The Lowdown, a Vira Health company

Birth control implant vs Mini pill

Birth control implant

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Mini pill

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Overview

Rated 3.2

82 reviews

Every 5 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.2

49 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Birth control implant ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control implant


Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

28% no impact on mood

Bleeds

52% spotting

Sex drive

35% lost sex drive

Weight

46% gained weight

Skin

32% worse skin

Cycle return

46% in 1 month

Mood

33% no impact on mood

Bleeds

41% spotting

Sex drive

41% lost sex drive

Weight

39% no impact

Skin

37% no impact on skin

Cycle return

56% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Period pain

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Birth control implant reviews

82 reviews

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jul 26

Nexplanon implant  

I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.

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Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 26

Nexplanon implant  

Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd May 26

Nexplanon implant  

H


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
22 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  15th Jul 26

Nexplanon implant  

I always had heavy and irregular periods before starting Nexplanon (except for when I was on the pill). In my first three years, I had moderate flow irregular bleeding and took the pill to help regulate (did not work). I then got Nexplanon reinserted after 3 years, at which point I lost my period altogether for almost 2 years, and now only have light (but irregular) spotting. I believe my mood is more consistent without a regular cycle. It is possible that my sex drive went down, but I was not sexually active before starting, so it might not have decreased. I did not gain weight like I did on the pill, and I do not feel as puffy from water retention. I found the insertion to be very easy. Removal was more uncomfortable because of how they pry it out, but it was not bad. I like the piece of mind of having it always in and being able to touch it to check.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Jun 26

Nexplanon implant  

Overall very satisfied with it as a way of avoiding periods. In the beginning there was a lot of spotting, and then period right after, then spotting again, but once that was over it's all good. I have not had a period in 3 months, but when I do get one, they last for at least a week (my normal period is 4 days). But as a contraceptive it is kind of useless, as I have 0% sex drive. None existent. To the point where sex is a chore, which is not healthy for any relationship. Acne is also quite alot worse, despite using retinol and salsylic acid, I get a lot of blackheads and big yellow pimples. Probably going to get it removed soon, because of the two negatives.


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd May 26

Nexplanon implant  

H


Very positive mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Mini pill reviews

49 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Slynd birth control pill  

Lots of spotting in the beginning and some of my periods are coming while on active pills. Very depressed for the first 1-2 months but that has subsided. The biggest side effect is a large increase in sweating while active. Like dripping from my head and face.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

terrible experience, dry mouth 24/7, dehydrated, nausea, throat irritated from this pill drying me and heavy diuretic component. made me so tired and depressed and ill caused acne


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I wanted to love this pill. As a body builder I was excited for something that does not cause bloat. It cleared my skin up soooooo much. But the mood swings and dizziness were unbearable for me. Took it once month and had to stop.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4 days ago

Slynd birth control pill  

Lots of spotting in the beginning and some of my periods are coming while on active pills. Very depressed for the first 1-2 months but that has subsided. The biggest side effect is a large increase in sweating while active. Like dripping from my head and face.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

terrible experience, dry mouth 24/7, dehydrated, nausea, throat irritated from this pill drying me and heavy diuretic component. made me so tired and depressed and ill caused acne


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 month ago

Slynd birth control pill  

I wanted to love this pill. As a body builder I was excited for something that does not cause bloat. It cleared my skin up soooooo much. But the mood swings and dizziness were unbearable for me. Took it once month and had to stop.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Jul 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I was told this newer birth control is generally better received than others like it and my main concern was mood change. Generally I am depressed more and have a loss of appetite which after being pregnant sticks out to me as a definite side effect. I definitely feel like this throws my hormones out of balance. I haven’t experienced this much hair loss before. I want to quit taking it but right now I don’t know a better option since me and my husband both hate using condoms. My sex drive is definitely lowered so I guess that in itself works as a birth control…


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  4th Jul 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I love the slynd pills because i usually have constant cramping pain when i ovulate or weeks before my period they get so intense but it’s been great I have little to no pain and my skin has been great too. The only thing I can really complain about is headaches mostly in the beginning when starting the new pack.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  8th Jun 26

Slynd birth control pill  

Honestly this pill helped me correct extreme anemia and I had far less severe side effects than combination pills I’ve tried. It’s been about 5 months and I do still have some irritability and bloating/weight gain from the initial adjustments but it seems to be getting better over time. I was terrified to take any kind of hormonal birth control because I have severe PMDD and it made it worse in the past, but this was actually manageable and I don’t go through 3 different personalities every month


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  18th May 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I really discourage anyone from trying this pill, I think its just too high of a dose. I was on for 3 months and noticed immediate headaches which coincided with nausea. This continued all throughout the 3 months and made me feel so ill I had to stop taking it. Its so rough. I couldn't stand it but gave it my best shot. I did lose some water weight initially, but eventually started gaining weight because it messed with my blood sugar and this just made me CRAVE sugar and put weight back on. Awful. I am going back on Noriday (norethisterone mini pill) because although I get a bit of water weight on it, I dont have ANY other side effects and my libido is also not affected (unlike Slynd) so overall it feels healthier and more stable than Slynd.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  3rd May 26

Slynd birth control pill  

mild joint pain and cramping in calfs and shoulders! Breasts grew two cup sizes. On it for PMDDD, first month in I have noticed less anxiety and mood swings. Hoping it continues!


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  29th Mar 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I have been on this for 2 days, day 1 I had unmanageable migraines that made me want to cry and lower back pain, day 2 I am experiencing migraines and severe abdominal cramps and lower back pain. I dont know if I want to take this another day 😕


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  27th Mar 26

Slynd birth control pill  

I was really hopeful about starting Slynd. My purpose for starting Slynd was not a kit birth control but more about controlling heavy, painful periods, as well as the bodily changes as I entered my 40s. My previous experience with birth control has not been great, however I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, I could only take the side effects from Slynd for a little over 2 months. As a health professional, I understand that these medications require time, but this was making my life more miserable. Here are some of the side effects I experienced: Month 1 through Month 2 Late period (10-12 days late) Prolonged period (over 2 weeks long) then continuous spotting Nausea daily Migraine Pimples (I’ve never experienced this many pimples in my entire life!) Cramping (during missed period & during period) Fatigue (extreme) Back pain By the 3rd pack, I gave up due to increased cramping, back pain with spotting and increased irritability from the pain. At this point, I’ve gone from regular heavy, painful periods to daily, painful spotting. I’m definitely not myself and would like to end this misery! I truly don’t believe in giving up, I understand every woman is different. This birth control is just not for me!


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Birth control implant with other birth control

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