Female condom vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Overview
Rated 3.5
4 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
79% - 95%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1383 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Female condom ingredients
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Protects against STIs
Period pain
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Real life reviews from people like you
Female condom reviews
4 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 24
Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Jan 22
These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Apr 21
Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.
Top side effects not reported
2 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1383 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I was put on this pill after I suffered from bad migraines from the combined pill- I wanted to try contraception to tackle my low moods, PCOS and acne. I became so depressed over the course of about 3 months, to the point where I went to the GP to try and get some therapy/talk about possibly taking antidepressants. Straight away the GP was like 'oh just stop taking the pill'- I did and a few months later I felt normal again. Literally can't believe that GPs prescribe this stuff without giving you proper warning- I felt like an empty shell of a person for a few months literally all because of this pill.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I was put on this pill after I suffered from bad migraines from the combined pill- I wanted to try contraception to tackle my low moods, PCOS and acne. I became so depressed over the course of about 3 months, to the point where I went to the GP to try and get some therapy/talk about possibly taking antidepressants. Straight away the GP was like 'oh just stop taking the pill'- I did and a few months later I felt normal again. Literally can't believe that GPs prescribe this stuff without giving you proper warning- I felt like an empty shell of a person for a few months literally all because of this pill.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
i was put on this pill due to me being incredibly hormonal and 'hysterical' every month (on top of other issues i was facing). i was put on at 15-16 years of age i am now 18. my skin became more acne-like on cheeks and chin, whereas before it was just one or two. my breasts grew a lot, which was hard for me to come to terms with. thinking of coming off due to just 'having enough' and being worried about blood clots etc.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
I've tried so many pills and was really hoping this one would be different but sadly not. I started on day one of normal period, stopped bleeding for a few days but then after being intimate with my husband I've been bleeding daily for 2 weeks. I know it says it can take months to settle, but I can't cope with 3 months of bleeding. It makes me miserable, I smell and constantly feel unclean. I wish I could find one that doesn't make me bleed.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I switched from Yasmin combined pill to Cerelle after getting a migraine with aura. I've been on Cerelle for about 4 months now. Overall, I'm quite happy - mood is stable and no periods. Howerver, my skin which is awful at the moment. This could be also related to coming off the combined pill though. I do feel my hair thinned initially and was VERY greasy, but that has subsided. I also had really bad BO which is probably the most upsetting side effect. I feel this is getting slightly better now. My doctor told me to have a period before starting this pill to reduce spotting, and it worked - my periods have stopped entirely.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I have been on this pill for a little over 10 weeks with the hopes of it stopping my period altogether but I spent more time bleeding than not. Sometimes little bits here and there, sometimes a lot and for 10+ days at a time. I found myself having a lot of down days and googling PPD symptoms. The worst thing I noticed was the brain fog. My ability to remember things and speak clear and cohesive sentences was just obliterated. I’m on day 2 post stopping and it feels a little better already although I have started my withdrawal bleed. I know you should give your body at least 3 months to settle after starting but honestly that was enough time for me. I just hope my cycle goes back to normal fairly soon!
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I started the generic name for it: Desogestrel, I got given the brand Desomono once too, but most of the time the generic name. On it for 6 months, coming to 7. It's been great in many ways I wanted. I was sacred my mental health would be affected or I'd get acne. I monitored but I didn't get any negative or increasing mental health issues. No acne. Maybe a bit of hair thinning but I have that problem from before. A little weight gain but it could be new marriage fat. My main concern which is annoying as I was happy otherwise was that after 15 days of taking it, I was bleeding non stop till this day, bloody discharge or just blood, not lots like period but annoying as I wore pads for the bit of blood so it doesn't go on the side of my knickers. I'm started to feel a bit itchy around my vulva but that could be due to constant wear of pads. My breasts are starting to feel a little tendor and I think I feel a little less lubricated down there during intimacy. I'll be trying the combined pill next month because of the above mainly the bleeding. I'm gonna try Levest.. I hope it doesn't play with my mind!!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I was on the implant for three years I had it done a couple of years before covid which was a big mistake as I couldn't get it removed after when covid hit I suffered for years with mood swings crime for no reason depressed not wanting to do anything I didn't have any enjoyment anymore no sex drive whatsoever and it was making me absolutely crazy I've now switched to the mini pill and I've tried a couple of others and it seems to still have the same effect on me you know I took the many pill now for linear year and I'm still feeling the way I did when I have to implant it's absolutely awful I just don't think there's a contraception out there for me that's not going to affect me this way I'm so fed up and I think it's time for the husband to get a vasectomy as I feel at some fair that I have to do everything to prevent it's not just on me as a woman it's on my husband too I've had enough of suffering it's his turn
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had to switch birth control after having a Pulmenary Embolism (blood clot) - GP switched me onto the mini pill. I was on it for 7 months and bled nearly everyday. Regular levels of bleed during the first few months and then lighter but still spotting most days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments

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