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Share your experience, get advice, and connect with a community who Just Get It 👋

Read contraception reviews

Explore 6,000+ contraception reviews

Filter real-life reviews to find community-led data on side effects, benefits, and more

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It’s time we talked about fertility & trying to conceive

Find balanced fertility experiences to discover the ups and downs, ask questions, and feel less alone

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Get the lowdown on endometriosis

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No more frantic searching for PCOS treatments

Find real-life PCOS experiences with info on diagnosis, symptoms, supplements that work, and more

Like TripAdvisor for your vagina

Explore reviews for every method and brand of contraception.
Explore reviews for every method and brand of contraception. Read more reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

  •  Still using

I am so pleased to find this after years of side effects from other contraceptives. Doing this method takes work- ovulation testing and I use an oura ring to accurately measure temperature. I wouldn’t recommend this for someone who doesn’t understand how it works, doesn’t understand their body or does not have restraint to use barrier contraception or abstain during red periods. It really works for me and I’ll be using it for the foreseeable.

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Top side effects not reported

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Used for 8+ yr
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

  •  Still using

I've been using this method for about 15 years. I don't have children and have never been pregnant. The only downside is it's supposed low reliability, but it's been working for me. I tried the combined pill at the beginning of my relationship, for a year or two, but it didn't agree with me. By that time our relationship felt pretty stable, so we switched to withdrawal method. Although I never wanted children, for many years I just accepted the possibility of a surprise baby. I thought if it happened then it was meant to be. There are no side effects, and my partner is happy with this method also. Now that I'm in my mid 40s I'm less accepting of the possibility of an accidental pregnancy, and I do sometimes get a bit anxious over this. So I also started tracking my cycle on an app, so I can avoid the fertile days. But my cycle has gotten shorter, so I don't even know if I have any fertile days anymore. For years we've used the method without tracking the cycle, and it still worked though. Recently for a short time I tried the POP desogestrel, that I got for heavy periods. I was kind of looking forward to using this reliable contraception, but unfortunately I got really bad mood swings, so I'm back to this method again.


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 3 - 6 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Still using

One of the best things I ever did. Insertion was a breeze, I barely even felt it. Had very mild cramps that evening but nothing that caused any real bother. I was nervous about my period as they have always been in the heavier/longer side but they are now shorter and lighter! Gone from 7 days to 4 with a day or so of spotting before. Felt a bit more cramping pain than normal the first period but none since then. I was on the mini pill before which turned me into an anxious, angry wreck with no sex drive. Now I feel like myself again. Only one minor downside is slightly more discharge for a couple of days a month just before ovulation. Love, love, love it


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Still using

Have been taking cerzette for 6 months and my anxiety is creeping up again. I had this last time I took this and hoped it was not the pill. Sex drive is zero. No periods at all but the side effects are not worth it.


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

  •  Still using

I went on this pill as a contraception and so far it has done a great job at that. It has not stopped my periods sadly as they have got heavier but cramps have decreased - although I feel generally more ill on them. I have been on this pill twice, the first time it made me incredibly depressed. The second I have noticed no other side effects. It is good for me :)


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I bled for 18 months straight and was incredibly depressed


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

good for me except it gave me painful cystic acne but didn’t experience any irregular bleeding or mood swings until the last month of using it (which is why i stopped)


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Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I didn’t experience any major side effects on this pill. My mood was better when compared to other pills


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

  •  Stopped using

This pill was pretty seamless for me. It did not affect my moods or skin. My periods were very light, lasted a few days with little to no cramps. My libido suffered significantly and this symptom worsened as time went on which is the reason I switched to a non-hormonal method. Other than this, it was a great option for me.


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

  •  Stopped using

I have endometriosis and adenomyosis and was put on microgynon by my gynaecologist. I was happy at first because my severe and constant pain disappeared (and only reappeared during my period, and even then it was only 10% of the pain I used to experience. However, the negative side effects unfortunately didn’t make the lack of pain worth it. My mental health (which was already quite terrible as I suffer from OCD and anxiety) crumbled. I was depressed and had CONSTANT mood swings. I was irritable, always in a bad mood and snapping at my husband. I also felt like a zombie, unable to focus on anything and feeling so disconnected and dissociated. I also put on water weight. I’m a small woman who runs a lot, so it was definitely linked to the pill. After doing some research, I asked my doctor to switch me to Eloine, and so far it’s been AMAZING. My mood has stabilised and I honestly feel the happiest and most connected to the world I have in a long time. I think Eloine has balanced out my endometriosis-induced hormonal imbalances and I feel amazing. For context, I’ve tried 4 types of combined pill: microgynon (androgenic), cimiszt (less androgenic), millinette and femodene (also less androgenic). I’ve also tried the mini pill cerazette and I was on the implant for 1 year. All of these made my mental health crumble and I spent 8 years of my life (18-25) battling with deciding between having bad mental health or having endo pain. Don’t try microgynon!!!!! And do research into the different types of combined pill. I never researched and just took what the dr gave me. The Lowdown really helped me research!


