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
44% no impact
39% improved skin
35% in 1 month
44% no impact on mood
44% no change
44% no impact
56% no impact
78% 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
142 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4 days ago
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
9 reviews
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 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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Feb 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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