Implant vs Combined pill

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Implant

Add your Implant review

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 2.8

592 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2516 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

38% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

41% gained weight

57% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

32% somewhat negative

48% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

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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Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Implant reviews

592 reviews

Implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

Positives of the Nexplexon implant is it is a very effective contraceptive and the insertion was quick and painless. However, I have been constantly bleeding (spotting and heavier bleeding) since I had it inserted 6 months ago. I have had bad cramping and lower back pain along side the bleeding. My overall mood has been effected as I feel exhausted most of the time, although I do work some night shifts so this may be a contributing factor. My sex drive has been lower than normal. I have noticed my boobs ache and feel sore. I am considering having it removed, if the bleeding does not settle.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I believe it ruined mindset, mental health and confidence. I am normally not over the top and this sounds like an exaggeration. Although I had a really tough year and these would've affected my perspective. I always have and would utilise those negative situations to motivate me and channel sadness into action. But when I was on the implant: - I had lost all confidence in myself and abilities - My skin got worse and I have always had super clear skin - I had more hair than usual - I was super easy to agitation and struggled to regulate my emotions - I became anxious and depressed (please note some of this would be situational and not just the implant). I thought it was all situational. Until I got it removed a month ago. I am still in the process of my hormones regulating which has been difficult. But after a month I am slowly finding my personality coming back. I am not isolating as much. I am channelling my energy into action and turning my life around again! I feel more like myself day by day.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Dec 24

Nexplanon implant  

50/50 experience overall. My skin improved to the point where it is clear aside from the occasional hormonal spot. Definitely would recommend if you’re like me and always forget to take the pill daily. I don’t get periods but when I do I bleed for about 2-3 weeks heavily. I have noticed some weight gain but nothing to be worried about. My boobs have grown 2 whole cup sizes. No mood changes as far as I’m aware. The implant insertion process was quick and painless so nothing to worry about there.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

Positives of the Nexplexon implant is it is a very effective contraceptive and the insertion was quick and painless. However, I have been constantly bleeding (spotting and heavier bleeding) since I had it inserted 6 months ago. I have had bad cramping and lower back pain along side the bleeding. My overall mood has been effected as I feel exhausted most of the time, although I do work some night shifts so this may be a contributing factor. My sex drive has been lower than normal. I have noticed my boobs ache and feel sore. I am considering having it removed, if the bleeding does not settle.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

I believe it ruined mindset, mental health and confidence. I am normally not over the top and this sounds like an exaggeration. Although I had a really tough year and these would've affected my perspective. I always have and would utilise those negative situations to motivate me and channel sadness into action. But when I was on the implant: - I had lost all confidence in myself and abilities - My skin got worse and I have always had super clear skin - I had more hair than usual - I was super easy to agitation and struggled to regulate my emotions - I became anxious and depressed (please note some of this would be situational and not just the implant). I thought it was all situational. Until I got it removed a month ago. I am still in the process of my hormones regulating which has been difficult. But after a month I am slowly finding my personality coming back. I am not isolating as much. I am channelling my energy into action and turning my life around again! I feel more like myself day by day.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Dec 24

Nexplanon implant  

50/50 experience overall. My skin improved to the point where it is clear aside from the occasional hormonal spot. Definitely would recommend if you’re like me and always forget to take the pill daily. I don’t get periods but when I do I bleed for about 2-3 weeks heavily. I have noticed some weight gain but nothing to be worried about. My boobs have grown 2 whole cup sizes. No mood changes as far as I’m aware. The implant insertion process was quick and painless so nothing to worry about there.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Combined pill reviews

2516 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Yasmin pill  

Had thrush about 4/5 times when only on it for 4/5 months, along with the thrush swollen labia and very dry, also developed acne when I’ve never had it before, but used duac to sort that out still breakout now and again which has never happened to me before. I will be changing pill again, only good thing was that by breast grew