Top side effects not reported

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Made by women, for women

I started taking the Pill when I was 16, and the side effects really impacted my life. I set up The Lowdown to help women like me take control of their reproductive health

Alice, The Lowdown Founder

Meet our doctors

We have a team of NHS-registered GPs who are reproductive and sexual health experts

NHS registered
Dr Fran Yarlett

Dr Fran Yarlett

Dr Fran is a northern based new mum and contraception fanatic. She's a GP in Sheffield, interested in complex medical patients and women's health.

NHS registered
Dr Mel Davis-Hall

Dr Mel Davis-Hall

Dr Mel is a GP from London experienced in women's health. Mel has worked in a sexual health clinic and has seen pretty much everything going! She also loves evidence.

NHS registered
Dr Zaakira Mahomed

Dr Zaakira Mahomed

Dr Zaakira is a GP and mum of 2 in Lancashire. She is obsessed with contraception and fits copper and hormonal coils. She is also a trainer and loves to teach others.

NHS registered
Dr Becky Mawson

Dr Becky Mawson

Dr Becky works as a GP in Sheffield where she fits and removes coils and implants, and has previously worked in fertility services and sexual health clinics.

NHS registered
Dr Danielle Robinson

Dr Danielle Robinson

Dr Danielle is a northern based GP and Sexual Health Specialty Doctor who loves talking about all things women's health, contraception and sexual health.

Dr Fran Yarlett

Dr Fran Yarlett

NHS registered

Dr Fran is a northern based new mum and contraception fanatic. She's a GP in Sheffield, interested in complex medical patients and women's health.

Dr Mel Davis-Hall

Dr Mel Davis-Hall

NHS registered

Dr Mel is a GP from London experienced in women's health. Mel has worked in a sexual health clinic and has seen pretty much everything going! She also loves evidence.

Dr Zaakira Mahomed

Dr Zaakira Mahomed

NHS registered

Dr Zaakira is a GP and mum of 2 in Lancashire. She is obsessed with contraception and fits copper and hormonal coils. She is also a trainer and loves to teach others.

Dr Becky Mawson

Dr Becky Mawson

NHS registered

Dr Becky works as a GP in Sheffield where she fits and removes coils and implants, and has previously worked in fertility services and sexual health clinics.

Dr Danielle Robinson

Dr Danielle Robinson

NHS registered

Dr Danielle is a northern based GP and Sexual Health Specialty Doctor who loves talking about all things women's health, contraception and sexual health.

Trusted by women like you

Join the thousands of women who get their contraception delivered by The Lowdown

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Louise

Trustpilot

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An amazing organization. The lowdown is focused just on womens health and this makes for focused expertise. I had a fantastic consultation where I got focused, excellent advice. In a 30 minute appointment 20 years of poor service from every other Dr I've ever spoken to was undone and rectified. I wish I had this in my 20s! If you are considering this please book an appointment. You will not regret it.

EG

Trustpilot

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Brilliant, non judgmental and informative, changing the conversation about contraception. The website is also brilliant, a really good source of informative and interesting information. I’m so pleased I know about this website, it is changing contraceptive knowledge for the better! Keep it up girls!!

Yasemin Ali

Trustpilot

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Like most I can’t get in front of my nurse or GP so have resulted in buying my contraception online. It feels like a womens clinic, just online. Couldn’t fault them.

Louise

Trustpilot

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Completely lost faith in my local contraceptive clinic. Started searching online with the intent to purchase the contraceptive of my choice instead. This is when I stumbled across the Lowdown, and they have been fantastic ever since. An abundance of info on the site, which I felt was important to enable me to make an informed decision.

Kerry C

Trustpilot

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Website was very easy to use, and is the only resource I have found of this kind, which compares different types of pills and gives detailed information about potential side effects and pros/cons. I had not registered with my local GP after moving, and was running out of my pill. My order arrived the next day - would definitely use again!

Anna Leitner

Trustpilot

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Making contraception easier to access… It should be this easy, stress free, not time consuming…Best customer service. Best way to receive contraception. Will recommend this place - especially to those who get anxious or frustrated about going to their local clinic//GP

Lou

Trustpilot

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They are always available at the other end of the phone (WhatsApp), and reply promptly to messages. Reasonable pricing and prompt delivery.

VB

Trustpilot

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I had a consultation with Fran who was super friendly and personable. The consultation was amazing to the point I cried with the relief. Fran explained what methods were open to me based on my preferences, answered all of my many questions and I am now trialling out the things she has suggested. Cannot express how grateful I am for this service is available and am looking to see what else the website can offer.

Ana-Sofica

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Great service. The process is straightforward and even if you don't know what you want/need there's a handy questionnaire available and if further support is needed there is the option to book an appointment with a clinician. Prices are fair and depend on the brand and length of subscription. Also the process of cancelling the subscription is very straightforward and transparent. Thanks.

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