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
17%
12%
Don't know
4%
Out of the 1516 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 174 people (12%) reported acne.
Reviewers that reported acne as a side effect
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have mild adenomyosis and pcos, i wanted to try out a POP before a method with estrogen or inserting something I need a healthcare specialist to take out. In the end I couldn’t stick this out for the 3 months that they advise. Since starting I’ve had different side effects. The first week was bad reflux, the second week I had leg cramps, then I had 3 weeks of a constant thumping in my head with a headache that comes and goes, I was referred for an MRV and told to stop the pill. It’s been a week since I’ve stopped, every day the thumping has gotten quieter, no sudden “hits” in my head and today it’s finally gone. For whatever reason, it’s not for me. I will admit it did lighten my bleeding and it looked like it was on its way to stopping, but it never actually stopped completely before the headaches started.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was put on Desogestrel after being on the combined pill (Rigevidon) for many years, but I was suffering from migraines. I was on Desogestral for roughly 5 months, and didn't have a single migraine for the entire time. I also had started to get period like cramps when taking the combined pill, but not when I was actually on my period. This also completely vanished for me which was great. Unfortunately the one big down side for me, which has caused me to try another type of mini pill was that I ended up having more days than not where I was bleeding. It wasn't always a lot, but it was always on my mind, and I didn't know which days would be clear and which would be not clear. Some days the bleeding would fade out but it might start like I was on my period, causing me to use a pad just in case it carried on. I stuck with it as the mentioned pros were so good that I really wanted it to work for me but in the end I just couldn't stand having more days that I bled than not, and I never felt like I could relax.
Worse skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Ive been on this pill for over 5 months and I’m stopping. When I started about a month in I got horrible acne breakouts but I started using benzoyl peroxide and now it’s okay. I’ve had 3-4 periods and each one I’ve bled for weeks at a time so I am switching to a different one
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
49% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported tender breasts
46% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported period like cramps
41% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
39% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
36% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness
