Contraception Reviews

Birth control shot vs Natural family planning

Birth control shot

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Natural family planning

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Overview

Rated 2.9

31 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

5 reviews

Daily

Frequency

77% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control shot ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control shot

Natural family planning ingredients

Fertility awareness methods is an umbrella term for a method of birth control that works by being able to identify when in the menstrual cycle you are fertile through a range of factors.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

36% somewhat negative

Bleeds

42% stopped periods

Sex drive

36% lost sex drive

Weight

48% gained weight

Skin

36% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% in 3-6 months

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

69% stopped periods

Sex drive

55% lost sex drive

Weight

48% gained weight

Skin

56% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

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

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control shot reviews

31 reviews

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Been on it for 4 years, I’ve gained 50lbs from it, went up 4 cup sizes, I throw up so much I have to take meds to keep it down, my hair is ALWAYS falling out, my body is always aching and I haven’t had a single period since I started it. Not to mention I get dizzy, sweat non stop, and have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera shot  

I have been on depo for 4 months almost. It has been a ROUGH time. From day one it’s been non stop nausea, dizziness and fatigue. I have almost no appetite ever so I keep dropping weight like crazy. Another symptom I have had since the start has been continuous tingling in my arms and legs, almost like they are about to fall asleep but don’t. My doctor said it could take some getting used to but this is almost unmanageable. When does it get to the point of feeling normal again? Not sure I can handle another couple months of this and I heard stopping the shot comes with its own set of issues because of your body trying to readjust again.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control shot  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Depo-Provera shot  

Getting off birth control and having cramps idk why I only been off for like a month or so


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Natural family planning reviews

5 reviews

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Mar 25

Breastfeeding (Lactational Amenorrhoea Method or LAM)  

So Great


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Dec 23

Natural Cycles App  

Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Jul 23

Natural Cycles App  

I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Mar 25

Breastfeeding (Lactational Amenorrhoea Method or LAM)  

So Great


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Dec 23

Natural Cycles App  

Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Jul 23

Natural Cycles App  

I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Jul 23

Natural Cycles App  

I feel like I've gotten to know my body! I really like the partner view so my husband knows when I'm fertile and won't try to initiate sex. After a terrible experience with hormonal birth control, this makes me feel in control and it has taught me so much!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Natural family planning  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  19th Jul 23

Symptothermal method  

Never been this in tune with my body before! It is wonderful to see how my hormonal cycle affects different areas in my life and be able to live in alignment with this! It's great to know I'm not having to put up with any side effects on birth control and that my partner and I can share the responsibility. I also love knowing when to expect my period. Highly recommend!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control shot with other birth control

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