Combined pill and more regular periods

How our community feel the combined pill has affected their periods

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Lighter

47%

No change

15%

Don't know

7%

Out of the 2737 reviews for the combined pill, 214 people (8%) reported more regular periods.

Reviewers that reported more regular periods as a side effect

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Used for 8+ yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

The pill did what it was supposed to which is to stop pregnancy and knowing when my periods would be. I feel like my experience might be a little different to others as I started these pills when I was about 17 and only got off them when I was about 30. So I only know this type of contraception and also not really aware of my natural cycle/hormones until I got off them. I feel like being on them made me emotionless? When I got off them, I started crying a lot more at little things and realise I had a lot more emotional range. I experienced really bad hair loss when I got off them- clumps of hair was coming out when washing my hair. I am lucky I am asian so have thicker hair anyways so the hair loss made me have thinner hair but it’s not like I have none left. Right now I am doing more to get my hair to grow back and it is slowly growing as I have a lot of baby hairs which is a good sign. I also experienced adult acne when I got off the pill. I’ve had clear skin for as long as I can remember and when I got off the pill, I was experiencing really bad acne and still experience that now. Being clear of this pill for a few years now I am happier I feel like in general and my periods are regular as I track it using an app, periods aren’t as heavy as it used to be when I was on the pill and not as painful. Also can confirm fertility is back to normal as well. I am writing about my experience as I was on it a long time and I’m not sure whether as I’m getting older other factors would come into play in terms of my own experience

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Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

The thing that surprised me the most was how my internal clock changed (backwards with 4 to 5 hours), while usually I'm not even sleepy until 1am, now I'm easily falling asleep at 8-9pm and waking up at 6-7am when before I was still cranky at 11am. My PMDD is also almost gone, and my endometriosis pain is the easiest it's ever been, but the breast tenderness/pain extended from the luteal phase to all throughout the month. Another surprising thing was the improved natural lubrication (vaginal discharge), while before it was almost inexistent even when turned on, now it's much more consistent.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

It was ok the first couple months but I've started noticing more side effects the longer I've taken it. I get much more muscle aches, especially in my back. My gums bleed randomly during the first week of each cycle and are much more sensitive. My mood is fluctuating more too.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

52% of the combined pill reviewers reported tender breasts

48% of the combined pill reviewers reported breast enlargement

46% of the combined pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge

43% of the combined pill reviewers reported period like cramps

38% of the combined pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Possible the combined pill side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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