Implant vs Injection

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Implant

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Injection

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Overview

Rated 2.8

597 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

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

Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen


Injection ingredients

Main hormones in Injection

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

38% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

41% gained weight

57% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% 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

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

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

Implant reviews

597 reviews

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/wopuld stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues so far!

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

I feel really happy about my experience on the implant. The first 6 months while it settled in were hard, I had a month long period then no bleeding since then. Emotionally speaking I cried every day for the first 6 months, then it was like a light switch went off and I've been fine since! Towards the end of my 3 years I started to get some break through bleeding so had it changed and a new one put in about 3 months earlier than expected but this was no trouble. I have been on it now for 4.5 years and would recommend to everyone but I know I've been lucky having no bleeding at all. I am looking to get off hormonal contraception and want to regulate my cycle to hope to have children in the next few years and want to experience a normal hormonal cycle so this is the only reason I'm changing from the implant! Overall I've had a really great time on the implant and feel reassured while being on the most effective form of birth control against unwanted pregnancy- which is a nice plus for the implant!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

Have chronic thrush. Trying to constantly battle doctors to get it treated but they say it’s nothing to do with the implant 😕


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/wopuld stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues so far!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

I feel really happy about my experience on the implant. The first 6 months while it settled in were hard, I had a month long period then no bleeding since then. Emotionally speaking I cried every day for the first 6 months, then it was like a light switch went off and I've been fine since! Towards the end of my 3 years I started to get some break through bleeding so had it changed and a new one put in about 3 months earlier than expected but this was no trouble. I have been on it now for 4.5 years and would recommend to everyone but I know I've been lucky having no bleeding at all. I am looking to get off hormonal contraception and want to regulate my cycle to hope to have children in the next few years and want to experience a normal hormonal cycle so this is the only reason I'm changing from the implant! Overall I've had a really great time on the implant and feel reassured while being on the most effective form of birth control against unwanted pregnancy- which is a nice plus for the implant!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

Have chronic thrush. Trying to constantly battle doctors to get it treated but they say it’s nothing to do with the implant 😕


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 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 Implant with other contraceptives

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