Contraception Reviews

Mini pill vs Contraceptive gel

Mini pill

Want to switch birth control?

Contraceptive gel

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.3

41 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.8

5 reviews

Before sex

Frequency

79% - 86%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin

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).

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

37% no impact on mood

Bleeds

37% stopped periods

Sex drive

37% no impact

Weight

42% no impact

Skin

37% worse skin

Cycle return

63% don’t know impact

Mood

40% very positive

Bleeds

60% no change

Sex drive

60% increased sex drive

Weight

60% no impact

Skin

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

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

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Want to switch birth control?

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mini pill reviews

41 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

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 😕

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

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

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1 day ago

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
  •  3 days ago

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

Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  2 weeks ago

Slynd birth control pill  

i have had really bad headaches on this pill, and i never had headache before taking it. i have also had a large amount of bleeding, i bled for 11 days 2 weeks into taking my first pack and I also had lost part of my uterine lining at the begging of those 11 days. since then i have had spotting which i also have never had before. i am considering taking a new pill but i don't know which one yet.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Contraceptive gel reviews

5 reviews

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Jun 25

Phexxi gel  

It’s okay still having pain with the Slynd which is awful


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 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 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Jun 25

Phexxi gel  

It’s okay still having pain with the Slynd which is awful


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 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

2 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive gel  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Dec 23

Phexxi gel  

Phexxi works great — if you actually use it. Oops! My kid sister used Phexxi for about a year either by itself or along with condoms when she was ovulating. Then one time when she and her boyfriend were staying in my apartment for a family wedding, they picked me as the designated driver and the two of them had way too much to drink. They were all over each other in the car on the way home. Which was kind of cute but then when we got back to my place she wanted me to help her insert her birth control. I took her back to their bedroom and started getting her out of her clothes and I was like why don’t you just skip using it if you’re not in the middle of your cycle, and then she showed me her period tracker on her phone. Yep, not a good time to skip using protection, but still … She passed out while I was reading the instructions on the applicator, so I just was like whatever, I’m not doing this. I got off the rest of her clothes and woke her up and said I would tell her boyfriend she was ready. She didn’t even ask if I had inserted her Phexxi. The walls in my apartment are thin, so I heard the entire “discussion” when he couldn’t find their box of condoms. She was too drunk and horny to say no. She had no idea she was about to try to conceive. And yes, she became a mommy that night.


Increased sex drive

2 helpful

0 comments

Birth control alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Mini pill with other birth control

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