Progestogen-only / Mini pill and weight gaining
How our community feel progestogen-only / Mini pill has affected their weight
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
No change
44%
Don't know
16%
Out of the 1504 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 520 people (35%) reported weight gaining.
Reviewers that reported weight gaining as a side effect
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I was on this mini pill for just over a year after switching from the combined pill. It slowly affected my mood to the point where my mood was constantly flat and I didn’t feel excited about anything. My libido was also very low. I felt a massive difference after stopping. Positives were I didn’t have periods often (every 6-8 weeks) and not much period pain. The 12 hour window to take the pill was also helpful when I sometimes forgot, as some other mini pills have shorter windows.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I started taking desogestrel for Endometriosis symptoms, I was having a lot of fatigue and thought I would try altering my hormones. I saw on the packet that the pill contained lactose but after a google search I was fairly confident that it was a low enough level to not affect me too much (I have had quite a lot of gut symptoms due to Endo and eliminated a few foods, lactose was one of them). After being on the pill for 3 months I was sure that the lactose has been causing some significant side effects, including less control over my bowels. Through an e-consult, I requested a version of the pill that didn't contain lactose. It turns out that there is not one single oral contraceptive pill that does not contain lactose! This is unbelievable to me and I believe there should be more awareness of this.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th May 26
Not a good experience, lots of weight gain, more emotional/moody. cant wear contacts anymore
Somewhat negative mood
3 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
