Contraception Reviews

Mini pill vs Withdrawal or pull out method

Mini pill

Want to switch birth control?

Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.4

32 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

8 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

31% no impact on mood

Bleeds

38% stopped periods

Sex drive

41% no impact

Weight

47% no impact

Skin

38% no impact on skin

Cycle return

57% don’t know impact

Mood

50% no impact on mood

Bleeds

50% no change

Sex drive

50% no impact

Weight

63% no impact

Skin

88% 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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Try it now

Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mini pill reviews

32 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 25

Slynd birth control pill  

I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Aug 25

Slynd birth control pill  

i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 25

Slynd birth control pill  

I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Aug 25

Slynd birth control pill  

i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

8 reviews

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

2 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 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Aug 25

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Made me gain weight


Gained weight

2 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

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  26th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

No side effects


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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