Combined pill vs Female condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2510 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
2510 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I was on hormonal birth control methods for 10 years with nothing had bad experiences. I’d come off all methods and had given up until I saw Drovelis on The Lowdown and decided to give it a shot because of the low side effects listed. And I’m so glad I did. No breakthrough bleeding, weight loss, no changes to my sex drive, only minimal breakouts which is a miracle compared to the other methods. The Lowdown has given me my bodily autonomy back with their suggestions and articles and I can certainly say I’ll never go back off this pill!
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I started taking it on the first day of my period, it lasted 13 days (normally would last 5 days)then gave me a break for 4 days then bled the whole time on that pill, 24 days bleeding in total, once i started the white sugar pills my bleeding died down and finally stopped, im off of it now (only for a month) and i havent bled once, not even spotting, ill go back on it next month to see if i bleed again from it
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I was on hormonal birth control methods for 10 years with nothing had bad experiences. I’d come off all methods and had given up until I saw Drovelis on The Lowdown and decided to give it a shot because of the low side effects listed. And I’m so glad I did. No breakthrough bleeding, weight loss, no changes to my sex drive, only minimal breakouts which is a miracle compared to the other methods. The Lowdown has given me my bodily autonomy back with their suggestions and articles and I can certainly say I’ll never go back off this pill!
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I started taking it on the first day of my period, it lasted 13 days (normally would last 5 days)then gave me a break for 4 days then bled the whole time on that pill, 24 days bleeding in total, once i started the white sugar pills my bleeding died down and finally stopped, im off of it now (only for a month) and i havent bled once, not even spotting, ill go back on it next month to see if i bleed again from it
Very negative mood
1 more effect
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
Women's health, reviewed.
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