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Combination birth control pill vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Combination birth control pill

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Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.3

125 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

8 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

30% lighter periods

Sex drive

38% lost sex drive

Weight

44% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

38% in 1 month

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

50% no impact

Weight

63% no impact

Skin

88% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combination birth control pill reviews

125 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago
Vienva birth control pill  

Irregular periods and it's got worse.

Read more

Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
50 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago
Junel 21 1.5/30 birth control pill  

weight gain. nausea. migraine

Read more

Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago
Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago
Vienva birth control pill  

Irregular periods and it's got worse.

Read more

Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
50 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago
Junel 21 1.5/30 birth control pill  

weight gain. nausea. migraine

Read more

Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago
Junel Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

8 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight

Read more

Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I have my tubes tied.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight

Read more

Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I have my tubes tied.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.

Read more

Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

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.

Read more

Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal

Read more

Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

I get pretty sick on the pill and with same partner 3.5 yrs no issues but recognize not most effective practice.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

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.

Read more

Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Feb 24
Withdrawal or pull out method  

No side effects

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

Compare the Withdrawal or pull out method with other birth control

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