Combination birth control pill vs Natural family planning
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
Natural family planning ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
28% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
38% lost sex drive
43% no impact
41% improved skin
39% in 1 month
29% no impact on mood
69% stopped periods
56% lost sex drive
49% gained weight
59% no impact on skin
38% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combination birth control pill reviews
110 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
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
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
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
Used for 8+ yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve tried the shot, the ring, different pills, this is the one. Weight gain was an important factor as was acne. I have not gained weight and have had only an occasional acne bump likely due to another cause. For birth control, just make sure you take the pill daily at the same time. I no longer experience mood swings or pms in anyway. I also do not have periods bc with my doctor’s approval, I take the pill straight through each month due to endometriosis.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Natural family planning reviews
5 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Mar 25
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Dec 23
Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 25th Jul 23
I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Mar 25
Very positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Dec 23
Overall, I felt that this was a safer option. I only switched to the mini pill in an effort to get a handle on my PCOS pelvic pain.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 25th Jul 23
I was previously on the contraceptive pill, and as soon as i came off it i was immediately more in tune with my body, could feel the sex drive boost around ovulation etc and lost the weight the pill had put on me.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 23
I feel like I've gotten to know my body! I really like the partner view so my husband knows when I'm fertile and won't try to initiate sex. After a terrible experience with hormonal birth control, this makes me feel in control and it has taught me so much!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Jul 23
Never been this in tune with my body before! It is wonderful to see how my hormonal cycle affects different areas in my life and be able to live in alignment with this! It's great to know I'm not having to put up with any side effects on birth control and that my partner and I can share the responsibility. I also love knowing when to expect my period. Highly recommend!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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