Contraception Reviews

Combination birth control pill vs Male condom

Combination birth control pill

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Male condom

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Overview

Rated 3.3

112 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.5

4 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sex.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

32% lighter periods

Sex drive

38% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

41% improved skin

Cycle return

39% in 1 month

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

75% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

50% improved skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combination birth control pill reviews

112 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Loryna birth control pill  

I’ve heard this birth control is supposed to be helpful for acne, but I have been flushed since I started taking it and seen a couple breakouts, and I haven’t even finished my first pack yet. I have also been sweating profusely off and on since the second week of taking it. Those are the most significant side effects I’ve noticed. I did just have my Mirena IUD removed after my uterus tried to absorb it, so these effects could be related to that. I’ve been on many different birth control pills over the past 15 years and usually I have no side effects after the first month or two, so we’ll see.

Read more

Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Loestrin 21 1/20 birth control pill  

It is not bad. The bad thing about it is it did make me gain weight and made my boobs go from a C to a DD and it kind of hurts my back. I gained like 10-15 lbs and I am unable to lose it no matter what diets I do. My skin has cleared up and my hair isn’t as oily and my periods have stopped which is really nice though.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Yaz birth control pill  

I had severe anxiety on this pill, and also all of the sudden got motion sick all the time. I was nauseous everyday and lost weight because I couldn't eat. It did definitely help with acne and my previously irregular periods. However, I lost 20 pounds and had to eventually stop. Within a week of stopping, my mood returned to normal and I wasn't panicking all the time. Within a few months, however, my acne got way worse and I started getting cystic acne along my jawline. I also still suddenly get motion sick sometimes, and this isn't something I ever had before.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  today

Loryna birth control pill  

I’ve heard this birth control is supposed to be helpful for acne, but I have been flushed since I started taking it and seen a couple breakouts, and I haven’t even finished my first pack yet. I have also been sweating profusely off and on since the second week of taking it. Those are the most significant side effects I’ve noticed. I did just have my Mirena IUD removed after my uterus tried to absorb it, so these effects could be related to that. I’ve been on many different birth control pills over the past 15 years and usually I have no side effects after the first month or two, so we’ll see.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Loestrin 21 1/20 birth control pill  

It is not bad. The bad thing about it is it did make me gain weight and made my boobs go from a C to a DD and it kind of hurts my back. I gained like 10-15 lbs and I am unable to lose it no matter what diets I do. My skin has cleared up and my hair isn’t as oily and my periods have stopped which is really nice though.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Yaz birth control pill  

I had severe anxiety on this pill, and also all of the sudden got motion sick all the time. I was nauseous everyday and lost weight because I couldn't eat. It did definitely help with acne and my previously irregular periods. However, I lost 20 pounds and had to eventually stop. Within a week of stopping, my mood returned to normal and I wasn't panicking all the time. Within a few months, however, my acne got way worse and I started getting cystic acne along my jawline. I also still suddenly get motion sick sometimes, and this isn't something I ever had before.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

4 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Male condom  


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Male condom  


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Sep 24

Male condom  

Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

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