Contraception Reviews

Contraceptive gel vs Combination birth control pill

Contraceptive gel

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Combination birth control pill

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Overview

Rated 4.3

4 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

96 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Contraceptive gel ingredients

Birth control gels include spermicides and a new gel called Phexxi. These gels contain chemicals which prevent sperm from reaching an egg by affecting the sperm's motility and helping to block the cervix (opening into the womb).

Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

50% very positive

Bleeds

75% no change

Sex drive

75% increased sex drive

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

29% no impact on mood

Bleeds

29% lighter periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

43% no impact

Skin

41% improved skin

Cycle return

40% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

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

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Contraceptive gel reviews

4 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

96 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Kurvelo birth control pill  

I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Had nausea the first week of both months 1 and 2. Only side effect was significant breast and butt enlargement, which led me to stop taking it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control pill  

no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 week ago

Kurvelo birth control pill  

I’ve experienced these issues around or during my period


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

Had nausea the first week of both months 1 and 2. Only side effect was significant breast and butt enlargement, which led me to stop taking it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Nortrel 7/7/7 birth control pill  

no noted side effects very happy with this medication was switched to sprintec and not happy at all with sprintec


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Lutera birth control pill  

I actually didn't really have any "normal" side effects with this pill, I felt like I was mostly normal. But I did notice that my hair was gradually thinning, and it felt like it triggered some form of chronic hair loss for me. Interestingly enough, while it wasn't a huge issue, I noticed that I had "stinky" periods? I stopped having them after I stopped the pill.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Vestura birth control pill  

Being on this actually helps me to get fewer menstrual migraines. I don’t seem to have had any truly bad side effects over the years I’ve been taking it.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pill  

I got major mood swings when skipping the placebo week, which is why I stopped.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
45 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 25

Vestura birth control pill  

I love my birth control


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Dec 24

Nortrel 0.5/35 birth control pill  

Overall discomfort.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Dec 24

Combination birth control pill  

Eh


Worse skin

2 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 8+ yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Dec 24

Junel 21 1/20 birth control pill  

Lots and lots of weight gain to the tune of 70+ lbs in about 12 years currently. Been on depression medication for no energy and nothing has helped


Very negative mood

2 more effects

3 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Contraceptive gel with other birth control

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