Combined pill vs Male condom

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Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Male condom

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Overview

Rated 2.8

2652 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

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sexual intercourse.

What Lowdown reviewers say

31% somewhat negative

47% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

43% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

72% no impact on mood

87% no change

76% no impact

97% no impact

85% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Protects against STIs

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Try it now

Add your male condom review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combined pill reviews

2652 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Levest pill  

When I first started levest It gave me bad acne around my chin and enlarged breasts and a slight change in mood but after three months I have literally no side effects and my skin is starting to clear, in fact I’ve actually lost weight on it. This pill suits me more than others I have been on.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Yasmin pill  

I have PCOS and had been told this would be my best option after having tried between 6-8 other pills and patches over the last 5 years. The main concern was facial acne, body acne and lack of periods all of which this pill is incredible for. My skin has completely cleared despite taking around 2-3 months to do so, particularly stubborn back acne and periods are as they should be. However in the short time I’ve been taking this I’ve gained 4-5kg. My job is physical and I work out often so there’s not much I can put it to but the pill. Additionally I have had extreme hair loss, zero sex drive and very flatlined emotions. All in all a great pill for clearing skin though when it comes to other side effects I do think I will be stopping this once I run out.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Brevinor pill  

I went on it for PMDD symptoms, and they completely went away! Also made me gain a cup size which I liked. First year I loved it, but after taking it long term with no breaks it kinda tanked my libido :/ overall though, pretty positive experience for birth control


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Levest pill  

When I first started levest It gave me bad acne around my chin and enlarged breasts and a slight change in mood but after three months I have literally no side effects and my skin is starting to clear, in fact I’ve actually lost weight on it. This pill suits me more than others I have been on.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Yasmin pill  

I have PCOS and had been told this would be my best option after having tried between 6-8 other pills and patches over the last 5 years. The main concern was facial acne, body acne and lack of periods all of which this pill is incredible for. My skin has completely cleared despite taking around 2-3 months to do so, particularly stubborn back acne and periods are as they should be. However in the short time I’ve been taking this I’ve gained 4-5kg. My job is physical and I work out often so there’s not much I can put it to but the pill. Additionally I have had extreme hair loss, zero sex drive and very flatlined emotions. All in all a great pill for clearing skin though when it comes to other side effects I do think I will be stopping this once I run out.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Brevinor pill  

I went on it for PMDD symptoms, and they completely went away! Also made me gain a cup size which I liked. First year I loved it, but after taking it long term with no breaks it kinda tanked my libido :/ overall though, pretty positive experience for birth control


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

67 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 25

Hanx condom  

this is a test


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

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

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 25

Hanx condom  

this is a test


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

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

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Mar 24

Pasante condom  

You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Feb 24

Pasante condom  

I have no problem apart from feeling friction more quicker then using without a condom.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 24

Mates condom  

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

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Feb 24

Durex condom  

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

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 24

Durex condom  

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

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Durex condom  

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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combined pill with other contraceptives

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