Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 8th Feb 21
Overall I thought this pill worked really well for me however for years didn’t realise that my dwindling sex drive was due to it. This actually caused ongoing difficulty between myself and my partner as we slowly mis-matched in drives which could be upsetting and confusing for both of us. I’ve been with my partner over 8 years and knew it wasn’t because I wasn’t attracted to him. Coming off the pill has confirmed that as I’m nearly a year off and am very nearly back to what I was like pre-pill which is amazing. I had to stop taking it because of supply issue and moved to Yasmin as after researching a lot it seemed most similar. I reacted so badly to that one though it finally gave me to push to stop using contraceptives (apart from condoms) and I’m so glad!
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
No experience provided
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
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Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I've tried several pills to control severe period pains and Norimin is the only one that helped without making me more prone to anxiety. I took it for 6 years and thought it was great, but my hair is starting to recede in an androgenic pattern and I've just realised that Norimin is highly androgenic so is almost certainly the cause (I don't have any deficiencies or other health issues). As well as the receding, the front of my hair has been gradually getting shorter and thinner, and there are large sections around my temples that don't grow more than a couple of inches. The timing of this matches up with when I've been on Norimin, but it happened so gradually that I didn't connect it. Androgens can cause hair loss and changes in hair growth, but this is not listed as a side effect in the patient information leaflet and was never mentioned to me by the doctor. I never would have taken Norimin if I'd known this could happen. I am now switching to a less androgenic pill and am hoping my hair can regrow.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Took at night before bed, not much nausea. Definitely noticable breast pain with use, albeit not too sore. Periods shorter. Acne used to clear after period but now I'm always a bit spotty throughout
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Cleared my skin up really well after suffering with acne for years. Thought I’d found the perfect pill until it made me feel severely depressed and constant mood swings. I have been taking this pill for 7 months and no improvement on mood just cleared my skin well
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
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
• 3 days ago
Overall didn’t impact mood positively but greatly helped with acne and cramps
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 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
• 2 weeks 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
• 2 weeks 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
• 2 weeks 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
Explore popular contraception reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I've tried several pills to control severe period pains and Norimin is the only one that helped without making me more prone to anxiety. I took it for 6 years and thought it was great, but my hair is starting to recede in an androgenic pattern and I've just realised that Norimin is highly androgenic so is almost certainly the cause (I don't have any deficiencies or other health issues). As well as the receding, the front of my hair has been gradually getting shorter and thinner, and there are large sections around my temples that don't grow more than a couple of inches. The timing of this matches up with when I've been on Norimin, but it happened so gradually that I didn't connect it. Androgens can cause hair loss and changes in hair growth, but this is not listed as a side effect in the patient information leaflet and was never mentioned to me by the doctor. I never would have taken Norimin if I'd known this could happen. I am now switching to a less androgenic pill and am hoping my hair can regrow.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Took at night before bed, not much nausea. Definitely noticable breast pain with use, albeit not too sore. Periods shorter. Acne used to clear after period but now I'm always a bit spotty throughout
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Cleared my skin up really well after suffering with acne for years. Thought I’d found the perfect pill until it made me feel severely depressed and constant mood swings. I have been taking this pill for 7 months and no improvement on mood just cleared my skin well
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
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
• 3 days ago
Overall didn’t impact mood positively but greatly helped with acne and cramps
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 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
• 2 weeks 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
• 2 weeks 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
• 2 weeks 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

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