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

2498 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1321 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

32% somewhat negative

48% 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

2498 reviews

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

Dretine pill  

It’s okay. The positive is that my cramps are less. I experienced thrush for the first time in my life. I am more weepy but not depressed. I have acne on my lower face after a few weeks that is starting to clear now and I can see my hair is thinning. I also feel very sleepy on this so I am planning to change.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Millinette 20/75 pill  

Millinette gave me full blown acne and made me a lot more teary which is so unlike me. Initially, I was on Rigevidon for 2.5 years, stopped as I experienced breakthrough bleeding/didn’t need it. Discovered I had major brain fog on it, and my thoughts / perception on dating became a lot better once off it. Decided to try Millinette based on that as I got into a new relationship, tried it for 3 months as advised. I’ve not always been spotty, I get hormonal breakouts but that’s it. I’m happy and healthy otherwise! Millinette made me start to break out in hormonal spots - on my forehead, chin (especially) and cheeks (which I’ve never experienced before). It was making me miserable! I also noticed how much more teary I’ve been lately - as if anything slightly upsetting can make me cry. I’ve been using differin (a retinol acne gel treatment) and it’s helped slightly but not much. I’ve also gone up an entire cup size, and my breasts are slightly achy all the time. I also have experienced headaches when I came off the pill for a bleed - I now take it consecutively because my body seems to react badly to the drop in hormones. I’ve stopped Millinette now, and based on a nurse’s advice I’m going to try Yaecella. I think my body/skin reacts badly to the progesterone in Millinette/with pills that have less oestrogen in them. Hopefully Yaecella works (it’s a new generation version of the famous Yasmin pill). I’m 21, 5’10 and 57kg if that helps too!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Brevinor pill  

I had been taking this pill for 25 years, since I was 15. Now I’m 40 my GP won’t supply me with the combined pill anymore and wants to switch me to the mini pill. I had periods, when I was 13-15, where I would bleed heavily for 2 weeks, with regular flooding, plus extreme abdominal pain, followed by 2 weeks no bleeding then I’d go back round again. Brevinor changed my life! I could not recommend this pill more. You will more likely hear the negatives than the positive from these reviews but honestly this was amazing for me and would still be taking it if I could.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Dretine pill  

It’s okay. The positive is that my cramps are less. I experienced thrush for the first time in my life. I am more weepy but not depressed. I have acne on my lower face after a few weeks that is starting to clear now and I can see my hair is thinning. I also feel very sleepy on this so I am planning to change.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Millinette 20/75 pill  

Millinette gave me full blown acne and made me a lot more teary which is so unlike me. Initially, I was on Rigevidon for 2.5 years, stopped as I experienced breakthrough bleeding/didn’t need it. Discovered I had major brain fog on it, and my thoughts / perception on dating became a lot better once off it. Decided to try Millinette based on that as I got into a new relationship, tried it for 3 months as advised. I’ve not always been spotty, I get hormonal breakouts but that’s it. I’m happy and healthy otherwise! Millinette made me start to break out in hormonal spots - on my forehead, chin (especially) and cheeks (which I’ve never experienced before). It was making me miserable! I also noticed how much more teary I’ve been lately - as if anything slightly upsetting can make me cry. I’ve been using differin (a retinol acne gel treatment) and it’s helped slightly but not much. I’ve also gone up an entire cup size, and my breasts are slightly achy all the time. I also have experienced headaches when I came off the pill for a bleed - I now take it consecutively because my body seems to react badly to the drop in hormones. I’ve stopped Millinette now, and based on a nurse’s advice I’m going to try Yaecella. I think my body/skin reacts badly to the progesterone in Millinette/with pills that have less oestrogen in them. Hopefully Yaecella works (it’s a new generation version of the famous Yasmin pill). I’m 21, 5’10 and 57kg if that helps too!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Brevinor pill  

I had been taking this pill for 25 years, since I was 15. Now I’m 40 my GP won’t supply me with the combined pill anymore and wants to switch me to the mini pill. I had periods, when I was 13-15, where I would bleed heavily for 2 weeks, with regular flooding, plus extreme abdominal pain, followed by 2 weeks no bleeding then I’d go back round again. Brevinor changed my life! I could not recommend this pill more. You will more likely hear the negatives than the positive from these reviews but honestly this was amazing for me and would still be taking it if I could.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1321 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have only been using the minipill for a month but I am already feeling pretty strong side effects especially on my mood: crying for no reason, being very angry at times and very sad at others, overall depressed mood. I am probably going to finish the blister and switch to something else.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Please do NOT go on this. Not only did this give me severe Anxiety, Depression and Mood Swings, but I had many Dr and Hospital trips due to Panic Attacks, Migraines, Double Vision & Heart Palpitations. It was so bad, I had to get checked for suspected blood clot. A very scary experience. I hated every moment I was on this.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Slynd pill  

