Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Birth control shot

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Withdrawal or pull out method

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Overview

Rated 3.0

26 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

6 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

35% somewhat negative

Bleeds

35% stopped periods

Sex drive

35% lost sex drive

Weight

50% gained weight

Skin

31% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 3-6 months

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

67% no change

Sex drive

50% no impact

Weight

83% no impact

Skin

83% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control shot reviews

26 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.

Read more

Worse skin

1 more effect

11 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Started the shot as an easy way to get on BC. Didn't have to get another shot for another 3 months; however, it was the worst decision I made. I had spotting and sometimes even heavy bleeding for 18 consecutive days straight. Gained weight as well for the following 3 months.


Worse skin

1 more effect

11 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

My skin is brighter, my hair is healthier. I’m losing weight, I went from 127 to 116 in the 3 months I’ve had it. I went from having no sex drive to being turned on all of the time. My only complaint is that even though I’m always turned on, it’s still a little difficult to get wet, and I experience alot of weird discharges


Very positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Birth control shot  

.ljkebherg


Improved skin

2 helpful

0 comments


Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

6 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.


Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.


Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

No side effects


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

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