Morning after pill vs Implant

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Morning after pill

£From £0.10/day

Implant

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Overview

Rated 3.4

27 reviews

Once after sex

Frequency

97 - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

564 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Morning after pill ingredients

Main hormones in Morning after pill

progestogen


Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

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£From £0.10/day

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Morning after pill reviews

27 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

I used the emergency contraception pill when someone ejaculated inside of me to avoid pregnancy and it was useful.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Feb 24

  •  Still using

For those emergencies where me and my partner haven’t used a condom or had sex during my ovulation period, I’ve been used the morning after pill which has most definitely been very effective for me. I don’t really experience any excessive side effects but what I do notice every time I take this medication my period is comes a week later than normal and it can be much heavier at times with more clots , and the periods are very painful.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

At first i did not know what contraception to use and i was introduced to Levonelle and my overall experience was good . I did not experience any irregularities with my period or any change with my weight.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

I used the emergency contraception pill when someone ejaculated inside of me to avoid pregnancy and it was useful.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Feb 24

  •  Still using

For those emergencies where me and my partner haven’t used a condom or had sex during my ovulation period, I’ve been used the morning after pill which has most definitely been very effective for me. I don’t really experience any excessive side effects but what I do notice every time I take this medication my period is comes a week later than normal and it can be much heavier at times with more clots , and the periods are very painful.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

At first i did not know what contraception to use and i was introduced to Levonelle and my overall experience was good . I did not experience any irregularities with my period or any change with my weight.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Implant reviews

564 reviews

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

  •  Stopped using

I was keen to try the implant as it seemed perfect for me on paper, but I ended up getting it removed due to very low mood and mood swings. Within a few days of insertion, I felt emotional all the time, getting easily upset and crying most days, and I didn't feel like myself at all. I regularly felt depressed, hopeless and overwhelmed. I also had irrational worries and anxious thoughts. I persevered with the implant for two years because I was convinced that these side effects would lessen over time, but I didn't notice any improvement. Throughout the time I had the implant, I experienced nearly constant light bleeding and spotting as well as breast tenderness. I found these side effects irritating as they interfered with my daily life, although I would have been willing to put up with them if I hadn't had the mood issues as well. Once I finally made my mind up and had my implant removed, my moods were back to normal within a week, and my periods returned to their regular pattern right away. In hindsight, I wish I had listened to my body and had it removed much sooner. For me the only positives were that the implant was convenient and effective, and the insertion/removal processes were fairly painless. I would say it is worth a try if these things are important to you, but my personal experience was so poor that it has put me off hormonal contraceptives entirely.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Stopped using

Previously used Implanon for 6 years without any bleeding, switched to nexplanon and had regular periods initially and then they became heavy, painful, prolonged and unpredictable. Much preferred the previous version. Have had it taken out now and have changed to combi pill so will see how that goes.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

Had continuous bleeding a few months into using the implant (have had two implants, replaced after 3 years) and had to supplement by also taking progesterone only pill.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

  •  Stopped using

I was keen to try the implant as it seemed perfect for me on paper, but I ended up getting it removed due to very low mood and mood swings. Within a few days of insertion, I felt emotional all the time, getting easily upset and crying most days, and I didn't feel like myself at all. I regularly felt depressed, hopeless and overwhelmed. I also had irrational worries and anxious thoughts. I persevered with the implant for two years because I was convinced that these side effects would lessen over time, but I didn't notice any improvement. Throughout the time I had the implant, I experienced nearly constant light bleeding and spotting as well as breast tenderness. I found these side effects irritating as they interfered with my daily life, although I would have been willing to put up with them if I hadn't had the mood issues as well. Once I finally made my mind up and had my implant removed, my moods were back to normal within a week, and my periods returned to their regular pattern right away. In hindsight, I wish I had listened to my body and had it removed much sooner. For me the only positives were that the implant was convenient and effective, and the insertion/removal processes were fairly painless. I would say it is worth a try if these things are important to you, but my personal experience was so poor that it has put me off hormonal contraceptives entirely.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

