Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Contraceptive gel

Birth control shot

Want to switch birth control?

Contraceptive gel

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.0

12 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.3

4 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

Contraceptive gel ingredients

Birth control gels include spermicides and a new gel called Phexxi. These gels contain chemicals which prevent sperm from reaching an egg by affecting the sperm's motility and helping to block the cervix (opening into the womb).

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control shot reviews

12 reviews

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Apr 24

  •  Still using

Unsure about depo considering switching too pill.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Mar 24

  •  Still using

It’s not for me gave me lots of acne and constant mood swings.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Mar 24

  •  Still using

It's fine


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Apr 24

  •  Still using

Unsure about depo considering switching too pill.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Mar 24

  •  Still using

It’s not for me gave me lots of acne and constant mood swings.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Mar 24

  •  Still using

It's fine


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Contraceptive gel reviews

4 reviews

Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

  •  Still using

Birth control implant 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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

  •  Still using

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
56 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

  •  Still using

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

  •  Still using

Birth control implant 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.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

  •  Still using

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
56 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

  •  Still using

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Dec 23

  •  Stopped using

Phexxi works great — if you actually use it. Oops! My kid sister used Phexxi for about a year either by itself or along with condoms when she was ovulating. Then one time when she and her boyfriend were staying in my apartment for a family wedding, they picked me as the designated driver and the two of them had way too much to drink. They were all over each other in the car on the way home. Which was kind of cute but then when we got back to my place she wanted me to help her insert her birth control. I took her back to their bedroom and started getting her out of her clothes and I was like why don’t you just skip using it if you’re not in the middle of your cycle, and then she showed me her period tracker on her phone. Yep, not a good time to skip using protection, but still … She passed out while I was reading the instructions on the applicator, so I just was like whatever, I’m not doing this. I got off the rest of her clothes and woke her up and said I would tell her boyfriend she was ready. She didn’t even ask if I had inserted her Phexxi. The walls in my apartment are thin, so I heard the entire “discussion” when he couldn’t find their box of condoms. She was too drunk and horny to say no. She had no idea she was about to try to conceive. And yes, she became a mommy that night.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2024