Contraceptive gel vs Combination birth control pill
Contraceptive gel ingredients
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
50% very positive
75% no change
75% increased sex drive
50% no impact
100% no impact on skin
100% don’t know impact
29% no impact on mood
32% lighter periods
39% lost sex drive
43% no impact
40% improved skin
41% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Contraceptive gel reviews
4 reviews
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 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
2 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 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
2 helpful
0 comments
Combination birth control pill reviews
108 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous
Worse skin
1 more effect
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous
Worse skin
1 more effect
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Began experiencing yeast infections almost immediately after beginning medications, even though I’ve had zero history of yeast infections in the past. Also experienced increase vaginal dryness with painful intercourse. Last but not least, I feel like my depression has been worse.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Improved skin
12 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
So far, I have not had the great experience. I keep spotting a lot after my period ended and seems like it’s never ending so far no cramping, but never experienced this before.
Very positive mood
11 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Headaches when using placebo pills. Improved when taken continuously but then had weeks of spotting. Thighs noticeably bigger. Weight increase 2-3 pounds over 3 months. Previously on Yaz in my late 20s and early 30s - loved it. This one did not work for me in my mid 40s
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
No see drive. Gained 15 pounds over 6 years, mostly at the start. Can't seem to lose weight. It's the only bc pill that doesn't seem to affect my heart arrhythmia. Got pregnant twice on this stuff though!
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Apr 25
I actually really enjoyed the effect Estarylla had on my mood. It helped me through PPD (in combination with prenatals and exercise). However, it gave me nasty cystic acne, so I had to switch. Other birth controls have messed with my mood negatively, so I was really bummed to give this one up after the positive effect it had. The sex was good, too.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Apr 25
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Apr 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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