Reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

2.7

1468 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill has an average rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 1468 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Progestogen-only / Mini pill review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
The progestogen-only pill, aka progesterone only pill, POP or 'mini pill', is one of the most frequently reviewed methods at The Lowdown. Funnily enough, it only contains one hormone progestogen in it, unlike the combined pill which also contains oestrogen. It's very commonly used and considered very safe for most women.

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Reviews

2.7

1468 reviews

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Community reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Desogestrel pill  

I wanted birth control to calm down or stop my painful periods. I was put on denestrogel as my gp wasn't comfordable putting me on oestrogen due to migranes. the first two weeks were great, then i started getting cramping but no bleeding. all that i saw was brown discharge for another week before i started bleeding. i didnt stop bleeding for the three months I was on it. completely ruined my sex drive as I was bleeding all the time and all of my underwear got ruined. I couldnt use a pad or tampon as the bleed wasn't heavy enough. it really started to affect my mood that i stopped taking it halfway through my third month on it because i was getting so distressed was really dissapointing as I saw so many good reviews on it and loved that it had a 12 hr forgetfulness window.

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Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Slynd pill  

Gave Slynd a go as I struggled with headaches and migraines with Cerazette and Cerelle. Slynd has been good in terms of not increasing any headaches which has made a change, however have suffered with breakthrough bleeding constantly since beginning it 5 months ago. It always happens between day 7-day 12 of the pill, never on the placebo pills, which is rather irritating. During this time I am normally hormonal as well, as if leading to my period, so can be very irritable. All in all, an ok pill but just hasn't worked out for me.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Norgeston pill  

Its regulated my periods, made them lighter and helps with PMDD I still ovulate most months on norgeston but thats normal apparently, Im not too worried about it, i have noticed my boobs have gone up a cup size or two but compared to desogestorel its been amazing, i had a period for 5 weeks on desogestorel then i was off for 1 and back on for 5 etc now im every 28 days like clockwork


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Zelleta pill  

gradually feel more down and down and my periods never stop i can bleed for 30 days then have a 3 day break and it’s back


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Noriday pill  

Gave me extreme depression. I was on this pill so long that I didn’t even realise it was the pill giving me the depression, when coming off it I felt a weight lift off my shoulder. My thinning hair went away and my mood improved so drastically. It did make my boobs bigger which was the only good side effect but I’d rather be happy. Would recommend cerazette as an alternative to anyone who has mood issues and frequent bleeding on noriday


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I’ve been using Desogestrel for over 6 months now it’s the first pill I tried as I didn’t like the fact that the combined pill affected your blood pressure. I struggled with heavy periods, cramping and always hated when my period came around as I had to use heavy flow tampons/towels continuously for 5-6 days. Since going on the pill I haven’t noticed any unusual side effects I take it in the evening at about 9pm I wouldn’t recommend it if you have spot prone skin as I didn’t originally I haven’t noticed a difference other than small breakouts before my period is due however I know it can make others worse if you already have spots. It hasn’t changed my weight at all however it does increase your appetite so as long as you keep on top of it stay active and eat healthy it shouldn’t affect you either. I’m very sexually active with my partner and so far we have had no pregnancy scares and we don’t use condoms. Overall the pill has made my periods much lighter I tend to either not bleed or bleed very little and I no longer have any cramping. It does cause breakthrough bleeding occasionally so if you want to stay regular I wouldn’t recommend this pill. I’m really happy with my decision to go on this form of contraception,


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Zelleta pill  

The side effects I experienced on this pill were awful. I can’t take estrogen so have limited options. My mood dipped, and I had the worst breakouts of my life. Giant painful spots all over my chin which tanked my confidence, and I was bleeding almost constantly. Changed to Slynd after 3 months and can’t recommend that pill enough!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd pill  

This pill has been a game changer! I can’t tolerate estrogen, and I had previously been taking Zelleta which was causing near constant bleeding and my skin looked horrendous. I started taking Slynd in April 2025 and my periods are lighter than without contraception, and my skin has almost completely cleared up. I still get some spots around my period, but that was normal for me before contraception. I haven’t noticed any other side effects 9 months into taking it. My periods were irregular the first 3 months, but now are normal every 4-5 weeks.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Zelleta pill  

I used zelleta for 2 months within a few days of starting the pill my period started it lasted for 3 weeks with heavy bleeding then it stopped for 5 days the started again for 3 weeks and stopped for 3 days then started again for 3 weeks when I phoned the doctor they said it was normal when I told them I was using 1 to 2 pads in an 1 and a half they said it was normal I then stopped the pill in December my period started lasted 5 days and stopped now my next period is due to start. I would not recommend to anyone.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

Completely ruined my skin and gave me awful acne after already suffering with it for years. Also gave me horrible headaches and migraines. Would never recommend this to anyone.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill benefits

Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Period pain

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

Progestogen-only / Mini pill alternatives

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