Birth control shot vs Withdrawal or pull out method
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
36% somewhat negative
42% stopped periods
33% lost sex drive
46% gained weight
39% no impact on skin
40% in 3-6 months
43% no impact on mood
57% no change
43% no impact
71% no impact
86% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control shot reviews
33 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
My right breast has swelling so bad that it have my body aching this is different from just regular breast swelling from had a baby it honestly got me a lil scared cuz it making me weak have any one had this happen while on b.c
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jul 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I've been on Depo Provera since 2023 and for the first few months it helped and stopped my period as I am transgender, But I've been dealing with a great amount of discharge that has been severely effecting my daily life. Warmth makes it worse and even though I'm a incomplete Paraplegic, it constantly feels like there's liquid coming out of me. When I do get my periods sometimes it's heavy spotting and whenever I use a tampon there's never any blood, but when I don't use a tampon then there is a massive amount of blood. I was once bleeding everyday for a month straight maybe even longer. I was never told any of the side effects besides it stopping my period.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
My right breast has swelling so bad that it have my body aching this is different from just regular breast swelling from had a baby it honestly got me a lil scared cuz it making me weak have any one had this happen while on b.c
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jul 25
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
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
7 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Sep 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Sep 24
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th May 24
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 24
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Feb 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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