Combination birth control pill vs Withdrawal or pull out method
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
28% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
37% no impact
42% no impact
38% improved skin
35% in 1 month
46% no impact on mood
46% no change
46% no impact
55% no impact
82% 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
149 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
11 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th May 26
Increased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Apr 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Jan 26
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th May 26
Increased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Apr 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Jan 26
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Aug 25
Gained weight
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Sep 24
Annoying to have to fuss with putting the condom on, and I don’t enjoy the change in sensation while using a condom. But I feel protected against pregnancy. I occasionally rely on pull out method, and the anxiety over my partner accidentally not timing this correctly (ie not pulling out soon enough) negatively affects my sexual experience.
Very positive mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th Jun 24
Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 20th May 24
I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 24
It worked but I was terrified I was pregnant until I got my period. I had no sex drive because of this and was incredibly stressed. It worsened my mood as well.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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