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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

153 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.1

7 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

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

32% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% lost sex drive

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

38% improved skin

Cycle return

35% in 1 month

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

29% irregular periods

Sex drive

71% no impact

Weight

86% no impact

Skin

71% no impact on 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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Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combination birth control pill reviews

153 reviews

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

Hailey Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I always have side effects, cystic acne or migraines with birth control. This is the only one of about 10 that has worked for me. I did gain 2 to 3 lbs almost immediately, but pretty sure it's water weight in my boobs, because they grew practically overnight. No tummy aches, or gas, some bloating when I first started. Stabilized my appetite, cravings and mood in perimenopause.

Read more

Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Combination birth control pill  

Horrible I can't wait to be out back on my last pill. I suffer endometriosis


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Sep 26

Yaz birth control pill  

Na


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Hailey Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I always have side effects, cystic acne or migraines with birth control. This is the only one of about 10 that has worked for me. I did gain 2 to 3 lbs almost immediately, but pretty sure it's water weight in my boobs, because they grew practically overnight. No tummy aches, or gas, some bloating when I first started. Stabilized my appetite, cravings and mood in perimenopause.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Combination birth control pill  

Horrible I can't wait to be out back on my last pill. I suffer endometriosis


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Sep 26

Yaz birth control pill  

Na


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

7 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Male condom  

None


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Sep 26

Male condom  

I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Male condom  

None


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th Sep 26

Male condom  

I have been on the pill for over a year; I don’t really have periods, but other than that I don’t have side effects.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad


Somewhat negative mood

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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