Contraception Reviews

Birth control patch vs Birth control shot

Birth control patch

Want to switch birth control?

Birth control shot

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.0

7 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

27 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

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

Mood

71% somewhat negative

Bleeds

43% regular periods

Sex drive

57% no impact

Weight

57% don’t know impact

Skin

43% don’t know impact

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

37% somewhat negative

Bleeds

37% stopped periods

Sex drive

37% lost sex drive

Weight

48% gained weight

Skin

30% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 3-6 months

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control patch reviews

7 reviews

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

Xulane patch  

Breakthrough bleeding lasted for 3 mos

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Birth control patch  

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

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
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Birth control patch  

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


Birth control shot reviews

27 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

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
  •  3 weeks 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

11 helpful

0 comments

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

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
  •  3 weeks 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

11 helpful

0 comments

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

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

2 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

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Compare the Birth control patch with other birth control

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