Implant vs Combined pill
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£From £0.16/day
Overview
Rated 2.8
632 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2749 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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£From £0.16/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
632 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
3 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Used for 5 years so far. No complaints really. I didnt feel much change to myself till recently. This has been mood swings and irritability but ive been on it 5 years and this only just started. Never fell pregnant. Little to no periods. Would recommend
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I originally had the implant inserted in May 2025, but I had a difficult experience with heavy bleeding. I had it removed and switched back to the mini-pill, which has always worked well for me. I decided to try the implant again and had it re-inserted around August 18, 2025. Here is the updated timeline of my experience: Initial Recovery (August 2025) • Wound Care: I removed the bandage and plaster early to let the area breathe. I applied a new plaster on the second day, eventually removing it once I was sure the insertion site had finished bleeding. • Healing: There was some minor bruising around the site, but nothing too bad. • Early Symptoms: I noticed some clear, yellowish vaginal discharge shortly after insertion, but no spotting or bleeding during this initial stage. Follow-up Symptoms (A few months later) After I had the implant in for a few months, I began experiencing some changes: • Spotting: I had spotting/light bleeding for a few days. • Discharge: This was followed by a period of reddish and brown discharge that lasted for a few weeks. Current Status Aside from that specific window of spotting and colored discharge a few months in, I have had no other issues. It has been working well since then, and I’m hopeful it stays this way!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
(I had it inserted roughly around August 18th 205, and couldn’t remember how long ago it was when filling this out) , I took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/would stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues besides having a bit of reddish and brown discharge for a few weeks after a few months of having it put in, I did try having it a while ago before August of 2025, say May 2025, had horrible bleeding and such, but then had it taken out and went on mini pill which has always worked ok for me, then decided to go back on the implant and have had it since then and no other problems, so let’s hope it stays this way.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
3 comments
Combined pill reviews
2749 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Went on this at 15 because I had very painful and heavy periods, which the pill stopped entirely. I had no physical side effects aside from the complete stop of periods however it did severely affect my mental health (I already have a history of mental health issues prior to going on this pill but it made them notably worse and I’ve noticed improvements after coming off it). I would notice that I’d get very suicidal and anxious a couple weeks before I was due to have a 4 day break from the pill and this would then go away after the 4 days, I also experienced feeling dazed and derealisation which has somewhat improved after coming off this pill. I came off the pill because I was scared of the blood clot risk that had not been properly explained to me by doctors, so be aware of this also.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Overall not too bad, did give me some pretty bad mood swings, felt a bit down but had no reason to be, found my mood then got better as I came off it - however this may have just been due to life events surrounding it so not 100% sure but It did made me feel a bit rubbish. Side effects period wise were fine, bled on the break
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
honestly great pill and has stopped my periods completely but I’ve had ridiculous amounts of headaches and period cramps, I’ve also been incredibly sweaty specifically in the night to the point I’m waking up because I’m covered in sweat which has never happened to me before
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Went on this at 15 because I had very painful and heavy periods, which the pill stopped entirely. I had no physical side effects aside from the complete stop of periods however it did severely affect my mental health (I already have a history of mental health issues prior to going on this pill but it made them notably worse and I’ve noticed improvements after coming off it). I would notice that I’d get very suicidal and anxious a couple weeks before I was due to have a 4 day break from the pill and this would then go away after the 4 days, I also experienced feeling dazed and derealisation which has somewhat improved after coming off this pill. I came off the pill because I was scared of the blood clot risk that had not been properly explained to me by doctors, so be aware of this also.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Overall not too bad, did give me some pretty bad mood swings, felt a bit down but had no reason to be, found my mood then got better as I came off it - however this may have just been due to life events surrounding it so not 100% sure but It did made me feel a bit rubbish. Side effects period wise were fine, bled on the break
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
honestly great pill and has stopped my periods completely but I’ve had ridiculous amounts of headaches and period cramps, I’ve also been incredibly sweaty specifically in the night to the point I’m waking up because I’m covered in sweat which has never happened to me before
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I went on it as my first contraception pill at 15, WORST THING EVER, im 16 now and i knew i needed to put something on here. I know everyone reacts different but with any pill BUT ESPECIALLY this one if u dont feel right COME STRAIGHT OFF PLEASE. I took this pill for around 13 days and everyone says stick out side effects for first month but i broke out in a rash, severe acne, belly pains,back pains,headaches felt SOOO sick was in and out of doctors they tried to tell me i was allergic to eostrogen and didnt listen to me, and i was severely depressed it led to a breakdown of my relationship and we could never have sex or anything like that because i had NO sex drive at all and ill be honest i absolutely HATED HIM. It was the worst id ever felt in my life.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
My overall experience on Yasmin has been awful from the very first day I started taking it, made me lose my personality within one week, my sex drive is usually medium-high but it’s decreased and I’ve lost my appetite along with other side effects which weren’t pleasant. I would not recommend Yasmin if you have a history of mental health like myself too!!
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
When I first started taking Regividon I had a good experience, minimal side effects and had no changes to my skin, sex drive or weight. However, 3 months into taking Regividon my moods changed, I was snappy and frustrated even over little things 24/7 which affected my relationship so I came off it and went onto a different pill.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
pros - clear skin, less oily, went up a cup size, lighter periods and option to skip them entirely cons - after a few years it just got rid of my sparkle. I’ve noticed whenever i stopped using it i was more outgoing, more horny, enjoyed sex more. One of the main reasons was just how dry it was down there making sex feel like a chore.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It's good, it stopped ovulation and didn't have an effect on my body except mental health. The first month was also a challenge, I bled every day (small amount but it was so annoying). Gave me really bad mood swings. It also made my periods somewhat irregular. When i would take placebo pills, even though theres 4 of them for 4 days of period, it would always be longer and never the same amount of days.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Worked well as a contraceptive. I didn’t get pregnant. However I noticed extreme mood swings/anxiety. I had a series of panic attacks whilst on this pill relating to things that normally wouldn’t have pushed me to a panic attack and the weight gain from this pill. The weight gain wasn’t too extreme but it was noticeable in a way that I didn’t like (very bloated, pregnant looking).
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I was tri-cycling this pill and passed a a decidual cast after the first 6 weeks with no bleeding ( was not painful to pass). My periods were lighter when breaking between 3 packs. I did get some breakthrough bleeding during my second tri-cycle. I had really tender breasts in the first few months with some breast enlargement but that passed and no other issues.
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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