Contraception Reviews

Birth control patch vs Male condom

Birth control patch

Want to switch birth control?

Male condom

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 2.9

9 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.0

5 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

87% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control patch ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control patch

progestin

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sex.

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

56% somewhat negative

Bleeds

44% spotting

Sex drive

56% no impact

Weight

44% no impact

Skin

33% don’t know impact

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

40% no impact on mood

Bleeds

40% spotting

Sex drive

80% no impact

Weight

100% no impact

Skin

60% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Protects against STDs

Non-hormonal

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control patch reviews

9 reviews

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 days ago

Xulane patch  

I was on Depo and the pill before this and this is the best one so far. I'm still in the adjustment phase. The main issue is that this month (month 2) I've felt uncomfortable in my skin and I've been dizzy. Not extreme but noticeable. I appreciate the ease of only dealing with it once a week. The adhesive is slightly irritating only because of sweat, but after the first month it's stopped itching and I don't notice it anymore.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Xulane patch  

I have been on these patches consistently for over a year. I am still dealing with breakthrough bleeding with the same excruciating and heavy periods. My periods also come every two weeks, then I end up bleeding for two weeks. It comes every month on my third patch week, so I feel as though I am wasting a fresh patch. I tried skipping periods, and it still does not work; I still bleed. Also, they suck at sticking to the skin. It's a horror trying to shower with the patch on because it will come off. After a shower, I'm more focused on trying to get it to stick back onto my skin. And it does move across the skin, and leaves square prints on my skin, due to the adhesive. I would not recommend these patches to anybody who wants to shower regularly, or do water activities while trying to manage periods and prevent pregnancy. I have made an appointment with my doctor, to change my birth control method.


Very negative mood

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
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 days ago

Xulane patch  

I was on Depo and the pill before this and this is the best one so far. I'm still in the adjustment phase. The main issue is that this month (month 2) I've felt uncomfortable in my skin and I've been dizzy. Not extreme but noticeable. I appreciate the ease of only dealing with it once a week. The adhesive is slightly irritating only because of sweat, but after the first month it's stopped itching and I don't notice it anymore.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Xulane patch  

I have been on these patches consistently for over a year. I am still dealing with breakthrough bleeding with the same excruciating and heavy periods. My periods also come every two weeks, then I end up bleeding for two weeks. It comes every month on my third patch week, so I feel as though I am wasting a fresh patch. I tried skipping periods, and it still does not work; I still bleed. Also, they suck at sticking to the skin. It's a horror trying to shower with the patch on because it will come off. After a shower, I'm more focused on trying to get it to stick back onto my skin. And it does move across the skin, and leaves square prints on my skin, due to the adhesive. I would not recommend these patches to anybody who wants to shower regularly, or do water activities while trying to manage periods and prevent pregnancy. I have made an appointment with my doctor, to change my birth control method.


Very negative mood

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


Male condom reviews

5 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Male condom  


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  14th Jul 25

Male condom  

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had an insane allergic reaction due to these condoms :( very sad


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 25

Male condom  


Improved skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Jan 25

Male condom  

No changes


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Dec 24

Male condom  

Overall it's been great, but remembering a pill at a specific time is challenging for me


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Sep 24

Male condom  

Condoms did not change any part of my period for me, no side effects of using this form of contraceptive and it has been effective in avoiding pregnancy as well as STDs.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control patch with other birth control

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