Combined pill vs Combined pill

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Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 2.8

2493 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2493 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen


Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

32% somewhat negative

45% lighter periods

47% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

32% somewhat negative

45% lighter periods

47% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive 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

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combined pill reviews

2493 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

I am using microgynon to manage endometriosis. Before starting I was having significant pain, nausea, and depression due to the pain. I am taking this pill without breaks, so not having periods is really helping reduce my endo symptoms. I have had a lot of mood problems with other pills, but if anything my mood is slightly better. I think it was just that my endo pain was so bad it was making me feel really low. I am still having some breakthrough bleeding with this pill, but much less than other pills.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Levest pill  

No real bad side effects although I would say it’s given me more of a low mood but nothing too serious. No weight gain at all and sex drive still the same.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Qlaira pill  

I was prescribed this by a gynecologist to treat PMDD. It has worked amazingly, my mood has been very stable since I started it 10 months ago. My symptoms are gone, my energy levels are normal, I’ve been more patient with the kids. The only issues are hair loss when I started (which sorted itself out after a few months), low sex drive (but it was low any way). The only issue is the slight clotting risk due to oestrogen, it fills me with fear. It is supposed to be lower than other combined pills but due to my age and other risk factors it concerns me. I am considering trying Slynd to see if it has a similar effect, but I’d happily go back to this if need be. A very good pill!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

I am using microgynon to manage endometriosis. Before starting I was having significant pain, nausea, and depression due to the pain. I am taking this pill without breaks, so not having periods is really helping reduce my endo symptoms. I have had a lot of mood problems with other pills, but if anything my mood is slightly better. I think it was just that my endo pain was so bad it was making me feel really low. I am still having some breakthrough bleeding with this pill, but much less than other pills.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Levest pill  

No real bad side effects although I would say it’s given me more of a low mood but nothing too serious. No weight gain at all and sex drive still the same.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Qlaira pill  

I was prescribed this by a gynecologist to treat PMDD. It has worked amazingly, my mood has been very stable since I started it 10 months ago. My symptoms are gone, my energy levels are normal, I’ve been more patient with the kids. The only issues are hair loss when I started (which sorted itself out after a few months), low sex drive (but it was low any way). The only issue is the slight clotting risk due to oestrogen, it fills me with fear. It is supposed to be lower than other combined pills but due to my age and other risk factors it concerns me. I am considering trying Slynd to see if it has a similar effect, but I’d happily go back to this if need be. A very good pill!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Combined pill reviews

2493 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

I am using microgynon to manage endometriosis. Before starting I was having significant pain, nausea, and depression due to the pain. I am taking this pill without breaks, so not having periods is really helping reduce my endo symptoms. I have had a lot of mood problems with other pills, but if anything my mood is slightly better. I think it was just that my endo pain was so bad it was making me feel really low. I am still having some breakthrough bleeding with this pill, but much less than other pills.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Levest pill  

No real bad side effects although I would say it’s given me more of a low mood but nothing too serious. No weight gain at all and sex drive still the same.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Qlaira pill  

I was prescribed this by a gynecologist to treat PMDD. It has worked amazingly, my mood has been very stable since I started it 10 months ago. My symptoms are gone, my energy levels are normal, I’ve been more patient with the kids. The only issues are hair loss when I started (which sorted itself out after a few months), low sex drive (but it was low any way). The only issue is the slight clotting risk due to oestrogen, it fills me with fear. It is supposed to be lower than other combined pills but due to my age and other risk factors it concerns me. I am considering trying Slynd to see if it has a similar effect, but I’d happily go back to this if need be. A very good pill!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

I am using microgynon to manage endometriosis. Before starting I was having significant pain, nausea, and depression due to the pain. I am taking this pill without breaks, so not having periods is really helping reduce my endo symptoms. I have had a lot of mood problems with other pills, but if anything my mood is slightly better. I think it was just that my endo pain was so bad it was making me feel really low. I am still having some breakthrough bleeding with this pill, but much less than other pills.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Levest pill  

No real bad side effects although I would say it’s given me more of a low mood but nothing too serious. No weight gain at all and sex drive still the same.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Qlaira pill  

I was prescribed this by a gynecologist to treat PMDD. It has worked amazingly, my mood has been very stable since I started it 10 months ago. My symptoms are gone, my energy levels are normal, I’ve been more patient with the kids. The only issues are hair loss when I started (which sorted itself out after a few months), low sex drive (but it was low any way). The only issue is the slight clotting risk due to oestrogen, it fills me with fear. It is supposed to be lower than other combined pills but due to my age and other risk factors it concerns me. I am considering trying Slynd to see if it has a similar effect, but I’d happily go back to this if need be. A very good pill!


