Combined pill vs Male condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2811 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 4.1
68 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
2811 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I felt it was very effective at preventing pregnancy because I lost almost all interest in sex and the few times we had sex, it was painful, I sometimes bled. I don’t know if the thrush was directly related or down to trying to sort the dryness with oestrogen cream and changing products. I didn’t have any other side effects but after 9 months I had to stop using this. I moved to a mini-pill and a month into using that my libido is improving as is the dryness - the last time we had sex it was almost pain free.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
The first few months of this pill felt great, but at around 6 months I started getting breakthrough bleeding consistently (3/4 weeks a month). I don’t think it’s a good choice if you’ve been advised to skip the placebos/break as it feels like the withdrawal bleed is necessary. I also haven’t seen much improvement in cramps. My mood and anxiety have also gotten worse since taking this. It’s a shame that prednisone is used instead of another progesterone as this is known to have bad impacts on mood.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I was put on this pill by my GP to try and help with the PMDD I was experiencing on the second half of my cycle. I had previously been on Eloine for this which really helped but I can't have this any more due to adrenal insufficiency. Since starting Gedarel I feel like my mood is worse, I just feel flat all the time. I can't sleep, tired but wired. This definitely is not the right answer.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I felt it was very effective at preventing pregnancy because I lost almost all interest in sex and the few times we had sex, it was painful, I sometimes bled. I don’t know if the thrush was directly related or down to trying to sort the dryness with oestrogen cream and changing products. I didn’t have any other side effects but after 9 months I had to stop using this. I moved to a mini-pill and a month into using that my libido is improving as is the dryness - the last time we had sex it was almost pain free.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
The first few months of this pill felt great, but at around 6 months I started getting breakthrough bleeding consistently (3/4 weeks a month). I don’t think it’s a good choice if you’ve been advised to skip the placebos/break as it feels like the withdrawal bleed is necessary. I also haven’t seen much improvement in cramps. My mood and anxiety have also gotten worse since taking this. It’s a shame that prednisone is used instead of another progesterone as this is known to have bad impacts on mood.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I was put on this pill by my GP to try and help with the PMDD I was experiencing on the second half of my cycle. I had previously been on Eloine for this which really helped but I can't have this any more due to adrenal insufficiency. Since starting Gedarel I feel like my mood is worse, I just feel flat all the time. I can't sleep, tired but wired. This definitely is not the right answer.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Male condom reviews
68 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Jul 26
Breasts grow a lot. Lots of headaches. Little sex drive. Bleeding after intercourse. Very sore back. Weight gain
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 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 12 - 18 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Jul 26
Breasts grow a lot. Lots of headaches. Little sex drive. Bleeding after intercourse. Very sore back. Weight gain
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 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

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