Slynd birth control pill  

I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Aug 25

Slynd birth control pill  

i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 25

Slynd birth control pill  

I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Aug 25

Slynd birth control pill  

i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Birth control shot reviews

35 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Birth control shot  

Irregular periods


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Aug 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Birth control shot  

Irregular periods


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Aug 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Aug 25

Depo-Provera shot  

My right breast has swelling so bad that it have my body aching this is different from just regular breast swelling from had a baby it honestly got me a lil scared cuz it making me weak have any one had this happen while on b.c


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Jul 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on this form of birth control for 3 months now. I got my first dose on the last day of my cycle. This is my first time ever on birth control. After the first dose my cycle went away. I got my second dose 2 weeks later than what I was supposed to, because my gynecologist rescheduled my appointment (because they’d be closed that day). I started bleeding a medium-light flow 7 days after i was Supposed to get my second dose. I have been bleeding for 28 days straight now. The flow is the lightest it has been so far today, but it’s annoying to deal with. I get my third dose of depo in 2 months, and I’m honestly thinking of quitting it.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th May 25

Depo-Provera shot  

I’ve been on Depo for 4 years and I’m almost 2 months off of it and I’m actively trying for a baby and my body is definitely all out of wack trying to regulate I’ve spotted for a week I’ve had bad cramps and stomach aches and I still haven’t ovulated yet but hopefully I will soon !!! All I can say is coming off the shot take it easy and get rest because your body is trying to get everything back in order and it’s not entirely fun


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st May 25

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

11 helpful

0 comments

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