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

To be honest I’ve been on this before, but I took packets back to back so I wouldn’t get a period which worked, but now months later I’ve started it again, because my cycle was irregular from August due to plan b usage, and I now bleed on my pill free break, it gives me a sense of reassurance I’m not sexually active anyways it’s been like that for a month now, but atleast I know my cycle is more regular, only thing I would say is around day 4 of me being on the pill free break aka my first day of bleeding I experienced cramps and very bad breast pain PMS syndromes but it went down and it went from heavy bleeding to light bleeding.


Somewhat positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Qlaira pill  

I initially wanted a pill that would help decrease my light acne, address mood swings, and alleviate awful cramps. I also hated using pads as it made my skin irritated. In the first month, it was all fine; shortly after, my acne was pretty much gone with just a few pimples left at the end of the month due to PMS. My period almost stopped completely, and my cramps were significantly lowered. After 2 months of usage, I noticed a pattern: 3 weeks with constant anxiety and depression, and then in the fourth week, I felt normal, a few days before the end of the pills. It proceeded to be this way for 5 months. Then I started to feel nauseous, and my awful cramps were back, alongside the increased breakthrough bleeding. I'm now trying to find a combined pill that meets my needs and doesn't give me severe anxiety and depression for 3 weeks of the month. My advice is: if you are like me and naturally have long PMS, I don't recommend this pill. I've tried other birth control pills before, but none were worse than this one. My doctor said it happened due to the fact that Qlaira tries to imitate the natural flow by altering the hormone quantity throughout the month, and keeps up the promise, but when you naturally have bad mood swings, it is not a good thing.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

I swapped to Yasmin after trying so many and I felt like I’d struck gold! My skin improved loads (but must also note was under a dermatologist as well) but my skin has continued to be really clear My mood is a lot better provided I run the packets back to back - do find my mood plummets whenever I have a 7 day break but only do this once every 3-6 months I do get headaches but unclear if it coincides with Yasmin but GP is requesting I stop due to this however I’m reluctant due to have good this pill has been!


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

I have been on the combined pill for over 5 years now. I went on it at 16 and I am now 21 years old, whilst I have been on it it’s served me well no horrific side effects. However, over the years my sex drive has got worse and worse and I feel unless I’m on my pill break my mind doesn’t feel clear. I am scared to come off it as I do not know what other best alternative but I think I may change to the copper coil to natural cycles to let my body have a natural cycle. I just feel forcing your body to not ovulate cannot be good for it, I need my natural cycle back for peace of mind.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Dretine pill  

I was prescribed this an ‘equivalent’ pill to Yasmin. I trusted that it would be the same, as Yasmin is the only pill that has been okay for me. I had been on Yasmin a year and then they gave me dretine with no heads up. I gave it a chance but I am on week 4 I’ve had nearly 3 weeks of dark brown (occasionally red) bleeding. Bloating, increased spots on the first week but they have cleared up now by week 3. I have noticed a massive affect on my mood. I feel very down and sensitive, could cry any second and feel snappy and angry too. I need to change back to Yasmin. So disappointed


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Eloine pill  

I was prescribed for PMDD and overall had a positive effect on my mood. However, I was constantly spotting when not on my period


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Rigevidon  

Was put onto Rigevidon after being on the mini pill and not agreeing with it due to constant breakthrough bleeding and UTIs/vaginal dryness. Rigevidon was great for nearly a year and really liked how regular my periods were and had no breakthrough bleeding as long as I did 21 days on, 7 days off rather than taking back to back packs. After a while my mood declined to the point I felt numb and libido declined. I switched to a lower Oestrogen but then after another round at the mini pill as well went back onto Rigevidon as it had been the best one for me and wanted to try it again but I do suffer from migraines but never with aura so I had been deemed safe to use the combined pill as long as I was aware of symptoms to watch out but suddenly developed aura with my migraines so came off Rigevidon and have been fine since.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combined pill with other contraceptives

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