Combined pill vs Injection
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£From £0.16/day
Add your Injection review
Overview
Rated 2.8
2592 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.9
288 reviews
Every 2-3 months
Frequency
94% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Short term
Effect on fertility
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
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Add your Injection review
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combined pill reviews
2592 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I stopped taking the pill 2 years ago to see if my libido would improve. Ultimately, though my libido was better off the pill, it has not been worth the horrendous PMDD symptoms that accompany my period. I was experiencing heightened severe depression, anger, sadness, and brain fog in the 2 weeks before my period; I'd also been dealing with nasty cystic acne on my chin and cheeks that was so deep under my skin, that even when my period was over, my face would be blotched and swollen with scabs or scars. Not cool when you're about to turn 30! Having this incessant acne made me even more depressed and at times, antisocial. All I could do was doom spiral. I recently moved to the UK and decided to see a doctor about my PMDD again as healthcare is accessible (as it should be!), and she suggested Eloine for acne and mood fluctuations. I'm happy to report that 5 weeks in, my acne is subsiding and I'm less up and down / quick to overreact mood-wise. My breasts have gotten a bit larger and although I also have a bit of bloating in my stomach, I'll happily take bigger boobs. In the past month, I have gotten some pretty bad, throbbing headaches, but those have started to become less frequent. I have also felt strong nausea in the afternoons, not always but frequently. This is still occurring in my fifth week. I do think my libido is down... but frankly, my husband was more tortured by my monstrous moods and deep self-loathing, and we've committed to working through it and being patient. So far, I recommend this for any menstruating person that deals with cystic hormonal acne and depression. It's been a relief for me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Used Rigevidon for 6 months, had to stop due to mood. It didn't make me depressed or anxious just a lot more sensitive, took my quite a while (another 6 months) for my hormones to finally balance out again. My weight didn't change a massive deal, I gained a little bit, probably more due to me being more upset than usual. Stopped period pain and made periods a lot lighter and easier and grew my boobs a bit. Also very clear skin which is a bonus. Overall okay pill I just didn't like the mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
sadly got swapped as my pharmacy isn’t stocking it anymore. it served me well for 5 years. can’t really complain
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I stopped taking the pill 2 years ago to see if my libido would improve. Ultimately, though my libido was better off the pill, it has not been worth the horrendous PMDD symptoms that accompany my period. I was experiencing heightened severe depression, anger, sadness, and brain fog in the 2 weeks before my period; I'd also been dealing with nasty cystic acne on my chin and cheeks that was so deep under my skin, that even when my period was over, my face would be blotched and swollen with scabs or scars. Not cool when you're about to turn 30! Having this incessant acne made me even more depressed and at times, antisocial. All I could do was doom spiral. I recently moved to the UK and decided to see a doctor about my PMDD again as healthcare is accessible (as it should be!), and she suggested Eloine for acne and mood fluctuations. I'm happy to report that 5 weeks in, my acne is subsiding and I'm less up and down / quick to overreact mood-wise. My breasts have gotten a bit larger and although I also have a bit of bloating in my stomach, I'll happily take bigger boobs. In the past month, I have gotten some pretty bad, throbbing headaches, but those have started to become less frequent. I have also felt strong nausea in the afternoons, not always but frequently. This is still occurring in my fifth week. I do think my libido is down... but frankly, my husband was more tortured by my monstrous moods and deep self-loathing, and we've committed to working through it and being patient. So far, I recommend this for any menstruating person that deals with cystic hormonal acne and depression. It's been a relief for me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Used Rigevidon for 6 months, had to stop due to mood. It didn't make me depressed or anxious just a lot more sensitive, took my quite a while (another 6 months) for my hormones to finally balance out again. My weight didn't change a massive deal, I gained a little bit, probably more due to me being more upset than usual. Stopped period pain and made periods a lot lighter and easier and grew my boobs a bit. Also very clear skin which is a bonus. Overall okay pill I just didn't like the mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
sadly got swapped as my pharmacy isn’t stocking it anymore. it served me well for 5 years. can’t really complain
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Injection reviews
288 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
started using it on April but so far my body is still the same & haven’t experienced breast enlargement yet
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Used for over 10 years, completely stopped my periods which was fantastic. The devices became harder and harder to use, needing a lot of force to inject so I ended up turning myself into a pin cushion & wasting a few, which made reordering a faff. Don’t think I gained weight and if anything my skin improved (but that could just be normal from teenage to late 20s). The only negative I noticed was decreased sex drive - but it didn’t totally go so not a massive issue for me.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 25
I was on this injection for 2 years, the whole process put me off . when i started the injection i had a period of 16 days (over two weeks) and it was so heavy, months went on and my periods stopped all together, i didn’t have a period for minus 2 years , i’m now on the combined pill but i did receive higher anxiety and depression towards taking it for ages, the doctor offered me antidepressants but i didn’t want to be taking them as i am a quite smily happy person but i literally lost all my energy and motivation to do anything.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
started using it on April but so far my body is still the same & haven’t experienced breast enlargement yet
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Used for over 10 years, completely stopped my periods which was fantastic. The devices became harder and harder to use, needing a lot of force to inject so I ended up turning myself into a pin cushion & wasting a few, which made reordering a faff. Don’t think I gained weight and if anything my skin improved (but that could just be normal from teenage to late 20s). The only negative I noticed was decreased sex drive - but it didn’t totally go so not a massive issue for me.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 25
I was on this injection for 2 years, the whole process put me off . when i started the injection i had a period of 16 days (over two weeks) and it was so heavy, months went on and my periods stopped all together, i didn’t have a period for minus 2 years , i’m now on the combined pill but i did receive higher anxiety and depression towards taking it for ages, the doctor offered me antidepressants but i didn’t want to be taking them as i am a quite smily happy person but i literally lost all my energy and motivation to do anything.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th May 25
With the contraception I experience a lot of abdominal pains frequently
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd May 25
Worst decision I’ve ever made Gained a lot of weight Depressed Anxious Moods all over the place
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Apr 25
I like the injection as no periods at all but gained over 2 stone in weight and no amount of dieting, eating less or exercising helps loose any weight at all I just gain even more.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Apr 25
I didn't notice any changes at first. I got my period for the first month or two, then the bleeding was irregular and lighter and eventually it stopped completely. I gained weight quickly. I would get hungry even after eating. I would get severe vaginal itching a few days after the shot.
Worse skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd Mar 25
It is effective and it's convenient but unfortunately the side effects are really bad but it depends on different body types
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Mar 25
This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Feb 25
Caused me horrendous hunger such that i couldn't feel satisfied with any amount of food. It was terrible for me. And the side effects continue even after stopping. It was my first time in 11 years to back to hormonal contraception and l will never ever do it again. I only go non hormonal. I honestly can't take the risk.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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