Contraception Reviews

Reviews

Combined pill reviews

2.8

2248 reviews

The combined pill is very common and the most frequently reviewed method at The Lowdown. It contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen, and can help with acne and heavy or painful periods.

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combined pill

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


Combined pill FAQs

No FAQs at this moment

Reviews

2.8

2248 reviews

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Community reviews (2,248)

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

I had high hopes for Zoely but unfortunately the experience has been pretty awful, so bad I had to stop at the end of the second month. Firstly, the anxiety on this pill has been uncontrollable. I am a pretty anxious person but luckily have always had it under control. Within the first week of starting Zoely, and until I stopped taking, I was hyperfixating on small things and spiralling from the anxiety. I was hoping this would subside after a few months but given the complete loss of sex drive, and discomfort/pain during sex as well as the severe anxiety I decided enough was enough and to stop taking Zoely.

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Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

I've just started my third pack of Drovelis. I started it after trying and not tolerating other contraceptive methods (Loette, Slinda pill) for recently-diagnosed PCOS. Ever since I started Drovelis. I've had a lot of anxiety. I'm an anxious person, but this pill makes me feel in a constant state of panic. This has manifested as mandibular spasms, probably in the massester, according to my dentist, which were horrible during the first 3 weeks of treatment but have since then almost stopped. The anxiety has affected my sleep, even though I've always been a great sleeper I keep waking up at least 3 times at night, and my sex drive, since I can barely relax due to the constant feeling of panic, and this has had a negative impact on how I feel in my marriage. I also suffered my first migraine in a decade, and the 4 days of placebo make me experience flu-like symptoms, with a slightly elevated body temperature and generalized pain, but at least the anxiety goes down a bit during these days. It has had some positive effects though, probably all related to treating the PCOS: I lost weight around my stomach, , my hair also got thicker and healthier and I have less body hair. I think my breasts may have gone up a cup size, but I didn't have to purchase new bras. My OB/GYN said at least 3 months are needed for the body to grow accustomed to the new hormonal levels caused by the pill, so I will finish this third pack, and then I will go to a follow-up appointment. I am really glad with how the pill has treated my PCOS, but I don't like the psychological side effects and I'm not sure it's worth it for me to keep taking it. I'll keep you posted.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

I was on Yacella years ago and came off as i was very anxious and felt very different in myself. I tried the depo and it had so many awful physical side affects. afters years to reflect on this i came to the conclusion that the previously mentioned anxiety and loss of self could’ve been environmental causes. I have gone back to yacella and couldn’t be happier, my skin has cleared up and is better than it’s ever been, my boobs have grown and with these hand in hand it have increased my mood because i feel a lot more confident in myself. my periods are very light and i haven’t had any negative change in my 3 months back on yacella - would definitely recommend to a friend


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

It made me very fatigued swell


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

This contraception affected my mood severely. I would feel sad and cry most days for weeks on end (not just PMS) without a reason. My breasts were also very swollen, lumpy and painful. My sex drive was also somewhat decreased. I was only taking it for 2 or 3 months but the symptoms were so bad that I couldn't stand to take it any longer to see if my body would adapt.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

I changed to this pill from Microgynon 30 after it gave me bad hormonal acne. This pill has definitely helped improve my hormonal acne although it has not cleared completely (4 months in now). It has made my periods much lighter and shorter. Other than that no noticeable side effects to report, have got on a lot better with this pill than the other.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

I didn't have any side effects with this pill other than it caused me to develop hormonal acne. When I started the pill and for the first 6 months my skin was clear, but then after that my skin got worse and worse, and I eventually realised the pill was the cause (because it contains levonorgestrel).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

I've been on this since I was 17 (20 years). Generally it's been fine. I had a break once for a couple of months as Dr recommended it and found I was emotional and had awful irregular heavy periods, which put me off stopping it again. Have been getting migraines before periods recently, which may be related. Hard to tell, as I've been on it for so long and I can't find much info online on the effects of long-term use.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Was perfect for me after trying so many that caused low moods this one worked wondered. Until a year in I started experiencing migraines with aura and was told to come of ASAP by GP


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

I was put on this pill for suspected endometriosis and I felt extremely dizzy 24/7 on it to the point where I couldn't go out. I was having multiple panic attacks a day because I'd never felt like this before. I had to stop it because it was affecting my ability to work and felt back to normal again 24 hours after taking the last pill. As the first pill brand I'd ever taken, it put me off hormonal contraception for life as it nearly lost me my job and the side effects were 100x worse than my endo symptoms. I haven't had a single panic attack since and it's been over a year since I stopped it.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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Combined pill side effects

Possible side effects with Combined pill

Combined pill side effects

Possible side effects with Combined pill

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