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

36 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

82 reviews

Every 5 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

33% somewhat negative

Bleeds

42% stopped periods

Sex drive

36% lost sex drive

Weight

47% gained weight

Skin

39% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% in 3-6 months

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

52% spotting

Sex drive

35% lost sex drive

Weight

46% gained weight

Skin

32% worse skin

Cycle return

46% in 1 month

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

36 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Jan 26

Depo-Provera shot  

Don't

Read more

Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Nov 25

Depo-Provera shot  

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

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Birth control shot  

Irregular periods


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Jan 26

Depo-Provera shot  

Don't


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Nov 25

Depo-Provera shot  

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

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Birth control shot  

Irregular periods


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Birth control implant reviews

82 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd May 26

Nexplanon implant  

H


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd May 26

Nexplanon implant  

H


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

Well I would like to speak to somebody what does it mean when I been on birth control when It ended my five years but keep forgetting about it I'm about 4 or 5 years over an still haven't taken it out please can y'all contact me an let me know if that really bad actually it might even be more than 5 years over mabe like 6 or 7 or 8 years over what isn't good or side affects or is it messing up my insides I need to know theses things please?


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
47 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Feb 26

Nexplanon implant  

I have had the implant inserted 3 times. First 2 times barely had a period here and there. Always had one for a little longer right after it was placed. But the last time over a year ago it was fine until the last 4 months. I have had a period about every 2 weeks. Starts stops, starts stops. Not sure why but super annoying. Better than the pill and having a pregnancy. My kids are grown. My period has always been 28 days like clockwork. Wish I could not have the sporadic spotting but what do we do??🤪.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

Gain a ton on weight and lost all sex drive.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve been on this for 2.5 years, my periods average 17-28 days, heavy flow, and cramps that leave me throwing up and laying on the ground. My vaginal dryness was horrible, I feel so bad for my partner because we have to stop for more lube.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Jan 26

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve lost my sex drive almost completely. I don’t enjoy sex anymore it feels like a chore. My weight has fluctuated 15lbs while on Nexplanon. Vaginal dryness has also been a problem due to my sex drive not being there.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

When I first started this birth control, I had a period for three months on and than it stopped for three months and that cycle continues into my second year where my periods got more regular like normal. Now in my 4-5 year of use and getting a fresh implant i do not get a period at all. I also noticed a significant amount of weight gain when i started on it about 35 lbs.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Dec 25

Birth control implant  

Amorea AYA RENEE TURNER


Worse skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

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