Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 19th Feb 21
I suggest that you don’t take the pill as it has a lot of side effects and you will not realise that it’s due to the contraceptive pill. I stopped the pill for one week just to check if the breast pain and headache was due to the pill. I restarted it because my periods started and they were extremely heavy . The lockdown didn’t help as couldn’t get appointment. Finally informed nurse and left tablet.
Impact while using
Mood
Skin
Sex drive
Weight
Bleeds
Impact after using
Mood
Skin
Sex drive
Weight
Cycle return to normal
Side effects reported
While using
After using
Coming off contraception
Only been a week since I left tablet waiting for things to get back to normal.
0 helpful
0 comments
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We've got experts to help you with your contraception
We have NHS-registered nurses and doctors who will really listen, and answer your questions.
We have NHS-registered nurses and doctors who will really listen, and answer your questions.
Full 20 minute conversation
Evening and weekend appointments
100% money back guarantee
Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
The chest pain was really awful, and that’s a big red flag. Even though a month might not seem like long enough to make a final judgment, the intensity of the chest pain and other symptoms definitely made me question whether this was the right pill for me. It's important to listen to your body, and in my case, the discomfort and pain outweighed any potential benefits. I would highly recommend discussing these symptoms with a healthcare provider to explore alternative options or further guidance
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It is good for those who struggled with irregular periods and breakthrough bleeding. I was on the injection for a year before and it ruined my body made me gain 30 kgs and caused me to constantly bleed all the time! This pill has been good at regulating my periods, and no breakthrough bleeding. However I changed the time I took it recently for the first time since I started taking it and it has badly affected my moods, anxiety and period. I hope once I settle into it, the symptoms will subside. I need to change the time back to the morning in a month and I think I will just take it at the time I intend to change it to instead of taking it a few hours later every day until desired time.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
During the first 2-3 months of using Desogestrel, I'd have prolonged periods (14+ days) of spotting/bleeding around times when my period would normally have been. I wasn't having cramps or any other pain, it was just a little annoying to be bleeding like this. It did settle down after a few months and I stopped getting my period altogether. Overall, I found the contraception to be pretty easy to use (I don't really have issues remembering to take the pill), physical side-effects were pretty minimal and it was nice to not have a period after suffering with really heavy painful periods for years. I had a gnarly chronic UTI issue around this time, but don't think this was necessarily because of the pill, there's a million other reasons why that could have been happening. I eventually stopped using it because I noticed it was really having an effect on my mood. I'd have days every few weeks where something small in the morning would set me off and I wouldn't be able to stop crying all day, which was starting to affect my social life, relationships, and productivity. I decided to stop using it a few weeks before my partner and I shifted into being a long-distance relationship.
Gained weight
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
The mini pill worked well for lack of periods and I only had one break through bleed. However I felt very emotionally unstable, crying a lot and feeling overwhelmed. I have come off this pill due to those issues. I also had very bad headaches in the first few months.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I have taken this pill for four months to help with endometriosis symptoms. Previously, I was on Eloine for about a year which worked greatly for me with minor side effects, but changed out of precautions due to having had two or three migraines with an aura. Within the first month of taking Slynd, my headaches became more frequent and intense (to such degree that I need to see a neurologist). Without changing my food habits, I gradually gained 8 kg in the four months of taking Slynd. I also have felt my mental health has been negatively affected by depressive feelings and mood swings. I am a mental health professional and was very surprised at this side effect, given my self-care routines and emotional regulation skills are usually optimal. I also developed adult acne, which I would have been ok with if it was the only side effect. The acne and weight gain have negatively affected my self-esteem. One good thing I experienced on Slynd is that my endometriosis cramps were less intense and that I was able to take this pill continuously, thereby skipping my periods and making endometriosis symptoms more manageable. As a result of this, I had more energy to work out.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Did not enjoy this pill! Tried for around 5 months, mood was poor and crying very easily or completely numb! Skin got bad at first but then was okay! Gained weight around increase by a dress size or two, felt bloated constantly and breast size increased but sore! Vaginal dryness was extreme was even sore to walk and have thrush twice in this 5 month period! Was spotting pretty much constantly and obviously unable to track periods with it being a continuous pill and they were irregular.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
there will always be side effects to any contraceptive pill, but if it wotks, it works
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Feb 25
Was on this pill for about 4/5 months. Positives were that it got rid of any cramps/ period symptoms - great as I was previously prescribed meds for dysmenorrhea. However, it gave me constant spotting and light bleeding - I bled for about 75% of the time while on this pill and it didn’t get any better. Doctor recommended that I doubled dose (from 75 to 150mg) - this killed my sex drive and didn’t fix the bleeding issue, so I eventually came off.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Feb 25
I had an unpleasant experience using Cerelle. It was the first birth control I tried and wasn't given any other options or choice by the GP at the time. I had a 2month long heavy and painful period, worsened skin, hair loss, severe backne to name a few side effects. Really bad experience for me sadly. Having now tried over 10 other birth control pills- mini and combined, I learned that I am very sensitive to progesterone so the mini pill just isn't for me sadly. I'm now on the Patch and loving it.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Feb 25
