Withdrawal or pull out method vs Combined pill

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Withdrawal or pull out method

Want to switch contraception?

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 3.6

14 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

80% - 96%

Effectiveness

None

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

Withdrawal or pull out method ingredients

The withdrawal method (also known as the pull out method) relies on the penis being all the way out of the vagina before ejaculation and ejaculation occurring away from the vagina or vulva.

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

57% no impact on mood

71% no change

86% no impact

93% no impact

86% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% 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

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

Withdrawal or pull out method reviews

14 reviews

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I came off the combined pill around 4 years ago after trying many different pills and never quite feeling myself/having terrible clots in my periods on breaks. I'd been told by drs it was the only way to have safe sex from pregnancy and felt i had no choice. The good old fashioned pull out method has been my best friend ever since! Once i spoke to a very wise nurse who told me that i could try the natural cycle way or rely on pull out cleverly. Now i want to say that this isn't for everyone. I have been in a healthy long term relationship with someone i trust and with whom we communicate during all aspects of sex. Because of this we have been able to have all kinds of sex (including penetrative) without any pregnancy scares. My partner is a cis man and i a cis women, and the secret is FULL COMMUNICATION. If he is close to cuming he stops (NEVER ACTUALLY RELY ON PULLING OUT AS YOU CUM NO NO). It's about calming things down on his end when he thinks he'll climax. that means pulling out and moving to oral etc for a while before going again. Normlly this means i get a whole lotta love while he calms down so BONUS!! POSITIVES - I often cum first as it means i always get to cum as he can keep going and we are not relying on one way to have sex. I feel myself! We are more experimental and go on for longer. Its about trust so things feel more intimate, it has led to better communication and much better forplay. This means i cum more often. Knowing my own cycle and getting to know how my body and hormones work. Having sex slowly and sensually, with my pleasure and his both being taken into account due to the fact you can't just have full penetrative sex without thinking. NEGATIVES- he obvs can't cum in me. he doesnt personally feel sad about that. When finally he can't be in me anymore he has to cum using other ways to finish. It means it can be a bit stop and start (personally i think this is fun). You do have to be more careful. THIS IS DEFINITELY FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR SEXUAL PARTNER WELL. ITS ABOUT TRUST. You can't just bang it out like in the movies haha! I do pregnancy tetss every 3 months just in case pre cum has snuck in (it's very unlikely this gets you pregnant especially if your partner is aware of this. but worth thinking about) Overall, Chefs Kiss - but i do sometimes miss he cumming inside me ! BUT WON'T GO BACK

Read more

Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Only used it on occasion and normally alongside another form of contraception. I don't really recommend it as it feel risky


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

The withdrawal method is really not for everyone. But me and my partner prefer to not use male condoms and I use my Flo app to track my ovulation and period which helps me gauge when is the best time to use this method. As I’m not trying to fall pregnant again right now, and I don’t really want to use any hormonal contraceptives, this method has definitely worked for me but can only work if your willing to take control with family planning.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Mar 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

I came off the combined pill around 4 years ago after trying many different pills and never quite feeling myself/having terrible clots in my periods on breaks. I'd been told by drs it was the only way to have safe sex from pregnancy and felt i had no choice. The good old fashioned pull out method has been my best friend ever since! Once i spoke to a very wise nurse who told me that i could try the natural cycle way or rely on pull out cleverly. Now i want to say that this isn't for everyone. I have been in a healthy long term relationship with someone i trust and with whom we communicate during all aspects of sex. Because of this we have been able to have all kinds of sex (including penetrative) without any pregnancy scares. My partner is a cis man and i a cis women, and the secret is FULL COMMUNICATION. If he is close to cuming he stops (NEVER ACTUALLY RELY ON PULLING OUT AS YOU CUM NO NO). It's about calming things down on his end when he thinks he'll climax. that means pulling out and moving to oral etc for a while before going again. Normlly this means i get a whole lotta love while he calms down so BONUS!! POSITIVES - I often cum first as it means i always get to cum as he can keep going and we are not relying on one way to have sex. I feel myself! We are more experimental and go on for longer. Its about trust so things feel more intimate, it has led to better communication and much better forplay. This means i cum more often. Knowing my own cycle and getting to know how my body and hormones work. Having sex slowly and sensually, with my pleasure and his both being taken into account due to the fact you can't just have full penetrative sex without thinking. NEGATIVES- he obvs can't cum in me. he doesnt personally feel sad about that. When finally he can't be in me anymore he has to cum using other ways to finish. It means it can be a bit stop and start (personally i think this is fun). You do have to be more careful. THIS IS DEFINITELY FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR SEXUAL PARTNER WELL. ITS ABOUT TRUST. You can't just bang it out like in the movies haha! I do pregnancy tetss every 3 months just in case pre cum has snuck in (it's very unlikely this gets you pregnant especially if your partner is aware of this. but worth thinking about) Overall, Chefs Kiss - but i do sometimes miss he cumming inside me ! BUT WON'T GO BACK


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

Only used it on occasion and normally alongside another form of contraception. I don't really recommend it as it feel risky


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Withdrawal or pull out method  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Feb 24

Withdrawal or pull out method  

The withdrawal method is really not for everyone. But me and my partner prefer to not use male condoms and I use my Flo app to track my ovulation and period which helps me gauge when is the best time to use this method. As I’m not trying to fall pregnant again right now, and I don’t really want to use any hormonal contraceptives, this method has definitely worked for me but can only work if your willing to take control with family planning.


Top side effects not reported

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

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