Patch vs Combined pill

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Patch

£From £0.32/day

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 3.5

97 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2457 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Patch ingredients

Main hormones in Patch

progestogen

oestrogen


Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

36% no impact on mood

33% lighter periods

51% no impact

47% no impact

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

36% in 1 month

32% somewhat negative

46% 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

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.32/day

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Patch reviews

97 reviews

Patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jun 24

Evra patch  

This has been the best contraception I've ever used. I have had no side effects and would recommend this to anyone who struggles with the pill or with typically reacts poorly to oestrogen.

Read more

Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th May 24

Evra patch  

After years of fighting with GPs about my period concerns and being put on and off different contraceptions that my body reacted horribly to, I decided to go private and do my research into what could be a possible solution. The girls at The Lowdown have been so helpful throughout the year and a bit that i’ve been with them. The website is so easy and efficient in helping you choose what’s best for your body, and if you have any further questions the girls are quick to respond through emails and whatsapp. I decided a little over a year ago that I’d make the change to go on the Evra patch. After years of different pills not working with my body or making things worse, I was desperate for a solution that was easy but was still in my control (a non intrusive method). The patch has been a life saver and within 3/4 months my periods were at the same time every month, shorter, lighter and less painful. I’m sure it won’t work for everyone but it works great for me, and i’d much rather pay for the product and the service The Lowdown provides, than spend one more minute arguing with my GP.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd May 24

Evra patch  

I have noticed I am feeling a lot hotter than normal and my vigina has become dry. I was becoming worried


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jun 24

Evra patch  

This has been the best contraception I've ever used. I have had no side effects and would recommend this to anyone who struggles with the pill or with typically reacts poorly to oestrogen.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th May 24

Evra patch  

After years of fighting with GPs about my period concerns and being put on and off different contraceptions that my body reacted horribly to, I decided to go private and do my research into what could be a possible solution. The girls at The Lowdown have been so helpful throughout the year and a bit that i’ve been with them. The website is so easy and efficient in helping you choose what’s best for your body, and if you have any further questions the girls are quick to respond through emails and whatsapp. I decided a little over a year ago that I’d make the change to go on the Evra patch. After years of different pills not working with my body or making things worse, I was desperate for a solution that was easy but was still in my control (a non intrusive method). The patch has been a life saver and within 3/4 months my periods were at the same time every month, shorter, lighter and less painful. I’m sure it won’t work for everyone but it works great for me, and i’d much rather pay for the product and the service The Lowdown provides, than spend one more minute arguing with my GP.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd May 24

Evra patch  

I have noticed I am feeling a lot hotter than normal and my vigina has become dry. I was becoming worried


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Combined pill reviews

2457 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Drovelis pill  

Good


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Lizinna pill  

I moved on to this from Cilique due to a shortage. At first I didn't notice any side effects or difference from cilique, but as the months went on (started around 3 months onwards) I noticed that the pill seemed to trigger my cold sores every single month, at least 1 week prior to my period starting. I've never had them triggered by hormones before and this is a big reason for coming off this pill. Looking back I also can see my sex drive dramatically reduced, but this could be also due to the cold sores.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Microgynon 30 pill  

Originally went on the contraceptive pill to control and ease very painful and heavy periods, it helped and made my periods regular and easier to deal with. However, around 12 months in I began having regular migraines with aura which are dangerous when using this pill, it was an amazing pill other than that major side effect I had no emotional affect because of it.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Drovelis pill  

Good


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Lizinna pill  

I moved on to this from Cilique due to a shortage. At first I didn't notice any side effects or difference from cilique, but as the months went on (started around 3 months onwards) I noticed that the pill seemed to trigger my cold sores every single month, at least 1 week prior to my period starting. I've never had them triggered by hormones before and this is a big reason for coming off this pill. Looking back I also can see my sex drive dramatically reduced, but this could be also due to the cold sores.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Microgynon 30 pill  

Originally went on the contraceptive pill to control and ease very painful and heavy periods, it helped and made my periods regular and easier to deal with. However, around 12 months in I began having regular migraines with aura which are dangerous when using this pill, it was an amazing pill other than that major side effect I had no emotional affect because of it.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Lizinna pill  

Very few side effects other than a bit of breast tenderness and nausea in the first couple of months. Since then I've had much lighter periods and it helped with breakouts


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Rigevidon  

I used this pill continuously but my body rejected it. I had 2 breakthrough spotting bleeds every 6 months but after 1 and a ½ years I had a full blown period while on the pill. So I had to come off it. Had no issues on it other than that because I have endometriosis, the pain built up and during self pleasure I'd get debilitating cramps. This stopped after coming off the pill. However no one talks about how hard it is to come off the pill. Your hormones are bring shifted and changed and the emotional toll is so harsh. I've had the worst anxiety and paranoia and it's really hard.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Yacella pill  

Initially I thought that Yacella was suiting me, I had no noticeable side effects, I was able to take it straight away and not have any nausea etc. It was only after a year I noticed how much thinner my hair had become since taking this pill and also had affected my hair texture (I have naturally curly hair and on this pill it was getting straighter). I decided to come off Yacella and since my hair has started to return to its natural texture and thickness. Ironically I went on Yacella as it’s meant to prevent hair loss, even encourage hair growth!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Rigevidon  

I was weary to go on Rigevidon after switching from a mini pill which caused non stop bleeding and decreased sex drive however, I was positively surprised. For me I found the side effects minimal if not positive: clearer skin and slightly bigger boobs. I take it without a break which means I only bleed every few months and find it a convenient method of contraception.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Dretine pill  

Ive been given this pill as a substitute for yasmin from my pharmacy and the last few months ive suffered alot of hormonal issues. I only linked all my issues ater googling why I had spots in each ear that has never happened before. It said its due to hormonal problems and then I realised all my other problems such as mouth ulcers every week, migraine, increased acne on my face and spots in my ear are down to this pill. I never had any problems like this on other contraceptions so I wont be using this again.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

Have been using Gedarel for 2 weeks now, the initial side effects in week 1 were strong.I got dizzy, was nauseous and slightly depressed.By week 2 I didn't feel as bad, my boobs started to hurt and I got light cramping, my moods are still up and down but not as severely.Overall ive had mild symptoms.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Rigevidon  

I was put on Rigevidon to help my pms and OCD symptoms which worsened the week before and during my period. I was on this pill for a month only and had to stop because of the side effects; the first day I took it i vomited in the middle of the night and every time I took this pill i would feel some sort of nausea. It made my mood much worse, I was uncontrollably sobbing almost every day and would frequently get very annoyed and shout at my family. It also worsened my OCD a lot which was triggered by my mood. I felt a lot better coming off of it.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Patch with other contraceptives

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