Reviews

Combined pill reviews

2.8

2350 reviews

The combined pill is very common and the most frequently reviewed method at The Lowdown. It contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen, and can help with acne and heavy or painful periods.

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combined pill

Combined pill benefits

Some of the 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

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

oestrogen

progestogen

Combined pill alternatives

Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients


Combined pill FAQs

No FAQs at this moment

Reviews

2.8

2350 reviews

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Community reviews

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

  •  Stopped using

This was the first pill I've taken and was on it for about 5 months. When I first started it I had the worst breakthrough bleeding and cramps so bad I was bedbound but thought that may be my body just getting used to the hormones as I'd never been on the pill before. However, I breakthrough bled a 'period' every month for a couple weeks whilst not on my break. I had no weight gain or mood changes which was great. This really helped my acne!!! I've struggled with back acne for years and this has improved it drastically. However, I also developed pretty bad eczema all over my body a month into taking it which I haven't had since I was a toddler. I've been off it for a week and it has actually gone down so much.

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Used for 6 - 12 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

Used for 9 months and at the start I really liked it kept my periods regular but I did notice they became longer. They lasted around 8 days long and became more heavy. Went on this pill to help with the heaviness and the pain but it didn’t help either. In the last 3 months of taking it I began getting random sharp pains that weren’t like cramps they were right at the enterence of the vagina and they became more and more regular to the point it was multiple times a day.


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Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Within a week of taking cilique I became extremely bloated way more then normal, all of my jeans felt way tighter then usual and everyone knows their own body so when your body changes you can notice it easily. My appetite severely decreased and my boobs got tender and swollen it became uncomfortable. I normally take my pill at 4pm and when I was on my old pill if I took it a few hours later nothing would happen but I forgot and took it at 8pm and got breakthrough bleeding, even after taking my pill at 8pm and the next day on time I still had the bleeding. Also noticed I felt very faint around 6pm on the day I was late to taking it and also got cramps. I know this is a lot of information but it is really helpful to know the symptoms others get for a certain pill. I’ve decided to stop taking this as I really don’t like it and don’t recommend it but other reviews have said they suggest cilique so I’d say try it and see what works for you.


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Used for 8+ yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

I stuck with Brevinor for years as I found the side effects manageable until I started to have migraine with aura, then the doctor moved me to the mini pill. I was put on this form of combination pill to help with acne and it did improve my skin. My periods were light and mood changes were minimal. In the end, it was hard to source this pill as Pfizer turned their attention to the COVID-19 vaccinations, so stopped manufacturing this pill, which at the time, was a shame.


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Used for 3 - 5 yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

I was prescribed this due to PCOS and for the first few years it was great, helped to improve cramps and PCOS related pain. However I started to become very anxious, jealous and low in mood, I went to therapy for support but it didn’t help, went to the GP and they advised coming off the pill which I did however the next 6 months were awful… crippling anxiety, suicidal thoughts etc, GP advised going back on the pill to sort it out which seemed odd. Finally after 6 months I felt like a fog lifted, no anxiety etc and I’ve never had these problems since (it’s now been about 5/6 years).


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Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I started seeing a therapist because of how depressed this pill has made me. My doctor advised I continue to take it despite this. I am on my third month and it has only got worse! I have never been depressed in my life so it’s thrown my world upsidown. I previously had an IUD which I had in for around a year, I had continuously bleeding for that entire year hence why I made the switch. Fair to say I’ll be getting on this pill as soon as I can.


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Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

I don’t remember feeling any change except heavier flows and changed period date


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Used for 3 - 6 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Weirdly my worst side effects were during the week I went off this - dizziness, nausea, headaches. I was advised I could stay on it without a break, but after three months I had heavy breakthrough bleeding (not just spotting), so took a week off and felt dreadful. While on the pill I had more acne as well, which cleared up a bit during my week off. Needless to say this hasn’t been the right pill for me.


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Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

I was initially prescribed GEDAREL 30/150 to treat acne when I was 15. I have been diagnosed with clinical depression since age 14 which is managed with SSRIs. I can confidently say that GEDADAREL has not had any effect on my mood, but it should be noted that I have been on SSRIs for the entire time that I used it. It also drastically improved my acne which was an absolute miracle at that age. The only other side effect I noticed was larger and more tender breasts. I have always had light periods and I didn’t notice much of a change to my periods on the pill. I remained on it continuously until age 19. I took a break for around 9 months, during which time my acne returned. Went back on it age 20 when I got into a relationship and was on it continuously until the start of this year (age 23). I stopped using Gedarel because I am currently celibate and single and I haven’t had any severe issues with acne, so it feels unnecessary to pay for contraception. When I need contraception again I will definitely go back to Gedarel.


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Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

Started taking this pill 8 years ago when I was 18 for contraception and to lighten periods that were on the heavy side and quite painful. The first few years were great, periods were lighter and less painful, no notable side effects. I started tricycling packets a few years back allowing me to plan periods around events. I think with time periods on this pill became more painful and heavier, with some infrequent almost unbearable pains, maybe once per period I would have 10 mins of agony. My blood pressure is now slightly raised and I have been having heart palpitations/high Heart rate. I had a migraine with aura a few weeks back (during my pill free week so probably linked to hormone changes). My skin has worsened in the last few years with big chin and jaw cysts but again these are infrequent. I hadn’t noticed mood changes maybe as I had been on this pill for so long. My sex drive was also none existent and I would never think of initiating sex. Due to all these symptoms I have come off birth control all together. I was incredibly anxious about coming off the pill as the thought of no longer having control over my periods was so alien to me. Since coming off my heart symptoms have improved, migraines improved, skin has improved (but I have been using prescription medication too), mood has improved (apart from the few days before my period!). The first period back came exactly 28 days after stopping the pill and has been heavier but less painful and manageable using a menstrual disc. My sex drive Increased immediately after stopping the pill and even more so around ovulation. I had lost about 6lbs from around my hips and stomach in a few weeks with no diet changes. My boobs feel slightly smaller and are more sensitive. I am now looking for the right alternative contraceptive for me whilst tracking my monthly cycles and getting to know my body better. The doctors immediately recommended I switch to a POP which I haven’t done yet, as maybe non hormonal would be better. Coming off the combined pill has prompted some open conversations with friends, and to my surprise all have had their own struggles with combined pills and no longer take them. I think we need more support as young women to make informed decisions around these topics rather than get dumped on the cheapest medication available that have symptoms that impact so many aspects of physical and mental health. In summary it was good for a while and may be better for some people but don’t let yourself feel trapped by the convenience of this pill. Don’t ignore any negative side effects as ultimately your body knows best.


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