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

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Overview

Rated 3.3

149 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

11 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

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

32% lighter periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

38% improved skin

Cycle return

35% in 1 month

Mood

46% no impact on mood

Bleeds

46% no change

Sex drive

46% no impact

Weight

55% no impact

Skin

82% 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

149 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil

Read more

Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Aviane birth control pill  

I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mili birth control pill  

I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Feel miserable and made depression worse, consistently crying all the time over stupid things, waking up is evil


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Aviane birth control pill  

I've been taking Aviane for years, to help regulate my periods. Before Aviane, they were irregular (it could be a month and a half before The Dot.) and could last 5-7 days, and my mental health was terrible the week before. (PMDD) I have terrible memory at times, but I know for a fact that Aviane has regulated my periods and has shortened them! They're now only 3 days long, if that tells you anything! I can't remember much about my first few months taking the pills, but overall, it's been helpful!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Mili birth control pill  

I’ve been on birth control for over 10 yrs by far the worst pill ever. Created an account just to put this review. Please just don’t do it, HORRIBLE.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

11 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Aug 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


Gained weight

3 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

2 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

3 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

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combination birth control pill with other birth control

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