Reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

2.7

1342 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill has an average rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 1342 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

1342 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

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

Desogestrel pill  

Did not enjoy this pill! Tried for around 5 months, mood was poor and crying very easily or completely numb! Skin got bad at first but then was okay! Gained weight around increase by a dress size or two, felt bloated constantly and breast size increased but sore! Vaginal dryness was extreme was even sore to walk and have thrush twice in this 5 month period! Was spotting pretty much constantly and obviously unable to track periods with it being a continuous pill and they were irregular.

Read more

Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  

there will always be side effects to any contraceptive pill, but if it wotks, it works


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Cerazette pill  

Was on this pill for about 4/5 months. Positives were that it got rid of any cramps/ period symptoms - great as I was previously prescribed meds for dysmenorrhea. However, it gave me constant spotting and light bleeding - I bled for about 75% of the time while on this pill and it didn’t get any better. Doctor recommended that I doubled dose (from 75 to 150mg) - this killed my sex drive and didn’t fix the bleeding issue, so I eventually came off.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Cerelle pill  

I had an unpleasant experience using Cerelle. It was the first birth control I tried and wasn't given any other options or choice by the GP at the time. I had a 2month long heavy and painful period, worsened skin, hair loss, severe backne to name a few side effects. Really bad experience for me sadly. Having now tried over 10 other birth control pills- mini and combined, I learned that I am very sensitive to progesterone so the mini pill just isn't for me sadly. I'm now on the Patch and loving it.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I got put on this pill when i had a miscarriage, i get worried from time to time about my period. I have the flo app and i’m on my period about every 2 weeks, but it’s not exactly a period it’s just very very light and lasts for longer then a period should last this only started happening when i missed a pill for a day and the next day took 2 of them so it didn’t screw the pill up in my body and it has so it worries me. I’ve also put on so much weight using the pill.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was 30 when I started this for anyone wanting reference and have had three children. I suffered from horrific period and ovulation pain coupled with ovarian cysts. I had tried many different forms of contraception but I cannot take estrogen as it gives me Hyperemesis Gravidarum, not uncommon in those who have also experienced it in pregnancy, which I did. The first three months weren’t great, mood was all over the place and libido plummeted but after that it levelled out and I’m glad I waited it out. My periods stopped almost immediately and so did my ovulation pain. As I usually got ovarian cysts that burst at the time of ovulation, that’s pretty much stopped too and I’ve gone from having cysts burst monthly, to maybe once or twice a year. It’s dramatically improved my quality of life and I’m so happy on it. What with it being desogestrel, it has a 12 hour time window, so if you forget to take it at your usual time, as long as you take it in the 12 hours following, you’ll still be protected. I’m usually fine as I take it first thing, but it’s always good to know.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

Having never tried the mini-pill before, for the couple of months I finally thought I'd found the right contraception for me. Unfortunately, after about three months of taking it my periods became irregular, and I ended up having a really long period followed by two months of having no period. The issue was every time I had a period, the period itself would last longer and longer each time. After one period that lasted over two weeks and made me feel exhausted and anxious, I decided to stop taking it. They weren't light periods either, they were heavy with clots. Such a shame as I felt pretty good for the first couple of months, much better than I had done on any combined pill I had taken.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

Switched to Zelleta (Desogestrel) from the combined pill because of side effects. Had one unusually long period (9 days) one month after starting Zelleta, after that my periods stopped completely and I only had minor spotting every now and then which almost completely disappeared over time. I gradually noticed a complete loss of sex drive which bothered me a lot and I ended up switching to non-hormonal contraception instead because of this.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

I was on Rigevidon for about 8 years and got on really well with it. After starting with migraines with aura, I had to change to a mini pill. I can’t believe the difference in my mental health, weight, spots. Everything has just taken a down hill. I’ve been bleeding nearly constantly for the last month, so I’m going to have to find something new. On top of that, my sex drive is low, mood is low, always tired, spots all over my back and shoulders and weight gain.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Cerelle pill  

I took this for endometriosis, but not worth it because of facial hair growth. I had breakthrough bleeding every 4-6 months for about 4-5 days, fairly light and not too painful. My sex drive and weight were unaffected, however I got thick dark hair on my stomach, inner thighs, chest and face. This destroyed my self esteem so my mood was obviously low. After stopping the hair did not revert back which is common so I had electrolysis which took care of it. Then 2 years later I went back on this pill stupidly to try and help the endometriosis, the hair came back within 2 months. I have since stopped this pill, spent even more money on electrolysis and have had no issues after regarding that. It took about 3-5 months for my cycle to regulate after coming off birth control. I’m thinking about trying slynd as it is supposed to be anti androgenise, we’ll see.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill FAQs

No FAQs at this moment


Compare contraceptives

Use our handy tool to see how they stack up

Progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects

Possible side effects with Progestogen-only / Mini pill


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

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects

Possible side effects with Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

Add your Progestogen-only / Mini pill review

To help other women

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them