Patch vs Implant

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Patch

Add your Patch review

Implant

Add your Implant review

Overview

Rated 3.4

119 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

624 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Patch ingredients

Main hormones in Patch

progestogen

oestrogen


Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

37% no impact on mood

35% lighter periods

49% no impact

50% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

37% don’t know impact

37% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

55% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

Try it now

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Add your Implant review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Patch reviews

119 reviews

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Evra patch  

I got pregnant twice in 3 months…

Read more

Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

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

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 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

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
  •  1 month ago

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


Implant reviews

624 reviews

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

wish i knew got it honestly periods stopped completely so much weight loss rlly bad increase in my mh and mood makes me feel so not me


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

wish i knew got it honestly periods stopped completely so much weight loss rlly bad increase in my mh and mood makes me feel so not me


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

Apart for heavy long periods, I Became mean and short fused. My sex drive is zero. I am less excited and feeling empty. Had the implant for 8 months, the behaviour changes are not settling.I am generally miserable and its damaging my relationship.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

Safest and easiest contraception in my opinion. However does come with lots of side effects as any medication does, it is manageable but irritating at times (headaches, irregular bleeding every month and lower back pain). I also get rashes at the implant site quite frequently and heard this is very common- gets itchy but normal apparently


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

Of all the contraceptives I tried I was most satisfied with the implant. I had mostly no side effects and it stopped my period completely after 1 year (had some spotting irregularly in the first year). It was a very effective method, with painless insertion and changes (had 3 implants in 7 years). I removed it because I wanted to give my body a break before potentially trying for a baby. The main side effect and reason I took off one star is the loss of libido and vaginal dryness. My libido was very low and when I did get into sex, the dryness made things painful. Overall the sensation and pleasure of sex took a hit, but it was manageable. Now that I am off the implant I notice a resurgence in libido and feel more connected to my body and sexual self.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

I had the implant for 19 months and got it taken out today after being a little fed up of the side effects. For the first couple of months, I had my period as normal and pretty much no other symptoms except being a bit more emotional. Then over the next year or so i had completely stopped bleeding and had no issues. Then I started to get migraines maybe 2 a week for a couple weeks (I had 5 in the space of a month?) and they were so unbearable. And then I started bleeding again but it was so irregular. I could have a period twice in 2 weeks but not have one for like 6-8 weeks and then get spotting for a few days. It was so frustrating. That and having incredibly sore nipples and tender breasts that I couldn’t wear anything without it hurting. Ever since getting it inserted I have gained around 30kg which is very noticeable on someone who is barely 5ft tall. So because of that my self confidence has completely dropped. It felt like I was buying a bigger bra every 2 months. And none of my clothes that I had a year and a half ago fit me anymore. Overall the beginning was pretty great but about a year in I didn’t like it anymore.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Oct 25

Nexplanon implant  

Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

1 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Oct 25

Nexplanon implant  

can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Oct 25

Nexplanon implant  

At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Patch with other contraceptives

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