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

142 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.0

5 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

44% no impact

Skin

39% improved skin

Cycle return

35% in 1 month

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

40% spotting

Sex drive

80% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

60% 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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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combination birth control pill reviews

142 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Mili birth control pill  

I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.

Read more

Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Vienva birth control pill  

Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Mili birth control pill  

I really enjoy taking this brand. It still feels like I am me at the end of the day and I’m in control of my emotions and not hindered by excessive hormones.


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Vienva birth control pill  

Omg the lower back pain and the leg pain was unreal. I thought something was very very wrong with me but when I stopped taking this is went away.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

5 reviews

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 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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