Combined pill vs Male condom
Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
£From £0.16/day
Add your male condom review
Overview
Rated 2.8
2802 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
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
2802 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
After having not been on any birth control for two years, I went to my GP to get a prescription for a new bc. I had previously been on Yasmin for 9 years but due to getting recurrent minor thrush, I was wondering if a different pill could avoid that side effect. They prescribed me Rigedevon and my god, I can’t believe how awful it was. My skin that very rarely breaks out became covered in acne, my mood went through the floor and I felt miserable about everything. My GP had suggested me to stick the pill out for two months but I never had any side effects even close to being this bad on Yasmin, I’ve stopped it after one month. NEVER AGAIN
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
This pill was amazing for my skin, it looked amazing and as a result I also had less greasy hair! I was on it for many years but went off as I no longer needed birth control. One side effect I found annoying was I seemed to get recurrent thrush, even when I was abstinent. This completely went away when I was off the pill. Aside from that, this pill was pretty good
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I was on yasmin for 3 years, my first pill when i was freshly 16 and it was PERFECT. My skin cleared, breasts got bigger, i had a slightly heavier period but nothing over the top. I then came off it for 4 months before deciding i wanted to start again. This is where the issues started, I did 4 months and was genuinely evil, i felt like i was 13 again. I’m not a crier and i was bawling over absolutely everything, almost tantrum level crying. I was lashing out at everyone, and was just overall a mess. My skin also started breaking out badly, and i’ve now had to swap to a new pill(millinette)
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
After having not been on any birth control for two years, I went to my GP to get a prescription for a new bc. I had previously been on Yasmin for 9 years but due to getting recurrent minor thrush, I was wondering if a different pill could avoid that side effect. They prescribed me Rigedevon and my god, I can’t believe how awful it was. My skin that very rarely breaks out became covered in acne, my mood went through the floor and I felt miserable about everything. My GP had suggested me to stick the pill out for two months but I never had any side effects even close to being this bad on Yasmin, I’ve stopped it after one month. NEVER AGAIN
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
This pill was amazing for my skin, it looked amazing and as a result I also had less greasy hair! I was on it for many years but went off as I no longer needed birth control. One side effect I found annoying was I seemed to get recurrent thrush, even when I was abstinent. This completely went away when I was off the pill. Aside from that, this pill was pretty good
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I was on yasmin for 3 years, my first pill when i was freshly 16 and it was PERFECT. My skin cleared, breasts got bigger, i had a slightly heavier period but nothing over the top. I then came off it for 4 months before deciding i wanted to start again. This is where the issues started, I did 4 months and was genuinely evil, i felt like i was 13 again. I’m not a crier and i was bawling over absolutely everything, almost tantrum level crying. I was lashing out at everyone, and was just overall a mess. My skin also started breaking out badly, and i’ve now had to swap to a new pill(millinette)
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 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

Women's health, reviewed.
Get the best women’s health info in your inbox
You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy
Slide into our DMs
Built by doctors and experts
Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind
Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them