Starflower Oil vs Combined pill
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Starflower Oil ingredients
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
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Real life reviews from people like you
Combined pill reviews
2593 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I stopped taking the pill 2 years ago to see if my libido would improve. Ultimately, though my libido was better off the pill, it has not been worth the horrendous PMDD symptoms that accompany my period. I was experiencing heightened severe depression, anger, sadness, and brain fog in the 2 weeks before my period; I'd also been dealing with nasty cystic acne on my chin and cheeks that was so deep under my skin, that even when my period was over, my face would be blotched and swollen with scabs or scars. Not cool when you're about to turn 30! Having this incessant acne made me even more depressed and at times, antisocial. All I could do was doom spiral. I recently moved to the UK and decided to see a doctor about my PMDD again as healthcare is accessible (as it should be!), and she suggested Eloine for acne and mood fluctuations. I'm happy to report that 5 weeks in, my acne is subsiding and I'm less up and down / quick to overreact mood-wise. My breasts have gotten a bit larger and although I also have a bit of bloating in my stomach, I'll happily take bigger boobs. In the past month, I have gotten some pretty bad, throbbing headaches, but those have started to become less frequent. I have also felt strong nausea in the afternoons, not always but frequently. This is still occurring in my fifth week. I do think my libido is down... but frankly, my husband was more tortured by my monstrous moods and deep self-loathing, and we've committed to working through it and being patient. So far, I recommend this for any menstruating person that deals with cystic hormonal acne and depression. It's been a relief for me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Used Rigevidon for 6 months, had to stop due to mood. It didn't make me depressed or anxious just a lot more sensitive, took my quite a while (another 6 months) for my hormones to finally balance out again. My weight didn't change a massive deal, I gained a little bit, probably more due to me being more upset than usual. Stopped period pain and made periods a lot lighter and easier and grew my boobs a bit. Also very clear skin which is a bonus. Overall okay pill I just didn't like the mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I stopped taking the pill 2 years ago to see if my libido would improve. Ultimately, though my libido was better off the pill, it has not been worth the horrendous PMDD symptoms that accompany my period. I was experiencing heightened severe depression, anger, sadness, and brain fog in the 2 weeks before my period; I'd also been dealing with nasty cystic acne on my chin and cheeks that was so deep under my skin, that even when my period was over, my face would be blotched and swollen with scabs or scars. Not cool when you're about to turn 30! Having this incessant acne made me even more depressed and at times, antisocial. All I could do was doom spiral. I recently moved to the UK and decided to see a doctor about my PMDD again as healthcare is accessible (as it should be!), and she suggested Eloine for acne and mood fluctuations. I'm happy to report that 5 weeks in, my acne is subsiding and I'm less up and down / quick to overreact mood-wise. My breasts have gotten a bit larger and although I also have a bit of bloating in my stomach, I'll happily take bigger boobs. In the past month, I have gotten some pretty bad, throbbing headaches, but those have started to become less frequent. I have also felt strong nausea in the afternoons, not always but frequently. This is still occurring in my fifth week. I do think my libido is down... but frankly, my husband was more tortured by my monstrous moods and deep self-loathing, and we've committed to working through it and being patient. So far, I recommend this for any menstruating person that deals with cystic hormonal acne and depression. It's been a relief for me.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Used Rigevidon for 6 months, had to stop due to mood. It didn't make me depressed or anxious just a lot more sensitive, took my quite a while (another 6 months) for my hormones to finally balance out again. My weight didn't change a massive deal, I gained a little bit, probably more due to me being more upset than usual. Stopped period pain and made periods a lot lighter and easier and grew my boobs a bit. Also very clear skin which is a bonus. Overall okay pill I just didn't like the mood swings.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
sadly got swapped as my pharmacy isn’t stocking it anymore. it served me well for 5 years. can’t really complain
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve managed 10 days on this pill - but have stopped for my mental health. Never have I suffered with anxiety like I have on this pill. It has been horrendous. My mood is so low and I’ve not been able to function normally for days. I’ve not eaten or drank normally. The headaches and nausea are constant.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I used this pill a few years ago during a difficult period and wondered then if it impacted my mood, but it was a difficult time so it was hard to gauge. Tried again this time around and sadly no the pill was definitely a contributing factor. My pill free week I had a constant feeling of anxiety, which then followed into my next round. Im not really an anxious person but by week 4 on this I felt constantly on edge. Im a light sleeper anyway so I didn't make the connection last time between insomnia symptoms and night sweats but I think this contributed. I wonder if its linked to the heightened anxiety. A shame because otherwise no impact on skin, weight or periods sadly it just does not work with my mental health. I recently switched to Yasmin and it was like a light came on almost to the day I switched. I'd avoided it because of some negative stories id heard but for me its been much better so far. Sadly its a bit of trial and error to find the right one for you.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Vagina is very dry and sex has become a chore as I also have a low sex drive now
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
This combined pill has been the best one for me that I have tried so far. It hasn’t impacted my mood (as far as I can tell) and I haven’t experienced many negative side effects.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Overall, Haven’t noticed any changes to mood, it’s definitely made me gain a little bit of weight. However, My period i had when coming off the pill was in one word…. Excruciating. I’ve never had bad period cramps but with this pill my period came out in massive blood clots and it was very very painful.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Gave me cystitis all the time and even after coming off I keep getting it after seeing a specialist they told me it’s due to the The pill, lowering my oestrogen
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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