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

I took the combined pill (first Rigevidon and later Gedarel) for more than 2 years. The first few months after taking Rigevidon I had nausea and tender breasts but this settled after about 2-3 months. I developed migraines that would coincide with the break week (pill-free days). I tried switching to skipping break weeks and taking the pill for several months in a row (until I got several days of breakthrough bleeding, usually every three months), but I still got migraines randomly throughout the months and also almost every time I did eventually take a break-week. I switched to Gedarel but this did not change anything about the migraines. I had to take break weeks more often with Gedarel since I would get breakthrough bleeding more quickly (every two months). Overall I liked being able to skip periods and I think my skin/acne and hair growth maybe improved slightly. However, because of the migraines I eventually switched to a progesterone only pill.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Eloine pill  

i started taking this pill a year ago, i haven’t gotten pregnant so i believe it does it’s job, i don’t have any actually bad side effects as i’ve had with other pills, i would recommend


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Yasmin pill  

Had thrush about 4/5 times when only on it for 4/5 months, along with the thrush swollen labia and very dry, also developed acne when I’ve never had it before, but used duac to sort that out still breakout now and again which has never happened to me before. I will be changing pill again, only good thing was that by breast grew


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

I took the combined pill (first Rigevidon and later Gedarel) for more than 2 years. The first few months after taking Rigevidon I had nausea and tender breasts but this settled after about 2-3 months. I developed migraines that would coincide with the break week (pill-free days). I tried switching to skipping break weeks and taking the pill for several months in a row (until I got several days of breakthrough bleeding, usually every three months), but I still got migraines randomly throughout the months and also almost every time I did eventually take a break-week. I switched to Gedarel but this did not change anything about the migraines. I had to take break weeks more often with Gedarel since I would get breakthrough bleeding more quickly (every two months). Overall I liked being able to skip periods and I think my skin/acne and hair growth maybe improved slightly. However, because of the migraines I eventually switched to a progesterone only pill.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Eloine pill  

i started taking this pill a year ago, i haven’t gotten pregnant so i believe it does it’s job, i don’t have any actually bad side effects as i’ve had with other pills, i would recommend


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Lizinna pill  

This is the pill that doesn’t make me feel depressed- has really helped my periods, they are lighter and shorter. I can predict when it’s coming. It makes me feel sick so I take it at night and sleep. Also, super good at preventing pregnancy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Dretine pill  

I was initially really scared to start taking Dretine, but now that I’m on my fifth packet, I’m so glad I did. My mild hormonal acne completely cleared up after taking two packets, and since then, my skin has been super clear. I still get the occasional pimple, but it’s rare, small, and not inflamed at all. It’s made such a positive difference, and I feel so much more confident in my skin!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Loestrin 30 pill  

I was put on Loestrin as an early teen post chemo/radiotherapy when my body didn't develop naturally. I was never really told at that age what side effects there were. I already suffered with migraines and regular headaches which always occured in the week before the break. I stayed in this till my late 20s when I first began to notice the thinness of my hair. It was only then that I was told it has a lot of testosterone in it that does lead to hair loss. Sadly my hair is now very thin but I was able to switch off this brand and stabilize the loss.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Yasmin pill  

It works better for me than others


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Drovelis pill  

I was on hormonal birth control methods for 10 years with nothing had bad experiences. I’d come off all methods and had given up until I saw Drovelis on The Lowdown and decided to give it a shot because of the low side effects listed. And I’m so glad I did. No breakthrough bleeding, weight loss, no changes to my sex drive, only minimal breakouts which is a miracle compared to the other methods. The Lowdown has given me my bodily autonomy back with their suggestions and articles and I can certainly say I’ll never go back off this pill!


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Drovelis pill  

I started taking it on the first day of my period, it lasted 13 days (normally would last 5 days)then gave me a break for 4 days then bled the whole time on that pill, 24 days bleeding in total, once i started the white sugar pills my bleeding died down and finally stopped, im off of it now (only for a month) and i havent bled once, not even spotting, ill go back on it next month to see if i bleed again from it


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Zoely pill  

Although I haven’t been taking this pill for very long, I did quickly notice a major improvement in my moods. I tolerated Estelle ED pretty well, but Yaz made me severely depressed and suicidal.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Implant with other contraceptives

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