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
27% no impact on mood
33% lighter periods
37% no impact
43% no impact
40% improved skin
35% in 1 month
40% no impact on mood
50% no change
50% no impact
60% no impact
80% 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
143 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
14 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I started taking this pill for painful period cramps and it has worked wonders! My period is more regular as well and shorter and less painful. My skin cleared up really well the only problem i have is the migraines and my blood sugar. The migraines are very painful but only last a few minutes luckily and since started taking the pill my blood sugar sky rockets or falls rather quickly.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month 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
• 1 month 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
14 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I started taking this pill for painful period cramps and it has worked wonders! My period is more regular as well and shorter and less painful. My skin cleared up really well the only problem i have is the migraines and my blood sugar. The migraines are very painful but only last a few minutes luckily and since started taking the pill my blood sugar sky rockets or falls rather quickly.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month 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
• 1 month 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
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
10 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th Feb 24
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Popular birth control
Combination pillImplantShotThe legal stuff
Terms of usePrivacy & cookieContent policy©The Lowdown 2026

