Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Contraceptive gel

Birth control shot

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Contraceptive gel

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Overview

Rated 2.8

23 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

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

50% very positive

Bleeds

75% no change

Sex drive

75% increased sex drive

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

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

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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


Contraceptive gel reviews

4 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

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

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

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!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

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!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

2 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

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

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

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!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

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!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

2 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Dec 23

Phexxi gel  

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.


Increased sex drive

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

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