Birth control shot vs Combination birth control pill
Birth control shot ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control shot
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
33% somewhat negative
42% stopped periods
36% lost sex drive
47% gained weight
39% no impact on skin
33% in 3-6 months
28% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
37% no impact
42% no impact
38% improved skin
35% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control shot reviews
36 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Jan 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Nov 25
I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Jan 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Nov 25
I have been on the shot for about 15 months now. Initially I went to the doctor because for 1 year (year 33 to 34) I was experiencing major sweats, headaches, body aches, and fevers prior to periods. The doctor suggested I get on birth control to reverse my effects. The first dosage, my symptoms stopped and I felt great. During the second dosage, I bled severely and was using medium to heavy pads. Then on my third dosage I was spotting light to medium and wearing panty liners. Then on my 14th month right before my fourth dosage, my bleeding completely stopped. It was a long process before my periods stopped but I was hopefully. I don’t want to get a tubal ligation because I’m traumatized after experiencing preeclampsia during the delivery of my daughter. However, I did have headaches, dizziness, and nausea throughout the course. A plus is that the shot has cursed my appetite and some gain weight but I lost weight. I think this is great because I’ve always had a hard time losing weight. Overall, I think I’ll stay on the shot.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combination birth control pill reviews
149 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5 days ago
I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5 days ago
I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I really liked this birth control for a year. But now I don’t know what happened. My periods used to be very light like nothing at all. But recently I started getting cramps before my 3 month placebo week and I took my placebo week and have been bleeding very heavily for over 7 days into my active pills
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Jun 26
Take in the morning, gets nauseous and loses appetite around dinner time everyday
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th May 26
I'm on this pill post-hysterectomy to manage cysts/tumors recurring on my remaining ovary as an alternative to additional surgeries. The nausea has been brutal and I've recently started having major tooth sensitivity. My doctor, whom I trust, told me to give it 3 months for my body to adjust to Nikki. I would have stopped taking it already due to the nausea and dizziness but I'm really trying to avoid another surgery, so I'm sticking with it for now. Maybe I can update after the 3 month mark.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
14 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Apr 26
I started taking this pill for painful period cramps and it has worked wonders! My period is more regular as well and shorter and less painful. My skin cleared up really well the only problem i have is the migraines and my blood sugar. The migraines are very painful but only last a few minutes luckily and since started taking the pill my blood sugar sky rockets or falls rather quickly.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Apr 26
I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 14th Apr 26
Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Apr 26
I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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