Contraception Reviews

Side effects

Combination birth control pill side effects

3.3

133 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

38% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

39% improved skin

Cycle return

35% in 1 month

Combination birth control pill

Combination birth control pill common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

1

Headaches

38% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported headaches

2

Breast enlargement

35% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported breast enlargement

3

Tender breasts

30% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported tender breasts

4

Period like cramps

29% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported period like cramps

5

Lower back pain

29% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported lower back pain


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • 2% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported cystitis

  • 2% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported pelvic infection

  • 1% of Combination birth control pill reviewers reported a latex allergy


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

  • Headaches (38%)
  • Breast enlargement (35%)
  • Tender breasts (30%)
  • Period like cramps (29%)
  • Lower back pain (29%)
  • Vaginal dryness (29%)
  • Sweating more than usual (28%)
  • Dizziness (26%)
  • Nausea or vomiting (24%)
  • Migraines (23%)
  • Vaginal discharge (23%)
  • Hair loss (18%)
  • High blood pressure (12%)
  • Discomfort wearing contact lenses (8%)
  • Body hair getting darker (5%)
  • Body hair increase (5%)
  • Migraine with aura (5%)
  • Thrush (4%)
  • Cystitis (2%)
  • Pelvic infection (2%)
  • A latex allergy (1%)

Reviews

3.3

133 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Yaz birth control pill  

good for me


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Combination birth control pill  

Discharge throws off my mood and for sex..


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Nov 25

Vienva birth control pill  

I really like it! I take it daily and bae no bad side effects, and actually feel my mood has improved


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Nov 25

Junel 21 1/20 birth control pill  

I started taking this pill post partial hysterectomy for worsening PMDD symptoms. Within week 1 I totally lost my libido (I generally have a super high drive and have sex daily with my partner). I have had a couple of headaches as well since starting which is not a frequent thing for me. After the first few days I felt bloated as well. I do not have to worry about pregnancy since having a partial hysterectomy, however the other side effects are uncomfortable enough I do not want to continue this pill.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

It was fine, but not the best. I noticed feeling increasingly agitated often and it made my cramps a lot worse when I had a pill period. Overall wasn't a bad med, but not my favorite. Main symptom that made me get off it was really bad hot flashes everyday.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Oct 25

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

It’s worked and been totally fine.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Sep 25

Hailey Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

hey readers! i’m 18 and have been on it since 15. my periods were 50-70 days late and now i can pin it down on a calander! i’ve always been slimmer due to my sickness (cvs) and this has helped it tremendously too, i haven’t noticed much weight gain. (shoutout to my gyno) that being said my friends have had some other feedback so it is very personal to your body. but for me it has been life changing! i am considering maybe a shorter period length now that mine are 4 days and not 7.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Sep 25

Vienva birth control pill  

Irregular periods and it's got worse.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
50 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Sep 25

Junel 21 1.5/30 birth control pill  

weight gain. nausea. migraine


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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