The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Your birth control.
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The site to rate, review and compare birth control. Use our tools to find the right one for you.
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Read real life experiences on birth control side effects and benefits from our community

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control

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Like TripAdvisor for your vagina

Explore reviews for every method and birth control brand.
Explore reviews for every method and birth control brand. Read more reviews
Vaginal ring  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

NuvaRing  

I have Endometriosis and got my first surgery to remove a myoma this year. I had to start using birth control because of the risk of having other myomas and my anemia. I´m using it since 9 months and the first 3 months i was feeling good, even if it doesnt affect at all my bleeding. I was feeling better with my mood/PMS, got bigger boobs but the rest was the same. But, after 4-5 months i started gaining weight, having headahes quite often, still dealing with my anemia, and now i have dryeness in my vagina. Really low libido, my sexual relations are painful, i don´t recognize my body. I´m not able to connect with my body. I have my appointment with my Gyne soon, i´ve decided to stop using it.

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Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mirena IUD  

I’m still giving it time since it’s only been a month, but my periods are like clockwork. I’m fine through the night, then between 8am-12pm I get bad lower back pain and heavy cramping and blood clotting/bleeding through clothes sometimes. Then the rest of the day is light periods and like no cramps.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Male condom  

None


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I love it, as far as preventing me from conceiving its doing its job, but I think it depleted my sex drive a lot... Like A LOT. Anybody else having any similar issues? It's so bad my fiance has taken notice. Any advice on what to do? Im super scared of getting pregnant again and don't want to take it out... (He would prefer it out)


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I was very irritable, aloof, and generally unhappy on this birth control. It also worsened my menstrual cramps.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

5 starts for preventing pregnancy but the vaginal dryness and libido loss was my breaking point .


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Hormonal IUD  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Sep 26

Liletta IUD  

im on month 2 of iud and I js hate the consistent spotting I want to have sex without getting stuff dirty likeeee


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Sep 26

Yaz birth control pill  

Na


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Sep 26

Male condom  

I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Sep 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I can't tell if this birth control is helping me or not and its so frustrating because i have endometriosis and i smoke so i have to be on a progesterone only pill but ever since i started taking this pill i've had a heat intolerance which they say is not a side effect but it 100% started when i started taking the pill, and they told me my goal is to not have a period and im 2 months in and still am getting my period and ovulating and experiencing breakthrough bleeding and cramps.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Compare the side effects

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We recommend your perfect match

We’ve built a unique algorithm to match you with a form of contraceptive that suits your lifestyle and medical history

We recommend your perfect match

We’ve built a unique algorithm to match you with a form of contraceptive that suits your lifestyle and medical history

Made by women, for women

I started taking the Pill when I was 16, and the side effects really impacted my life. I set up The Lowdown to help women like me take control of their reproductive health

Alice, The Lowdown Founder

Trusted by women like you

Join the thousands of women who trust in our community

Trustpilot

Louise

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

An amazing organization. The lowdown is focused just on womens health and this makes for focused expertise. I had a fantastic consultation where I got focused, excellent advice. In a 30 minute appointment 20 years of poor service from every other Dr I've ever spoken to was undone and rectified. I wish I had this in my 20s! If you are considering this please book an appointment. You will not regret it.

EG

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Brilliant, non judgmental and informative, changing the conversation about contraception. The website is also brilliant, a really good source of informative and interesting information. I’m so pleased I know about this website, it is changing contraceptive knowledge for the better! Keep it up girls!!

Yasemin Ali

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Like most I can’t get in front of my nurse or GP so have resulted in buying my contraception online. It feels like a womens clinic, just online. Couldn’t fault them.

Louise

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Completely lost faith in my local contraceptive clinic. Started searching online with the intent to purchase the contraceptive of my choice instead. This is when I stumbled across the Lowdown, and they have been fantastic ever since. An abundance of info on the site, which I felt was important to enable me to make an informed decision.

Kerry C

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Website was very easy to use, and is the only resource I have found of this kind, which compares different types of pills and gives detailed information about potential side effects and pros/cons. I had not registered with my local GP after moving, and was running out of my pill. My order arrived the next day - would definitely use again!

Anna Leitner

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Making contraception easier to access… It should be this easy, stress free, not time consuming…Best customer service. Best way to receive contraception. Will recommend this place - especially to those who get anxious or frustrated about going to their local clinic//GP

Lou

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

They are always available at the other end of the phone (WhatsApp), and reply promptly to messages. Reasonable pricing and prompt delivery.

VB

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

I had a consultation with Fran who was super friendly and personable. The consultation was amazing to the point I cried with the relief. Fran explained what methods were open to me based on my preferences, answered all of my many questions and I am now trialling out the things she has suggested. Cannot express how grateful I am for this service is available and am looking to see what else the website can offer.

Ana-Sofica

Trustpilot

via Trustpilot

Great service. The process is straightforward and even if you don't know what you want/need there's a handy questionnaire available and if further support is needed there is the option to book an appointment with a clinician. Prices are fair and depend on the brand and length of subscription. Also the process of cancelling the subscription is very straightforward and transparent. Thanks.

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