Birth control shot vs Natural family planning
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
Natural family planning ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
37% somewhat negative
37% stopped periods
37% lost sex drive
53% gained weight
42% no impact on skin
50% in 3-6 months
29% no impact on mood
68% stopped periods
57% lost sex drive
49% gained weight
59% no impact on skin
37% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control shot reviews
19 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 24
Have been nonstop throwing up and being nauseous and dizzy, lost a lot of weight from that alone. Have a bad fever and a lot of hot flashes, very uncomfortable and won’t ever do this again. Ever. Ever. Ever again.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jul 24
I first started receiving the shot as a teenager (for 2 years) and the only side effect I experienced was no periods, which is what I wanted. I started back on it 5 years ago after trying 2 other types of BC that I did not like. Once again, my periods stopped, but this time I also gained about 30 lbs, my breasts grew, and I suffered from excessive sweating/ hot flashes. The weight gain was no issue to me since I have always been very tall and skinny. Putting on some extra weight was a plus. It was the constant sweating and hot flashes that made me stop taking the shot. I would even sweat from my head and *down there*, which I never used to before. It was very embarrassing and difficult for me to control. I was showering 3-4 times a day in between trying to work and go to school. Not to mention all of the different types of deodorant I had to try to remedy this issue. If I can find a viable solution, I would most definitely restart this BC.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Jul 24
Depo Provera stopped my periods completely. After being on it for more than a year, I can’t fit into my favorite belt that I easily could a year ago. Mind you, last year I was more sedentary — this year I’ve been training for 5Ks. That’s how much weight I’ve gained on Depo.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 24
Have been nonstop throwing up and being nauseous and dizzy, lost a lot of weight from that alone. Have a bad fever and a lot of hot flashes, very uncomfortable and won’t ever do this again. Ever. Ever. Ever again.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jul 24
I first started receiving the shot as a teenager (for 2 years) and the only side effect I experienced was no periods, which is what I wanted. I started back on it 5 years ago after trying 2 other types of BC that I did not like. Once again, my periods stopped, but this time I also gained about 30 lbs, my breasts grew, and I suffered from excessive sweating/ hot flashes. The weight gain was no issue to me since I have always been very tall and skinny. Putting on some extra weight was a plus. It was the constant sweating and hot flashes that made me stop taking the shot. I would even sweat from my head and *down there*, which I never used to before. It was very embarrassing and difficult for me to control. I was showering 3-4 times a day in between trying to work and go to school. Not to mention all of the different types of deodorant I had to try to remedy this issue. If I can find a viable solution, I would most definitely restart this BC.
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Jul 24
Depo Provera stopped my periods completely. After being on it for more than a year, I can’t fit into my favorite belt that I easily could a year ago. Mind you, last year I was more sedentary — this year I’ve been training for 5Ks. That’s how much weight I’ve gained on Depo.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Natural family planning reviews
4 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Dec 23
Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 25th Jul 23
I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 23
I feel like I've gotten to know my body! I really like the partner view so my husband knows when I'm fertile and won't try to initiate sex. After a terrible experience with hormonal birth control, this makes me feel in control and it has taught me so much!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Dec 23
Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 25th Jul 23
I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 23
I feel like I've gotten to know my body! I really like the partner view so my husband knows when I'm fertile and won't try to initiate sex. After a terrible experience with hormonal birth control, this makes me feel in control and it has taught me so much!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jul 23
Never been this in tune with my body before! It is wonderful to see how my hormonal cycle affects different areas in my life and be able to live in alignment with this! It's great to know I'm not having to put up with any side effects on birth control and that my partner and I can share the responsibility. I also love knowing when to expect my period. Highly recommend!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.
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