Combined pill vs Male condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2725 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 4.1
67 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
82% - 98%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
Male 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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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combined pill reviews
2725 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I have just completed my first month and have absolutely loved the change for me. I was suffering from PMDD for ages before starting, and this has significantly helped my mood disorder and emotional episodes. However I have gotten tender breasts when walking or running, nothing insane. And my discharge! Its so watery and so much. Sometimes I stand up and its like a small pee puddle, anyway, I have had an overall positive experience
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I went on this pill to sort out mood swings before my period and it absolutely sorted that out. I only took it for about 3 months though, because I had some dizziness and nausea while I was on it at random times which was bearable but not enjoyable so I switched to a different pill. I now take Milinette 20/75 and the lower oestrogen dose (20 vs. 30 with dretine) sorted out the nausea.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I went on the pill to sort out my mood swings on my period - I would get a drop in mood in the week before my period which made me very emotional, but aside from that I normally have very even moods and don't ever experience serious lows. However, a few days into taking Rigevidon i experienced a low I've never before experienced, with honestly no possible external event in my life that might explain it. It was far worse than any mood swing I've ever had, and it lasted about 3 days before I stopped taking the pill entirely. This is not to scare anyone considering taking it (my mum was on this pill for 15 years and loved it!) and it's possible the drop in mood might have evened out if i had taken it for longer, but I wasn't able to stick it out. Both dretine and milinette have done wonders for my mood swings though!
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I have just completed my first month and have absolutely loved the change for me. I was suffering from PMDD for ages before starting, and this has significantly helped my mood disorder and emotional episodes. However I have gotten tender breasts when walking or running, nothing insane. And my discharge! Its so watery and so much. Sometimes I stand up and its like a small pee puddle, anyway, I have had an overall positive experience
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I went on this pill to sort out mood swings before my period and it absolutely sorted that out. I only took it for about 3 months though, because I had some dizziness and nausea while I was on it at random times which was bearable but not enjoyable so I switched to a different pill. I now take Milinette 20/75 and the lower oestrogen dose (20 vs. 30 with dretine) sorted out the nausea.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I went on the pill to sort out my mood swings on my period - I would get a drop in mood in the week before my period which made me very emotional, but aside from that I normally have very even moods and don't ever experience serious lows. However, a few days into taking Rigevidon i experienced a low I've never before experienced, with honestly no possible external event in my life that might explain it. It was far worse than any mood swing I've ever had, and it lasted about 3 days before I stopped taking the pill entirely. This is not to scare anyone considering taking it (my mum was on this pill for 15 years and loved it!) and it's possible the drop in mood might have evened out if i had taken it for longer, but I wasn't able to stick it out. Both dretine and milinette have done wonders for my mood swings though!
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Male condom reviews
67 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th May 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Nov 24
me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend
Very positive mood
2 more effects
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th May 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Nov 24
me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend
Very positive mood
2 more effects
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Mar 24
You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Feb 24
I have no problem apart from feeling friction more quicker then using without a condom.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Feb 24
I am happy using the male condom as it does not effect my hormones nor cause massive physical issues.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Feb 24
I like to use them because they don’t affect you / if you have had bad experiences with hormonal birth control in the past
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Feb 24
My partner uses a male condom which comes with no symptoms as it is not harmonal. However, I struggle with intense ovulation symptoms that ranges from lower abdominal cramps to spotting in mucus. This started 3 years ago (age 25) and first occurred periodically but for the past year it has been almost every month. The mucosal spotting is not heavy and does not require pads. However, it use to last only 1-2 days but now it extends 3-4 days.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
For me using condoms worked great and I had virtually no complaints during the years I used them.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Women's health, reviewed.
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