Injection vs Female condom
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Overview
Rated 2.9
315 reviews
Every 2-3 months
Frequency
94% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Short term
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.5
4 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
79% - 95%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
Female condom ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
Protects against STIs
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Injection reviews
315 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I was on it 2+ years, decided to stop as ‘apparently’ you’re not supposed to be on it longer than 2 years. Was not told that, only found out from women in the news with adverse side effects. Positives, periods completely stopped, all side effects along with it disappeared. Negatives, I feel over these years, I have lost all sex drive with my partner and sexual desire in general (self touch also). On reflection, I feel I lost all emotions other than anger, frustration, which became quite difficult in my relationship, almost to the point of breaking (6+ years). To note, you may experience what I can only describe, drug withdrawal symptoms when you come off the injection. I had severe migraines for 72+ hours, hot cold sweats, swollen breasts for a while, really bad fatigue and severe nausea to the point of being sick again and again and again. The rush of hormones was and still is horrific, total mess. Still waiting for a period… however you can be waiting for up to 18 months to bleed, whilst still ovulating and everything else, so be warned. I don’t believe there is any contraception that is truly the best, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. The combined pill was better but you just have to be on top of taking it at the same time everyday, which was an issue for me being a shift worker (not always reliable).
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 26
Right now l feel enlargement of breast and my periods are spotting
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 26
I’ve been getting this shot ever since my first period and before I started taking it, I was having heavy period cramps and I disliked the constant pain from my period cramps
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I was on it 2+ years, decided to stop as ‘apparently’ you’re not supposed to be on it longer than 2 years. Was not told that, only found out from women in the news with adverse side effects. Positives, periods completely stopped, all side effects along with it disappeared. Negatives, I feel over these years, I have lost all sex drive with my partner and sexual desire in general (self touch also). On reflection, I feel I lost all emotions other than anger, frustration, which became quite difficult in my relationship, almost to the point of breaking (6+ years). To note, you may experience what I can only describe, drug withdrawal symptoms when you come off the injection. I had severe migraines for 72+ hours, hot cold sweats, swollen breasts for a while, really bad fatigue and severe nausea to the point of being sick again and again and again. The rush of hormones was and still is horrific, total mess. Still waiting for a period… however you can be waiting for up to 18 months to bleed, whilst still ovulating and everything else, so be warned. I don’t believe there is any contraception that is truly the best, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. The combined pill was better but you just have to be on top of taking it at the same time everyday, which was an issue for me being a shift worker (not always reliable).
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 26
Right now l feel enlargement of breast and my periods are spotting
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Jun 26
I’ve been getting this shot ever since my first period and before I started taking it, I was having heavy period cramps and I disliked the constant pain from my period cramps
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Female condom reviews
4 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th May 20
Used it once - it came off inside me within 5 minutes and I didn't realise so ended up having completely unprotected sex and having to get a STI test.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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