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
29% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
38% lost sex drive
43% no impact
41% improved skin
39% in 1 month
50% no impact on mood
67% no change
50% no impact
83% no impact
83% no impact on skin
Not enough data to say
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Real life reviews from people like you
Combination birth control pill reviews
112 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
I’ve heard this birth control is supposed to be helpful for acne, but I have been flushed since I started taking it and seen a couple breakouts, and I haven’t even finished my first pack yet. I have also been sweating profusely off and on since the second week of taking it. Those are the most significant side effects I’ve noticed. I did just have my Mirena IUD removed after my uterus tried to absorb it, so these effects could be related to that. I’ve been on many different birth control pills over the past 15 years and usually I have no side effects after the first month or two, so we’ll see.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
It is not bad. The bad thing about it is it did make me gain weight and made my boobs go from a C to a DD and it kind of hurts my back. I gained like 10-15 lbs and I am unable to lose it no matter what diets I do. My skin has cleared up and my hair isn’t as oily and my periods have stopped which is really nice though.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I had severe anxiety on this pill, and also all of the sudden got motion sick all the time. I was nauseous everyday and lost weight because I couldn't eat. It did definitely help with acne and my previously irregular periods. However, I lost 20 pounds and had to eventually stop. Within a week of stopping, my mood returned to normal and I wasn't panicking all the time. Within a few months, however, my acne got way worse and I started getting cystic acne along my jawline. I also still suddenly get motion sick sometimes, and this isn't something I ever had before.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• today
I’ve heard this birth control is supposed to be helpful for acne, but I have been flushed since I started taking it and seen a couple breakouts, and I haven’t even finished my first pack yet. I have also been sweating profusely off and on since the second week of taking it. Those are the most significant side effects I’ve noticed. I did just have my Mirena IUD removed after my uterus tried to absorb it, so these effects could be related to that. I’ve been on many different birth control pills over the past 15 years and usually I have no side effects after the first month or two, so we’ll see.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 6 days ago
It is not bad. The bad thing about it is it did make me gain weight and made my boobs go from a C to a DD and it kind of hurts my back. I gained like 10-15 lbs and I am unable to lose it no matter what diets I do. My skin has cleared up and my hair isn’t as oily and my periods have stopped which is really nice though.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I had severe anxiety on this pill, and also all of the sudden got motion sick all the time. I was nauseous everyday and lost weight because I couldn't eat. It did definitely help with acne and my previously irregular periods. However, I lost 20 pounds and had to eventually stop. Within a week of stopping, my mood returned to normal and I wasn't panicking all the time. Within a few months, however, my acne got way worse and I started getting cystic acne along my jawline. I also still suddenly get motion sick sometimes, and this isn't something I ever had before.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Withdrawal or pull out method reviews
6 reviews
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
1 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 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.
Increased sex drive
1 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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