Combined pill vs Injection

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Injection

Add your Injection review

Overview

Rated 2.8

2568 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

283 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

32% somewhat negative

48% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

33% somewhat negative

70% stopped periods

57% lost sex drive

50% gained weight

50% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% 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

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Try it now

Add your Injection review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combined pill reviews

2568 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Rigevidon  

This pill ruined my mental health, doctor told me it was the best option despite me telling her i was worried about the mental effects. I lost all confidence- felt disgusting all the time. Made my anxiety and overthinking 10 times worse, i was crying multiple times every day. It felt like i had no control over my emotions, i could go from happy to crying within seconds and this could be set off by anything at all. Would not recommend this to anyone, have an appointment to come off it this week.

Read more

Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
13 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Rigevidon  

overall made periods easier but changed my mood to be lower. it definitely improved things for me.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Combined pill  

Stopped my periods which I love. Not liking the weight gain. Which has been about 7lbs. I exercise and watch what I eat. I only continue with it because I don't have a period. I couldn't cope with the breakthrough bleeding on cerelle. I can only use progesterone pills due to Hrt unfortunately.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Rigevidon  

This pill ruined my mental health, doctor told me it was the best option despite me telling her i was worried about the mental effects. I lost all confidence- felt disgusting all the time. Made my anxiety and overthinking 10 times worse, i was crying multiple times every day. It felt like i had no control over my emotions, i could go from happy to crying within seconds and this could be set off by anything at all. Would not recommend this to anyone, have an appointment to come off it this week.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
13 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Rigevidon  

overall made periods easier but changed my mood to be lower. it definitely improved things for me.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Combined pill  

Stopped my periods which I love. Not liking the weight gain. Which has been about 7lbs. I exercise and watch what I eat. I only continue with it because I don't have a period. I couldn't cope with the breakthrough bleeding on cerelle. I can only use progesterone pills due to Hrt unfortunately.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments


Injection reviews

283 reviews

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Sayana Press injection  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Noristerat injection  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Mar 25

Noristerat injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Sayana Press injection  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Noristerat injection  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Mar 25

Noristerat injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 25

Depo-Provera injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 25

Noristerat injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Jan 25

Noristerat injection  

As a newer young and childless nuristrate injection patient I don't recommend it for use . So far my body is experiencing a hell of changes . Irregular periods ,green smelly discharge and ugly acne


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Dec 24

Noristerat injection  

Its a right contraception but it stopped my periods since I was young end now I'm struggling to conceive end I think I'm running out of time and my marriage it's on thin ice here so I don't think that someone can still use it


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Dec 24

Depo-Provera injection  

Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Dec 24

Depo-Provera injection  

I’ve only had the injection once and had to come off, I already suffer mental health for years and the depo made my anxiety worse, constant bloated, the bleeding never stopped which led me to constant itch down below due to wearing constant pads, my hair was falling out so so badly, now my baby hairs are growing through and I look awful, not like my self asteem is poor already,


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Nov 24

Injection  

Eix very terrible,,everything I eat taste very back even the food I love,have terrible headache n my period stopped with my first shot so was thinking I was pregnant,I’ve gained a lot lot of weight 😫😫


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combined pill with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them