Contraceptive gel vs Combination birth control pill
Contraceptive gel ingredients
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
40% very positive
60% no change
60% increased sex drive
60% no impact
100% no impact on skin
100% don’t know impact
28% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
37% no impact
44% no impact
39% improved skin
35% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Contraceptive gel reviews
5 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Combination birth control pill reviews
140 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I was fine when I started taking it last month until I had break through bleeding that is going on for 3 weeks. The pads are becoming irritating.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
49 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
I went on this pill for pre-menopause symptoms that were driving me crazy (hot flashes, really bad sleep disruptions). It worked really well, but there was one side effect that I couldn't handle. I couldn't wear my contacts anymore, and my eyes were always really dry and itchy. When I tried to wear my contacts, they would get a film on them after only and hour or two of wearing, which would make it seem like I was looking through a mist, and lights had halos around them, which made night driving totally unsafe. If it wasn't for that I'd still be taking them. I really liked how much lighter and shorter my period was while I was on it, because my normal period was really heavy and and crampy and lengthy.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
I was fine when I started taking it last month until I had break through bleeding that is going on for 3 weeks. The pads are becoming irritating.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
it’s making me sad and angry and anxious all the time. i’m also cramping more then usual.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Feb 26
The loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness is affecting my relationship
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
15 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 9th Feb 26
The head aches are not to bad but the font go away with meds
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Jan 26
This birth control has been GAME CHANGER for me. My periods are almost non-existent, seriously, so light I barely notice! My cramps are also almost NEVER there when my period comes. Before, I would have crippling pain and a heavy, inconsistent period. In the first month or two of taking the pill, I did notice a frequent occurrence of headaches, but nothing major or unbearable. Also, no weight gain!! I used to occasionally have acne, but that seems completely gone now too. I do feel my mood has improved considerably as well. Endlessly grateful for this pill, I hope it works for many others when they try it!
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 28th Dec 25
I got on this birth control because I was having mood swings and was feeling irritable and not like myself on the birth control pill I was on before. This one helped my mood a lot and my periods have been short and light on it (bleeding for 2-3 days and spotting for 1-2 days).
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 18th Dec 25
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Dec 25
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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