Birth control shot vs Contraceptive gel
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
Contraceptive gel ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
36% somewhat negative
39% stopped periods
36% lost sex drive
46% gained weight
32% no impact on skin
40% in 3-6 months
50% very positive
75% no change
75% increased sex drive
50% no impact
100% no impact on skin
100% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control shot reviews
28 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I have been on this form of birth control for 3 months now. I got my first dose on the last day of my cycle. This is my first time ever on birth control. After the first dose my cycle went away. I got my second dose 2 weeks later than what I was supposed to, because my gynecologist rescheduled my appointment (because they’d be closed that day). I started bleeding a medium-light flow 7 days after i was Supposed to get my second dose. I have been bleeding for 28 days straight now. The flow is the lightest it has been so far today, but it’s annoying to deal with. I get my third dose of depo in 2 months, and I’m honestly thinking of quitting it.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th May 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st May 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I have been on this form of birth control for 3 months now. I got my first dose on the last day of my cycle. This is my first time ever on birth control. After the first dose my cycle went away. I got my second dose 2 weeks later than what I was supposed to, because my gynecologist rescheduled my appointment (because they’d be closed that day). I started bleeding a medium-light flow 7 days after i was Supposed to get my second dose. I have been bleeding for 28 days straight now. The flow is the lightest it has been so far today, but it’s annoying to deal with. I get my third dose of depo in 2 months, and I’m honestly thinking of quitting it.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th May 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st May 25
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
Contraceptive gel reviews
4 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Dec 23
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
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