Fertility awareness methods (FAM) vs Injection

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Fertility awareness methods (FAM)

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Injection

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Overview

Rated 4.3

157 reviews

Daily

Frequency

92% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

285 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Fertility awareness methods (FAM) ingredients

Fertility awareness methods is an umbrella term for a method of contraception that works by being able to identify when in the menstrual cycle you are fertile through a range of factors.

Injection ingredients

Main hormones in Injection

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

50% very positive

63% no change

50% increased sex drive

82% no impact

59% no impact on skin

Cycle return

64% in 1 month

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

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

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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Real life reviews from people like you

Fertility awareness methods (FAM) reviews

157 reviews

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Symptothermal method  

I had been on PoP contraceptive pill for nearly 10yrs, I have also tried CoC's and injection prior. I wanted to learn more about my body and be natural. This method takes a lot of research and understanding in order for it to work and be effective. I read books and watched YouTube videos to educate myself and joined FB/Reddit group. I use an app called read your body to input my temperature and other symptoms to track where I am in my cycle. It is all done manually by me and not relying on a system like natural cycles to do it for me as this is less reliable....Since stopping the pill my libido came back which is great and I feel emotions depending on where I am in my cycle. My Cycle regulated within 2 months after stopping the pill and for the past 3 years I have learned what is normal for me. My cycle is very text book 28 days long on the dot every month, I ovulate on day 15. This method works for me, I haven't gotten pregnant but on the days during my cycle I could get pregnant, we use condoms rather than abstaining. I would say it took me about 6 months to learn and feel confident in this approach.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 25

Natural Cycles App  

I’ve been using NC since 2021, I use to love this app and tell everybody about it until I had sex on a green day and got pregnant. I used to think it would never happen to me as I’ll use the app right. Measured every day and was very religious with the app. However, I ovulated earlier and fell pregnant! The app only goes off previous ovulation compared to current meaning it doesn’t prevent pregnancy as yes you have red days but it’s just a prediction! For example green day on day 6 (had sex) and ovulated on day 10 (red days) and fell pregnant. Ovulated 5 days early! Sperm can live inside you for 5 days hence why I’m pregnant and will be getting an abortion.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jan 25

Natural Cycles App  

I've had an entirely positive experience using Natural Cycles. While using the impant I was struggling with acne, mood swings, irregular periods. And since swapping to use Natural Cycles I've felt much better in myself, my periods are very regular, I feel I understand my body and cycle so much more, and my skin has cleared up. In 5 years of using it it's been 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, I'm very careful to measure consistently, and I use the Oura Ring to help get accurate readings. But this small effort seems like a small price to pay in exchange for getting rid of all the nasty side effects of my previous contraception


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Symptothermal method  

I had been on PoP contraceptive pill for nearly 10yrs, I have also tried CoC's and injection prior. I wanted to learn more about my body and be natural. This method takes a lot of research and understanding in order for it to work and be effective. I read books and watched YouTube videos to educate myself and joined FB/Reddit group. I use an app called read your body to input my temperature and other symptoms to track where I am in my cycle. It is all done manually by me and not relying on a system like natural cycles to do it for me as this is less reliable....Since stopping the pill my libido came back which is great and I feel emotions depending on where I am in my cycle. My Cycle regulated within 2 months after stopping the pill and for the past 3 years I have learned what is normal for me. My cycle is very text book 28 days long on the dot every month, I ovulate on day 15. This method works for me, I haven't gotten pregnant but on the days during my cycle I could get pregnant, we use condoms rather than abstaining. I would say it took me about 6 months to learn and feel confident in this approach.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 25

Natural Cycles App  

I’ve been using NC since 2021, I use to love this app and tell everybody about it until I had sex on a green day and got pregnant. I used to think it would never happen to me as I’ll use the app right. Measured every day and was very religious with the app. However, I ovulated earlier and fell pregnant! The app only goes off previous ovulation compared to current meaning it doesn’t prevent pregnancy as yes you have red days but it’s just a prediction! For example green day on day 6 (had sex) and ovulated on day 10 (red days) and fell pregnant. Ovulated 5 days early! Sperm can live inside you for 5 days hence why I’m pregnant and will be getting an abortion.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jan 25

Natural Cycles App  

I've had an entirely positive experience using Natural Cycles. While using the impant I was struggling with acne, mood swings, irregular periods. And since swapping to use Natural Cycles I've felt much better in myself, my periods are very regular, I feel I understand my body and cycle so much more, and my skin has cleared up. In 5 years of using it it's been 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, I'm very careful to measure consistently, and I use the Oura Ring to help get accurate readings. But this small effort seems like a small price to pay in exchange for getting rid of all the nasty side effects of my previous contraception


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments


Injection reviews

285 reviews

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Noristerat injection  

With the contraception I experience a lot of abdominal pains frequently


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Apr 25

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Noristerat injection  

With the contraception I experience a lot of abdominal pains frequently


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Apr 25

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Apr 25

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

1 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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Fertility awareness methods (FAM) with other contraceptives

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