Contraception Reviews

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

123 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

31% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

45% no impact

Skin

41% 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

123 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks 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 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin birth control pill  

Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Altavera birth control pill  

I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks 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.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin birth control pill  

Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Altavera birth control pill  

I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin


Very positive mood

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
  •  2 weeks ago

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


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.


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.


Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


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.


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.


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.


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


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.


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.


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


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

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