Contraception Reviews

Contraceptive gel vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Contraceptive gel

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Withdrawal or pull out method

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Overview

Rated 3.5

6 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.6

11 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

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).

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

33% very positive

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

50% increased sex drive

Weight

67% no impact

Skin

83% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

46% no impact on mood

Bleeds

46% no change

Sex drive

46% no impact

Weight

55% no impact

Skin

82% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

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

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

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Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Contraceptive gel reviews

6 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Contraceptive gel  

Severe lower back pain at 7months using it coming to the front as well especially when laying down

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Jun 25

Phexxi gel  

It’s okay still having pain with the Slynd which is awful


Top side effects not reported

0 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 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

Contraceptive gel  

Severe lower back pain at 7months using it coming to the front as well especially when laying down


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Jun 25

Phexxi gel  

It’s okay still having pain with the Slynd which is awful


Top side effects not reported

0 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


Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

11 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th May 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

its stressful for me


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Apr 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

None


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jan 26

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I was on a iud for 9 years for endo


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Aug 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


Gained weight

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I have my tubes tied.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I don't recommend going multiple rounds. Otherwise, seemed pretty effective.


Increased sex drive

3 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th Sep 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

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

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Jun 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Still can get pregnant with pull out method or anal


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th May 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

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

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

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

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Contraceptive gel with other birth control

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