Combined pill vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Overview

Rated 2.8

2585 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1385 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen


Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

31% somewhat negative

47% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

31% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

50% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Combined pill reviews

2585 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Marvelon pill  

Overall, Haven’t noticed any changes to mood, it’s definitely made me gain a little bit of weight. However, My period i had when coming off the pill was in one word…. Excruciating. I’ve never had bad period cramps but with this pill my period came out in massive blood clots and it was very very painful.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

Gave me cystitis all the time and even after coming off I keep getting it after seeing a specialist they told me it’s due to the The pill, lowering my oestrogen


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

I thought i had gotten on well with Gedarel, didn’t have side effects really and took it continuously to not have periods which only about every 6mnths got beeak-through bleeding, the periods during a pill break were getting heavier each time though. only after coming off it and changing to the mini pill did I realise my sez drive was affected by it as it came back to my normal and my mood felt more stable generally also? The reason for switching was because I had one really bad migrane (and no history of it)


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Marvelon pill  

Overall, Haven’t noticed any changes to mood, it’s definitely made me gain a little bit of weight. However, My period i had when coming off the pill was in one word…. Excruciating. I’ve never had bad period cramps but with this pill my period came out in massive blood clots and it was very very painful.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

Gave me cystitis all the time and even after coming off I keep getting it after seeing a specialist they told me it’s due to the The pill, lowering my oestrogen


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

I thought i had gotten on well with Gedarel, didn’t have side effects really and took it continuously to not have periods which only about every 6mnths got beeak-through bleeding, the periods during a pill break were getting heavier each time though. only after coming off it and changing to the mini pill did I realise my sez drive was affected by it as it came back to my normal and my mood felt more stable generally also? The reason for switching was because I had one really bad migrane (and no history of it)


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1385 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Norgeston pill  

I tried the mini pill after experiencing migraines after 6 years on the combined pill. First I tried Zelleta which gave me such low mood and tearful all the time, as well as constant spotting. I wanted to try Norgeston as the synthetic hormone is different. My mood definitely improved (although a little more anxious) and I’ve had no spotting, but my periods are so irregular, really close together and so heavy I can get through more than 3 pads a day. I’ve had 2 periods a month for the last few months and will end up with an iron deficiency at this rate! Running out of options


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I must say that this pill absolutely saved my life. Suffering from severe endometriosis pain & PMDD and it reversed the effects of that. I have control of my moods and body back and I’m so grateful. I must leave a positive review because it’s not all bad. The beginning was rocky with irregular bleeding but this stopped after 8 months or so. It was worth it.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Zelleta pill  

I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Norgeston pill  

I tried the mini pill after experiencing migraines after 6 years on the combined pill. First I tried Zelleta which gave me such low mood and tearful all the time, as well as constant spotting. I wanted to try Norgeston as the synthetic hormone is different. My mood definitely improved (although a little more anxious) and I’ve had no spotting, but my periods are so irregular, really close together and so heavy I can get through more than 3 pads a day. I’ve had 2 periods a month for the last few months and will end up with an iron deficiency at this rate! Running out of options


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I must say that this pill absolutely saved my life. Suffering from severe endometriosis pain & PMDD and it reversed the effects of that. I have control of my moods and body back and I’m so grateful. I must leave a positive review because it’s not all bad. The beginning was rocky with irregular bleeding but this stopped after 8 months or so. It was worth it.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Zelleta pill  

I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was put on this pill after I suffered from bad migraines from the combined pill- I wanted to try contraception to tackle my low moods, PCOS and acne. I became so depressed over the course of about 3 months, to the point where I went to the GP to try and get some therapy/talk about possibly taking antidepressants. Straight away the GP was like 'oh just stop taking the pill'- I did and a few months later I felt normal again. Literally can't believe that GPs prescribe this stuff without giving you proper warning- I felt like an empty shell of a person for a few months literally all because of this pill.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerazette pill  

Positive


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

i was put on this pill due to me being incredibly hormonal and 'hysterical' every month (on top of other issues i was facing). i was put on at 15-16 years of age i am now 18. my skin became more acne-like on cheeks and chin, whereas before it was just one or two. my breasts grew a lot, which was hard for me to come to terms with. thinking of coming off due to just 'having enough' and being worried about blood clots etc.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Hana pill  

I've tried so many pills and was really hoping this one would be different but sadly not. I started on day one of normal period, stopped bleeding for a few days but then after being intimate with my husband I've been bleeding daily for 2 weeks. I know it says it can take months to settle, but I can't cope with 3 months of bleeding. It makes me miserable, I smell and constantly feel unclean. I wish I could find one that doesn't make me bleed.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

I switched from Yasmin combined pill to Cerelle after getting a migraine with aura. I've been on Cerelle for about 4 months now. Overall, I'm quite happy - mood is stable and no periods. Howerver, my skin which is awful at the moment. This could be also related to coming off the combined pill though. I do feel my hair thinned initially and was VERY greasy, but that has subsided. I also had really bad BO which is probably the most upsetting side effect. I feel this is getting slightly better now. My doctor told me to have a period before starting this pill to reduce spotting, and it worked - my periods have stopped entirely.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have been on this pill for a little over 10 weeks with the hopes of it stopping my period altogether but I spent more time bleeding than not. Sometimes little bits here and there, sometimes a lot and for 10+ days at a time. I found myself having a lot of down days and googling PPD symptoms. The worst thing I noticed was the brain fog. My ability to remember things and speak clear and cohesive sentences was just obliterated. I’m on day 2 post stopping and it feels a little better already although I have started my withdrawal bleed. I know you should give your body at least 3 months to settle after starting but honestly that was enough time for me. I just hope my cycle goes back to normal fairly soon!


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desomono pill  

I started the generic name for it: Desogestrel, I got given the brand Desomono once too, but most of the time the generic name. On it for 6 months, coming to 7. It's been great in many ways I wanted. I was sacred my mental health would be affected or I'd get acne. I monitored but I didn't get any negative or increasing mental health issues. No acne. Maybe a bit of hair thinning but I have that problem from before. A little weight gain but it could be new marriage fat. My main concern which is annoying as I was happy otherwise was that after 15 days of taking it, I was bleeding non stop till this day, bloody discharge or just blood, not lots like period but annoying as I wore pads for the bit of blood so it doesn't go on the side of my knickers. I'm started to feel a bit itchy around my vulva but that could be due to constant wear of pads. My breasts are starting to feel a little tendor and I think I feel a little less lubricated down there during intimacy. I'll be trying the combined pill next month because of the above mainly the bleeding. I'm gonna try Levest.. I hope it doesn't play with my mind!!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Combined pill with other contraceptives

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