Birth control shot vs Mini pill
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Mini pill
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
37% no impact on mood
37% stopped periods
37% no impact
42% no impact
37% worse skin
63% don’t know impact
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
Mini pill reviews
41 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I have been on this for 2 days, day 1 I had unmanageable migraines that made me want to cry and lower back pain, day 2 I am experiencing migraines and severe abdominal cramps and lower back pain. I dont know if I want to take this another day 😕
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I have been on this for 2 days, day 1 I had unmanageable migraines that made me want to cry and lower back pain, day 2 I am experiencing migraines and severe abdominal cramps and lower back pain. I dont know if I want to take this another day 😕
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Mar 26
Still affected by a bit of acne, but not experiencing mood swings like when I was on Yaz. However, I am having severe break through bleeding every few weeks, and it lasts for 1-2 weeks every time unless I stop taking the pills and let it happen.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Feb 26
I like Slynd except it has caused almost daily headaches. No effect on libido which I always have with estrogen-containing pills, but high is great. But more spotting than normal.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Feb 26
I had break through bleeding for about the first 4 months. After my period stopped completely. I'm a bit more tired, but no depression or mood swings.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Feb 26
I do have a heart problem hence as to why my obgyn has switched me to a progestin only bc. I do like that i dont get my period anymore but i HATE the vaginal dryness. Im considering moving on to something else because i cant take it anymore honestly.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 18th Jan 26
Worked fine for many years and helped with having much lighter, shorter periods with less cramps, but after briefly switching to the shot and then switching back to the pill I have been having breakthrough bleeding every other week for months now and my periods are no longer lighter or shorter so I'm trialing a different type now.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Dec 25
Improved skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 25
I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!
Somewhat negative mood
1 helpful
0 comments
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