Implant vs Female condom

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Implant

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Female condom

Add your Female condom review

Overview

Rated 2.8

632 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

4 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

79% - 95%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

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.

What Lowdown reviewers say

37% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

49% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

55% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

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

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

Protects against STIs

Try it now

Add your Implant review

Try it now

Add your Female condom review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Implant reviews

632 reviews

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Nexplanon implant  

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

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

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

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

(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

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Nexplanon implant  

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

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

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

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

(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


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!


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

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th May 20

Female condom  

Used it once - it came off inside me within 5 minutes and I didn't realise so ended up having completely unprotected sex and having to get a STI test.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Implant with other contraceptives

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