Combined pill vs Male condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2642 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
2642 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Overall a good pill and much better than countless others I’ve tried in the past. Migraines are worst for me I’ve been experiencing them more than ever whilst being on this pill.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Eloine completely cleared up the acne I had for 6 years! I would definitely reccomend it, although I will say that when I first started using it I had very intense mood swings but I think that’s normal due to the hormone change.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Lost my sex drive, every birth control I’ve been on has this effect on me. The biggest change I noticed is I was so hungry on this, I was bingeing yet before I took it I had great self control and was working out. It makes me feel like I’ve got early pregnancy symptoms which isn’t good for when you worry about it. I get nausea a lot and cravings, I don’t know for sure if it’s this pill but it started about 4 weeks after I started on the pill and I’ve never had anything like this before except for when I was pregnant
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Overall a good pill and much better than countless others I’ve tried in the past. Migraines are worst for me I’ve been experiencing them more than ever whilst being on this pill.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Eloine completely cleared up the acne I had for 6 years! I would definitely reccomend it, although I will say that when I first started using it I had very intense mood swings but I think that’s normal due to the hormone change.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Lost my sex drive, every birth control I’ve been on has this effect on me. The biggest change I noticed is I was so hungry on this, I was bingeing yet before I took it I had great self control and was working out. It makes me feel like I’ve got early pregnancy symptoms which isn’t good for when you worry about it. I get nausea a lot and cravings, I don’t know for sure if it’s this pill but it started about 4 weeks after I started on the pill and I’ve never had anything like this before except for when I was pregnant
Somewhat negative mood
2 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

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