Birth control shot vs Hormonal IUD
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
33% somewhat negative
42% stopped periods
36% lost sex drive
47% gained weight
39% no impact on skin
33% in 3-6 months
39% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
41% no impact
49% no impact
42% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control shot reviews
36 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Jan 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Nov 25
I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Jan 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Nov 25
I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal IUD reviews
79 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 26
I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Apr 26
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 26
I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Apr 26
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 26
No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Mar 26
Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Mar 26
Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Feb 26
Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Feb 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Jan 26
I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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