Male condom vs Implant
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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
617 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Male condom ingredients
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Protects against STIs
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
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
Implant reviews
617 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Sep 25
I really didn’t like this. I felt I was always bleeding and the first 3 months are brutal emotionally.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Aug 25
To me, the implant feels like a very fair tradeoff, where inconsistent spotting and occasional sore boobs is a price I am willing to pay to ensure I have the best protection from pregnancy. That is why I have rated it 5 stars, despite mild side effects. I have had the implant for six months now, and I can honestly say that it has been immense. My copper IUD gave me heavy periods and back pain which would ruin my day, and caused me lots of stress when it randomly decided to dislodge itself after 3 months. The implant cannot dislodge, so this was a welcome improvement. My partner and I used condoms but were worried about the risk of "human error". I was hesitant to start hormonal birth control because I heard stories about people losing their libido or experiencing emotional/personality changes, but these changes have thankfully not occured for me! I may cry slightly more (at films and such) since getting the implant, but I don't actually feel any sadder if that makes sense. Prior to contraception I always had easy, regular periods. Since getting the implant, I have only experienced two physical side effects. One of these is irregular spotting for ~7 days at a time, once or twice a month. This spotting sometimes becomes period-like in terms of the bleeding, and occasionally comes with period-like cramps. I have found this to be easily manageable, but some people find it very frustrating and everyone will have a different experience. It's up to you which side effects you are and aren't willing to put up with. The second side effect for me is sore boobs, although I haven't experienced this for a while. I am hoping that this side effect has run its course now that I have had the implant for 6 months. In terms of the insertion process, it was a ridiculously easy procedure (although I only have an IUD insertion to compare it to). If you're scared of needles I would recommend taking a friend with you because they inject your arm to numb it (mild pain for under 10 seconds, then it's numb). As someone who isn't bothered by needles and had such a friendly doctor, getting the implant was nothing more than an excuse to be taken out for a celebratory dinner. Please don't let the insertion process put you off! Whilst the insertion may sound more inconvenient than picking up a box of condoms or a prescription, it is very straightforward and will only require a 10-minute doctors oppointment every 3 years. I had the implant in my dominant arm and I was able to do normal everyday things, although I had to be cautious about lifting things or raising my arm for the first few days. The bruise took about a month to fully fade, but the mild-moderate aching was gone within a week and a half. In summary, it is so easy to read these reviews and make asssumptions about the implant based on peoples stories of irregular bleeding, painful insertions and hormonal side effects. BUT it is not a negative experience for everyone, and I am so glad to have the implant!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Aug 25
All the great wetness I was feeling down there is all gone. I have painful sexual intercourse and I'm sad.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Aug 25
Poor experience. Great at preventing pregnancy however side effects on mental and physical health were not worth it. I chose to prioritise my health and swap to condoms.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Jul 25
Bled constantly for months, then no period for ages, then bleeding again for weeks on end. Really heavy which is abnormal for me. No sex drive, I was really depressed for the nearly 3 years I was on this and I thought that was just me, funnily enough when i came off it I felt so much better and couldn’t believe most my problems were probably being caused by this implant
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Jul 25
Extreme weight gain, despite always being a consistent weight and no changes in lifestyle/eating habits. Also I have become increasingly more self conscious and body conscious, so an affect on mental health
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Jul 25
Great if you want to have sex and not worry about pregnancy’s however the change in my physical appearance and mood swings have been crazy and I will be getting it removed asap as I can’t go on like this
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments

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