Birth control patch vs Birth control shot
Birth control patch ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control patch
progestin
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
What Lowdown reviewers say
60% somewhat negative
40% regular periods
40% no impact
60% don’t know impact
40% improved skin
100% don’t know impact
39% somewhat negative
39% stopped periods
39% lost sex drive
52% gained weight
35% no impact on skin
50% in 3-6 months
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control patch reviews
5 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Apr 24
It’s fine.. maybe. if you’re susceptible to anxiety at all then i don’t recommend. Random crying fits. Had to admit myself to the ER because of my second sudden panic attack since starting. I’ve never dealt with that before. I have only been on the patch for 3 weeks, perhaps the side effects would have subsided if i waited it out but im not willing to risk it.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 24
The only problem I had using the birth parches was that it gave me an allergy and would turn my skin red and dry. I had to stop using it and switched to the birth control implant which is a way better method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Apr 24
It’s fine.. maybe. if you’re susceptible to anxiety at all then i don’t recommend. Random crying fits. Had to admit myself to the ER because of my second sudden panic attack since starting. I’ve never dealt with that before. I have only been on the patch for 3 weeks, perhaps the side effects would have subsided if i waited it out but im not willing to risk it.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 24
The only problem I had using the birth parches was that it gave me an allergy and would turn my skin red and dry. I had to stop using it and switched to the birth control implant which is a way better method.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Birth control shot reviews
23 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Feb 25
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 25
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Feb 25
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Feb 25
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Nov 24
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 24
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jul 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Jul 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jun 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
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
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Jun 24
I am having pigmentation down there and its always a thrush always itching causing discomfort .
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
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