Reviews

Combined pill reviews

2.8

2698 reviews

Combined pill has an average rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars from a total of 2698 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Combined pill review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
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

Reviews

2.8

2698 reviews

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Community reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Microlite pill  

It’s made my skin worse, my anxiety is terrible, I am a lot more emotional and I feel worse. It did make me periods go from 11 days to 3 days though which was the point of me going on it.

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Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Femodene pill  

I started Femodene when I was 16 for my acne, this was for my face and bacne/chest. I found it worked well for me however I did get the odd “hormonal” spot on my face when coming back onto the pill. When it comes to day to day though, I won’t lie everything felt numb. I had no excitement anymore, no motivation, I felt grumpy and tired and 0 sex drive. I felt alone but had people all around me. From being on it for so long I couldn’t remember what I was like before so have nothing really to compare it to. I train in the gym 4-5 times a week and I found I wasn’t seeing as much progress as I should have been as well.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Yasmin pill  

It seems with this I lose and gain weight easily, overall loose weight I don’t have much appetite and I’ve lost a lot of breast fullness which is a shame


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Combined pill  

I think it caused decidual cast both times years apart. They passed both times when stopping the pill. Once didn’t feel it. Second time excruciating pain.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

A week after starting to take this pill, I started having recurring UTIs triggered by sexual activity. I stopped taking the pill 6 months in for this reason, but still have constant issues. Aside from the recurrent UTIs, which have impacted both uni and work lives (I have to miss days due to the pain), I also get a frequent burning sensation with no trigger, which causes general discomfort in my day-to-day life. Due to the massive negative impact this pill has had, I am now extremely wary of any form of contraception and wish I had never started taking microgynon in the first place.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Drovelis pill  

i gained a lot of weight (10kg), i am depressed, no libido


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Yasmin pill  

So I was prescribed the yasmin pill for my PCOS after being on desogestrel since I was about 14 for my periods. I’ve always had really really irregular periods, and bled very heavily. They would last for 2 weeks roughly and sometimes id have two in one month. In my particular case, I was told to take yasmin continuously, so all 3 packets in a row and then stop for a 7 day break, and start a new box. This has worked well for me i think (baring in mind i’ve only just started my 2nd box). At the beginning I had severe nausea, not to the point of throwing up but it was there constantly all day. I started taking the pill just before bed, so 11pm- midnight roughly and that seemed to help with the nausea. That was the side effect that has affected me the most, and since restarting after my 7 day break I am still experiencing nausea. I’m just praying it goes away after 1-2 weeks like it did before. Aside from that, my sex drive historically has been really high. I was down to do it whenever, and no issues whatsoever. Since being on yasmin, i literally could not think of ANYTHING worse than having sex with my partner. (it is nothing to do with him!!) I just have absolutely 0 sex drive, I can’t even get horny unless i really stick with it- so that’s been another big issue for me. I have also had quite bad acne since I was in school, and i’ve always struggled with it especially on my chin, forehead and back. I haven’t noticed a change in my acne yet but praying yasmin is able to clear some of it up! In terms of my PCOS management aswell, yasmin has made my first period during my 7 day break incredibly light, I hardly needed to wear a pad at all. I had cramps but nowhere near as bad as they used to be and it also seemed to completely stop around the 4 day mark out of 7. So if i’m being completely honest, my experience on yasmin so far has been okay- i’m struggling with the nausea and low sex drive but hoping as the weeks/ months go on my body will adapt to the hormones and i’ll be back to normal. If anyone out there is struggling with severe irregular periods and pcos symptoms I would recommend giving it a try and sticking it out for atleast 6 months to 1 year. for me personally my periods are so much easier to deal with, and i will do an update in a few months time to see if my skin and other side effects have cleared!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Rigevidon  

This pill severely increased my anxiety levels, I constantly felt like I was in a haze and I couldn’t regulate my emotions- I was constantly crying and overthinking every little thing. I lost my sex drive and was scared to socialise. I had intrusive thoughts that made me worry even more and I just wanted to stay at home all of the time, I was on the border of spiralling into depression. The first month was okay, I didn’t notice any symptoms and it did the job fine, but soon after the symptoms started to kick in. I gained weight which made me feel increasingly insecure and I had a larger than normal appetite.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Levest pill  

This is the first pill I’ve been on and after being so scared to start it, I’ve generally had quite a good experience. The first few weeks were quite rough, really bad headache, moodiness and nausea but this went away with time. I used to find I’d have a bit of nausea when starting the pill after the 7 day break but I shorted this to 4 days and had helped immensely! My periods are so regular and really light with way less cramping, my periods only last about 3/4 days now when they used to be over a week. I haven’t had any weight gain or changes to my libido. Overall it’s been quite good to me, my only issue is I’ve definitely become a lot moodier - still nothing crazy but not quite like how I used to be. I also can’t tell if my anxiety has worsened or if that’s just coincidental. I’m thinking of trying a different pill to see if my mood improves but nervous incase I get other side effects that I haven’t on this! My only other complaint is hair loss, I didn’t even know this was linked until I read this page and saw one of the hormones might cause this. Didn’t have any issues at the start but in the last few months I’ve been noticing a lot more hair coming out in the shower and am now wondering if this is linked.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Millinette 20/75 pill  

I went on this pill because I have endometriosis and lasting impact from a pelvic infection. It has been good for the pain levels but it has made me feel erratic , over emotional and irritable. I have been bleeding half the month, from spotting to heavier bleeds with bloodclots - thinking this is because the estrogen is low? I have had vaginal dryness, loss of lebido and also thrush... which I have never experienced before. I wouldn't say this pill has agreed with me!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill FAQs

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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

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