Cap or diaphragm vs Combination birth control pill
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
50% no impact on mood
100% no change
50% no impact
100% no impact
100% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
29% no impact on mood
29% lighter periods
39% lost sex drive
43% no impact
41% improved skin
40% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Cap or diaphragm reviews
2 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jan 25
I had to come off hormonal contraception due to health reasons so needed a barrier method. It was quite awkward to insert and always had to keep checking it in case it dislodged itself, was sometimes painful or uncomfortable, my partner could feel it. I was also using an approved spermicide with it but still became pregnant within a month of use.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
My very favorite thing about the Caya is that there really are no side effects. I am not putting anything into my body that is changing the way my body functions- I put it in, leave it in a while, and then I remove it. No hormones, nothing! I’ve been advised that while the Caya can be 80+% effective when used correctly, it’s best to use it with spermicide and condoms. It is tricky to insert the first few times but super easy to remove and I quickly got the hang of a quick and easy insertion! I did find it really difficult to find a pharmacy that sold the Caya (I guess they aren’t as popular now)- but all in all, it’s been fantastic so far! I love that my body gets to function as it normally would but that the Caya helps prevent pregnancy
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Jan 25
I had to come off hormonal contraception due to health reasons so needed a barrier method. It was quite awkward to insert and always had to keep checking it in case it dislodged itself, was sometimes painful or uncomfortable, my partner could feel it. I was also using an approved spermicide with it but still became pregnant within a month of use.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Sep 23
My very favorite thing about the Caya is that there really are no side effects. I am not putting anything into my body that is changing the way my body functions- I put it in, leave it in a while, and then I remove it. No hormones, nothing! I’ve been advised that while the Caya can be 80+% effective when used correctly, it’s best to use it with spermicide and condoms. It is tricky to insert the first few times but super easy to remove and I quickly got the hang of a quick and easy insertion! I did find it really difficult to find a pharmacy that sold the Caya (I guess they aren’t as popular now)- but all in all, it’s been fantastic so far! I love that my body gets to function as it normally would but that the Caya helps prevent pregnancy
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Combination birth control pill reviews
96 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Had nausea the first week of both months 1 and 2. Only side effect was significant breast and butt enlargement, which led me to stop taking it.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Had nausea the first week of both months 1 and 2. Only side effect was significant breast and butt enlargement, which led me to stop taking it.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
52 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I actually didn't really have any "normal" side effects with this pill, I felt like I was mostly normal. But I did notice that my hair was gradually thinning, and it felt like it triggered some form of chronic hair loss for me. Interestingly enough, while it wasn't a huge issue, I noticed that I had "stinky" periods? I stopped having them after I stopped the pill.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Being on this actually helps me to get fewer menstrual migraines. I don’t seem to have had any truly bad side effects over the years I’ve been taking it.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I got major mood swings when skipping the placebo week, which is why I stopped.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Jan 25
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Dec 24
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Dec 24
Worse skin
2 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Dec 24
Lots and lots of weight gain to the tune of 70+ lbs in about 12 years currently. Been on depression medication for no energy and nothing has helped
Very negative mood
2 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
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