I got put on this pill when i had a miscarriage, i get worried from time to time about my period. I have the flo app and i’m on my period about every 2 weeks, but it’s not exactly a period it’s just very very light and lasts for longer then a period should last this only started happening when i missed a pill for a day and the next day took 2 of them so it didn’t screw the pill up in my body and it has so it worries me. I’ve also put on so much weight using the pill.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
The chest pain was really awful, and that’s a big red flag. Even though a month might not seem like long enough to make a final judgment, the intensity of the chest pain and other symptoms definitely made me question whether this was the right pill for me. It's important to listen to your body, and in my case, the discomfort and pain outweighed any potential benefits. I would highly recommend discussing these symptoms with a healthcare provider to explore alternative options or further guidance
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It is good for those who struggled with irregular periods and breakthrough bleeding. I was on the injection for a year before and it ruined my body made me gain 30 kgs and caused me to constantly bleed all the time! This pill has been good at regulating my periods, and no breakthrough bleeding. However I changed the time I took it recently for the first time since I started taking it and it has badly affected my moods, anxiety and period. I hope once I settle into it, the symptoms will subside. I need to change the time back to the morning in a month and I think I will just take it at the time I intend to change it to instead of taking it a few hours later every day until desired time.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
During the first 2-3 months of using Desogestrel, I'd have prolonged periods (14+ days) of spotting/bleeding around times when my period would normally have been. I wasn't having cramps or any other pain, it was just a little annoying to be bleeding like this. It did settle down after a few months and I stopped getting my period altogether. Overall, I found the contraception to be pretty easy to use (I don't really have issues remembering to take the pill), physical side-effects were pretty minimal and it was nice to not have a period after suffering with really heavy painful periods for years. I had a gnarly chronic UTI issue around this time, but don't think this was necessarily because of the pill, there's a million other reasons why that could have been happening. I eventually stopped using it because I noticed it was really having an effect on my mood. I'd have days every few weeks where something small in the morning would set me off and I wouldn't be able to stop crying all day, which was starting to affect my social life, relationships, and productivity. I decided to stop using it a few weeks before my partner and I shifted into being a long-distance relationship.
Gained weight
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
The mini pill worked well for lack of periods and I only had one break through bleed. However I felt very emotionally unstable, crying a lot and feeling overwhelmed. I have come off this pill due to those issues. I also had very bad headaches in the first few months.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I have taken this pill for four months to help with endometriosis symptoms. Previously, I was on Eloine for about a year which worked greatly for me with minor side effects, but changed out of precautions due to having had two or three migraines with an aura. Within the first month of taking Slynd, my headaches became more frequent and intense (to such degree that I need to see a neurologist). Without changing my food habits, I gradually gained 8 kg in the four months of taking Slynd. I also have felt my mental health has been negatively affected by depressive feelings and mood swings. I am a mental health professional and was very surprised at this side effect, given my self-care routines and emotional regulation skills are usually optimal. I also developed adult acne, which I would have been ok with if it was the only side effect. The acne and weight gain have negatively affected my self-esteem. One good thing I experienced on Slynd is that my endometriosis cramps were less intense and that I was able to take this pill continuously, thereby skipping my periods and making endometriosis symptoms more manageable. As a result of this, I had more energy to work out.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Did not enjoy this pill! Tried for around 5 months, mood was poor and crying very easily or completely numb! Skin got bad at first but then was okay! Gained weight around increase by a dress size or two, felt bloated constantly and breast size increased but sore! Vaginal dryness was extreme was even sore to walk and have thrush twice in this 5 month period! Was spotting pretty much constantly and obviously unable to track periods with it being a continuous pill and they were irregular.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
there will always be side effects to any contraceptive pill, but if it wotks, it works
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Feb 25
Was on this pill for about 4/5 months. Positives were that it got rid of any cramps/ period symptoms - great as I was previously prescribed meds for dysmenorrhea. However, it gave me constant spotting and light bleeding - I bled for about 75% of the time while on this pill and it didn’t get any better. Doctor recommended that I doubled dose (from 75 to 150mg) - this killed my sex drive and didn’t fix the bleeding issue, so I eventually came off.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Feb 25
I had an unpleasant experience using Cerelle. It was the first birth control I tried and wasn't given any other options or choice by the GP at the time. I had a 2month long heavy and painful period, worsened skin, hair loss, severe backne to name a few side effects. Really bad experience for me sadly. Having now tried over 10 other birth control pills- mini and combined, I learned that I am very sensitive to progesterone so the mini pill just isn't for me sadly. I'm now on the Patch and loving it.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Feb 25
I got put on this pill when i had a miscarriage, i get worried from time to time about my period. I have the flo app and i’m on my period about every 2 weeks, but it’s not exactly a period it’s just very very light and lasts for longer then a period should last this only started happening when i missed a pill for a day and the next day took 2 of them so it didn’t screw the pill up in my body and it has so it worries me. I’ve also put on so much weight using the pill.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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