Contraception Reviews

Birth control patch vs Combination birth control pill

Birth control patch

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Combination birth control pill

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.0

7 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

107 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control patch ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control patch

progestin


Combination pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combination pill

estrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

71% somewhat negative

Bleeds

43% regular periods

Sex drive

57% no impact

Weight

57% don’t know impact

Skin

43% don’t know impact

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

32% lighter periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

40% improved skin

Cycle return

41% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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

Birth control patch reviews

7 reviews

Birth control patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Breakthrough bleeding lasted for 3 mos

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Birth control patch  

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.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Breakthrough bleeding lasted for 3 mos


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Birth control patch  

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.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments


Combination birth control pill reviews

107 reviews

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Combination birth control pill  

Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous


Worse skin

1 more effect

12 helpful

0 comments

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

Loryna birth control pill  

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

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

Yasmin birth control pill  

.


Improved skin

12 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  6 days ago

Combination birth control pill  

Not pleasant. Slynd seems to yes, decrease my flow, but the side effects are horrendous


Worse skin

1 more effect

12 helpful

0 comments

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

Loryna birth control pill  

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

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

Yasmin birth control pill  

.


Improved skin

12 helpful

0 comments

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

Hailey Fe 1/20 birth control pill  

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

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

Nikki birth control pill  

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

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Mili birth control pill  

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

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Apr 25

Estarylla birth control pill  

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

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Apr 25

Combination birth control pill  

Not at all


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Apr 25

Vienva birth control pill  

I don’t know so I can’t tell you


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combination birth control pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
43 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  23rd Mar 25

Loryna birth control pill  

The only negative is loss of sex drive, other than that it has helped my mood


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

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