Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Birth control implant

Birth control shot

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Birth control implant

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Overview

Rated 2.9

31 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

64 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot


Birth control implant ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control implant

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

36% somewhat negative

Bleeds

42% stopped periods

Sex drive

36% lost sex drive

Weight

48% gained weight

Skin

36% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 3-6 months

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

55% spotting

Sex drive

33% lost sex drive

Weight

45% gained weight

Skin

33% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control shot reviews

31 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Birth control implant reviews

64 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control implant  

Placed 6wk postpartum. Lots of bloody/brown discharge since . No true period. No pain Migraines, weight gain, sweating, mood swings. But I’m not pregnant


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Weight gain, poor mood, more body hair, period cramps, long lasting light periods, increased sweating.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Non stop spotting for over a month and sudden lower back pain


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon is a great contraceptive, I have had no pregnancy scares. Break through took about 1.5 years last 2-3 months of constant spotting older blood.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Jun 25

Nexplanon implant  

This is a test!


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

Overall it manages my endometriosis very well by preventing periods. It also is very effective in preventing pregnancy without any other methods needed. I barely notice it, my mood is better because I'm not going through painful horrible endometriosis cycles anymore. I took it out and was still able to get pregnant a few months later when I decided I wanted to. Any side effects are significantly better than the stuff I deal with for my condition. Really it makes me feel secure, more stabilized, and in significantly less pain.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  13th May 25

Nexplanon implant  

Nexplanon has made my periods go from regular, about 5 day periods once a month to one month on one month off. It started with 3 weeks on, 1 week off but has gradually gotten better atleast I have a month off of it now. I also find it hard to get lubricated for sex, even though that was never a problem before. Overall though, I have not gotten pregnant and "woohoo" very very frequently with my partner, so that is a plus!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

The efficacy of the implant is the only positive thing I can say about this. When I had this put in, I was young and very naive. I did not know hormonal birth control caused weight gain or mood changes or acne or anything. I was only told the positive things about it by my doctor like, no more periods and it may help your acne. This was also when nexplanon was new on the market. When I finally learned that it could cause weight gain was after I put on all the weight and wondered why? I don't remember how I finally realized the connection between the weight gain and implant but I decided to lookup reviews on it and almost every single woman said it caused significant weight gain for them. That was when I decided to have the second implant removed. I also must note that I had always been on the very thin side up to this point. The weight snuck up on me slowly over time. Mind you I had already had a child by the time I got this put in and had no weight issues before, during or after my pregnancy. This was 6 or 7 years after I had given birth. Just please be aware of the side effects.


Gained weight

9 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

It doesn’t make me feel normal or comfortable or confident


Very negative mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

Is okay


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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