Combined pill vs Male condom
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Overview
Rated 2.8
2701 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
2701 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I’ve been on Yasmin consistently for 13 years and have never had issues. I remember the first 1-3 months of taking it I did have a bit of nausea but after that, no side effects. I know I am one of the lucky few, but I really love this pill. I never have any issues and never period pain, I have great skin, no weight gain or libido loss. I haven’t changed brands because of how amazing it has been for me.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Such a shame my body didn’t like it because my brain definitely did! I have felt so much happier in the 6 weeks I’ve been taking this (compared to years of being on Microgynon) BUT I have had thrush 3 times in those 6 weeks!!! It caused a lot of vaginal dryness which led to thrush :(
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I first started using microgynon aged 19 (it was the first pill offered to me when I wanted to go on the pill) and aside from weight gain, I didn’t really have that many side effects and got on well with it. I stopped using I when I was 22 after a break up. I then went back on it aged 25 and had a totally different experience. I didn’t gain as much weight the second time round but my breasts did go up a cup size which was annoying as none of my nice bras fitted me anymore!! I experienced period like cramps constantly, enough to need to take painkillers sometimes. At first I ignored it but after a few months of being in constant low level pain I couldn’t take it anymore. I have now switched to Yasmin after the pharmacist suggested it may be due to the type of progesterone in microgynon causing the cramps.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I’ve been on Yasmin consistently for 13 years and have never had issues. I remember the first 1-3 months of taking it I did have a bit of nausea but after that, no side effects. I know I am one of the lucky few, but I really love this pill. I never have any issues and never period pain, I have great skin, no weight gain or libido loss. I haven’t changed brands because of how amazing it has been for me.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Such a shame my body didn’t like it because my brain definitely did! I have felt so much happier in the 6 weeks I’ve been taking this (compared to years of being on Microgynon) BUT I have had thrush 3 times in those 6 weeks!!! It caused a lot of vaginal dryness which led to thrush :(
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I first started using microgynon aged 19 (it was the first pill offered to me when I wanted to go on the pill) and aside from weight gain, I didn’t really have that many side effects and got on well with it. I stopped using I when I was 22 after a break up. I then went back on it aged 25 and had a totally different experience. I didn’t gain as much weight the second time round but my breasts did go up a cup size which was annoying as none of my nice bras fitted me anymore!! I experienced period like cramps constantly, enough to need to take painkillers sometimes. At first I ignored it but after a few months of being in constant low level pain I couldn’t take it anymore. I have now switched to Yasmin after the pharmacist suggested it may be due to the type of progesterone in microgynon causing the cramps.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
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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