Combined pill vs Injection

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Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Injection

Add your Injection review

Overview

Rated 2.8

2492 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

269 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

97% - 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

32% somewhat negative

46% lighter periods

47% lost sex drive

48% no impact

45% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

32% somewhat negative

69% stopped periods

58% lost sex drive

50% gained weight

51% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% don’t know impact

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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£From £0.16/day

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Add your Injection review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combined pill reviews

2492 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Levest pill  

No real bad side effects although I would say it’s given me more of a low mood but nothing too serious. No weight gain at all and sex drive still the same.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Qlaira pill  

I was prescribed this by a gynecologist to treat PMDD. It has worked amazingly, my mood has been very stable since I started it 10 months ago. My symptoms are gone, my energy levels are normal, I’ve been more patient with the kids. The only issues are hair loss when I started (which sorted itself out after a few months), low sex drive (but it was low any way). The only issue is the slight clotting risk due to oestrogen, it fills me with fear. It is supposed to be lower than other combined pills but due to my age and other risk factors it concerns me. I am considering trying Slynd to see if it has a similar effect, but I’d happily go back to this if need be. A very good pill!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

To be honest I’ve been on this before, but I took packets back to back so I wouldn’t get a period which worked, but now months later I’ve started it again, because my cycle was irregular from August due to plan b usage, and I now bleed on my pill free break, it gives me a sense of reassurance I’m not sexually active anyways it’s been like that for a month now, but atleast I know my cycle is more regular, only thing I would say is around day 4 of me being on the pill free break aka my first day of bleeding I experienced cramps and very bad breast pain PMS syndromes but it went down and it went from heavy bleeding to light bleeding.


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Levest pill  

No real bad side effects although I would say it’s given me more of a low mood but nothing too serious. No weight gain at all and sex drive still the same.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Qlaira pill  

I was prescribed this by a gynecologist to treat PMDD. It has worked amazingly, my mood has been very stable since I started it 10 months ago. My symptoms are gone, my energy levels are normal, I’ve been more patient with the kids. The only issues are hair loss when I started (which sorted itself out after a few months), low sex drive (but it was low any way). The only issue is the slight clotting risk due to oestrogen, it fills me with fear. It is supposed to be lower than other combined pills but due to my age and other risk factors it concerns me. I am considering trying Slynd to see if it has a similar effect, but I’d happily go back to this if need be. A very good pill!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

To be honest I’ve been on this before, but I took packets back to back so I wouldn’t get a period which worked, but now months later I’ve started it again, because my cycle was irregular from August due to plan b usage, and I now bleed on my pill free break, it gives me a sense of reassurance I’m not sexually active anyways it’s been like that for a month now, but atleast I know my cycle is more regular, only thing I would say is around day 4 of me being on the pill free break aka my first day of bleeding I experienced cramps and very bad breast pain PMS syndromes but it went down and it went from heavy bleeding to light bleeding.


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments


Injection reviews

269 reviews

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Sep 24

Noristerat injection  

the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Sep 24

Noristerat injection  

the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Sep 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Sep 24

Noristerat injection  

the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Sep 24

Noristerat injection  

the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Sep 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I would absolutely never recommend this to anyone. As someone who has previously struggled with mental health issues but has been well for about 10 years, my mood has been incredibly low and my anxiety through the roof. This is not something I’ve experienced for years (actually last time I was on hormonal contraception). I feel very lucky to be in touch with my moods and still having therapy so I’ve been able to quickly be aware this is likely to be the Depo as nothing else has changed to bring this on. I will not be using this again and would really recommend others proceed with caution.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I went on the depo injection after having my little boy as I thought it was an easy form of contraceptive as I didn’t have to remember to take it everyday. Fast forward a week post injection I started with the most horrific nausea, stomach pains, back pain and anxiety. I thought I maybe have a bug so went to the doctor who ran some bloods (all came back clean) never felt anxious or sick prior to having the injection so the only thing I can think of that is new is the depo. I have now been nauseas well over a month every single day to the point I am on anti - sickness tablets. I will not be having it again as it changes your body and emotions so much and the other downside there is no reversal so once it’s in if you suffer from the side effects you have to basically put up with it until it’s up for renewal. Wish I had done my research before as I have read on numerous sites that the hormone levels they give are so high and this is what causes all the adverse effects.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Aug 24

Sayana Press injection  

Completely stopped my periods which has been amazing. Very convenient only have to think about 4 times a year and GP now very good at supplying in comparison to when this brand was new on the market. Have struggled to use the devices recently as have to apply a lot of pressure to inject the suspension and have therefore had to discard a few injections on occasion which isn’t ideal. Having using it for so long I can’t tell if my weight or mood have been negatively or positively impacted, but will be keen to see what happens when I stop using.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Being on the injection has changed my life. After years of misery I finally feel like myself again. My mood has almost completely stabilised and my mental health has never been better. Physically my body has found it great too, I no longer find myself exhausted from heavy periods and my boobs have even gotten abit bigger which has been a big plus. I feel like a person again after going on the injection, After years of my hormones controlling my life I no longer feel crazy, I have control of my life again.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Aug 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Probably the worst method of hormonal contraception I’ve used. In terms of side effects (which the doctors did not discuss with me) there were Night sweats, loss of sex drive, terrible mood swings and Vaginal dryness to name just a few. Yes it did the job it was meant to, but the side effects were enough for me to make the decision to move off hormonal contraceptives altogether now.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jul 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Stopped my periods completely which was great, but was depressed the entire time I was on it (and didn't realise why until I came off) also had zero sex drive until I came off it.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd May 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I was not offered an alternative injection and was adbised against it as i already was dinosed with depression.its been very difficult trying to feel normal and have a great s** life. I am already a mother and would like to wait a while before or IF i do have any more children. This contraception is extemly strong, i noticed many changes to my body. From the frist day i took the injection. It is brilliant at stopping me from getting pregnnt again though.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combined pill with other contraceptives

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