Progestogen-only / Mini pill and more regular periods

How our community feel progestogen-only / Mini pill has affected their periods

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Stopped

44%

No change

3%

Don't know

2%

Out of the 1505 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 29 people (2%) reported more regular periods.

Reviewers that reported more regular periods as a side effect

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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

I have been on the mini pill now for around 5 months, not for contraception (sure it’s a bonus) but as a move from taking Omeprazole and Mefenamic Acid to control horrific period pain, which stopped working. The first 2 weeks on this pill were great, no side effects, nothing… After I had such a horrorific period i almost stopped it all together. Bleeding & clotting heavily for almost 2 weeks combined with debilitating cramps. Since then I bleed DAILY, with 2-3week long periods. In my review my doctors pushed me to try another 3 months as “It’s should settle out” But I’m in agonising pain some days from when I wake up and for the last 2 months have had daily headaches with a few turning into full blown migraines, which I have been sent home from work for. I hadn’t had a migraine that bad in almost a year and my headaches, which i am prone to, have NEVER been this frequent, but again i was told to ‘monitor them’ and ‘keep track of them’ by my doctor… I’m genuinely at my wits end and i feel quite lied to as well, as one of the biggest reasons i was put onto the mini pill is my medical record with the combined pill, as well as being worried about weight gain and told oh that one happen, when it most certainly has. I genuinely wouldn’t recommend it to anyone and it makes me not want to try any others due to my horrible experience now and in the past.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th May 26

went on cerazette after trying out microgynon30ED and noriday (which both caused frequent irregular bleeding). My GP told me cerazette was fantastic for people who experience frequent bleeding on other mini-pills and often their periods stop. i started it back in late september 2025, and experienced bleeding every second week. fine, i thought, it’s just my body getting used to it! by november i was having just one period a month again! yay!! this was short lived however, as by december i was back to having it every 2nd week. in january i bled for 25 days straight. i was told that the first 3-5 months are expected to see changes in bleeding, so i stuck it out a bit longer. unfortunately the bleeding never stopped, and i continued to get my period now every week and a half, or sometimes even more frequently with only 3 days break in between cycles. :( it’s end of may now and have been on cerazette for 9 months. i am still bleeding every week and a half and honestly im sick of it. i have stopped taking cerazette now. hopefully there’s another one out there for me :(


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Apr 26

My GP suggested I switch from Desogesterel to Noriday as I was consistently getting break through bleeding after many years of being period free. The first 6 months of taking Noriday were great, with a few days of very light spotting over many months. Then I started to get more regular, painful periods. I persisted with taking it, and after a few months of no period, it's been months of heavy, painful bleeds that last anywhere from 4 to 9 days at a time every 2-4 weeks. For the last few months I've been getting the type of period pain I haven't had since I was a teenager (I'm not in my mid-30s) - the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night and stops you from sleeping. I'm coming off this pill today.


Decreased sex drive

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


Possible progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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

The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

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