Implant vs Male condom

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Implant

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Male condom

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Overview

Rated 2.8

586 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 4.1

65 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

38% somewhat negative

45% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

41% gained weight

59% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

74% no impact on mood

88% no change

79% no impact

99% no impact

92% 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

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Implant reviews

586 reviews

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve had multiple cycles in which I bled for around 3 week straight and multiple where I just missed my period altogether. I’ve gained lots of weight and have gone up 3 cup sizes since having it. I’ve also developed severe acne problems since having it, similar to the issues I had with the Desogestrel pill. It’s honestly been much worse than I expected.

Read more

Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Nexplanon implant  

I enjoyed the convenience of this birth control but the side effects are not worth it. My mood has been like a roller coaster every day and I have had debilitating anxiety after being on this contraception for nearly 2 years. The constant spotting and light cramps are awful and the cystic acne and constant breast pain are too. It is very effective at preventing pregnancy though.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

I've had nexplanon for nearly 3 years and I will most likely get it again and recommend it to others. Whilst everyone's body is different, my body hasn't had an awful reaction with the implant. When I had it inserted I had two extremely light periods in the beginning and since then I have had no periods. I would say the only thing I have struggled with personally is the weight gain, however I have a bad relationship with food and my body so take it with a grain of salt! When I had it inserted I was underweight and in the nearly 3 years I've had it, I have gained enough to be classed on the "higher end of a normal BMI" (whatever that really means because the BMI is a load of BS). My boobs have grown- probably because of the weight gain, and I do get occasional mild cramping. Whilst this is the negative side not my experience, it has also been nice to not worry about pregnancy after having sex and it has made things A LOT easier. Overall 9/10. Please remember everyone's experiences are different. My experience might be the complete opposite of someone else's. If you feel like a form of contraception isn't working or is making your life horrible because of the side effects, please try something else. It's trial and error!


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve had multiple cycles in which I bled for around 3 week straight and multiple where I just missed my period altogether. I’ve gained lots of weight and have gone up 3 cup sizes since having it. I’ve also developed severe acne problems since having it, similar to the issues I had with the Desogestrel pill. It’s honestly been much worse than I expected.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Nexplanon implant  

I enjoyed the convenience of this birth control but the side effects are not worth it. My mood has been like a roller coaster every day and I have had debilitating anxiety after being on this contraception for nearly 2 years. The constant spotting and light cramps are awful and the cystic acne and constant breast pain are too. It is very effective at preventing pregnancy though.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

I've had nexplanon for nearly 3 years and I will most likely get it again and recommend it to others. Whilst everyone's body is different, my body hasn't had an awful reaction with the implant. When I had it inserted I had two extremely light periods in the beginning and since then I have had no periods. I would say the only thing I have struggled with personally is the weight gain, however I have a bad relationship with food and my body so take it with a grain of salt! When I had it inserted I was underweight and in the nearly 3 years I've had it, I have gained enough to be classed on the "higher end of a normal BMI" (whatever that really means because the BMI is a load of BS). My boobs have grown- probably because of the weight gain, and I do get occasional mild cramping. Whilst this is the negative side not my experience, it has also been nice to not worry about pregnancy after having sex and it has made things A LOT easier. Overall 9/10. Please remember everyone's experiences are different. My experience might be the complete opposite of someone else's. If you feel like a form of contraception isn't working or is making your life horrible because of the side effects, please try something else. It's trial and error!


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments


Male condom reviews

65 reviews

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 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
56 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 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 8+ yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 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
56 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 24

Durex condom  

Potentially safe


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 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
45 years old
🇬🇧 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
24 years old
🇬🇧 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
22 years old
🇬🇧 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
28 years old
🇬🇧 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
26 years old
🇬🇧 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

Male condom  
Used for 8+ yr
58 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Durex condom  

Simple but effective. It was the main form of contraception we learnt about at school and the one that was easily available, I switched between this and the coil until I had my babies. Some men may not want to wear one but then they are not people you should be sleeping with!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Male condom  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Pasante condom  

For me nothing compares. No side effects and it is the only form of protection that prevents pregnancy and STI's 10/10 recommended.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Implant with other contraceptives

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