Reviews
Combined pill reviews
2.8
2811 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Reviews
2.8
2811 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I really liked this pill - except i started getting migraines on the off pill days so I had to stop.. But it stopped my pms and it also made my hair thicken - had a lot less hair shedding while I was on it, which was nice as I have fine / thin hair.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I felt it was very effective at preventing pregnancy because I lost almost all interest in sex and the few times we had sex, it was painful, I sometimes bled. I don’t know if the thrush was directly related or down to trying to sort the dryness with oestrogen cream and changing products. I didn’t have any other side effects but after 9 months I had to stop using this. I moved to a mini-pill and a month into using that my libido is improving as is the dryness - the last time we had sex it was almost pain free.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The first few months of this pill felt great, but at around 6 months I started getting breakthrough bleeding consistently (3/4 weeks a month). I don’t think it’s a good choice if you’ve been advised to skip the placebos/break as it feels like the withdrawal bleed is necessary. I also haven’t seen much improvement in cramps. My mood and anxiety have also gotten worse since taking this. It’s a shame that prednisone is used instead of another progesterone as this is known to have bad impacts on mood.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was put on this pill by my GP to try and help with the PMDD I was experiencing on the second half of my cycle. I had previously been on Eloine for this which really helped but I can't have this any more due to adrenal insufficiency. Since starting Gedarel I feel like my mood is worse, I just feel flat all the time. I can't sleep, tired but wired. This definitely is not the right answer.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I only stopped this method because I started getting migraines with aura, if this didnt happen I would've happily continued taking this method of birth control. when I did have breaks from it the 'periods' were light and minimal cramping, which was much better than what I had before. If I chose to have no breaks I had no periods or bleeding at all. there was a decrease in my libido which only really affected my initiation, as I wouldn't initiate sex myself but would still engage in it happily if my boyfriend initiated. however this was something we both noticed, I also stopped being as horny as I used to be so, which I didn't massively mind but it was definitely a change. this method did make me notice my migraine a lot more which is what led me to changing it however I did have these migraines previously. I did experience weight gain however I dont have the best diet so could be completely unrelated.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Oct 26
I was having very irregular, heavy, long periods to the point I became aneamic. This really helped bring it under control, it was great at first. With time I noticed I didn’t feel like myself, I couldn’t experience happiness like normal, I had put on weight, I was getting gut issues like reflux and sensitivity, my hair had thinned, my libido was gone and I was dry even when aroused. I stopped the pill and all these issues fixed themselves after about 6 months but now my periods are irregular again.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
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0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Sep 26
Switched from Yasmin to Qlaira safe to say i’m going back to Yasmin. I have been on Qlaira for about a month, it was fine up until i realised near the end of the pack I began feeling extremely “crazy” and depressed, my emotions were too much and extreme like an emotional rollercoaster, I also noticed so much of my hair shedding, it made my hair thin, avoid if you don’t want to risk your hair falling out and if you want to keep your sanity.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Sep 26
No major side effects that I can think of. Its the only pill that did not make me feel irritated for the whole 28 days after having my two babies.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Sep 26
I absolutely love this pill! It’s honestly the best one I’ve ever been on. I experienced very mild, temporary changes at the start which passed quickly - nothing troublesome at all. And best of all my moods haven’t changed like they have on previous combined pills I’ve tried, which is life changing. My withdrawal bleeds are regular and predictable which is a bonus. Overall, my experience has been really positive :)
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Sep 26
Painful sex painful vagina, pain when peeing, constipation, no sex drive, low mood, achey legs, insomnia, generally felt rubbish
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill benefits
Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
oestrogen
progestogen
Combined pill alternatives
Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients
