Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown51622
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Jul 23
I was on the combined pill originally on Microgynon for a few years but then I was moved onto Levest and that is what I continued with for at least 2 years. I had no problems with the effectiveness of Levest for what it is intended to do. The only advantage of this pill for me was that my skin became very clear and my periods were very light which is nice. HOWEVER, I started to realise that I was starting to feel like a different person while on this pill. I would say that I became very numb most of the time which gave me quite a low mood and would often snap at people. The couple of days before my period I would be extremely low and would cry at anything and everything! Sometimes I would literally cry for no reason, if I was even just thinking of a sad situation...I would cry. It was my mum that eventually mentioned that it could be the pill effecting my mood so I decided to come off it to see what would happen. I'm so glad that I did! My mood has improved massively and I no longer have that low mood all the time. Of course, you get fluctuations in your natural cycle and mood changes with that but it is nothing compared to when I was on Levest, I have barely cried since being off it!
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
No side effects provided
Coming off contraception
I felt very positive after coming off this pill. My mood completely improved and I stopped crying all the time.
2 helpful
0 comments
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We've got experts to help you with your contraception
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Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I got this as it’s the same quantity of hormones as microgynon what I had taken before & that helped my acne. This one though the same ingredients has broken me out terribly, oilier skin/hair & I am sooo touchy I’m in such a bad mood. Also I’ve had so much spotting which I didn’t experience with microgynon I don’t understand how a different brand could affect you so differently can’t wait to change to another
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Overall didn’t impact mood positively but greatly helped with acne and cramps
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Good pill, not a lot of mood changes however when I took a break from it for a few months my mood improved so much that I almost didn’t go back. This is my second time trying it so I hope it doesn’t affect me too much
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Don't get this contraception if you want to keep your good mental health. It almost ruined my relationship, I turned into a complete monster. The short periods and the clear skin was nice but it really jeopardised my relationship and ruined my mental health. Coming off was the best thing I could've ever done for myself.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
I was initially prescribed Yasmin to help with low moods/depression before my period. However, I was then switched to Dretine without explanation and told it was the same as Yasmin. Since taking it, my mood has been all over the place- very sensitive, sad, depression-like feelings, anxiety/overthinking a lot more than usual. I'm switching back to Yasmin as I had a positive experience with it in the first place.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Made the mistake of changing to the Progestogen-only/mini pill 'Desogestrel' August 2023. Caused me to be deeply depressed while on it, and I also experienced serious gastro-related episodes (twice) where I woke in the middle of the night and nearly fainted while on the toilet, with bad stomach aches then following for the next week or so. More relevant now, that pill also caused my skin to break out badly, the worse I'd ever had it (being a person before who had ever only experienced a few spots here and there). These spots were almost always appearing around my mouth around. Once I realised this pill was causing all of these symptoms, I came straight off and was advised to go back on a previous combined I'd been on for years. Depression and the gastro episodes cleared up, but the acne did not. I then experimented with coming off hormonal contraception altogether, hoping my skin would go back to normal. It did not, so I consulted the GP about a pill that was known for clearing up acne effectively. She put me on Yasmin, which I started 25/1/25. In the first month I did experience some feelings of nausea that I have heard people talk about, but that was only in the first few weeks on it. Also had one headache that went on for a couple of days, which is unusual for me, however I had also read that was common and I haven't experienced one since. Regarding my skin, it seemed to get a little worse for the first month, plus maybe a couple of weeks. I am now almost 2 months on this pill (having taken one 4 day break after my first pack, and now in the process of taking 3 packs consecutively) and I am hopeful that the frequency of spots is steadily going down. I also worked with ChatGPT (my very own virtual PA, haha) to create an oil-reducing skincare routine, so that might also be helping. Another positive is that my breasts have gotten larger, but no weight gain other than that! Will update again when I'm at 3 months on.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Went on this pill to try and ease my intense cramps, but it made my periods much much heavier and I’m not sure its worth it.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Prescribed for pcos. I no longer have pelvic and abdominal pain :) and my mood is better as I do not have pms anymore, it helped my hormonal alopecia. I also notice my face looks different like it’s less chubby or puffy. The negatives are it gave me a phase of acne which eventually cleared and headaches, the first break I took on it was a really bad headache where I had to stay in a lot so I could be in dark to relieve the pain.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Positives - Balanced mood, bigger boobs, great skin and generally little to no side effects Negatives - Bad nausea once you first start taking it (1-2 weeks worth), severe headaches on the pill break I went on this pill as had heard it may help my PMS symptoms. The week before my period I was experiencing low moods and emotional sensitivity. This pill CHANGED that. I now have a balanced mood throughout the whole month. The only time I notice pms like symptoms is when I have taken a few packets back to back - your body defo tells you you need a pill break. Overall, would recommend
