IUB Ballerine

Cap or diaphragm

Combined pill

Expert advice about your contraception 

Our doctors are here to help

Copper coil (IUD)

Female condom

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)

Gynefix

Expert advice about your contraception

Hormonal coil (IUS)

Implant

Injection

Male condom

Vasectomy

Morning after pill

Patch

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)

Vaginal ring

Withdrawal or pull out method

Hormone free, so your cycle isn't affected at all and they also protect against STIs.  What's not to like? Guaranteed they can be uncomfortable but it takes a bit of trial and error with various brands and sizes as well as applying some water-based lubricant.  I recommend the Glyde brand.  

Male condom-review-id-dfcf53c0-b0dc-458d-90d6-a3c1b7b3de21

Best condoms on the market. Highly recommend :)

Hanx condom-review-id-524167fe-56d2-4d90-ae50-5f76bc11ff19

Moved away from the pill and onto condoms. Tried HANX as I'd only used mainstream brands historically, and found it much better. Their sizing is better, and it feels a lot more natural - I used to get way more irritation after sex with other brands, whereas now it feels like we're not using anything which is great. Happy to have moved away from hormonal contraceptives and won't go back.

Hanx condom-review-id-37715910-eebc-4423-833b-ed22c2978d43

Durex condom-review-id-68a16ab4-5ced-4ac9-97ba-e59b868ce80f

Other condoms can give my thrush or cystitis so I assume I must have a mild latex allergy. These condoms are amazing they fit great and they feel like nothing, I hardly notice them at all. And 0 side effects! Just have to drain the purse a little bit instead

Skyn condom-review-id-e2d51d49-a630-4264-93e1-ac847a1f5dec

Very  positive. Condoms allow for me to not need hormonal contraception and keep in touch with my cycle.

Durex condom-review-id-58e21f58-486f-4f34-9573-9fe4e0a37a4e

Condoms are great! Three types of hormonal contraception have all been disastrous. As long as you put it on right (one accident in 25 years), condoms are the business. No loss of sensation. No mess to clear up. No pregnancy. (Not to mention much reduced risk of STIs if not in a monogamous relationship.)

Durex condom-review-id-692d38e0-1019-4d41-9d7e-737f85592897

A very reliable method of contraception as long as you know how to put it on properly! 
There is also a 30 minute limit on how long you should use one to make sure it's stays effective and prevent breaking/slipping.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/condom-tips/

Trying different brands and types until you find one you both like is key to satisfaction with using them. Also lube really helps. 

Currently using during the fertile window of my cycle, determined by the fertility awareness method I use (symptothermal method).

Male condom-review-id-3b0801bf-38d4-4ec9-b08b-94e6fab5d2de

Completely hormone free, used when needed, no side effects although a slight pain to have to put it on and then ensure it hasn't broken.

Male condom-review-id-63304ac7-2433-45f5-b6f5-66010d15ce7b

Good old fashioned Condom doing it’s job. No issues at all and when you find the right type/brand for you it’s great.

Male condom-review-id-6cc14cdf-404e-4853-b292-988cc79c4825

Started the mini pill after I finished antibiotics for having pelvic inflammatory disease. Prior to being on the pill I already had irregular, long, heavy, and painful periods. Now I have a lot less bleeding but I have more irregular bleeding still have the pain and seem to spot all the time. I also bleed for the first 3 months of taking it but it wasn’t light spotting like the doctor said it was proper blood. I’ve also gained weight and have noticed me anxiety is much worse than it ever has been. 

Desogestrel pill-review-id-377ebd97-4ba2-4de5-965b-47f036bda030

My sex Drive definitely increased and I felt it was easier to lose weight. More importantly my vaginismus disappeared! 

Whilst on this pill I developed vaginismus. I had seeked medical advice for years about the vaginismus and was dismissed, and then referred to a sexual health therapist. I ended up reading a blog by someone who said when they came off their pill the vaginismus disappeared. As a last resort, after 10 years I came off it. As soon as my 1period started, the vaginismus completely disappeared. After years of excruciating pain and not being able to have sex, it was solved. I have since come across other people with vaginismus from this pill. I am now scared to go on any hormonal contraception 

Cerelle pill-review-id-c93c4b2e-87cc-4ba2-a6a6-16ac880dd6fa

Having no periods and no mood swings is an absolute dream. I have very severe PMS and it completely cleared away my mood swings, which used to last for two weeks every cycle and were quite debilitating. I also had pretty heavy periods but I’ve now not had a period in about a decade. Whoop! 

I do have low libido on the POP but that may also be perimenopause rather than the pill, as I’m 46 and have been having night sweats on and off for three years too. 

Cerazette pill-review-id-cdecc32d-0a98-4fda-82c7-c3dfe63ab041

I went straight to the mirena coil and stopped Cervasette. I only noticed a higher sex drive and better sleep.

Cervazette was prescribed due to heavy periods. It worked! I had no more heavy periods which really made me house bound and my live miserable.
It worked for a few month but then instead of heavy periods I had mild but very long ones. Some month even 25 days with the next period starting 5 days later. 
I was hoping the periods would stop altogether.

Cerazette pill-review-id-7b497efd-cbff-4a1b-8e72-697529e67b35

Started the mini-pill after the combined pill worsened my migraines, caused low mood and weight gain. I am on Desogestrel and I have found it a million times better! The only side effect I have experienced so far is slightly more painful cramps during my period (I still experience a regular period), however they used to be quite painful anyway so this may be unrelated. I have personally experienced no low mood, and feel much more 'level' in comparison to the combined pill. The only thing to note is that it is important not to miss a pill, and take it at the same time each day- I am on the 12 hour window brand though some must be taken within the same 3 hour window each day, to ensure they remain effective. 

Desogestrel pill-review-id-4cb20cf5-5506-49fb-ae60-e7a308814876

I stopped taking the mini pill in June 2022. I weighed 17 and a half stone. In 6 months I managed to successfully diet and lose almost 6 stone with virtually no effort. I had more energy, I didn’t crave junk food, I felt more positive. I started tracking my cycle using an app on my phone and then in February, I met someone and started to worry about cycle tracking as a form of contraception. In April I started the mini pill again. Almost immediately, I lost my sex drive again, started to really struggle with my diet and lost all my energy. I’ve stopped taking it again and can already feel the difference. Whilst the mini pill protected me from unwanted pregnancy, the side effects for me are not worth it. It’s very clear that synthetic contraception is not good for me and would suggest taking it is considered very carefully.

I have been on the pill since I was 14 (now 35), i didn’t suffer from problematic periods, I wanted it for contraception only. I got put on the mini pill from combined three years ago (roughly). I didn’t want to go on the mini pill but was given no other options, I was told it was this or nothing.

Desogestrel pill-review-id-e90ee7ec-83b6-4369-97cd-aacf284225a2

I have been on Cerezette since 17, Its been perfect for me, no periods or pain. Only symptom really is tender breasts sometimes, but that’s bearable. I came off the pill at 25 for a break. It was then when my periods came back I was diagnosed with pre menstrual dysphoric disorder. The first port of call was to put me back on my pill to stop my periods and it worked - my mental health was back on track and I could enjoy my life again. Worth trying if you’re going through a similar situation. 

Cerazette pill-review-id-5de1f403-5af4-42e0-93fc-39721da63f86

Was recommended this form of contraception by GP and started it on 1st day of period and bled for 18 days but have not had anything since but only been on it for 2 months. Skin feels drier but that could be age, but worth mentioning just in case. 

Lovima pill-review-id-04c6c524-3193-4227-aaae-2184aa2b54ee

I very briefly stopped before getting the Nexplanon implant. So not a lot of time to observe any changes. Period came back very quickly but I was really regular before starting the pill.

Overall using Cerelle I had very very few side effects. I was also grateful for the slight window for taking it (a few hours) so less panic. It did totally stop my periods, and the majority of my period symptoms (previously really sore back and nausea). Would definitely recommend.

Cerelle pill-review-id-7973077e-1e74-425f-8adc-8f66a2ff4ab9

After being off this pill for 6 months I have seen an enormous improvement in my mood, weight and overall well-being. I gained 9kg on this pill! I’ve been the same weight for a very long time, so to gain 9kg in a few months seemed odd but it was shrugged off as an ‘age thing’ as I’m approaching 30. Yet as soon as I came off this pill I lost the weight. I in part put this down to the extreme bloating I experienced on this pill. Insane levels of water retention stopped me from being able to wear any of my clothes. Not to mention the constipation! This had a serious impact on my well-being, self image and consequently my sex drive. Retrospect is a wonderful thing. Just wish I’d tried coming off it sooner! 

Male condom vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor

Overview

Male condom ingredients

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Checkout our latest reviews

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Order online now

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor