Combined pill vs Male condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2748 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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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Combined pill reviews
2748 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Overall not too bad, did give me some pretty bad mood swings, felt a bit down but had no reason to be, found my mood then got better as I came off it - however this may have just been due to life events surrounding it so not 100% sure but It did made me feel a bit rubbish. Side effects period wise were fine, bled on the break
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
honestly great pill and has stopped my periods completely but I’ve had ridiculous amounts of headaches and period cramps, I’ve also been incredibly sweaty specifically in the night to the point I’m waking up because I’m covered in sweat which has never happened to me before
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I went on it as my first contraception pill at 15, WORST THING EVER, im 16 now and i knew i needed to put something on here. I know everyone reacts different but with any pill BUT ESPECIALLY this one if u dont feel right COME STRAIGHT OFF PLEASE. I took this pill for around 13 days and everyone says stick out side effects for first month but i broke out in a rash, severe acne, belly pains,back pains,headaches felt SOOO sick was in and out of doctors they tried to tell me i was allergic to eostrogen and didnt listen to me, and i was severely depressed it led to a breakdown of my relationship and we could never have sex or anything like that because i had NO sex drive at all and ill be honest i absolutely HATED HIM. It was the worst id ever felt in my life.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Overall not too bad, did give me some pretty bad mood swings, felt a bit down but had no reason to be, found my mood then got better as I came off it - however this may have just been due to life events surrounding it so not 100% sure but It did made me feel a bit rubbish. Side effects period wise were fine, bled on the break
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
honestly great pill and has stopped my periods completely but I’ve had ridiculous amounts of headaches and period cramps, I’ve also been incredibly sweaty specifically in the night to the point I’m waking up because I’m covered in sweat which has never happened to me before
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I went on it as my first contraception pill at 15, WORST THING EVER, im 16 now and i knew i needed to put something on here. I know everyone reacts different but with any pill BUT ESPECIALLY this one if u dont feel right COME STRAIGHT OFF PLEASE. I took this pill for around 13 days and everyone says stick out side effects for first month but i broke out in a rash, severe acne, belly pains,back pains,headaches felt SOOO sick was in and out of doctors they tried to tell me i was allergic to eostrogen and didnt listen to me, and i was severely depressed it led to a breakdown of my relationship and we could never have sex or anything like that because i had NO sex drive at all and ill be honest i absolutely HATED HIM. It was the worst id ever felt in my life.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
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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