Implant vs Combined pill
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Overview
Rated 2.8
589 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2503 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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Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
589 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Due to a family history of thrombosis I was advised against the combined pill which at the time was still the most common option, so the implant seemed a good choice. Whilst it was convenient in that it was long lasting and easily fitted, with no horrendous side effects, with the conversation about choices becoming more open I realised that I had been putting up with side effects which were gradually getting me down - irregular bleeding and low libido (possibly connected!) made regular sex with my partner less easy and fun than it should be, and I found that the more I exercised the more I bled, and I wanted to exercise more. I decided to switch to the copper IUD to experience a normal cycle again without the hormones, and am very happy I changed.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Ever since using this form of contrception i get twice my period in one month and feels like stabing pains now and then in my stomach but not all the time. I was recommended the implant after i had my miscarriage Moody sometimes but other than that i guess its safe to have the implant in like its said everyones body is different
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Worked well as a contraception, but in the year I had it in for I probably had about 30 days only without any bleeding or spotting. I also trialled taking the mini pill alongside the implant to try and reduce the bleeding but this had no effect. I had thrush multiple times throughout the year I had the implant, and had never had it before. My mood was the worst it had ever been, but there had been other life changes going on at the time which may have contributed.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Due to a family history of thrombosis I was advised against the combined pill which at the time was still the most common option, so the implant seemed a good choice. Whilst it was convenient in that it was long lasting and easily fitted, with no horrendous side effects, with the conversation about choices becoming more open I realised that I had been putting up with side effects which were gradually getting me down - irregular bleeding and low libido (possibly connected!) made regular sex with my partner less easy and fun than it should be, and I found that the more I exercised the more I bled, and I wanted to exercise more. I decided to switch to the copper IUD to experience a normal cycle again without the hormones, and am very happy I changed.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Ever since using this form of contrception i get twice my period in one month and feels like stabing pains now and then in my stomach but not all the time. I was recommended the implant after i had my miscarriage Moody sometimes but other than that i guess its safe to have the implant in like its said everyones body is different
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Worked well as a contraception, but in the year I had it in for I probably had about 30 days only without any bleeding or spotting. I also trialled taking the mini pill alongside the implant to try and reduce the bleeding but this had no effect. I had thrush multiple times throughout the year I had the implant, and had never had it before. My mood was the worst it had ever been, but there had been other life changes going on at the time which may have contributed.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2503 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was automatically put on the pill as soon as i became sexually active, within 6 months of this I was on put on antidepressants, of course I didn’t realise and wasn’t told the possibility of a connection. I conceived my 2nd child whilst on the pill. As I got older and became single again I came off the pill and saw a huge change in myself, I also came off the antidepressants easily and felt healthier mentally, I also felt an increase in libido….Something I lost completely whilst on the pill. I’m now dating again and looking for an alternative contraceptive as I cannot go back to how I was before. I also recently found out that the pill can contribute to the production of gallstones.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve been taking this for over a month and I’ve had terrible skin, I’ve never had spots in my life and I’ve got so many. I’ve also rarely ever had thrush, which I have now read is a common side effect. Also some hair loss. Not a great pill at all, have stopped taking completely.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Started off on this pill, I'm one of those lucky people who are never sick but while on this pill I would quite regularly feel nauseous a few hours after taking it and on about 5 occasions would vomit aswell, which for me was very unusual but after switching to a different pill these side effects went away.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was automatically put on the pill as soon as i became sexually active, within 6 months of this I was on put on antidepressants, of course I didn’t realise and wasn’t told the possibility of a connection. I conceived my 2nd child whilst on the pill. As I got older and became single again I came off the pill and saw a huge change in myself, I also came off the antidepressants easily and felt healthier mentally, I also felt an increase in libido….Something I lost completely whilst on the pill. I’m now dating again and looking for an alternative contraceptive as I cannot go back to how I was before. I also recently found out that the pill can contribute to the production of gallstones.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve been taking this for over a month and I’ve had terrible skin, I’ve never had spots in my life and I’ve got so many. I’ve also rarely ever had thrush, which I have now read is a common side effect. Also some hair loss. Not a great pill at all, have stopped taking completely.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Started off on this pill, I'm one of those lucky people who are never sick but while on this pill I would quite regularly feel nauseous a few hours after taking it and on about 5 occasions would vomit aswell, which for me was very unusual but after switching to a different pill these side effects went away.
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I got prescribed the combination pill due to recurring endometrial polyps. I'm pretty happy with this pill, it took me 3 months to adapt to taking it with frequent mood swings, irritation and sore breasts in the beginning, but once I got past that I really saw the benefits. My hair had been progressively thinning for 3 years before I started this medication, let me confirm that as soon as I started taking this it went away like magic. My hair is thicker and my hairline is barely visible now, it's so much thicker and I'm thrilled. No pregnancies on this pill either so it does work. I do still have tender breasts from time to time and some light cramping but I still feel it's worth taking. 9/10 recommend.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I originally went on the Gederal 30/150 combined pill because I had irregular periods and acne. This pill was recommended by my doctor to specifically help with acne. I really liked this pill, I didn’t feel like I experienced any side effects and it really helped clear up my skin. I still got the occasional spot but my skin was so much better. I also liked the ease of being able to chose if/when I got my period by continually taking the pill or having a 7 day break. My periods were super regular and would typically start 2 days after starting the 7 day break, and they would last 5 days with 1-2 heavier days in the middle but mostly very light. I didn’t notice any mood changes. Unfortunately, after about 7 years on this pill I had a few migraines with auras and was told by my GP that I had to stop taking this pill due to the risk of Stroke. I am now on the mini-pill which I am experiencing some negative side effects with.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I decided to go back on COC pills after years of having depo injections. The pills have made my periods lighter and I only get some cramps the day before I have my bleed. No real side effects apart from weight gain and my breasts have increased in size and are more tender (all the time not just when having my period).
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
This pill has been awful for me. I went on as had really bad irregular periods but i have seen no change except bleeding in between, extreme abdominal pain and hair loss. I have also seen my skin which is normally clear be breaking out all the time. I am only speaking of my experience
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Apart from the vaginal dryness and loss of sex drive, i’m happy with this pill as it did not have any really negative side effects for me, plus it grew my breasts which i liked.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Oct 24
I was only on this for 2 weeks because my anxiety was sky high. I had panic attacks so bad my chest hurt and I couldn't breathe. At the time, I had nothing to worry about in my life. It is scary because if I had taken Marvelon during the time I was severely depressed, then this pill might've sent me over the edge. GP said it wasn't the pill. However, a few days after stopping Marvelon, the anxiety and panic attacks disappeared. It was definitely Marvelon.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Oct 24
main thing for me was the super low sex drive. filling this out, interested to also see sweating a lot as an option. As I do sweat a lot, very easily so very interested (and hope) that is a side effect as looking to change/come off.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
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