Combined pill vs Male condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2549 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 4.1
66 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
2549 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I was put on zoely to treat symptoms of perimenopause. It actually made my symptoms worse. I took it for 1 month and found I had more frequent night sweats and hot flashes, my mood felt unstable and erratic, insomnia was worse also. I constantly had spotting every day for the month and then no period. My exhaustion was even worse than it had been before starting it. I've stopped it now and feel better already after 6 days.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
As a women with PCOS this pill has been great to help control acne & unwanted facial/body hair. However since taking the pill I have noticed far more vaginal discomfort e.g. thrush. Overall with this in mind I would still choose to take this pill and the positives for me outweigh the negatives
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have felt great on rigevidon, I was prescribed it for irregular and extra periods. This has fixed this and can now control when I do and don’t bleed. I did experience a decidual cast (uterine lining passes in one piece) when I went two months without taking a break. But as long as I have kept having a break monthly and not run packs back to back (like I was told I could) it has been fine and solved my issue.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I was put on zoely to treat symptoms of perimenopause. It actually made my symptoms worse. I took it for 1 month and found I had more frequent night sweats and hot flashes, my mood felt unstable and erratic, insomnia was worse also. I constantly had spotting every day for the month and then no period. My exhaustion was even worse than it had been before starting it. I've stopped it now and feel better already after 6 days.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
As a women with PCOS this pill has been great to help control acne & unwanted facial/body hair. However since taking the pill I have noticed far more vaginal discomfort e.g. thrush. Overall with this in mind I would still choose to take this pill and the positives for me outweigh the negatives
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have felt great on rigevidon, I was prescribed it for irregular and extra periods. This has fixed this and can now control when I do and don’t bleed. I did experience a decidual cast (uterine lining passes in one piece) when I went two months without taking a break. But as long as I have kept having a break monthly and not run packs back to back (like I was told I could) it has been fine and solved my issue.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Male condom reviews
66 reviews
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
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
1 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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Simple but effective. It was the main form of contraception we learnt about at school and the one that was easily available, I switched between this and the coil until I had my babies. Some men may not want to wear one but then they are not people you should be sleeping with!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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