Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Combination birth control pill

Birth control shot

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Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 2.8

23 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

98 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot


Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

39% somewhat negative

Bleeds

39% stopped periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

52% gained weight

Skin

35% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 3-6 months

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

40% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

42% improved skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control shot reviews

23 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

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.

Read more

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 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

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


Combination birth control pill reviews

98 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

The only negative is loss of sex drive, other than that it has helped my mood


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Vienva birth control pill  

My moods increased, I lost 50 lbs, and my acne got better. I was using Aviane before this and I was ovulating on it. Since switching to Vienva I have not had any issues.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Feb 25

Kurvelo birth control pill  

I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

The only negative is loss of sex drive, other than that it has helped my mood


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Vienva birth control pill  

My moods increased, I lost 50 lbs, and my acne got better. I was using Aviane before this and I was ovulating on it. Since switching to Vienva I have not had any issues.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Feb 25

Kurvelo birth control pill  

I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Feb 25

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Had nausea the first week of both months 1 and 2. Only side effect was significant breast and butt enlargement, which led me to stop taking it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Feb 25

Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control pill  

no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Feb 25

Lutera birth control pill  

I actually didn't really have any "normal" side effects with this pill, I felt like I was mostly normal. But I did notice that my hair was gradually thinning, and it felt like it triggered some form of chronic hair loss for me. Interestingly enough, while it wasn't a huge issue, I noticed that I had "stinky" periods? I stopped having them after I stopped the pill.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Jan 25

Vestura birth control pill  

Being on this actually helps me to get fewer menstrual migraines. I don’t seem to have had any truly bad side effects over the years I’ve been taking it.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  22nd Jan 25

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I got major mood swings when skipping the placebo week, which is why I stopped.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 25

Vestura birth control pill  

I love my birth control


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Dec 24

Nortrel 0.5/35 birth control pill  

Overall discomfort.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

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