Contraception Reviews

Reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

2.7

1162 reviews

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

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 FAQs

No FAQs at this moment

Reviews

2.7

1162 reviews

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Community reviews (1,162)

Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

I feel like shit

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

I've been on a wide variety of contraceptives over the last 20 years but Cerazette has been the one that has affected my libido. Periods stopped for the 3 years I was on it which was great, but there doesn't seem much point taking contraception if you're not having sex. I've been off it now for 2 weeks and hoping things will return to normal. I'm 42 so hopefully not perimenopausal just yet. Not sure yet how my husband will feel about going back to condoms longer-term, but I'm fed up of synthetic hormones so he'll just have to deal with it (or get the snip!).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

I’ve had no issues with this pill until recently. Been on it for 4-5 years now after previously being on the combined pill for 9 years. Over the last two months I’ve been having period cramps and bleeding at the same time each month. I have never bleed on this pill until recently and I have never spotted on this pill or previously on the combined pill.


Top side effects not reported

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0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Overall it served it's purpose of preventing pregnancy. But side effects have impacted me very negatively. Weight gain has put me at my highest weight even with a healthy diet and regular excercise. This had led to mood swings, loss of libido. Only positive was the stopping of periods. Night sweats unbearable


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

I had pelvic pain while on this pill and I had to undergo a bunch of tests as my doctor didnt know what was causing the pain. The pain gradually stopped when i stopped taking the pill (it took about 3 months). The pill gave me bad acne, mood swings (I was going mad!), i had my period once in 3 months and maybe it was just some spotting... i was sometimes very dizzy and my heart was racing even if I was just watching TV. This pill really scared me and I had to stop.


Top side effects not reported

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Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

I started taking the pill after having my daughter as I was breast feeding. I felt quite emotional and very up and down but I put it down to having a new baby. After 2 years I started spotting all the time. And then I noticed other things such as no sex drive at all, feeling low, irritable, angry. After reading other comments I wondered if it could be the pill that was causing me to feel this way. I came off the pill and within weeks I felt like me again!


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

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

Weight gain, tender breasts , fibromyalgia flare ups terrible , bleeding for 15 days so far , used to help ferritin deficiency, gained nothing but weight and pain


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

I deeply appreciate the ease it took for me to get this medication. The pharmacist helped me understand what I was getting, and the pharmacist was so kind and helping ease my fears. She actually recommended that I go to my GP if I want to remain on this medication because the GP can prescribe it for free. The side effects were horrific and got worse the longer I was on them. I got halfway through my second pack before I genuinely couldn't do it anymore. I was sweating so much I was having to shower three times a day, my tummy was hard and distended. My anxiety got so bad I couldn't bring myself to even open my curtains and I couldn't even self-soothe. I was writing on a whiteboard and my head felt it was about to explode. Multiple times it felt like my eyes were coming up from my socket (this side effect is not written on any slip and I believe it is described as having difficulty putting contact lenses in, I don't wear contact lenses but my eyes fell out they were coming out) I thought after I finished my first month things would get easier, They didn't The side effects just got worse and worse and worse. To the point I was considering calling for an ambulance because I had a severe migraine with an aura that lasted for 3 days (I have not experienced one since stopping Hana) Just because Hana doesn't work for you don't write off all birth control. After some trial and error I have found something that works for me. I am sad that Hana caused me so much grief because it fitted in so well with my lifestyle, being able to walk into any pharmacy and getting it over the counter.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

I decided that I wanted to have the implant as I knew I'd hate taking a pill everyday! My GP wanted me to trial the pill first to check that progesterone was the correct hormone for me but unfortunately a few months trial turned into a year because of covid. When I first started taking this pill I had a 3 week period, throughout the whole time taking it I had very irregular periods and sometimes not having a period for 2-3 months. I spent a lot of time waiting for it to settle but in the end decided to stop and switch methods.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

I have been on this pill since 2016 after months of trying to find what works for me. I waited it out for it to be fully in my system and I love. I do occasionally have spotting but that is usually when I am stressed or if I am ill. I have gained a bit of weight but I yo-yo in general. At the start I was on it for preventing pregnancy as I was in a relationship. Now being single, I use it for period pain relief and to not have a period in general.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects

Possible side effects with Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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