Mini pill vs Birth control patch
Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Mini pill
progestin
Birth control patch ingredients
Main hormones in Birth control patch
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
37% no impact on mood
37% stopped periods
37% no impact
42% no impact
37% no impact on skin
56% don’t know impact
50% somewhat negative
50% spotting
60% no impact
50% no impact
30% improved skin
100% don’t know impact
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Mini pill reviews
43 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Mar 26
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 29th Mar 26
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
Birth control patch reviews
10 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Feb 26
Very good Basically got me out of depression and made me feel more confident
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Nov 25
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Feb 26
Very good Basically got me out of depression and made me feel more confident
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 11th Nov 25
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
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Oct 25
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 25
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1st Apr 25
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
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Apr 24
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 7th Apr 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 5th Apr 24
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
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Jan 24
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Oct 23
Patch would not stay on. Caused rashes and skin scarred for weeks.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Popular birth control
Combination pillImplantShotThe legal stuff
Terms of usePrivacy & cookieContent policy©The Lowdown 2026

