Injection vs Patch
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Overview
Rated 2.9
306 reviews
Every 2-3 months
Frequency
94% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Short term
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.4
125 reviews
Weekly
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Injection ingredients
Main hormones in Injection
progestogen
Patch ingredients
Main hormones in Patch
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Injection reviews
306 reviews
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
0 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 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
0 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
Patch reviews
125 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I started using the Evra patch for my hormones. Before, I experienced frequent shifts in emotions within just a few minutes, including crying for no particular reason and then feeling fine 10 seconds later. I was advised to wear the patch continuously. Once I began, I found my symptoms were not too severe; they included back pain and cramps, some spotting, feeling nauseous but vomiting a few times a month during the first few months. I have now been on the patch continuously for six months, and I no longer experience any symptoms. My mood can sometimes drop randomly, but overall, I have no regrets about starting the patch.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
noticed that the side effects were less or more intense depending on where i put the patch on my body. i used to have it on my arm and had intense nausea nonstop and after putting on my hip/ bum it stopped. also cystitis symptoms however i’m not sure if they are related
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I started using the Evra patch for my hormones. Before, I experienced frequent shifts in emotions within just a few minutes, including crying for no particular reason and then feeling fine 10 seconds later. I was advised to wear the patch continuously. Once I began, I found my symptoms were not too severe; they included back pain and cramps, some spotting, feeling nauseous but vomiting a few times a month during the first few months. I have now been on the patch continuously for six months, and I no longer experience any symptoms. My mood can sometimes drop randomly, but overall, I have no regrets about starting the patch.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
noticed that the side effects were less or more intense depending on where i put the patch on my body. i used to have it on my arm and had intense nausea nonstop and after putting on my hip/ bum it stopped. also cystitis symptoms however i’m not sure if they are related
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Started taking the Evra patch to help regulating my hormones and to help with bad health anxiety. The 3rd day I had it on resulted in me taking the patch off straight away due to immense nausea, panic, shaking and complete loss of appetite. 3 months later my hormones have been worse than ever with random crying and anxiety increasing throughout my cycle.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Jan 26
Overall good birth control. I do get random cramps throughout the day ever since I started it and my skin is irritated and itchy where I place my patch.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Jan 26
Overall good, so far effective. But my periods are a lot heavier and a lot more painful. Tender breasts for at least half of the month and random cramps throughout the month even when I’m not on my period.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Nov 25
The Evra patch has been a good choice for me so far, and it’s my first time on birth control! I would say the only downfall is around the edge of the patch gets dirty from adhesive, and that it’s nerve racking to swim a lot in fear it will come off! I went on vacation and was nervous but I used a tagaderm to keep it on when swimming!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Nov 25
The patch made me feel extremely unwell. I had nausea, heavy headed feeling, headaches, tiredness, sweating and soreness where the patch was placed. I ended up removing it before 24 hours was up because I couldn't sleep and felt so out of sorts.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Oct 25
Went on the patch having been on the implant previously. On the implant I had lots of spotting which thankfully went away on the patch. However I have definitely noticed a distinct rise in anxiety since being on the patch over the last year - enough to stop me wanting to go to things like the theatre or going on tours without getting sweaty. I also think it's killed my sex drive so I'm going to go off it and seek alternative contraception. Its a shame because I do find it convenient and have felt very protected on it. My period increased its flow a lot during the period week and I also got bad headaches around that week which I wasn't used to. Sad to have to change but dont like the quality of life.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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