Combined pill vs Female condom
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£From £0.16/day
Add your Female condom review
Overview
Rated 2.8
2607 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
Try it now
Add your Female condom review
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combined pill reviews
2607 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Little to no very noticeable side effects, my anxiety definitely heightened but that was a personal predisposition. Overall very happy experience but swapping due to some low moods
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Been on this pill for years and it has treated me well. I have lighter periods and they are a lot less painful. I have suffered very badly with acne over the years and although my skin is not perfect, it has been the most stable on this pill. I don’t find any other side effects to my mood or body that I notice.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
As soon as I started taking it, my first period whist on this pill came after a week and it was the most horrible period I’ve had in my entire life (it was a longer period then I ever had before (with really heavy cramps constantly) that was the first step in the negative journey. After that, I continued taking it and my acne got worse especially on my back. I had thought it would improve but was much worse event at month two. After two months of taking this pill, I’ve also gained weight which I noticed straight away but had put down to temporary water retention but seems to not budge and have had extreme weight fluctuations like never before and been feeling very off and not myself ever since taking it/depressed, also have lost all sex drive. I am at the point where it’s either stick it out for another month to see if symptoms ease up or stop and cut my losses. I’ve decided to stop.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Little to no very noticeable side effects, my anxiety definitely heightened but that was a personal predisposition. Overall very happy experience but swapping due to some low moods
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Been on this pill for years and it has treated me well. I have lighter periods and they are a lot less painful. I have suffered very badly with acne over the years and although my skin is not perfect, it has been the most stable on this pill. I don’t find any other side effects to my mood or body that I notice.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
As soon as I started taking it, my first period whist on this pill came after a week and it was the most horrible period I’ve had in my entire life (it was a longer period then I ever had before (with really heavy cramps constantly) that was the first step in the negative journey. After that, I continued taking it and my acne got worse especially on my back. I had thought it would improve but was much worse event at month two. After two months of taking this pill, I’ve also gained weight which I noticed straight away but had put down to temporary water retention but seems to not budge and have had extreme weight fluctuations like never before and been feeling very off and not myself ever since taking it/depressed, also have lost all sex drive. I am at the point where it’s either stick it out for another month to see if symptoms ease up or stop and cut my losses. I’ve decided to stop.
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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