Progestogen-only / Mini pill and period like cramps
How our community feel they have been impacted by period like cramps on progestogen-only / Mini pill
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
None or not sure
54%
A bit
19%
Quite a bit
14%
A lot
7%
A great deal
6%
Out of the 1316 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 607 people (46%) reported period like cramps.
Reviewers that reported period like cramps as a side effect
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
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
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Nov 24
I started the POP because I had a few migraines with auras on the combined pill and had to stop this. When I started the mini-pill my periods became very irregular. However, I went on the combined pill in the first place because of my irregular cycle so this may just be me. I have noticed my periods are lighter but I never had heavy periods anyway. I have had a few cases of spotting for 2-3weeks after getting my period but this hopefully seems to have settled now after 5/6 months and I get a 3-5 day light period. My skin flared up with bad hormonal acne about 3/4months after I started taking the POP and hasn’t gotten any better. Another reason why I went on the combined pill initially was to help with acne so I feel this has regressed since starting the mini-pill. Also, I have had some horrific cramping at random times. A couple of times has been a whole week of painful cramps but again this hopefully seems to have settled down a bit after about 7/8 months of taking the POP. Overall, I’m not happy with the side effects I’m experiencing, especially my skin, and am considering trying the hormonal coil, but will give it a full year on the POP to see if my body starts to settle.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
2 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