Progestogen-only / Mini pill and acne
How our community feel progestogen-only / Mini pill has affected their skin
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
No change
13%
Don't know
4%
Out of the 1321 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 107 people (8%) reported acne.
Reviewers that reported acne as a side effect
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I got this pill after being 25 years on Yasmin but started to get headaches and turned 40 so was made to switch to Desogestrel. I didn't get headaches but everything else just got bad, was told to stay on it 6 months to get adjusted but after 5 and half months I finish the pack half way as I was getting really frustrated with it all. The side effects have been horrible - oily skin, scalp and nails, acne, hair loss and hair thinning, random spotting and I gained 15kg, I have never been so huge! I just hope all will return to normal soon as it's been very depressing.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Dec 24
Started taking in April 2024 finished the last pack September 2024. Had spotting for the first couple months in the place of period which was frustrating (spotting for 14days instead of normal 5-7day period flow). Once settled, periods just completely stopped which made me feel slightly uneasy as there’s no indicator of “missed period” for pregnancy sirens to ring. Mood was a strange one, felt slightly mentally exhausted but difficult to tell whether that was life or the pill, but I do remember having PMS type symptoms (emotional, cramps) once a month, almost mimicking a period without the bleeds.
Worse skin
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Dec 24
Lloyds Pharmacy gave me no warning when they changed my Crescent generic version of Desogestrel for Lovima. My fatigue is awful, acne (it's like reexperiencing puberty), very tender breasts prior to my period, and suddenly anxiety that has gone through the roof for no real reason. My sex drive had already suffered on Desogestrel, I need the mini pill due to migraines so not sure will I necessarily be able to tackle this, but so far I have just as low libido on Lovima. For the first time in a long time I've had period cramps, but minus any spotting or bleeding. On the plus side, perhaps no signs of weight change. Desperately trying to get a new prescription.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
51% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported tender breasts
46% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported period like cramps
43% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
40% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
38% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness