Vasectomy vs Combined pill

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Vasectomy

Add your vasectomy review

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 3.8

8 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2623 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Vasectomy ingredients

A vasectomy (male sterilisation) is a permanent surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry a man’s sperm. It prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm getting into a man’s semen which is then ejaculated during sexual intercourse.

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

38% somewhat negative

75% no change

50% lost sex drive

88% no impact

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

31% somewhat negative

47% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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£From £0.16/day

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Real life reviews from people like you

Vasectomy reviews

8 reviews

Vasectomy  
Used for 8+ yr
58 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jun 25

Vasectomy  

vasectomy is a good form of contraception. There is a lot of good information here: https://vasectomy.co.uk/vasectomy

Read more

Very positive mood

0 helpful

1 comments

Vasectomy  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jul 24

Vasectomy  

As a woman the vasectomy is the best contraception I feel we have ever had. I have no pain, weight gain, mood swings, plastic packaging or costs. I highly recommend.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Vasectomy  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Sep 20

Vasectomy  

Sept 1998. Had a vasectomy. Easy and quick. Done in the hospital operating room on a Friday morning. Went home And took it easy. Took it easy at work Monday no problems. By Wednesday started feeling pain in testicles. Called doctors office. Doctors gone on holiday. Anyway from this point the pain only gets worse and all the doctors have to say is that they have never seen anyone in such pain. Within the first six months I had met with a variety of doctors and tried a wide variety of drugs, therapies and nerve blocks. Nothing worked for more than a few hours (nerve blocks did!). I had the vasectomy reversed June 1999 at my own cost of $2000. It was about three months before i felt better from that. Sadly only my left testicle had resolved. The right side still had the same pain. I had a semen test done. First ever in my life. I had sperm count of 125 million / ml. Surgeon thought that was great but still pain persisted in my right testicle. Followup turned into another vas reversal but just for the right side. This one I didn’t have to pay for because it was for chronic pain. Sadly it didn’t help. Now it’s 2020! I have endured this for 22 years. I wish I had never done it. That’s my absolute last word.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Vasectomy  
Used for 8+ yr
58 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jun 25

Vasectomy  

vasectomy is a good form of contraception. There is a lot of good information here: https://vasectomy.co.uk/vasectomy


Very positive mood

0 helpful

1 comments

Vasectomy  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jul 24

Vasectomy  

As a woman the vasectomy is the best contraception I feel we have ever had. I have no pain, weight gain, mood swings, plastic packaging or costs. I highly recommend.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Vasectomy  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Sep 20

Vasectomy  

Sept 1998. Had a vasectomy. Easy and quick. Done in the hospital operating room on a Friday morning. Went home And took it easy. Took it easy at work Monday no problems. By Wednesday started feeling pain in testicles. Called doctors office. Doctors gone on holiday. Anyway from this point the pain only gets worse and all the doctors have to say is that they have never seen anyone in such pain. Within the first six months I had met with a variety of doctors and tried a wide variety of drugs, therapies and nerve blocks. Nothing worked for more than a few hours (nerve blocks did!). I had the vasectomy reversed June 1999 at my own cost of $2000. It was about three months before i felt better from that. Sadly only my left testicle had resolved. The right side still had the same pain. I had a semen test done. First ever in my life. I had sperm count of 125 million / ml. Surgeon thought that was great but still pain persisted in my right testicle. Followup turned into another vas reversal but just for the right side. This one I didn’t have to pay for because it was for chronic pain. Sadly it didn’t help. Now it’s 2020! I have endured this for 22 years. I wish I had never done it. That’s my absolute last word.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments


Combined pill reviews

2623 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Eloine pill  

I decided to try Eloine due to negative experiences with other combined pills and the low-dose appealed to me. Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. In the first month I felt fine but soon after I began experiencing cramps, headaches and significant mood swings. After 4 months, I was suffering from daily severe headaches and migraines with aura. These migraines were consistent, occurring at the same time each week and lasting nearly two hours (something I had never dealt with before). I often had to take afternoons off work and isolated myself in a dark, quiet room until my vision returned and the dizziness subsided. The only times these migraines didn’t occur was the week I had off for my period. I also started experiencing regular spotting. Alongside the physical symptoms, my mood deteriorated. I became easily irritable, leading to frequent arguments with my partner… something that was rare for us before. This change in my behavior left me feeling down and my anxiety gradually worsened. My sex drive plummeted and eventually vanished altogether. The only positives from this pill was my heavy periods and awful period pain decreased and I lost weight. After discussing my symptoms with a doctor, I was advised to stop taking Eloine immediately. Since stopping, my headaches and migraines have ceased (I haven't had a migraine since) and I began feeling like my old self again within 6 months. The impact of this pill extended beyond my health; it affected my relationship as well. This experience has left me wary of contraceptive pills, making me hesitant to try another option.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Marvelon pill  

I have tried about 4 different types of birth control. This one is the only one that has not made be spot for months at a time. This is the first time in my life I have a normal 5-7 day period once a month. My cystic acne has also improved a lot. My boobs did get bigger and it’s more difficult to maintain my weight but with more effort the weight gain is only minimal. Cramps were only bad the first couple months starting it. I also get a headache the entire time I am on my 7 days off the pill. I also get depressed close to my period. Overall the side effects are bad but better than any other I’ve tried and it actually regulates my cycle. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to get my tubes tied because I am over pumping my body with hormones


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Femodene ED pill  

Tricycled Femodene for about three years, cleared my skin up but mood swings were apparent. Started having an increased and unusual discharge (with no infection) GP advised to stop taking this pill and change contraception. Just a heads up in case this happens to anyone else as was a very alarming thing to go through with no advice!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Eloine pill  

I decided to try Eloine due to negative experiences with other combined pills and the low-dose appealed to me. Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. In the first month I felt fine but soon after I began experiencing cramps, headaches and significant mood swings. After 4 months, I was suffering from daily severe headaches and migraines with aura. These migraines were consistent, occurring at the same time each week and lasting nearly two hours (something I had never dealt with before). I often had to take afternoons off work and isolated myself in a dark, quiet room until my vision returned and the dizziness subsided. The only times these migraines didn’t occur was the week I had off for my period. I also started experiencing regular spotting. Alongside the physical symptoms, my mood deteriorated. I became easily irritable, leading to frequent arguments with my partner… something that was rare for us before. This change in my behavior left me feeling down and my anxiety gradually worsened. My sex drive plummeted and eventually vanished altogether. The only positives from this pill was my heavy periods and awful period pain decreased and I lost weight. After discussing my symptoms with a doctor, I was advised to stop taking Eloine immediately. Since stopping, my headaches and migraines have ceased (I haven't had a migraine since) and I began feeling like my old self again within 6 months. The impact of this pill extended beyond my health; it affected my relationship as well. This experience has left me wary of contraceptive pills, making me hesitant to try another option.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Marvelon pill  

I have tried about 4 different types of birth control. This one is the only one that has not made be spot for months at a time. This is the first time in my life I have a normal 5-7 day period once a month. My cystic acne has also improved a lot. My boobs did get bigger and it’s more difficult to maintain my weight but with more effort the weight gain is only minimal. Cramps were only bad the first couple months starting it. I also get a headache the entire time I am on my 7 days off the pill. I also get depressed close to my period. Overall the side effects are bad but better than any other I’ve tried and it actually regulates my cycle. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to get my tubes tied because I am over pumping my body with hormones


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Femodene ED pill  

Tricycled Femodene for about three years, cleared my skin up but mood swings were apparent. Started having an increased and unusual discharge (with no infection) GP advised to stop taking this pill and change contraception. Just a heads up in case this happens to anyone else as was a very alarming thing to go through with no advice!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Zoely pill  

I’m pleased with the lack of periods on this pill (despite the 4 day sugar pill break), and therefore the monthly pain from endometriosis. However, I have gained quite a lot of weight and often feel bloated, so I’m considering changing meds.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

At first I spotted almost everyday but after 2 months the spotting stopped. I noticed that I started having mood swings, 😔. The most uncomfortable though is the breast enlargement. My breasts have grown bigger. They're mostly feeling tender and sore. It's uncomfortable. Other than that the pill didn't change my menstrual cycle.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Levest pill  

If you have androgenic hair loss this makes this worse. My GP put me on it to manage my periods when I had originally asked for HRT. The hair loss is severe and is seriously affecting my mental health


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Levest pill  

Since taking this pill it has regulated my period , I take it 21 days then have a 7 day break , i stop on a Saturday then I come on , on the Thursday and I finish on the Wednesday. It’s like that every month , but when I do stop taking them I get cramps and a bellyache and also runny stools , but soon as I start them again the pains subside and my stools become harder . I am finding a little more discharge than usual but I’ve heard that’s normal because of the hormonal changes . But overall I’d definitely recommend to anyone who fits the criteria 🙂


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Lucette pill  

Lucette has worked well for me for managing period cramps and acne. However since starting it I've had an increase in back pain, a flare up of eczema that I've never had before, and I can't have caffeine without having a bad reaction. My sex drive has also decreased a lot.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

This contraception changed my personality. It made me very angry, easily frustrated and issues that should be small seemed huge in my mind. Since changing contraception to the Yasmin pill, I honestly feel like a different person. I am quite upset that most of my twenties were spent in this state of constant anger. I thought it was just my personality but since changing pill I can now see that it was the contraception. I also got severe withdrawal headaches when I took the 7 day break.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

i have PCOS this pill was amazing for the first 3 1/2 years, it made me lose 10 pounds in two weeks from me changing nothing to my active levels and diet, my skin cleared up, i had lighter and regular periods, had a high sex drive until i started having very irregular periods in the last 6 months. including periods happening every other week and spotting between it even when taking it correctly so i decided to change contraception but this may be because of my PCOS


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Vasectomy with other contraceptives

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