Birth control patch vs Combination birth control pill
Birth control patch ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control patch
progestin
Combination pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combination pill
estrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
71% somewhat negative
43% regular periods
57% no impact
57% don’t know impact
43% don’t know impact
100% don’t know impact
29% no impact on mood
31% lighter periods
37% no impact
45% no impact
41% improved skin
38% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Birth control patch reviews
7 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Apr 25
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Apr 25
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
123 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Made my chin area have uncontrollable hormonal acne. Breakthrough bleeding from intimacy and pretty bad PMS symptoms for days before.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 day ago
Went on Yasmin for helping acne and breakthrough bleeding. Completely cleared my skin. I did have a full heavy period for 3 weeks out of 4. Waited out incase it would go away. It did not
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
48 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
I loved this for helping prevent migraines (taking continuously) and helping even out my moods. But I just realized it is probably what is causing my hair loss. Looking to change to a lower androgen pill like Yasmin
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
The only side effects for me personally, is when every time I am starting the first hormonal pill again after the placebo week, I wake up very nauseous. But on the second day your body should adjust to it again and it will go away. Other ones is decreased sex drive, slight vagina, dryness, and I also cry more often. Other than that, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. So I like this one.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 month ago
Works to regulate period but did a number on me mentally.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 21st Jul 25
I've been continuously cycling with these pills (skipping periods) and I've found a lot of my period and pre-period symptoms have improved! My doctor recommended this because of my PMDD and hormonal acne and I've found that both are easier to manage on this pill.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Jul 25
i’ve been on sronyx for 6+ years and since its been discontinued my pharmacy gave me aviane. i took one pack for the month and experienced the worst anxiety, nausea, mood swings, irritability, and general pain. it also caused heavy period like breakthrough bleeding and i do NOT ever want to take this afain
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
23 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 8th Jul 25
been on sronyx for 6 years and it’s been great. only take like 3 periods a year and literally no issues ever. so sad this has been discontinued bec i am terrified to switch
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
The pill was a great experience for me. I’d recommend it if you are someone capable of remembering to take it at the same time everyday. Also, I always know exactly when my period will be. Acne went away and no major side effects. The only potential negative is you have to deal with pharmacies and getting your prescription renewed regularly. I’m about to start a demanding job and am switching to an IUD for convenience.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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