Implant vs Injection
Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Add your Implant review
Add your Injection review
Overview
Rated 2.8
634 reviews
Every 5 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.9
310 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
Try it now
Add your Implant review
Try it now
Add your Injection review
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
634 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on it for coming up to 8 years overall obviously great to not get pregnant and I was on contraception before where I had an accident so it was really easy and really quick to not have to think about this. It did really impact my moods and I eventually ended up having PMDD because of the severe mood swings. I would also bleed twice a month instead of just a once And it caused a really bad loss of libido and federal dryness. But these are all things that would probably happen if I was pregnant anyway.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
My mood was completely changed on this contraception about 2 weeks in. I started getting really angry at everything/everyone very fast, I had a short temper, I felt sad all the time and like everyone was against me. Overall I felt I was going crazy and could not control my emotions at all. Also I had a constant heavy period for 3 months
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Apr 26
Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on it for coming up to 8 years overall obviously great to not get pregnant and I was on contraception before where I had an accident so it was really easy and really quick to not have to think about this. It did really impact my moods and I eventually ended up having PMDD because of the severe mood swings. I would also bleed twice a month instead of just a once And it caused a really bad loss of libido and federal dryness. But these are all things that would probably happen if I was pregnant anyway.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
My mood was completely changed on this contraception about 2 weeks in. I started getting really angry at everything/everyone very fast, I had a short temper, I felt sad all the time and like everyone was against me. Overall I felt I was going crazy and could not control my emotions at all. Also I had a constant heavy period for 3 months
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Apr 26
Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Injection reviews
310 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I went on the depo injection due to the mini pill making my IBS constipation symptoms worse and the doctor saying this would be better. For first 6 months, no side effects. It did level out my moods and constipation, but it gave me vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive after 9 months of being on it.
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I got with a new partner a few years back and gave this ago as I wanted something I didn’t need to remember to take. I gained weight fast, I had mood changes, my skin broke out badly, my periods were heavier than before. I only ever had one injection then stopped as I no longer needed it and I didn’t like how it made me feel. Unfortunately I had a rare side effect where it stopped my periods/ovulation all together for 12 months I was referred to gynaecology at 6 months and luckily after all the scans everything was normal and by month 12 my cycle returned without needing to be medically induced. This is not a horror story but important that you could react the same or if you are reacting the same please get referred to gynaecology and hopefully your periods will return 🤍
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Having used both Depot and Sanaya Press, these are the best method of contraception. No side effect and a huge positive: no periods.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I went on the depo injection due to the mini pill making my IBS constipation symptoms worse and the doctor saying this would be better. For first 6 months, no side effects. It did level out my moods and constipation, but it gave me vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive after 9 months of being on it.
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I got with a new partner a few years back and gave this ago as I wanted something I didn’t need to remember to take. I gained weight fast, I had mood changes, my skin broke out badly, my periods were heavier than before. I only ever had one injection then stopped as I no longer needed it and I didn’t like how it made me feel. Unfortunately I had a rare side effect where it stopped my periods/ovulation all together for 12 months I was referred to gynaecology at 6 months and luckily after all the scans everything was normal and by month 12 my cycle returned without needing to be medically induced. This is not a horror story but important that you could react the same or if you are reacting the same please get referred to gynaecology and hopefully your periods will return 🤍
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Having used both Depot and Sanaya Press, these are the best method of contraception. No side effect and a huge positive: no periods.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Apr 26
This has made my sex life a living hell .I get scared to have sex with my partner since I associate the vaginal dryness with this Depo shot ,the sex is always pain towards the end as there’s not enough lubrication
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Feb 26
This was bad experience my stretch marks even increased and low libido is the worst
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Feb 26
I would have rated this 5 stars last year. I used to be on the depo jab that had to be done at the doctors but I work 12 hour shifts meaning it was a struggle to attended every 12 weeks. So I was over the moon when I found out about sayana press that I could do myself. I usually do the injection around 11 weeks but the last 3 times I get to 10 weeks and get crippling period pain that completely debilitates me. Even after I’ve done the injection this will continue for about a week afterwards. I’ve never experienced child birth but the pain is horrendous. It will wake me up in the middle of the night, happen at work and is just completely random spouts of unbearable pain until at whatever point doesn’t happen again until I am next at the 10 week mark. I’ve recently learned that it’s a lower strength to Depo-Provera and maybe that’s why however I’m confused as to why it’s only started happening. My gp surgery is useless and it the whole process of going back to having the higher strength at the surgery is going to take some time but being able to do it at home is not worth this horrendous ordeal. I would not recommend switching
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Jan 26
Great if you’re looking to prevent pregnancy with less admin. Having the year’s supply ant home and not needing to see a doctor every few months was handy. Stopped my periods aside from some very minimal spotting and my skin was great - I barely had any spots over the years I was on it. I did feel like I was quite numb emotions wise. I didn’t experience mood swings but it was alarming that I often didn’t really feel anything! My libido was extremely low too.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Dec 25
I experience mood swings, low libido, aura migraine, my face got darker than usual and I stopped seeing my period.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Nov 25
I had a very bad experience using this contraceptive. Bad moods, bad skin, bad body image, depression, sweating, low libido. Just bad.
Very positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Oct 25
It's a good injection for me, I have been using it for longest time since I was 16 years started to use it. Who recommended it? Clinic nurse.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
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
Slide into our DMs
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
