Injection vs Patch

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Injection

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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

124 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

31% somewhat negative

70% stopped periods

57% lost sex drive

48% gained weight

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

42% don’t know impact

36% no impact on mood

34% lighter periods

48% no impact

48% no impact

49% no impact on skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

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

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Noristerat injection  

This was bad experience my stretch marks even increased and low libido is the worst

Read more

Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Jan 26

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Noristerat injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Sayana Press injection  

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

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Jan 26

Sayana Press injection  

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

124 reviews

Patch  
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Evra patch  

No side effects


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Evra patch  

No side effects


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Jan 26

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Dec 25

Evra patch  

I got pregnant twice in 3 months…


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Nov 25

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Nov 25

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Oct 25

Evra patch  

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

Patch  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Aug 25

Evra patch  

I love using the patch. It has made using contraceptive so much easier and I went through a phase of recommending it too everyone I know. I've had a few symptoms recently, but not sure if that is related to the Patch or a different medical issue. In the last year, I've had more hormonal acne than I did before, but that's the main side effect that I would say I've been affected by. We are coming off contraceptive soon, so hoping it is a smooth process


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Injection with other contraceptives

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