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

83 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% somewhat negative

Bleeds

30% lighter periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

45% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

41% 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
26 years old
🇺🇸 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
42 years old
🇺🇸 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
56 years old
🇺🇸 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
26 years old
🇺🇸 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
42 years old
🇺🇸 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
56 years old
🇺🇸 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

83 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control made me have headaches, nausea, and very decreased sex drive, will be switching back to sprintec.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Altavera birth control pill  

Turned me into some kind of testosterone fueled rage monster for two months straight? In addition to severe acne, back pain, and constant sweating.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Aviane birth control pill  

Terrible, severe depression within a few days of use. Have not experienced mood swings that bad before or since. At least the packaging is cute?


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 days ago

Loryna birth control pill  

This birth control made me have headaches, nausea, and very decreased sex drive, will be switching back to sprintec.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Altavera birth control pill  

Turned me into some kind of testosterone fueled rage monster for two months straight? In addition to severe acne, back pain, and constant sweating.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Aviane birth control pill  

Terrible, severe depression within a few days of use. Have not experienced mood swings that bad before or since. At least the packaging is cute?


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Junel Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

the combo pill helped get my period back to its normal cycle after spotting for 3 years on nexplanon. i definitely feel like i have retained some water weight in my stomach, arms, and face. i also have more acne than i did when i was on nexplanon. the last symptoms im dealing with are more anxiety and more sweat on my feet and palms. i’m open to trying different combo pills but i think im going to stay on this one for a year to feel the full effects/symptoms.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Oct 24

Tri Lo Estarylla birth control pill  

Quiero vajar la meuctracion con estas pastillas


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  21st Sep 24

Aviane birth control pill  

I use BC to control my heavy 3 week long bleeds. I'm 43, and went from PCOS bleeds to perimenopause bleeds. This one worked well, but did cause breakthrough bleeding a little in the first few packs. By breakthrough I mean an actual period gush, not spotting, I also had spotting off and on. It did shorten my periods to about 7 days. My mood seemed down a bit more, and my libido did decrease a little. However, I had the big O just fine, with my previous one(elinest) I couldnt. I'm starting Amethyst which is a slightly lower dose of the same hormones, hopefully that helps even me more. Overall, I would take Aviane again if I had to.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Sep 24

Jasmiel birth control pill  

I switched from Yasmin to Jasmiel and it’s better because Yasmin was giving me crazy migraines, and now I don’t have them anymore. The only thing is that Jasmiel is making me sweat, and also sometimes I’ve not gotten my period although I’m not pregnant.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Sep 24

Mili birth control pill  

I have had mood swings and loss of sex drive


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Aug 24

Hailey Fe 1.5/30 birth control pill  

I have been on this for less than a week, and I've cried more times in the past two days than I could in a year. I have been so depressed and moody, even my coworkers are noticing. It is sad. I have been debating on stopping this pill. I also have had all the worst cramps while not even bleeding. It just has not been a good week! and it is really taking a toll on me, I feel like I have my period all day everyday for the week just without the blood.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6th Aug 24

Sprintec birth control pill  

I had one day of breakthrough bleeding, which was nice. At about day 9, I had sudden intense cramping, and I thought it was my ovary. Still haven't confirmed this, but I have not experienced that until I started the pill. I had cramps for the 6 weeks I was on it, and many days I was nauseous. I had a headache everyday, but I thought I could handle these physical symptoms since I felt it improved my mood some days. However, after having my first period on the pill (longer than usual, bad cramps, nausea), my mood dropped and I got very suicidal and had to stop taking the pill.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Contraceptive gel with other birth control

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