Contraception Reviews

Contraceptive gel vs Mini pill

Contraceptive gel

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Mini pill

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Overview

Rated 4.3

4 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.3

14 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Contraceptive gel ingredients

Birth control gels include spermicides and a new gel called Phexxi. These gels contain chemicals which prevent sperm from reaching an egg by affecting the sperm's motility and helping to block the cervix (opening into the womb).

Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

50% very positive

Bleeds

75% no change

Sex drive

75% increased sex drive

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Mood

29% very negative

Bleeds

36% irregular periods

Sex drive

43% no impact

Weight

64% no impact

Skin

57% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% in 1 month

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this birth control

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Contraceptive gel reviews

4 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
56 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Contraceptive gel  

Birth control implant I have had this birth control for 10 years (3 implants). It makes your period lighter and more regular, or takes it away completely; I had a birth control pill ( i'm not sure if the name) prescribed beforehand and i could not stand that one.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

I feel like I've tried every birth control out there. Pills, patches rings, IUDs - with the exception of depo, you name it, I've tried it. But Phexxi has been a game changer for me! I never felt "whole" on hormonal methods or the IUDs, but with Phexxi I don't have to deal with hormonal side effects and I only use it when I need it. Super easy to use, not messy, and I feel like myself again!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
56 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  12th Jan 24

Phexxi gel  

Love that I can use Phexxi only when I need it. I do not like adding hormones to my body. I really love the lubricating effect, makes for even better sex!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments


Mini pill reviews

14 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I was on this pill for about 4-5 months. I’m just going to try to sum this up the best way I can; No change with boobs, no change with weight, acne cleared up, no change with hair growth or loss. Dizziness, several headaches a week. Fatigue, low mood and feeling numb. First 3 months was constant spotting and bleeding with about a week to week and half of nothing in between. Then I stopped taking placebos and zero bleeding or spotting for two months. Also around this time I experienced a huge drop in libido, barely able to get turned on and unable to get wet. The few times I tried to have sex I kept getting a perineal tear in the same spot and this was with a significant amount of lube. Finally found a doctor who told me this was because of my birth control. It impacted my hormones and changed my hormones down there to the point I was unable to have sex. My lips also looked like a prune and were wrinkly. I’ve been off the pill for over a week and my lips are pink, full and plush, and I was able to get wet when kissing my husband which had not happened in months. I feel like I’m coming alive again. Personally done with hormones, we are doing nfp and condoms. I don’t want to scare anyone but this was my experience if you happen to go through the same it may be this pill causing the tearing issue and other sexual function issues (which is listed as a side affect)


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Jun 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I like it, helps me a lot with my cramps


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Jun 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

Had a terrible experience with a combined BC pill (depression, exhaustion, weight gain), the mini-pill has been GREAT. I get my period only twice a year, and the only side effects are some breast tenderness an occasionally ovarian cysts before my period, but never serious. No mood side effects.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I was on this pill for about 4-5 months. I’m just going to try to sum this up the best way I can; No change with boobs, no change with weight, acne cleared up, no change with hair growth or loss. Dizziness, several headaches a week. Fatigue, low mood and feeling numb. First 3 months was constant spotting and bleeding with about a week to week and half of nothing in between. Then I stopped taking placebos and zero bleeding or spotting for two months. Also around this time I experienced a huge drop in libido, barely able to get turned on and unable to get wet. The few times I tried to have sex I kept getting a perineal tear in the same spot and this was with a significant amount of lube. Finally found a doctor who told me this was because of my birth control. It impacted my hormones and changed my hormones down there to the point I was unable to have sex. My lips also looked like a prune and were wrinkly. I’ve been off the pill for over a week and my lips are pink, full and plush, and I was able to get wet when kissing my husband which had not happened in months. I feel like I’m coming alive again. Personally done with hormones, we are doing nfp and condoms. I don’t want to scare anyone but this was my experience if you happen to go through the same it may be this pill causing the tearing issue and other sexual function issues (which is listed as a side affect)


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  25th Jun 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I like it, helps me a lot with my cramps


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Jun 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

Had a terrible experience with a combined BC pill (depression, exhaustion, weight gain), the mini-pill has been GREAT. I get my period only twice a year, and the only side effects are some breast tenderness an occasionally ovarian cysts before my period, but never serious. No mood side effects.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  28th May 24

Mini pill  

Took OPill after pregnancy, to fill the gap before going back to IUD. Ease of access is a big plus (picked up at grocery store, no prescription needed). First period was weird: started spotting at around the normal time of month, but just stayed like that for about a week before starting "in earnest", at which point it was fairly normal. Feeling a reduction in libido and sexual sensitivity, but could also be related to post-pregnancy hormone fluctuations.


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
38 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  9th May 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

I used to be able to skip periods but my old birth control gave me monthly migraines so I switched to the mini pill. My migraines are decreasing and my periods are regular now.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  20th Apr 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

When I started take this pill 3 weeks in I noticed my hair falling out I took it almost 2 months iv been off of it 3 weeks and my hair is still falling out when will it stop


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Feb 24

Norethindrone 0.35 birth control pill  

Worked out great until I started losing my hair. Had more ovary pain too.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  16th Jan 24

Slynd birth control pill  

Some irregular bleeding and headaches in the first few weeks but overall a good experience. This is the first birthcontrol pill that did not give me mood swings and depressive feelings.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Nov 23

Slynd birth control pill  

Chosen due to migraine with aura risk, had hair loss but could be unrelated. I did not bleed for first 3 months, now I do not bleed on the placebo week, but in the third week of a new pack


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
57 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  10th Oct 23

Mini pill  

I didn't experience any side effects or issues while taking the pill. The hardest thing was remembering to take the pill at the same time every day. And, while I was traveling, I always brought the pill in my purse so I had it if my baggage got lost. My experience with the pill was great- effective and easy.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Contraceptive gel with other birth control

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