Side effects

Combined pill side effects

2.8

2807 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

31% somewhat negative

47% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

43% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

Combined pill

Combined pill common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

52% of Combined pill reviewers reported tender breasts

48% of Combined pill reviewers reported breast enlargement

45% of Combined pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge

43% of Combined pill reviewers reported period like cramps

37% of Combined pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews


Reviews

2.8

2807 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

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

Microgynon 30 pill  

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.

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Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Qlaira pill  

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

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

Drovelis pill  

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

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Millinette 30/75 pill  

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

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

Microgynon 30 pill  

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

Rigevidon  

After having not been on any birth control for two years, I went to my GP to get a prescription for a new bc. I had previously been on Yasmin for 9 years but due to getting recurrent minor thrush, I was wondering if a different pill could avoid that side effect. They prescribed me Rigedevon and my god, I can’t believe how awful it was. My skin that very rarely breaks out became covered in acne, my mood went through the floor and I felt miserable about everything. My GP had suggested me to stick the pill out for two months but I never had any side effects even close to being this bad on Yasmin, I’ve stopped it after one month. NEVER AGAIN


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Yasmin pill  

This pill was amazing for my skin, it looked amazing and as a result I also had less greasy hair! I was on it for many years but went off as I no longer needed birth control. One side effect I found annoying was I seemed to get recurrent thrush, even when I was abstinent. This completely went away when I was off the pill. Aside from that, this pill was pretty good


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Yasmin pill  

I was on yasmin for 3 years, my first pill when i was freshly 16 and it was PERFECT. My skin cleared, breasts got bigger, i had a slightly heavier period but nothing over the top. I then came off it for 4 months before deciding i wanted to start again. This is where the issues started, I did 4 months and was genuinely evil, i felt like i was 13 again. I’m not a crier and i was bawling over absolutely everything, almost tantrum level crying. I was lashing out at everyone, and was just overall a mess. My skin also started breaking out badly, and i’ve now had to swap to a new pill(millinette)


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 26

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

After my bad experience with a different pill, the doctors put me onto a lower dose in August and felt fine, now it’s September (my 2nd month) and it didn’t come until a couple of days, but I feel fatigued during the day and exhausted.


Improved skin

1 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Sep 26

Rigevidon  

Ive been on rigivedon for about 21 days now my first packet so still quite early on. However I’ve been experiencing lower back ache which has been going on and off for a while and it is getting me down I have booked a GP appointment incase it’s something more serious or to change pill. I can see 1 in 3 women experience back ache on this pill so I am quite sure it’s this.i think I have also felt quite down within myself and my gums have been more tender and sensitive.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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