Side effects
Combined pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
52% of Combined pill reviewers reported tender breasts
48% of Combined pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
46% of Combined pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
43% of Combined pill reviewers reported period like cramps
38% of Combined pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness
Combined pill rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
4% of Combined pill reviewers reported hair loss
3% of Combined pill reviewers reported a latex allergy
3% of Combined pill reviewers reported migraine with aura
Possible Combined pill side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Tender breasts (52%)
- Breast enlargement (48%)
- Vaginal discharge (46%)
- Period like cramps (43%)
- Vaginal dryness (38%)
- Lower back pain (33%)
- Nausea or vomiting (29%)
- Sweating more than usual (28%)
- Thrush (22%)
- Headaches (18%)
- Cystitis (13%)
- High blood pressure (13%)
- Body hair increase (11%)
- Dizziness (9%)
- Body hair getting darker (8%)
- Migraines (8%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (5%)
- Pelvic infection (5%)
- Hair loss (4%)
- A latex allergy (3%)
- Migraine with aura (3%)
Reviews
2.8
2631 reviews
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I started this pill to help with my hormonal acne that had come on when i was on a different pill so decided i needed a change. Everything was fine for the first week or so, I went abroad and accidentally missed a pill due to different timezones. I bled consistently for 3 weeks after missing one pill. My anxiety has been increased and i am extremely fatigued all the time. I have painful sex, due to hormonal changes and vaginal dryness. I am now coming off this pill for a week to bleed and then i am going back on the pill i was on previously.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Ugh...honestly so sad to be going off this pill. If it weren't for the fact I've completely lose sensation and sex drive I would stay on this for as long as necessary. Made my mood so stable with no other side effects apart from breast tenderness and enlargment, but I'm used to having tender breasts anyway. A lot of spotting in the beginning which was fine, nothing major just wore panty liners.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Amazing compared to the progesterone only pill and progesterone only implant I was on previously. Less mood swings, no depression. Perfect for timing my irregular periods, except the breakthough bleed a couple days before I end my pill packet. DEFINITELY GAINED WEIGHT. Before I was living a bit sedentary, and even when I joined the gym, I was still heavy/gaining weight. Led to breasts and tummy increasing 4 inches each. Will be going back to the gym daily for cardio to maintain / decrease this. My migraines had stopped prior to taking the combined pill, but since having it, I am getting a few more headaches, and sometimes a migraine, but not daily like I used to.
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
All good so far just really tender breasts but no weight gain and even cleared up my skin!
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
When started, my gynecologist said that some spotting is expected. I bled for a whole month, seriously like on a heavy period. Had to treat anemia for months after that. Later everything normalised and my period lasts now 2-3 days which I'm extremely happy about. If you accidentally miss a pill be ready to have period like cramps for a day. Skin became clearer, breasts enlarged a bit, no mood swings. Overall, happy with this pill.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Was told by my gynaecologist that some spotting in the first month was to be expected and normal. I bled for a month, every day, even more than during my usual period. Had to treat anemia for months after that but it was ok later on. Now my period is bately there, 2-3 days and I'm very happy about it.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I loved this pill at first and didn’t have any issues. After 4.5 years I started getting severe sharp head pains as well as lower back and pelvic pain which my gp said was from the pill. I swapped to Desogestril which I didn’t like to came off the pill and the pains stopped. I started back on Millinette after a couple of months and have been fine for 5 years until this year I have had an upset stomach and severe dizziness which has been put down to Vestibular Migraines. I have also had severe anxiety. I came off the pill and my stomach has gone back to normal but the constant dizziness, vertigo and severe anxiety is ongoing
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Don’t listen to everyone fear mongering about the combined pill . As a young adult , I’ve had zero issues with taking it . I was at first so so scared of the side effects but I have had zero !! Literally no changed whatsoever. I have endometriosis and pcos and the pill so far hasn’t made a huge difference but then again I don’t have very many symptoms or pain for either of the conditions . No mood swings , no anxiety depression or anything . I feel exactly as before , more balanced maybe ? No weight gain at all , didn’t kill my libido either . Actually I would say it made my libido a bit stronger . No change in personality , sense of smell taste or anything else . I’ve had literally zero effects and feel just like before . So honestly if you’re thinking of going on it , try it for a month , you can always quit if you don’t like it . Remember everyone’s body is different though and may react in a different way.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
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Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I decided to try Eloine due to negative experiences with other combined pills and the low-dose appealed to me. Unfortunately this turned out to be the worst decision I've ever made. In the first month I felt fine but soon after I began experiencing cramps, headaches and significant mood swings. After 4 months, I was suffering from daily severe headaches and migraines with aura. These migraines were consistent, occurring at the same time each week and lasting nearly two hours (something I had never dealt with before). I often had to take afternoons off work and isolated myself in a dark, quiet room until my vision returned and the dizziness subsided. The only times these migraines didn’t occur was the week I had off for my period. I also started experiencing regular spotting. Alongside the physical symptoms, my mood deteriorated. I became easily irritable, leading to frequent arguments with my partner… something that was rare for us before. This change in my behavior left me feeling down and my anxiety gradually worsened. My sex drive plummeted and eventually vanished altogether. The only positives from this pill was my heavy periods and awful period pain decreased and I lost weight. After discussing my symptoms with a doctor, I was advised to stop taking Eloine immediately. Since stopping, my headaches and migraines have ceased (I haven't had a migraine since) and I began feeling like my old self again within 6 months. The impact of this pill extended beyond my health; it affected my relationship as well. This experience has left me wary of contraceptive pills, making me hesitant to try another option.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
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Used for 3 - 5 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I have tried about 4 different types of birth control. This one is the only one that has not made be spot for months at a time. This is the first time in my life I have a normal 5-7 day period once a month. My cystic acne has also improved a lot. My boobs did get bigger and it’s more difficult to maintain my weight but with more effort the weight gain is only minimal. Cramps were only bad the first couple months starting it. I also get a headache the entire time I am on my 7 days off the pill. I also get depressed close to my period. Overall the side effects are bad but better than any other I’ve tried and it actually regulates my cycle. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to get my tubes tied because I am over pumping my body with hormones
Improved skin
2 more effects
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