Implant vs Injection
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Overview
Rated 2.8
590 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.9
276 reviews
Every 2-3 months
Frequency
94% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Short term
Effect on fertility
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
590 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
50/50 experience overall. My skin improved to the point where it is clear aside from the occasional hormonal spot. Definitely would recommend if you’re like me and always forget to take the pill daily. I don’t get periods but when I do I bleed for about 2-3 weeks heavily. I have noticed some weight gain but nothing to be worried about. My boobs have grown 2 whole cup sizes. No mood changes as far as I’m aware. The implant insertion process was quick and painless so nothing to worry about there.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Nov 24
Due to a family history of thrombosis I was advised against the combined pill which at the time was still the most common option, so the implant seemed a good choice. Whilst it was convenient in that it was long lasting and easily fitted, with no horrendous side effects, with the conversation about choices becoming more open I realised that I had been putting up with side effects which were gradually getting me down - irregular bleeding and low libido (possibly connected!) made regular sex with my partner less easy and fun than it should be, and I found that the more I exercised the more I bled, and I wanted to exercise more. I decided to switch to the copper IUD to experience a normal cycle again without the hormones, and am very happy I changed.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Nov 24
Ever since using this form of contrception i get twice my period in one month and feels like stabing pains now and then in my stomach but not all the time. I was recommended the implant after i had my miscarriage Moody sometimes but other than that i guess its safe to have the implant in like its said everyones body is different
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
50/50 experience overall. My skin improved to the point where it is clear aside from the occasional hormonal spot. Definitely would recommend if you’re like me and always forget to take the pill daily. I don’t get periods but when I do I bleed for about 2-3 weeks heavily. I have noticed some weight gain but nothing to be worried about. My boobs have grown 2 whole cup sizes. No mood changes as far as I’m aware. The implant insertion process was quick and painless so nothing to worry about there.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Nov 24
Due to a family history of thrombosis I was advised against the combined pill which at the time was still the most common option, so the implant seemed a good choice. Whilst it was convenient in that it was long lasting and easily fitted, with no horrendous side effects, with the conversation about choices becoming more open I realised that I had been putting up with side effects which were gradually getting me down - irregular bleeding and low libido (possibly connected!) made regular sex with my partner less easy and fun than it should be, and I found that the more I exercised the more I bled, and I wanted to exercise more. I decided to switch to the copper IUD to experience a normal cycle again without the hormones, and am very happy I changed.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Nov 24
Ever since using this form of contrception i get twice my period in one month and feels like stabing pains now and then in my stomach but not all the time. I was recommended the implant after i had my miscarriage Moody sometimes but other than that i guess its safe to have the implant in like its said everyones body is different
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Injection reviews
276 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Nov 24
I’ve had a really positive experience with depo. I was on it for around 4 years pre-covid, and have currently been using again for 18 months. Periods have completely stopped and I haven’t experienced side effects (my hair might be slightly thinner, but I’m not sure if I’d just never noticed I have thin hair). After stopping use the first time it did take many months for my periods to return. I’m only thinking about stopping taking it now with the recent studies on links to brain tumours.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Nov 24
I have really enjoyed not having periods and not having to remember my pill as I am very forgetful. I have gained an increased sex drive and I used to get cramps all the time and it stopped most of those. I rarely get migraines. Maybe one every two months. My only major issue was my hair loss. I’ve lost about 50% of my hair and now it’s brittle but after taking calcium supplements and changing my diet it’s a bit more normal. It could be unrelated but around the same time as I started the depo I also got Dyshidrotic eczema on my feet. What makes me think this could be related is I’m also very itchy on my hands, and legs since starting. I could just be getting older and I’ve had issues in the past with my hips but I’ve also pulled my back, and badly sprained my ankle and hip. This has only happened after starting the depo. After a year of being on it everything seems to have leveled out. All bad points above have now become less noticeable and I feel very comfortable. External issues are still an issue like being constantly interrogated like I don’t know what I’m doing in the nurses office as I take my depo every 10 weeks due to bleeding for the last 3 weeks of the cycle. They also seem to want you on the coil I’m not sure what that is about but it’s very annoying. Also depending on who is administering the shot you may feel basically no pain or a ton that could last for a few hours These side effects may not be for some but from my past personal issues I am happy with the contraceptive compared to others I’ve tried
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Oct 24
Since taking the injection I have experienced severe lower back pain. I sometimes struggle to sleep
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Oct 24
I felt like I was going crazy or losing my mind while on this contraceptive. I was an emotional wreck, I was not doing so well physically either. I had zero sex drive, so it did not make sense for me to be on birth control when I was not even having sex (markedly diminished libido).
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Sep 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Sep 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Sep 24
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
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