Microgynon worked pretty well for me. The most noticeable thing was that my periods became shorter, and the blood was very thick, dark and clotty. I had some other mental health stuff going on over the 2 + years of taking it (and we were in lockdown for some of it!), so hard to say if it genuinely affected my mood. I was never able to run packs together - I would always spot and then bleed after 2-3 days.

Just wasn't good at taking it everyday which caused some bother and my skin was badly effected with large sore spots on my chin. Other than that had no complaints, it stopped my periods which was my main aim.

Came off the pill and got the implant as I wasn't good at remembering to take the pill everyday. Biggest issue with the implant was the irregular bleeds that felt nearly constant and being really emotional all the time.

Cerazette was very kind to me for the first 6-8 years of being on it. In my late 20s however (after 8 glorious period-free years!), I started spotting irregularly for no reason which was very annoying. I also noticed I was feeling angrier/ more tearful than I had previously, and the final straw was a pill-induced migraine that led to me turning my back on hormonal contraception for good (the best thing I ever did).

I’ve been using the patch for 3 months now and I love it! The first month and a half was a bit rocky. I did have quite severe mood swings, however myself and my partner recognised this was caused by the patch and we knew at some point it would level out. Which it did! I also noticed that my periods have become regular and accurate. The day after I take the patch of for the rest week, I start my period and it usually lasts for 4 days. I do get painful cramps on the first day of my period, but again this quickly stops. The whole process of using the patch is super easy and simple, I don’t have to worry about remembering to take a pill everyday. I have a weekly alarm set in my phone to remind me to change it or take it off during the 4th week. It has worked perfectly for me. And no babies. Wahoo!

I was hopeful my bleeding pattern would settle down, but after 6 months I was still getting spotting or a light bleed every 4-5 days. I also struggled with a low mood, loss of sex drive, dizziness, nausea and hot flushes!