Contraception Reviews

Cap or diaphragm vs Combination birth control pill

Cap or diaphragm

Want to switch birth control?

Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.7

3 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

71% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

107 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Cap or diaphragm ingredients

A birth control diaphragm or cap is a reusable barrier method of birth control that is inserted into the vagina before sex. It is covered in spermicide (a gel that kills sperm) and prevents pregnancy by covering the cervix so sperm can’t get into the womb. There are a few things that can make the diaphragm or cap less effective. These include if it doesn't fit properly
you remove it too early
it is damaged
you forget to use spermicide
or it is used with other oil-based products. If these things happen you may need to use emergency birth control.

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

67% no impact on mood

Bleeds

100% no change

Sex drive

67% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

32% lighter periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

41% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

3 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

FemCap  

I’ve been using the FemCap for years now and honestly, I’m so impressed. It’s non-hormonal, super discreet, and once you get the hang of insertion, it’s incredibly easy to use. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hormone-free option.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jan 25

FemCap  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 23

Caya  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

FemCap  

I’ve been using the FemCap for years now and honestly, I’m so impressed. It’s non-hormonal, super discreet, and once you get the hang of insertion, it’s incredibly easy to use. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hormone-free option.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jan 25

FemCap  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 23

Caya  

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

107 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Combination birth control pill  

Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous


Worse skin

1 more effect

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Yasmin birth control pill  

.


Improved skin

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Combination birth control pill  

Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous


Worse skin

1 more effect

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Loryna birth control pill  

Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Yasmin birth control pill  

.


Improved skin

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Hailey Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

So far, I have not had the great experience. I keep spotting a lot after my period ended and seems like it’s never ending so far no cramping, but never experienced this before.


Very positive mood

11 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Nikki birth control pill  

Headaches when using placebo pills. Improved when taken continuously but then had weeks of spotting. Thighs noticeably bigger. Weight increase 2-3 pounds over 3 months. Previously on Yaz in my late 20s and early 30s - loved it. This one did not work for me in my mid 40s


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Mili birth control pill  

No see drive. Gained 15 pounds over 6 years, mostly at the start. Can't seem to lose weight. It's the only bc pill that doesn't seem to affect my heart arrhythmia. Got pregnant twice on this stuff though!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Estarylla birth control pill  

I actually really enjoyed the effect Estarylla had on my mood. It helped me through PPD (in combination with prenatals and exercise). However, it gave me nasty cystic acne, so I had to switch. Other birth controls have messed with my mood negatively, so I was really bummed to give this one up after the positive effect it had. The sex was good, too.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Apr 25

Combination birth control pill  

Not at all


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Apr 25

Vienva birth control pill  

I don’t know so I can’t tell you


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Mar 25

Loryna birth control pill  

The only negative is loss of sex drive, other than that it has helped my mood


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Cap or diaphragm with other birth control

Don’t keep it on the DL.Put it on the LD.

Slide into our DMs

hello@thelowdown.com

Sitemap

©The Lowdown 2025