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

14%

Don't know

4%

Out of the 1369 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 123 people (9%) reported acne.

Reviewers that reported acne as a side effect

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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

I have been on this pill for 4 months. My periods are regular which is the ONLY good thing about it. My skin is awful, bloating is insane. The bleeding is heavier than I’ve ever experienced and my sex drive has completely disappeared. Everyone’s experience is different but personally, this is the worst pill I’ve ever tried.

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Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

3-6 months: (started the pill on 14/10/2024. I've done a review on my first 3 months so this is a follow up) Day 126 - 17/02/2024 – I’ve pretty much had 2 back to back periods with a 2 day break between which I really didn’t appreciate. They really hurt and I convinced myself something was wrong. I have made a doctors appointment to talk through everything. I’m just fed up with bleeding all of the time. I’m spending SO MUCH on pads it’s ridiculous. 12/03/2025 - I’m on my second week of my 6th month of the pill. I’ve kept having back to back periods and consulted the doctor. Because I’m coming up to 25 I had a routine smear (that came back clear) and the doctor did a pelvic exam and they recon it’s the pill that’s the cause of all the bleeding (which I assumed it was anyway. But better safe than sorry). I’m fed up of the bleeding but they’ve given me 6 more months after this to see if it settles. If not we’ll switch to something else. 5/4/2025 - I’m coming to the end of my 1st week in the 7th month of the pill. All I can say is that I’ve stopped bleeding/spotting for the most part. It’s been about 3 weeks since I last bled. So I guess the doctor was right. However, I had like a 1 day period at the beginning of the week it was painful and some period blood and then nothing since. But the last couple of days I’ve had some cramping as if a period wants to start but hasn’t yet. Overall, I think we’re getting back on track hopefully. Sorry I didn't reflect as much but it's pretty much been the same sort of story for the past 3 months


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Since taking the zelleta pull my mood has gotten a lot worse. I catch myself crying over little things I would have never cried about before. I used to take the cerelle pill which worked well for me but now I get irritated easily and lasch out at my boyfriend a lot.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 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

42% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge

40% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported breast enlargement

37% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Possible progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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