Contraceptive gel vs Mini pill
Contraceptive gel ingredients
Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Mini pill
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
40% very positive
60% no change
60% increased sex drive
60% no impact
100% no impact on skin
100% don’t know impact
35% no impact on mood
38% stopped periods
38% no impact
47% no impact
38% no impact on skin
57% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Contraceptive gel reviews
5 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Jun 25
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 12th Jan 24
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
Mini pill reviews
34 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Worked fine for many years and helped with having much lighter, shorter periods with less cramps, but after briefly switching to the shot and then switching back to the pill I have been having breakthrough bleeding every other week for months now and my periods are no longer lighter or shorter so I'm trialing a different type now.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Dec 25
Improved skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 25
I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!
Somewhat negative mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
35 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
Worked fine for many years and helped with having much lighter, shorter periods with less cramps, but after briefly switching to the shot and then switching back to the pill I have been having breakthrough bleeding every other week for months now and my periods are no longer lighter or shorter so I'm trialing a different type now.
Top side effects not reported
3 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Dec 25
Improved skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Nov 25
I have had no issues with Norethindrone! I have been on it for two years with no weight gain, irregular periods, or acne. I have noticed that I get a little bit more emotional the week before my period that I did not use to have, and sometimes I feel a little nauseous in the mornings. Neither of which have caused any major discomfort or problems. Norethindrone has been great!
Somewhat negative mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Oct 25
I gained weight on slynd when I stopped nursing my baby. I gained weight in areas I normally don't gain weight in despite dieting and intense workouts. Weight is not really coming off despite being off the birth control.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Aug 25
i was on the traditional mini pill for almost a year before switching to slynd. slynd fixed all of the issues I had on the other POP. I did not have breakthrough bleeding, irregular periods or a depressed mood with Slynd. it was a major win-at first. I suddenly noticed I was gaining weight, by month two on slynd I had gained 3-4 pounds, and by the time I quit in month 5 I had gained 11 pounds. 11 pounds in 5 months is insane! I did not change my eating or workouts, so I believe it really was this pill.
Improved skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
37 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Aug 25
I am on Slynd for heavy period and clotting. It stopped the heaviness and clotting. I do have some dryness in my mouth and apparently my vagina. It may have contributed to acne but not sure.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 26th May 25
I lost so much hair. I’m done using this. My periods are more painful, I’m so tired now
Improved skin
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 16th Apr 25
Really love it! I can skip my periods, don't experience migraines and my acne cleared up!
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Mar 25
I gained 30 pounds after starting this birth control. Could not figure out what was going on with my body until I found a reddit thread where other people were experiencing the same.
Worse skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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