Mini pill vs Withdrawal or pull out method Comparison & Alternatives

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Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.4

28 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.1

7 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

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

32% no impact on mood

Bleeds

36% stopped periods

Sex drive

43% no impact

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

39% no impact on skin

Cycle return

60% don’t know impact

Mood

43% no impact on mood

Bleeds

57% no change

Sex drive

43% no impact

Weight

71% no impact

Skin

86% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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

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Want to switch birth control?

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Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mini pill reviews

28 reviews

Mini pill

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 26th May 25

Mini pill

I lost so much hair. I’m done using this. My periods are more painful, I’m so tired now

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 21st Apr 25

Mini pill

Best bc pill experience I've had

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 16th Apr 25

Slynd birth control pill

Really love it! I can skip my periods, don't experience migraines and my acne cleared up!

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 26th May 25

Mini pill

I lost so much hair. I’m done using this. My periods are more painful, I’m so tired now

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 21st Apr 25

Mini pill

Best bc pill experience I've had

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 16th Apr 25

Slynd birth control pill

Really love it! I can skip my periods, don't experience migraines and my acne cleared up!

Used for 8+ yr

36 years old

🇺🇸 US

• 30th Jun 25

Withdrawal or pull out method

I have my tubes tied.

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.

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.

Used for 8+ yr

36 years old

🇺🇸 US

• 30th Jun 25

Withdrawal or pull out method

I have my tubes tied.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Used for 5 - 8 yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 26th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method

No side effects

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Mini pill with other birth control

Compare the Withdrawal or pull out method with other birth control

Mini pill vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Overview

Mini pill ingredients

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Check out our latest reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 26th May 25

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Used for 18 mo - 3 yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 21st Apr 25

Read more

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 16th Apr 25

Read more

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 26th May 25

Read more

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 21st Apr 25

Read more

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 16th Apr 25

Read more

Used for 8+ yr

36 years old

🇺🇸 US

• 30th Jun 25

Read more

Used for 3 - 5 yr

24 years old

🇺🇸 US

• 10th Apr 25

Read more

Used for 8+ yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 28th Sep 24

Read more

Used for 8+ yr

36 years old

🇺🇸 US

• 30th Jun 25

Read more

Used for 3 - 5 yr

24 years old

🇺🇸 US

• 10th Apr 25

Read more

Used for 8+ yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 28th Sep 24

Read more

Used for 8+ yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 20th Jun 24

Read more

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US

• 20th May 24

Read more

Used for 1 - 3 mo

Lowdown user

🇺🇸 US