Male condom vs Combined pill
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Overview
Rated 4.1
67 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
82% - 98%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2718 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Male condom ingredients
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Protects against STIs
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Male condom reviews
67 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th May 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Nov 24
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th May 25
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Nov 24
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
Combined pill reviews
2718 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I was very depressed on Yaz Pill, crying every morning and some days didn't want to get out of bed, I gained water weight for the first 6 - 8 months. I did have an increased sex drive on Yaz compared to my current pill.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I switched from Yaz Plus to Femodene to help regulate my moods as I was quite depressed on Yaz plus. Femodene helped control my depression a bit but I had mood swings more often. I never really gained any weight or water weight on femodene.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I was very depressed on Yaz Pill, crying every morning and some days didn't want to get out of bed, I gained water weight for the first 6 - 8 months. I did have an increased sex drive on Yaz compared to my current pill.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I switched from Yaz Plus to Femodene to help regulate my moods as I was quite depressed on Yaz plus. Femodene helped control my depression a bit but I had mood swings more often. I never really gained any weight or water weight on femodene.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
switched from a minipill to a combined pill loved it as my periods stopped and i didnt gain any weight although i was taken off of it as i experiance migranes and wasn't supposed to be perscribed it i did notice i was more sensitive and emotional whilst on it
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Experienced breast tenderness and growth. Reduced cramping. Reduced sided effects compared to alternative oral contraceptives
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
During my first month I’ve had severe breakthrough bleeding that was heavy and lasted for 3 weeks, during the 3 weeks I was very emotional and paranoid. After the breakthrough bleed I developed two large spots on my lip and cheek (I never had this issue nor acne). Over all the pill hasn’t done much for me so far other than making me very paranoid about the side effects.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I actually find this to be pretty good, very few side effects, but the increased blood clot risk does concern me.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Started off well on this pill, good for PMS management. Had bleeding for weeks and breasts got bigger and were painful. Some of these effects subsided after a few weeks. On my 3rd pack i noticed i wasnt full after meals and was constantly feeling hungry and thinking about food. This continued through the fourth month. I have definitely gained weight and clothes not fitting properly, which is an unacceptable side effect for me personally.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
It is a balancing act, but, overall, I am happy with the results. I take the pill back to back as my cramps were so bad that they were effecting my personal and work life terribly and I could no longer stand the pain. Unlike other pills I have tried before, this stops my periods. After 3 or 4 months I get heavy spotting and take a break for 7 days which sorts it out - the breaks are fine with only mild cramping and nothing like my periods before. It has saved my ability to work. I have had negative side effects - weight gain and mood. I have no history of depression, anxiety or struggling to process things until I started taking this pill but I now struggle with these things most days. Compared to the pain, for me, the impact on my mental health is a trade off I've accepted.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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