Side effects
Combined pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
53% of Combined pill reviewers reported tender breasts
48% of Combined pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
47% of Combined pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
44% of Combined pill reviewers reported period like cramps
39% of Combined pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness
Combined pill rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
4% of Combined pill reviewers reported a latex allergy
3% of Combined pill reviewers reported hair loss
3% of Combined pill reviewers reported migraine with aura
Possible Combined pill side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Tender breasts (53%)
- Breast enlargement (48%)
- Vaginal discharge (47%)
- Period like cramps (44%)
- Vaginal dryness (39%)
- Lower back pain (34%)
- Nausea or vomiting (30%)
- Sweating more than usual (29%)
- Thrush (22%)
- Headaches (17%)
- Cystitis (14%)
- High blood pressure (14%)
- Body hair increase (12%)
- Body hair getting darker (8%)
- Dizziness (8%)
- Migraines (7%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (5%)
- Pelvic infection (5%)
- A latex allergy (4%)
- Hair loss (3%)
- Migraine with aura (3%)
Reviews
2.8
2503 reviews
Filter reviews
Community reviews
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was automatically put on the pill as soon as i became sexually active, within 6 months of this I was on put on antidepressants, of course I didn’t realise and wasn’t told the possibility of a connection. I conceived my 2nd child whilst on the pill. As I got older and became single again I came off the pill and saw a huge change in myself, I also came off the antidepressants easily and felt healthier mentally, I also felt an increase in libido….Something I lost completely whilst on the pill. I’m now dating again and looking for an alternative contraceptive as I cannot go back to how I was before. I also recently found out that the pill can contribute to the production of gallstones.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve been taking this for over a month and I’ve had terrible skin, I’ve never had spots in my life and I’ve got so many. I’ve also rarely ever had thrush, which I have now read is a common side effect. Also some hair loss. Not a great pill at all, have stopped taking completely.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Started off on this pill, I'm one of those lucky people who are never sick but while on this pill I would quite regularly feel nauseous a few hours after taking it and on about 5 occasions would vomit aswell, which for me was very unusual but after switching to a different pill these side effects went away.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I got prescribed the combination pill due to recurring endometrial polyps. I'm pretty happy with this pill, it took me 3 months to adapt to taking it with frequent mood swings, irritation and sore breasts in the beginning, but once I got past that I really saw the benefits. My hair had been progressively thinning for 3 years before I started this medication, let me confirm that as soon as I started taking this it went away like magic. My hair is thicker and my hairline is barely visible now, it's so much thicker and I'm thrilled. No pregnancies on this pill either so it does work. I do still have tender breasts from time to time and some light cramping but I still feel it's worth taking. 9/10 recommend.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I originally went on the Gederal 30/150 combined pill because I had irregular periods and acne. This pill was recommended by my doctor to specifically help with acne. I really liked this pill, I didn’t feel like I experienced any side effects and it really helped clear up my skin. I still got the occasional spot but my skin was so much better. I also liked the ease of being able to chose if/when I got my period by continually taking the pill or having a 7 day break. My periods were super regular and would typically start 2 days after starting the 7 day break, and they would last 5 days with 1-2 heavier days in the middle but mostly very light. I didn’t notice any mood changes. Unfortunately, after about 7 years on this pill I had a few migraines with auras and was told by my GP that I had to stop taking this pill due to the risk of Stroke. I am now on the mini-pill which I am experiencing some negative side effects with.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I decided to go back on COC pills after years of having depo injections. The pills have made my periods lighter and I only get some cramps the day before I have my bleed. No real side effects apart from weight gain and my breasts have increased in size and are more tender (all the time not just when having my period).
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
This pill has been awful for me. I went on as had really bad irregular periods but i have seen no change except bleeding in between, extreme abdominal pain and hair loss. I have also seen my skin which is normally clear be breaking out all the time. I am only speaking of my experience
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Apart from the vaginal dryness and loss of sex drive, i’m happy with this pill as it did not have any really negative side effects for me, plus it grew my breasts which i liked.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Oct 24
I was only on this for 2 weeks because my anxiety was sky high. I had panic attacks so bad my chest hurt and I couldn't breathe. At the time, I had nothing to worry about in my life. It is scary because if I had taken Marvelon during the time I was severely depressed, then this pill might've sent me over the edge. GP said it wasn't the pill. However, a few days after stopping Marvelon, the anxiety and panic attacks disappeared. It was definitely Marvelon.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Oct 24
main thing for me was the super low sex drive. filling this out, interested to also see sweating a lot as an option. As I do sweat a lot, very easily so very interested (and hope) that is a side effect as looking to change/come off.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments