Contraception Reviews

Birth control patch vs Sterilization

Birth control patch

Want to switch birth control?

Sterilization

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 2.9

9 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

3 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

Effect on fertility

Birth control patch ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control patch

progestin

Sterilization ingredients

Plastic or titanium clamps or silicone ring may be used to block the fallopian tubes.

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

33% very positive

Bleeds

67% stopped periods

Sex drive

67% don’t know impact

Weight

33% lost weight

Skin

67% don’t know impact

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

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?

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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
  •  2 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
  •  2 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
  •  2 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
  •  2 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


Sterilization reviews

3 reviews

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th Apr 25

Sterilization  

It’s just that my periods are all over and I hate having them anyway so I really hate how they are so irregular


Somewhat negative mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd Apr 25

Sterilization  

Every one that I spoke with told me that they haven't been able to conceive after taking the Depro Vera shot! Even women that are half my age! Said that it made them sterile as well. I've been seeing commercials for law offices mentioning a certain kind of Cancer. But I've never heard of any pertaining to it making them sterile.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilization  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Aug 24

Sterilization  

I am not deliberately using birth control. The survey needs to have a choice for “I am not using birth control.” I had a hysterectomy after developing dangerous cysts.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control patch with other birth control

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