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% lost sex drive
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
153 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Sep 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Sep 26
Very negative mood
1 more effect
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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