Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Female condom

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Female condom

Add your Female condom review

Overview

Rated 2.7

1397 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.5

4 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

79% - 95%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

Female condom ingredients

Female condoms (sometimes referred to as a Femidom) are soft thin pouches that are made of a thin
strong plastic called polyurethane
a substance called nitrile
or latex.

What Lowdown reviewers say

31% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

100% no impact on mood

100% no change

100% no impact

100% no impact

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Protects against STIs

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Try it now

Add your Female condom review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1397 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

After coming off a combined pill (Yasmin) that I was on for 14 years - I am now on Desogestrel, within a week I suffered a mild acne rash/breakout on chin and neck but some gel from my GP quickly sorted that. I am now 2 days late to what would have been a bleed/period and my lower back and period cramps are quite severe and prolonged - my breasts are bigger and tender to touch - hoping these symptoms begin to decrease if I get my bleed or not! Saw GP today to discuss and they’re just general side effects whilst my hormones adjust (I’m told to allow >3 months to review) - general mood has decreased a bit and I feel a bit numb emotionally but started feeling better today so fingers crossed I’m on the up!

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Switched eventually to an implant because of having to remember to bring them everywhere each day. Overall a positive experience though - a reduction in headaches, and usually say it 'flattened' my mood. Whereas before there would be some very low mood points in my cycle, this greatly reduced those. Sometimes it felt a little dull as it seemed to also reduce some of the good spikes, but this was worth it to me to not have to deal with such mood swings.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

After coming off a combined pill (Yasmin) that I was on for 14 years - I am now on Desogestrel, within a week I suffered a mild acne rash/breakout on chin and neck but some gel from my GP quickly sorted that. I am now 2 days late to what would have been a bleed/period and my lower back and period cramps are quite severe and prolonged - my breasts are bigger and tender to touch - hoping these symptoms begin to decrease if I get my bleed or not! Saw GP today to discuss and they’re just general side effects whilst my hormones adjust (I’m told to allow >3 months to review) - general mood has decreased a bit and I feel a bit numb emotionally but started feeling better today so fingers crossed I’m on the up!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Switched eventually to an implant because of having to remember to bring them everywhere each day. Overall a positive experience though - a reduction in headaches, and usually say it 'flattened' my mood. Whereas before there would be some very low mood points in my cycle, this greatly reduced those. Sometimes it felt a little dull as it seemed to also reduce some of the good spikes, but this was worth it to me to not have to deal with such mood swings.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Female condom reviews

4 reviews

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Female condom  

Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jan 22

Female condom  

These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 21

Female condom  

Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Feb 24

Female condom  

Same as the male condom, has no side effects and will protect from STIs and pregnancy! The only thing its a little fiddly to get on and if you don't react well to latex then not ideal!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jan 22

Female condom  

These condoms prevent me from getting UTIs, I can't have sex without them! I think it's because the part of the condom that sticks out covers my urethra and prevents bacteria from spreading. They're a little hard to use at first, and some brands are better than others, but I highly recommend them to everyone.


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 21

Female condom  

Tried it a couple times with different partners. Mixed reactions. I practiced inserting prior to anything, so it was easy, especially after a couple of tries. Sex felt no different for me and one of the partners. One didn't like the appearance and the other the feel. One thing I love is that it doesn't have that nasty latex smell! You can also use any lube. Overall, I think it is a great option for many people, but (like everything) you should try it a few times for yourself. Also great if you run into situations where the guy is resisting wearing a condom himself.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Female condom  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th May 20

Female condom  

Used it once - it came off inside me within 5 minutes and I didn't realise so ended up having completely unprotected sex and having to get a STI test.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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