Combination birth control pill vs Cap or diaphragm
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
28% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
38% lost sex drive
43% no impact
40% improved skin
35% in 1 month
67% no impact on mood
100% no change
67% no impact
100% no impact
100% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combination birth control pill reviews
136 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
The loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness is affecting my relationship
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
The head aches are not to bad but the font go away with meds
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jan 26
This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
The loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness is affecting my relationship
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
The head aches are not to bad but the font go away with meds
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jan 26
This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Cap or diaphragm reviews
3 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 25
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
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
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 25
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
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
2 helpful
0 comments
Popular birth control
Combination pillImplantShotThe legal stuff
Terms of usePrivacy & cookieContent policy©The Lowdown 2026

