Implant vs Male condom

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Implant

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Male condom

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Overview

Rated 2.8

632 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.1

67 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

82% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

Male condom ingredients

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis during sexual intercourse.

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

72% no impact on mood

87% no change

76% no impact

97% no impact

85% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

Protects against STIs

Try it now

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Try it now

Add your male 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


Male condom reviews

67 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 25

Hanx condom  

this is a test


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend


Very positive mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th May 25

Hanx condom  

this is a test


Somewhat positive mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Nov 24

Skyn condom  

me and my partner have always had problems with using condoms from durex, but now trying skyns condoms, i will never go back. They don’t have that weird smell and me nor my partner could even feel as if it was there! 100% recommend


Very positive mood

2 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 24

Skyn condom  

I was recommended dretine and I've not looked back.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Mar 24

Pasante condom  

You would need a lot of lube as it is not naturally liberated.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Feb 24

Pasante condom  

I have no problem apart from feeling friction more quicker then using without a condom.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Feb 24

Mates condom  

I am happy using the male condom as it does not effect my hormones nor cause massive physical issues.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Feb 24

Durex condom  

I like to use them because they don’t affect you / if you have had bad experiences with hormonal birth control in the past


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 24

Durex condom  

My partner uses a male condom which comes with no symptoms as it is not harmonal. However, I struggle with intense ovulation symptoms that ranges from lower abdominal cramps to spotting in mucus. This started 3 years ago (age 25) and first occurred periodically but for the past year it has been almost every month. The mucosal spotting is not heavy and does not require pads. However, it use to last only 1-2 days but now it extends 3-4 days.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Durex condom  

For me using condoms worked great and I had virtually no complaints during the years I used them.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Implant with other contraceptives

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