  •  Stopped using

Previously used Implanon for 6 years without any bleeding, switched to nexplanon and had regular periods initially and then they became heavy, painful, prolonged and unpredictable. Much preferred the previous version. Have had it taken out now and have changed to combi pill so will see how that goes.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

Had continuous bleeding a few months into using the implant (have had two implants, replaced after 3 years) and had to supplement by also taking progesterone only pill.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Still using

Originally had it for 6 years no problem then told to come off as was diagnosed with hypermobility (HSD) 2018, then new info says it can help hsd joint pain flare ups. Currently waiting for it to settle, nauseous and sore but remaining hopeful that it will help!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

I had the implant for over 2 and a half years. When I first went on this, I didn’t have a period for a couple months but then after that I had around a month long period, this was then paired with the combined pill to help it regulate a bit more. I then ended up usually going 3 months without a period and then 1 week of a period with 2-3 weeks of very light bleeding. This was okay. I then recently had my period and since then continued to bleed for over 3 months. I decided that I couldn’t deal with this anymore as it meant rarely even being able to have sex within my relationship. I was going to get it removed early and replaced but decided against it as I reflected on the past year and the side effects that I did actually have. A key one that only really began to affect me around 2 years into it was vaginal dryness and vaginitis which I didn’t even realise was a side effect until recently. Pain during sex sometimes but a decreased libido too. I had also been up and down with my emotions, sometimes I felt extremely emotional and other times like I had no emotions at all. It did seem to work well for the first couple years and maybe getting it removed and replaced early might have helped but I just felt like I wasn’t really happy on the implant anymore, my mood was a lot lower, especially with side effects in mind. Lots of my friends use it and find it really good, I just think it’s luck of the draw how it effects you!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

At 44 years old with high blood pressure, I was told that the combo pill was not an option so I decided to give the Nexplanon insert a try as a 33 year old friend of mine has had it for the last 5 years with minimal problems. It was inserted in the beginning of July. By the end of August I had lost almost 40% of the hair on the crown of my head. I also bled at a moderate level every single day of August and for another two weeks after it was removed in the beginning of October. Talk about an effective way to prevent pregnancy— neither myself nor my boyfriend are into bloody sex! Although the cramps calmed down before I had it removed, the depression and mood swings were also very hard to deal with. After it came out, I couldn't stop crying and being upset over the smallest things for several weeks. Although I could have tried to hang in there for a few more months, the hair loss was too much. And it continued to fall out until November. It's now February and it STILL hasn't started to grow back yet. Also, they're not kidding about being fertile immediately after removal... I got pregnant in December. Spending the new year dealing with an abortion was definitely not one of my resolutions for 2024 :( Long story short: If you're young, it's probably worth the hassle. Over 40, I strongly recommend against it!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

Once becoming sexually active, I was given the choice of different contraceptives methods and the implant was the most effective one at the time of my consultation. I had the implant in for around 2 months and from day 3 of having the insertion done, I was bleeding continuously and have breakthrough periods for 2 months. Whilst having daily periods I was using nearly 6/7 pads a day and had large clots , which was very alarming to me. I had to seek further advice and was told they do not normally remove the implant so soon after insertion. I felt like I was being told just to deal with it and get on. I was fully aware of the symptoms but didn’t expect it to last that long. I was able to get a second opinion and was advised to have it removed immediately due to the severity of bleeding , which resulted in low iron levels and symptoms of severe fatigue and restlessness. I eventually had the implant removed after 3 months and my periods returned back to normal after a month of so. I was really disappointed that this method didn’t work for me but I was grateful to have other options


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

  •  Still using

Happy with this form on contraception


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

When on this contraceptive I would have a period maybe every 2 - 3 months and it would tend to be quite light and last about 3 days only. Then there were few vacations where my period would last about 9 days and the first 3/4 days would be heavy bleeding. I also put on quite a bit of weight over time while being on this contraceptive.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

My experience with the implant started off really well, my period disappeared! But then it came back with a vengeance alongside headaches, period cramps and loss of sex drive. I started feeling like myself when I came off it!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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