Noristerat injection vs Depo-Provera injection

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Noristerat injection

Want to switch contraception?

Depo-Provera injection

Want to switch contraception?

Overview

Rated 2.6

7 reviews

Every 2 months

Frequency

96% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.0

175 reviews

Every 3 months

Frequency

96% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Noristerat injection ingredients

Main hormones in Noristerat injection

Androgenic progestogen


Depo-Provera injection ingredients

Main hormones in Depo-Provera injection

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Try it now

Want to switch contraception?

Try it now

Want to switch contraception?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Noristerat injection reviews

7 reviews

Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jan 24

  •  Still using

I became emotional, my stomach is bloated all the time, I have no energy, I feel tired all the time, loss of appetite, I feel uncomfortable, my ears are ringing the whole time, my head feels foggy and I feel confused, I get bad period like cramps

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Dec 23

  •  Still using

Period like cramps, increased white discharge, nausea and bloating made the experience horrible. Stopped getting my periods from the first shot which made me think i was pregnant.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Dec 23

  •  Still using

Period like cramps, increased white discharge, nausea and bloating was horrendous. Stopped getting my period from the first shot which made me think I was pregnant. My depression also got worse.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jan 24

  •  Still using

I became emotional, my stomach is bloated all the time, I have no energy, I feel tired all the time, loss of appetite, I feel uncomfortable, my ears are ringing the whole time, my head feels foggy and I feel confused, I get bad period like cramps


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Dec 23

  •  Still using

Period like cramps, increased white discharge, nausea and bloating made the experience horrible. Stopped getting my periods from the first shot which made me think i was pregnant.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Dec 23

  •  Still using

Period like cramps, increased white discharge, nausea and bloating was horrendous. Stopped getting my period from the first shot which made me think I was pregnant. My depression also got worse.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Depo-Provera injection reviews

175 reviews

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

  •  Still using

When I was 15, I started using the injection to manage my menstrual pain (due to Endo). It worked like magic and stopped my periods and pain right away! However, it also had a downside - it really impacted my mental health. Recently, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and I tried different pills to manage it, but I kept forgetting to take them on time. So, I decided to give the Depot Provera injection another try. I was a bit hesitant at first, but I went ahead with it anyway. It took some time for my body to adjust, and I experienced some spotting and pelvic pain until my most recent injection. (I've had 5 injections now). Now, things have settled down, and I only get occasional twinges. The day after the injection, I experience some period-like pain, but it usually goes away after a couple of days. Overall, I would recommend this contraception, although everyone's experience is different. For me, it has finally given me what I wanted - freedom from pain.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

  •  Stopped using

It did it's job in preventing pregnancy but the side affects weren't pleasant - No sex drive, vaginal dryness, caused acne, moody and irritable. I got put on it at 16 as I couldn't be trusted to remember to take the pill. It stopped my period which was great! I came off it during COVID due to not being able to get to the doctor for it and the bleeding aftermath wasn't nice - a lot of heavy periods which calmed after a while. However, what caused me not to go back on it was I didn't realise how it affected my personality until I came off it. Off it I was no longer depressy or irritable, vaginal dryness went away and I suddenly had a sex drive. Overall it wasn't awful as I was none of the wiser to what I was like not being on it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

The injection definitely stops pregnancy but does affect the body in different ways


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Still using

When I was 15, I started using the injection to manage my menstrual pain (due to Endo). It worked like magic and stopped my periods and pain right away! However, it also had a downside - it really impacted my mental health. Recently, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and I tried different pills to manage it, but I kept forgetting to take them on time. So, I decided to give the Depot Provera injection another try. I was a bit hesitant at first, but I went ahead with it anyway. It took some time for my body to adjust, and I experienced some spotting and pelvic pain until my most recent injection. (I've had 5 injections now). Now, things have settled down, and I only get occasional twinges. The day after the injection, I experience some period-like pain, but it usually goes away after a couple of days. Overall, I would recommend this contraception, although everyone's experience is different. For me, it has finally given me what I wanted - freedom from pain.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

