Contraception Reviews

Birth control patch vs Natural family planning

Birth control patch

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Natural family planning

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Overview

Rated 2.9

9 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

5 reviews

Daily

Frequency

77% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control patch ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control patch

progestin

Natural family planning ingredients

Fertility awareness methods is an umbrella term for a method of birth control that works by being able to identify when in the menstrual cycle you are fertile through a range of factors.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

56% somewhat negative

Bleeds

44% spotting

Sex drive

56% no impact

Weight

44% no impact

Skin

33% don’t know impact

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

69% stopped periods

Sex drive

56% lost sex drive

Weight

48% gained weight

Skin

57% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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

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Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control patch reviews

9 reviews

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 days ago

Xulane patch  

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.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Xulane patch  

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 patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Breakthrough bleeding lasted for 3 mos


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 days ago

Xulane patch  

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

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Xulane patch  

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 patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Breakthrough bleeding lasted for 3 mos


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments


Natural family planning reviews

5 reviews

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Mar 25

Breastfeeding (Lactational Amenorrhoea Method or LAM)  

So Great


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Dec 23

Natural Cycles App  

Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Jul 23

Natural Cycles App  

I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Mar 25

Breastfeeding (Lactational Amenorrhoea Method or LAM)  

So Great


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Dec 23

Natural Cycles App  

Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Jul 23

Natural Cycles App  

I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 23

Natural Cycles App  

I feel like I've gotten to know my body! I really like the partner view so my husband knows when I'm fertile and won't try to initiate sex. After a terrible experience with hormonal birth control, this makes me feel in control and it has taught me so much!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jul 23

Symptothermal method  

Never been this in tune with my body before! It is wonderful to see how my hormonal cycle affects different areas in my life and be able to live in alignment with this! It's great to know I'm not having to put up with any side effects on birth control and that my partner and I can share the responsibility. I also love knowing when to expect my period. Highly recommend!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control patch with other birth control

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