Combined pill vs Female condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2625 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 3.5
4 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
79% - 95%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
Female condom ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Protects against STIs
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£From £0.16/day
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Add your Female condom review
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combined pill reviews
2625 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I loved this pill at first and didn’t have any issues. After 4.5 years I started getting severe sharp head pains as well as lower back and pelvic pain which my gp said was from the pill. I swapped to Desogestril which I didn’t like to came off the pill and the pains stopped. I started back on Millinette after a couple of months and have been fine for 5 years until this year I have had an upset stomach and severe dizziness which has been put down to Vestibular Migraines. I have also had severe anxiety. I came off the pill and my stomach has gone back to normal but the constant dizziness, vertigo and severe anxiety is ongoing
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Don’t listen to everyone fear mongering about the combined pill . As a young adult , I’ve had zero issues with taking it . I was at first so so scared of the side effects but I have had zero !! Literally no changed whatsoever. I have endometriosis and pcos and the pill so far hasn’t made a huge difference but then again I don’t have very many symptoms or pain for either of the conditions . No mood swings , no anxiety depression or anything . I feel exactly as before , more balanced maybe ? No weight gain at all , didn’t kill my libido either . Actually I would say it made my libido a bit stronger . No change in personality , sense of smell taste or anything else . I’ve had literally zero effects and feel just like before . So honestly if you’re thinking of going on it , try it for a month , you can always quit if you don’t like it . Remember everyone’s body is different though and may react in a different way.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I decided to try Eloine due to negative experiences with other combined pills and the low-dose appealed to me. Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. In the first month I felt fine but soon after I began experiencing cramps, headaches and significant mood swings. After 4 months, I was suffering from daily severe headaches and migraines with aura. These migraines were consistent, occurring at the same time each week and lasting nearly two hours (something I had never dealt with before). I often had to take afternoons off work and isolated myself in a dark, quiet room until my vision returned and the dizziness subsided. The only times these migraines didn’t occur was the week I had off for my period. I also started experiencing regular spotting. Alongside the physical symptoms, my mood deteriorated. I became easily irritable, leading to frequent arguments with my partner… something that was rare for us before. This change in my behavior left me feeling down and my anxiety gradually worsened. My sex drive plummeted and eventually vanished altogether. The only positives from this pill was my heavy periods and awful period pain decreased and I lost weight. After discussing my symptoms with a doctor, I was advised to stop taking Eloine immediately. Since stopping, my headaches and migraines have ceased (I haven't had a migraine since) and I began feeling like my old self again within 6 months. The impact of this pill extended beyond my health; it affected my relationship as well. This experience has left me wary of contraceptive pills, making me hesitant to try another option.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I loved this pill at first and didn’t have any issues. After 4.5 years I started getting severe sharp head pains as well as lower back and pelvic pain which my gp said was from the pill. I swapped to Desogestril which I didn’t like to came off the pill and the pains stopped. I started back on Millinette after a couple of months and have been fine for 5 years until this year I have had an upset stomach and severe dizziness which has been put down to Vestibular Migraines. I have also had severe anxiety. I came off the pill and my stomach has gone back to normal but the constant dizziness, vertigo and severe anxiety is ongoing
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Don’t listen to everyone fear mongering about the combined pill . As a young adult , I’ve had zero issues with taking it . I was at first so so scared of the side effects but I have had zero !! Literally no changed whatsoever. I have endometriosis and pcos and the pill so far hasn’t made a huge difference but then again I don’t have very many symptoms or pain for either of the conditions . No mood swings , no anxiety depression or anything . I feel exactly as before , more balanced maybe ? No weight gain at all , didn’t kill my libido either . Actually I would say it made my libido a bit stronger . No change in personality , sense of smell taste or anything else . I’ve had literally zero effects and feel just like before . So honestly if you’re thinking of going on it , try it for a month , you can always quit if you don’t like it . Remember everyone’s body is different though and may react in a different way.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I decided to try Eloine due to negative experiences with other combined pills and the low-dose appealed to me. Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. In the first month I felt fine but soon after I began experiencing cramps, headaches and significant mood swings. After 4 months, I was suffering from daily severe headaches and migraines with aura. These migraines were consistent, occurring at the same time each week and lasting nearly two hours (something I had never dealt with before). I often had to take afternoons off work and isolated myself in a dark, quiet room until my vision returned and the dizziness subsided. The only times these migraines didn’t occur was the week I had off for my period. I also started experiencing regular spotting. Alongside the physical symptoms, my mood deteriorated. I became easily irritable, leading to frequent arguments with my partner… something that was rare for us before. This change in my behavior left me feeling down and my anxiety gradually worsened. My sex drive plummeted and eventually vanished altogether. The only positives from this pill was my heavy periods and awful period pain decreased and I lost weight. After discussing my symptoms with a doctor, I was advised to stop taking Eloine immediately. Since stopping, my headaches and migraines have ceased (I haven't had a migraine since) and I began feeling like my old self again within 6 months. The impact of this pill extended beyond my health; it affected my relationship as well. This experience has left me wary of contraceptive pills, making me hesitant to try another option.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Female condom reviews
4 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th May 20
Used it once - it came off inside me within 5 minutes and I didn't realise so ended up having completely unprotected sex and having to get a STI test.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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