Female condom vs Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)

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Female condom

Add your Female condom review

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)

Add your Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) review

Overview

Rated 3.5

4 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

79% - 95%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.4

7 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

Effect on fertility

Female condom ingredients

Female condoms (sometimes referred to as a Femidom) are soft thin pouches that are made of a thin
strong plastic called polyurethane
a substance called nitrile
or latex.

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) ingredients

Plastic or titanium clamps or silicone ring may be used to block the fallopian tubes.

What Lowdown reviewers say

100% no impact on mood

100% no change

100% no impact

100% no impact

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

57% no impact on mood

57% no change

43% no impact

71% no impact

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Protects against STIs

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Try it now

Add your Female condom review

Try it now

Add your Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Female condom reviews

4 reviews

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Female condom  

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!

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jan 22

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 21

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jan 22

Female condom  

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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 21

Female condom  

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


Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) reviews

7 reviews

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th May 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Mar 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

eryew4yhwesgs


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jul 23

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th May 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Mar 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

eryew4yhwesgs


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jul 23

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Dec 20

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

It maybe ok for some people and for some, like the other women here it may even be good, but for myself and a lot of other women this was and still is the worst thing that could have happened to me. My life has been irrevocably damaged by this procedure and is still being damaged. The complex migraines I have suffered since having the procedure caused me to have a stroke 3 days after my 39th birthday, I have never smoked, eat healthy, organic food and don’t abuse my body. Before this procedure I was extremely fit, quick minded, outgoing and energetic. It might not harm everyone but if you are one of the growing number of women that have been affected you will regret it for the rest of your life. Even a reversal may not completely fix things (as I found) depending on how badly the tubes have been damaged. Really do your research, join support groups for ptls and ask the women who are all suffering the same symptoms, as many questions as you can.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Sep 20

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

I chose sterilization several years ago to prevent pregnancy. It was the right decision for me and I have had no long-lasting effects.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Nov 19

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

Best decision ever. I never have to worry about a pregnancy scare. Note: only do this if you are sure you never want to become pregnant naturally.


Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Jun 19

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

I decided to get sterilised at age 25 after awful side effects from hormonal contraceptives (which doctors brushed off as nothing) including weight gain, depression, mood swings and complete loss of libido. I didn't want kids so I went to Marie Stopes and had my tubes tied privately (think it cost about £1000). Doctors on the NHS had more or less told me I was supposed to have kids and they only sterilised women who are older or who have already had kids...women's healthcare is shockingly bad. Anyway, other than temporary pain and discomfort after the surgery, which gradually tapered off after 2 weeks (I was in bad period-level pain immediately after, but by the next day I was just uncomfortable and this got better day by day), I feel completely myself and have done ever since...zero side effects! P.s. don't trust NHS doctors when it comes to women's health - they lie.


Top side effects not reported

6 helpful

0 comments

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