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I got this as it’s the same quantity of hormones as microgynon what I had taken before & that helped my acne. This one though the same ingredients has broken me out terribly, oilier skin/hair & I am sooo touchy I’m in such a bad mood. Also I’ve had so much spotting which I didn’t experience with microgynon I don’t understand how a different brand could affect you so differently can’t wait to change to another
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Overall didn’t impact mood positively but greatly helped with acne and cramps
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Good pill, not a lot of mood changes however when I took a break from it for a few months my mood improved so much that I almost didn’t go back. This is my second time trying it so I hope it doesn’t affect me too much
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Don't get this contraception if you want to keep your good mental health. It almost ruined my relationship, I turned into a complete monster. The short periods and the clear skin was nice but it really jeopardised my relationship and ruined my mental health. Coming off was the best thing I could've ever done for myself.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
I was initially prescribed Yasmin to help with low moods/depression before my period. However, I was then switched to Dretine without explanation and told it was the same as Yasmin. Since taking it, my mood has been all over the place- very sensitive, sad, depression-like feelings, anxiety/overthinking a lot more than usual. I'm switching back to Yasmin as I had a positive experience with it in the first place.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Made the mistake of changing to the Progestogen-only/mini pill 'Desogestrel' August 2023. Caused me to be deeply depressed while on it, and I also experienced serious gastro-related episodes (twice) where I woke in the middle of the night and nearly fainted while on the toilet, with bad stomach aches then following for the next week or so. More relevant now, that pill also caused my skin to break out badly, the worse I'd ever had it (being a person before who had ever only experienced a few spots here and there). These spots were almost always appearing around my mouth around. Once I realised this pill was causing all of these symptoms, I came straight off and was advised to go back on a previous combined I'd been on for years. Depression and the gastro episodes cleared up, but the acne did not. I then experimented with coming off hormonal contraception altogether, hoping my skin would go back to normal. It did not, so I consulted the GP about a pill that was known for clearing up acne effectively. She put me on Yasmin, which I started 25/1/25. In the first month I did experience some feelings of nausea that I have heard people talk about, but that was only in the first few weeks on it. Also had one headache that went on for a couple of days, which is unusual for me, however I had also read that was common and I haven't experienced one since. Regarding my skin, it seemed to get a little worse for the first month, plus maybe a couple of weeks. I am now almost 2 months on this pill (having taken one 4 day break after my first pack, and now in the process of taking 3 packs consecutively) and I am hopeful that the frequency of spots is steadily going down. I also worked with ChatGPT (my very own virtual PA, haha) to create an oil-reducing skincare routine, so that might also be helping. Another positive is that my breasts have gotten larger, but no weight gain other than that! Will update again when I'm at 3 months on.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Went on this pill to try and ease my intense cramps, but it made my periods much much heavier and I’m not sure its worth it.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Prescribed for pcos. I no longer have pelvic and abdominal pain :) and my mood is better as I do not have pms anymore, it helped my hormonal alopecia. I also notice my face looks different like it’s less chubby or puffy. The negatives are it gave me a phase of acne which eventually cleared and headaches, the first break I took on it was a really bad headache where I had to stay in a lot so I could be in dark to relieve the pain.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Positives - Balanced mood, bigger boobs, great skin and generally little to no side effects Negatives - Bad nausea once you first start taking it (1-2 weeks worth), severe headaches on the pill break I went on this pill as had heard it may help my PMS symptoms. The week before my period I was experiencing low moods and emotional sensitivity. This pill CHANGED that. I now have a balanced mood throughout the whole month. The only time I notice pms like symptoms is when I have taken a few packets back to back - your body defo tells you you need a pill break. Overall, would recommend
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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