Side effects
Qlaira pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
29% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported period like cramps
29% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported lower back pain
24% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
24% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness
24% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported tender breasts
Qlaira pill rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
6% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported migraine with aura
6% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported body hair increase
6% of Qlaira pill reviewers reported thrush
Possible Qlaira pill side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Period like cramps (29%)
- Lower back pain (29%)
- Vaginal discharge (24%)
- Vaginal dryness (24%)
- Tender breasts (24%)
- Breast enlargement (18%)
- Headaches (18%)
- Nausea or vomiting (12%)
- Hair loss (12%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (6%)
- Dizziness (6%)
- Sweating more than usual (6%)
- Migraine with aura (6%)
- Body hair increase (6%)
- Thrush (6%)
- Cystitis (0%)
- Migraines (0%)
- Body hair getting darker (0%)
- High blood pressure (0%)
- A latex allergy (0%)
- Pelvic infection (0%)
Reviews
3.4
17 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
This pill has been really great for me with regards to my severe PMS and mood swings. I came on the pill as I was suffering with severe PMS and cyclical insomnia. So far, this has been a game changer for me. Pros: -Bioidentical oestrogen, meaning no thrush (I used to get this on every single combined pill in the past, and it was impossible to eradicate). -Bioidentical oestrogen also means no large, swollen, painful breasts. No change here (although mine are tiny so could have done with a boost!) -Only a two day break from any hormones. Mood swings are vastly decreased. I only have mild ones on the final two days. -The constant supply of oestrogen means my insomnia is virtually gone. I still struggle on the last four days of my cycle on this pill (where oestrogen is at 1mg for two days, then none for the next two), but it's only four days out of the month. I will take that over the 14 I was having pre pill. -My very early (I'm only 34) peri-menopausal symptoms have gone. Cons: -I have permanent breakthrough bleeding from around days 15-28. I use a pantyliner though and it doesn't stop me going about my day, or reduce sexual activity. -My sex drive has decreased somewhat - I have a very high sex drive naturally, but this has significantly dropped. However, I don't see this as a huge con, since my partner's sex drive is significantly lower than mine. So it's helped to even out any differences and arguments we were having around this.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th May 24
overall, i am very pleased with the qlaira pill. i have been using it for 11 months now, after first using the ‘regular’ birth-control pill. i switched because the regular pill gave me very heavy mood swings and depressive feelings. this is something that i have not experienced while using qlaira. i do, however, feel a bit more sensitive around certain places on my body. i usually do not wish to be touched on intimate places by my partner, which is a side effect of this contraceptive. my cycles are now very regular, and my period usually lasts only 2/3 days. i definitely recommend this pill to anyone who has experienced heavy side effects from a regular birth control pill.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th May 24
Qlaira started off pretty great after the 6 month window for symptoms to subside when starting new hormonal contraception. Being on it long term though, I've noticed symptoms such as low sex drive and fatigue. These symptoms are quite severe. It's been almost 5 years and I'm currently considering quitting hormonal birth control.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th May 24
Sadly this pill effected my mood very very badly. During the 17 pills where the progestin used in it was at its highest I suffered extreme suicidal thoughts and couldn't get out of bed for several days. I realised it was the pill and immediately stopped taking it and my mood stabilised pretty quickly once it was out my system. Obviously we are all different and I think I'm quite sensitive to synthetic progesterone, I also already struggle with pms and very low mood before my period. That is actually why I was trying this pill to try and help my pms but it made everything even worse. So it might be fine for you but for me it was a massive no.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Apr 24
I'm 43 and was suggested Qlaira because it has a supposedly more safe estrogen component. I've always had slightly elevated sensitive CRP and during the use of Qlaira it did drop to nothing so that was a positive finding. I had no bloating or weight gain. I would get breakthru bleeding on the active pills usually a week before my actual withdrawal bleed, which would last approx. 5 days. So all in all I was bleeding approx 12 days per month. And because you can*t skip the placebo pills on Qlaira, I found it was too much bleeding days compared to non-bleeding days. Another major side effect and the reason I wanted to stop using Qlaira was complete loss of libido. I felt almost repulsed by the idea of sex and I had trouble getting aroused. Altho my natural libido is quite low to begin with, Qlaira took it to completely new levels of zero. Hence why I stopped it after 6 months.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 20th Nov 23
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Nov 23
I have used Zoely, Yasminelle and Qlaira previously. i had really bad hormonal acne that was cured with accutane and i am on pills so that my hormones dont make my skin breakout again. Zoely and Yasminelle kept my skin clear but with Qlaira my skin has breakouts. Not bad as I had while having acne, but some pimples here and there. Also my periods are so random with this pill. Sometimes I have to worst period pain and ovulation pain and sometimes I dont have periods at all. Also my sex drive has lowered. I got back to Zoely, since that has been the best pill for me.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Oct 23
I took the pill for only 1 month but within that month it caused me to have severe cramps during days that I didn't have my period and it extended my bleeding days as well when I did get my period. It also resulted in some severe mood swings and I was also far more irritable.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th May 23
I have been searching for this pill for my whole life! I’ve tried rigevedon, microgynon, marvelon which all gave me a decreased sex drive, contestant thrush, painful periods ect. This pill within a week my skin was crystal clear. I recommend this pill for anyone with acne, pair it with cera ve cleanser! Game changer. I noticed with this pill I had no dryness down there, it was the complete opposite. My sex drive was incredible. No mood swings no pains, no weight changes. I like this pill, it gives you different mg doses of estrogen where it slowly feeds back into your body at a regulated level. With other pills you go straight back onto the same high dose of estrogen which is the reason why these side effects are worse. This eases you back into the pill which in turn reduces your side effects. I have had no negative side effects whatsoever. It can be difficult to have the prescription for this on the NHS, I have had 4/5 years being prescribed the cheap medication pills. I was very emotional when I went to my appointment because of the way the implant I had made me feel, I think the nurse was genuinely concerned for me and wanted to help. By no means am I saying this is what you should do! Qlaria is a modern type of pill which costs around £40/£60 per 3 months (pack). The only bad thing I would say about this pill is you can’t take it back to back because of the placebo pills in it. But I do prefer this you can track your cycle to the very end without thinking back on when you finished the last pack.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
7 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Apr 23
I’ve tried so many pills and I think I’ve finally found one I will stick with!!! It’s been a long journey! Qlaira hasn’t given me any noticeable side effects. I do have a little more discharge than ‘normal’ and I do get small cramps and back ache when I’m on the dark red pills before the placebos… all very manageable. I actually have some form of sex drive back. My skin is not breaking out and my moods are pretty darn stable. I would give it 5 stars but I feel there’s always room for improvement. That being said - hands down this pill is above the rest. I am also very pleased the lowdown stock this pill because I highly doubt I will be able to get this through the NHS.
Top side effects not reported
6 helpful
2 comments