I’ve been on Slynd just over three months, and as someone who has tried several other mini pills this one seems to agree with me best. On other mini pills I experienced mild to moderate side effects, notably acne, spotting between periods/constantly and low mood. On Slynd I’ve only had very, very minor spotting and it’s infrequent. I haven’t yet had a period on Slynd but that’s not unusual for me on mini pills. Most notable is my skin, which has seen a noticeable and gradual improvement. Acne has been my biggest challenge on mini pills, with painful cystic acne requiring prescription topical creams for years on end. I’ve just started my fourth month on Slynd and seem to have turned a corner to where I have very little acne, if at all, and no cystic spots. My skin hasn’t been this clear in years! The only other side effects i’ve experienced, but cannot be 100% sure are related, are some moderate thirst in month 2/3 and a strange, weeks-long cramp in the bottom of my foot. I started eating more bananas to try and balance my potassium and the cramp has since gone. Rating 4 stars only because I’ve been on combination pills before (no longer can be on them) and I will always prefer the combination ones over mini pills. But I would say Slynd has been the closest to combination pills I’ve found yet.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have only been using the minipill for a month but I am already feeling pretty strong side effects especially on my mood: crying for no reason, being very angry at times and very sad at others, overall depressed mood. I am probably going to finish the blister and switch to something else.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Please do NOT go on this. Not only did this give me severe Anxiety, Depression and Mood Swings, but I had many Dr and Hospital trips due to Panic Attacks, Migraines, Double Vision & Heart Palpitations. It was so bad, I had to get checked for suspected blood clot. A very scary experience. I hated every moment I was on this.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Slynd pill  

I’ve been on Slynd just over three months, and as someone who has tried several other mini pills this one seems to agree with me best. On other mini pills I experienced mild to moderate side effects, notably acne, spotting between periods/constantly and low mood. On Slynd I’ve only had very, very minor spotting and it’s infrequent. I haven’t yet had a period on Slynd but that’s not unusual for me on mini pills. Most notable is my skin, which has seen a noticeable and gradual improvement. Acne has been my biggest challenge on mini pills, with painful cystic acne requiring prescription topical creams for years on end. I’ve just started my fourth month on Slynd and seem to have turned a corner to where I have very little acne, if at all, and no cystic spots. My skin hasn’t been this clear in years! The only other side effects i’ve experienced, but cannot be 100% sure are related, are some moderate thirst in month 2/3 and a strange, weeks-long cramp in the bottom of my foot. I started eating more bananas to try and balance my potassium and the cramp has since gone. Rating 4 stars only because I’ve been on combination pills before (no longer can be on them) and I will always prefer the combination ones over mini pills. But I would say Slynd has been the closest to combination pills I’ve found yet.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I got this pill after being 25 years on Yasmin but started to get headaches and turned 40 so was made to switch to Desogestrel. I didn't get headaches but everything else just got bad, was told to stay on it 6 months to get adjusted but after 5 and half months I finish the pack half way as I was getting really frustrated with it all. The side effects have been horrible - oily skin, scalp and nails, acne, hair loss and hair thinning, random spotting and I gained 15kg, I have never been so huge! I just hope all will return to normal soon as it's been very depressing.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

I started this pill after being on the implant for years. I was initially scared, but this is not very different from the implant. The first six or so months are MUCH easier than when I was on the implant. I feel much more emotionally stable, with an increased libido compared to my old BC method. I like the flexibility of being able to stop taking it when I want. I take it at night which helps regulate my emotions and I feel more chilled out on this pill (I have severe anxiety). I've had no periods at all on this pill. The only downside is remembering to take it but for me the flexibility is worth it. I've also noticed more sweating and I get quite hot.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Slynd pill  

The Slynd pill has helped my adenomyosis symptoms! I used to have extremely heavy and painful periods that were so bad that I couldn't walk and leave the house. I had to take high doses of codeine. Apart from a bit of nausea on the first two days (couldve been my period though as I took the pill on the first day of my period) I haven't had any negative side effects.


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Dec 24

Cerelle pill  

Started taking in April 2024 finished the last pack September 2024. Had spotting for the first couple months in the place of period which was frustrating (spotting for 14days instead of normal 5-7day period flow). Once settled, periods just completely stopped which made me feel slightly uneasy as there’s no indicator of “missed period” for pregnancy sirens to ring. Mood was a strange one, felt slightly mentally exhausted but difficult to tell whether that was life or the pill, but I do remember having PMS type symptoms (emotional, cramps) once a month, almost mimicking a period without the bleeds.


Worse skin

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Dec 24

Lovima pill  

Lloyds Pharmacy gave me no warning when they changed my Crescent generic version of Desogestrel for Lovima. My fatigue is awful, acne (it's like reexperiencing puberty), very tender breasts prior to my period, and suddenly anxiety that has gone through the roof for no real reason. My sex drive had already suffered on Desogestrel, I need the mini pill due to migraines so not sure will I necessarily be able to tackle this, but so far I have just as low libido on Lovima. For the first time in a long time I've had period cramps, but minus any spotting or bleeding. On the plus side, perhaps no signs of weight change. Desperately trying to get a new prescription.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Nov 24

Zelleta pill  

I have only been taking this pill for just over a month, but so far I am really happy with it. No change in moods, sex drive or skin. My boobs have grown lot - which I'm not mad about! Although I do feel slightly frumpy, as though I have put on a bit of weight - but it isn't hugely noticeable I don't think. I did have spotting for the first 2.5 weeks of using the pill which has now stopped completely.


Gained weight

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Nov 24

Feanolla pill  

I’ve taken it for 6 years now. Not really any side effects. However, it might have affected my mood negatively, but i am not certain as I went through big life changes when i started taking it so my mood may have been a result of that. Also lost a bit of weight at that time and it stayed off. Didn’t get my period anymore for a couple of years but now i have irregular bleeding sometimes (Some months more, some less).


Improved skin

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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