Contraception Reviews

Mini pill vs Birth control patch

Mini pill

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Birth control patch

Want to switch birth control?

Overview

Rated 3.3

46 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.1

10 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Mini pill

progestin


Birth control patch ingredients

Main hormones in Birth control patch

progestin

What Lowdown reviewers say

Mood

35% no impact on mood

Bleeds

39% stopped periods

Sex drive

39% lost sex drive

Weight

41% no impact

Skin

37% no impact on skin

Cycle return

56% don’t know impact

Mood

50% somewhat negative

Bleeds

50% spotting

Sex drive

60% no impact

Weight

50% no impact

Skin

30% improved skin

Cycle return

100% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this birth control can help with

Period pain

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Mini pill reviews

46 reviews

Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

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…

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Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

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
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5 days ago

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
  •  1 week ago

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


Birth control patch reviews

10 reviews

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Feb 26

Xulane patch  

Very good Basically got me out of depression and made me feel more confident


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Nov 25

Xulane patch  

I was on Depo and the pill before this and this is the best one so far. I'm still in the adjustment phase. The main issue is that this month (month 2) I've felt uncomfortable in my skin and I've been dizzy. Not extreme but noticeable. I appreciate the ease of only dealing with it once a week. The adhesive is slightly irritating only because of sweat, but after the first month it's stopped itching and I don't notice it anymore.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Xulane patch  

I have been on these patches consistently for over a year. I am still dealing with breakthrough bleeding with the same excruciating and heavy periods. My periods also come every two weeks, then I end up bleeding for two weeks. It comes every month on my third patch week, so I feel as though I am wasting a fresh patch. I tried skipping periods, and it still does not work; I still bleed. Also, they suck at sticking to the skin. It's a horror trying to shower with the patch on because it will come off. After a shower, I'm more focused on trying to get it to stick back onto my skin. And it does move across the skin, and leaves square prints on my skin, due to the adhesive. I would not recommend these patches to anybody who wants to shower regularly, or do water activities while trying to manage periods and prevent pregnancy. I have made an appointment with my doctor, to change my birth control method.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Feb 26

Xulane patch  

Very good Basically got me out of depression and made me feel more confident


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  11th Nov 25

Xulane patch  

I was on Depo and the pill before this and this is the best one so far. I'm still in the adjustment phase. The main issue is that this month (month 2) I've felt uncomfortable in my skin and I've been dizzy. Not extreme but noticeable. I appreciate the ease of only dealing with it once a week. The adhesive is slightly irritating only because of sweat, but after the first month it's stopped itching and I don't notice it anymore.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  30th Oct 25

Xulane patch  

I have been on these patches consistently for over a year. I am still dealing with breakthrough bleeding with the same excruciating and heavy periods. My periods also come every two weeks, then I end up bleeding for two weeks. It comes every month on my third patch week, so I feel as though I am wasting a fresh patch. I tried skipping periods, and it still does not work; I still bleed. Also, they suck at sticking to the skin. It's a horror trying to shower with the patch on because it will come off. After a shower, I'm more focused on trying to get it to stick back onto my skin. And it does move across the skin, and leaves square prints on my skin, due to the adhesive. I would not recommend these patches to anybody who wants to shower regularly, or do water activities while trying to manage periods and prevent pregnancy. I have made an appointment with my doctor, to change my birth control method.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Breakthrough bleeding lasted for 3 mos


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
  •  1st Apr 25

Xulane patch  

Currently on my 3rd month of the patch and hoping to switch to an IUD soon, I'm using it to treat my PCOS, not relying on the patch alone for contraception due to my weight. Here's a list of all of the symptoms I've noticed: Pros - Regular periods: though I experienced about 3 weeks of straight bleeding during the first month on the patch (it appeared during my second patch of the box) since then I've only gotten my period during the week it's been off, compared to only getting my period 2-3 times a year pre-patch - Lighter bleeding: before the patch I would bleed for a week at minimum, and for the first 3 days I would consistently bleed through pads within just a couple hours. On the patch i only bleed a notable amount for about 4 days and have had far less blood flow - Stronger fingernails: really wasn't expecting this one, but I'd say its a good change - Darker body hair: probably a con for most, but I enjoy being hairy Cons: - Increase in facial acne: didn't get acne very much before the patch, now I consistently have a couple cysts on my face - Harder to reach orgasm: I've found it slightly harder to orgasm on the patch, but it's not a huge difference and the orgasms are about the same - Increased depression: my mood is completely fine during my weeks with the patch on, but during my off weeks I feel very depressed and irritable, and my anxiety skyrockets


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  17th Apr 24

Birth control patch  

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.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  7th Apr 24

Xulane patch  

It’s fine.. maybe. if you’re susceptible to anxiety at all then i don’t recommend. Random crying fits. Had to admit myself to the ER because of my second sudden panic attack since starting. I’ve never dealt with that before. I have only been on the patch for 3 weeks, perhaps the side effects would have subsided if i waited it out but im not willing to risk it.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  5th Apr 24

Xulane patch  

The only problem I had using the birth parches was that it gave me an allergy and would turn my skin red and dry. I had to stop using it and switched to the birth control implant which is a way better method.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  2nd Jan 24

Xulane patch  

I love how easy it is and how well it works


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Birth control patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
  •  24th Oct 23

Xulane patch  

Patch would not stay on. Caused rashes and skin scarred for weeks.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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