Birth control patch vs Birth control implant
Birth control patch ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control patch
progestin
Birth control implant ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control implant
What Lowdown reviewers say
50% somewhat negative
50% spotting
60% no impact
50% no impact
30% improved 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
Birth control patch reviews
10 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Feb 26
Very good Basically got me out of depression and made me feel more confident
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Nov 25
I was on Depo and the pill before this and this is the best one so far. I'm still in the adjustment phase. The main issue is that this month (month 2) I've felt uncomfortable in my skin and I've been dizzy. Not extreme but noticeable. I appreciate the ease of only dealing with it once a week. The adhesive is slightly irritating only because of sweat, but after the first month it's stopped itching and I don't notice it anymore.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
I have been on these patches consistently for over a year. I am still dealing with breakthrough bleeding with the same excruciating and heavy periods. My periods also come every two weeks, then I end up bleeding for two weeks. It comes every month on my third patch week, so I feel as though I am wasting a fresh patch. I tried skipping periods, and it still does not work; I still bleed. Also, they suck at sticking to the skin. It's a horror trying to shower with the patch on because it will come off. After a shower, I'm more focused on trying to get it to stick back onto my skin. And it does move across the skin, and leaves square prints on my skin, due to the adhesive. I would not recommend these patches to anybody who wants to shower regularly, or do water activities while trying to manage periods and prevent pregnancy. I have made an appointment with my doctor, to change my birth control method.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Feb 26
Very good Basically got me out of depression and made me feel more confident
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Nov 25
I was on Depo and the pill before this and this is the best one so far. I'm still in the adjustment phase. The main issue is that this month (month 2) I've felt uncomfortable in my skin and I've been dizzy. Not extreme but noticeable. I appreciate the ease of only dealing with it once a week. The adhesive is slightly irritating only because of sweat, but after the first month it's stopped itching and I don't notice it anymore.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
I have been on these patches consistently for over a year. I am still dealing with breakthrough bleeding with the same excruciating and heavy periods. My periods also come every two weeks, then I end up bleeding for two weeks. It comes every month on my third patch week, so I feel as though I am wasting a fresh patch. I tried skipping periods, and it still does not work; I still bleed. Also, they suck at sticking to the skin. It's a horror trying to shower with the patch on because it will come off. After a shower, I'm more focused on trying to get it to stick back onto my skin. And it does move across the skin, and leaves square prints on my skin, due to the adhesive. I would not recommend these patches to anybody who wants to shower regularly, or do water activities while trying to manage periods and prevent pregnancy. I have made an appointment with my doctor, to change my birth control method.
Very negative mood
0 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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