  •  Stopped using

It did it's job in preventing pregnancy but the side affects weren't pleasant - No sex drive, vaginal dryness, caused acne, moody and irritable. I got put on it at 16 as I couldn't be trusted to remember to take the pill. It stopped my period which was great! I came off it during COVID due to not being able to get to the doctor for it and the bleeding aftermath wasn't nice - a lot of heavy periods which calmed after a while. However, what caused me not to go back on it was I didn't realise how it affected my personality until I came off it. Off it I was no longer depressy or irritable, vaginal dryness went away and I suddenly had a sex drive. Overall it wasn't awful as I was none of the wiser to what I was like not being on it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

The injection definitely stops pregnancy but does affect the body in different ways


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

I’ve been taking the pill for over 7 years and wanted to try the injection for convenience of not worrying about taking a pill everyday, for that it was great no periods no more cramps, however I found too many side effects which overrule the one positive. - The first month was great, however month 2 and 3 I suffered with what I thought was recurring thrush but I went to the gp and did swabs but everything was negative with no infections, turns out to be vaginal dryness which are the same symptoms of thrush and is highly uncomfortable - never had this on the pill, it’s effecting my sex life as it’s uncomfortable and has lowered my libido also. - The mood swings are insane with the first shot, I was very emotional and distressed, increased intrusive thoughts about my relationship, didn’t like my body etc. - I’ve always had clear skin until the injection I noticed the odd one or two almost cystic types spots which were painful and rather embarrassing that would last for weeks. - Noticed fluctuation of breast size too I probably dropped a size or 2 but didn’t loose any body weight. Not sure how long it’s going to take to go back to normal but definitely advise to anyone wanting to go on it, research research research and book a session with your gp to review it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Jan 24

  •  Stopped using

I used this contraception for nearly 10 years and I loved it- being young and having no periods saved me a lot of money and stress and was ideal when I went backpacking. It is only now I am older and have an interest in having a baby one day that I was keen to switch. It has taken me nearly 12 months to regain a regular cycle! I also never realised how bad it made my acne until I came off it.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Oct 23

  •  Still using

I started the depo in June of this year, I then started constantly bleeding 3 weeks later up until the end of August. I had a 2 week break from bleeding, and then I started again for a further 3 weeks, and the pain that comes along with it is unbearable, it’s a constant vicious cycle. My moods are horrendous, I’ve had to start up antidepressants again, my skin hasn’t been this bad in literal months, all the lower part of my face has broken out into sore spots. I have tried all methods of contraception now, various pills, 2x coil and neither time worked as my body rejected both times, the implant which didn’t agree with me and now this. So I’m completely coming off contraception once this dose runs out. Never again


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I began using the Depo as it was recommended by a nurse in my GP clinic. During the first 6 months the only noticeable side effect was the decreased sex drive. After my 3rd injection, I began having serious pain when trying to have sex. Due to this pain I booked an appointment with my GP to get swabs done to check for any infections. They completed swabs and no infection was found, I was told it was most likely just dryness. Therefore I stopped having the depo and started the pill again as I had no issues with the pill. I was on the pill for a month and has really bad head aches so decided to come off contraception completely. After coming off the depo it took 6 months for me to be able to have sex again due to the dryness.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Oct 23

  •  Still using

Stopped periods after 2nd injection… fairly happy with this contraception compared to the pill. Biggest side effect for me is low sex drive


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Initially, getting the injection was a bit scary, but it wasn't painful and there was very little residual pain the day after. My periods stopped completely, which I found to be great. I didn't notice any side effects,


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I was on it for 9 months and I only started the pill today but the injection had made me bleed nonstop and have really bad back pain and the weight gain was really bad I didn’t feel myself and the sex drive at the start was high but it kept getting lower and lower the cramps are worse than the ones i used to get and my family have a high estrogen level it doesn’t work that well when you have high estrogen levels.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Noristerat injection with other contraceptives

Compare the Depo-Provera injection with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Pharmacy services provided by Phlo Technologies Ltd. GPhC reg number: 9011171

When you click on some links on this site, we may get a small affiliate commission