Norimin pill vs Yasmin pill

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Norimin pill

£From £0.17/day

Yasmin pill

£From £0.25/day

Overview

Rated 3.3

10 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

240 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Norimin pill ingredients

Main hormones in Norimin pill

Androgenic progestogen


Yasmin pill ingredients

Main hormones in Yasmin pill

Anti-Androgenic progestogen

Medium oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

30% somewhat positive

50% lighter periods

30% increased sex drive

50% no impact

38% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

37% somewhat negative

48% lighter periods

55% lost sex drive

56% no impact

55% improved skin

Cycle return

28% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.17/day

Try it now

£From £0.25/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Norimin pill reviews

10 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Apr 25

Norimin pill  

I’ve tried 10+ pills all with various side effects and haven’t found one I’ve been happy with. I was on the Evra patch until recently but found that it had affected my anxiety a lot so i stopped using it. I started on Norimin as I’ve tended to tolerate higher dose pills better historically. I’m not thrilled with having to take the pill everyday as I’m very forgetful but it’s been the best one yet. No affect on anxiety yet, my skin has broken out a bit around my chin but nothing too bad. I have definitely gained weight as my appetite has significantly increased and my boobs are a lot bigger and more tender. Best of all, I’m able to skip periods as i have debilitating painful periods. With Norimin, I take it back to back for about 4 months then have a week break. I can have very light spotting about the 2.5 month mark but i don’t mind it at all and it clears up within a week. I’m only using this pill as a stop gap while I decide between the Nuva Ring or the Mirena coil but i’m happy with it for now!

Read more

Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Mar 25

Norimin pill  

I've tried several pills to control severe period pains and Norimin is the only one that helped without making me more prone to anxiety. I took it for 6 years and thought it was great, but my hair is starting to recede in an androgenic pattern and I've just realised that Norimin is highly androgenic so is almost certainly the cause (I don't have any deficiencies or other health issues). As well as the receding, the front of my hair has been gradually getting shorter and thinner, and there are large sections around my temples that don't grow more than a couple of inches. The timing of this matches up with when I've been on Norimin, but it happened so gradually that I didn't connect it. Androgens can cause hair loss and changes in hair growth, but this is not listed as a side effect in the patient information leaflet and was never mentioned to me by the doctor. I never would have taken Norimin if I'd known this could happen. I am now switching to a less androgenic pill and am hoping my hair can regrow.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

3 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th May 24

Norimin pill  

It works so well for me, an absolute game changer as my periods were debilitating and excruciating. After two months on Norimin, I had my life back, with absolutely zero side effects.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

2 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Apr 25

Norimin pill  

I’ve tried 10+ pills all with various side effects and haven’t found one I’ve been happy with. I was on the Evra patch until recently but found that it had affected my anxiety a lot so i stopped using it. I started on Norimin as I’ve tended to tolerate higher dose pills better historically. I’m not thrilled with having to take the pill everyday as I’m very forgetful but it’s been the best one yet. No affect on anxiety yet, my skin has broken out a bit around my chin but nothing too bad. I have definitely gained weight as my appetite has significantly increased and my boobs are a lot bigger and more tender. Best of all, I’m able to skip periods as i have debilitating painful periods. With Norimin, I take it back to back for about 4 months then have a week break. I can have very light spotting about the 2.5 month mark but i don’t mind it at all and it clears up within a week. I’m only using this pill as a stop gap while I decide between the Nuva Ring or the Mirena coil but i’m happy with it for now!


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Mar 25

Norimin pill  

I've tried several pills to control severe period pains and Norimin is the only one that helped without making me more prone to anxiety. I took it for 6 years and thought it was great, but my hair is starting to recede in an androgenic pattern and I've just realised that Norimin is highly androgenic so is almost certainly the cause (I don't have any deficiencies or other health issues). As well as the receding, the front of my hair has been gradually getting shorter and thinner, and there are large sections around my temples that don't grow more than a couple of inches. The timing of this matches up with when I've been on Norimin, but it happened so gradually that I didn't connect it. Androgens can cause hair loss and changes in hair growth, but this is not listed as a side effect in the patient information leaflet and was never mentioned to me by the doctor. I never would have taken Norimin if I'd known this could happen. I am now switching to a less androgenic pill and am hoping my hair can regrow.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

3 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th May 24

Norimin pill  

It works so well for me, an absolute game changer as my periods were debilitating and excruciating. After two months on Norimin, I had my life back, with absolutely zero side effects.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

2 comments


Yasmin pill reviews

240 reviews

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

Yasmin pill  

VERY mixed emotions about Yasmin. I've been on it for ages, and I'm still on it. yes the boobs grow a lot. at the beginning my mood changes were crazy I thought I was losing my mind. Anxiety and depression symptoms surfaced (mostly anxiety - intense panic attacks), when I didn't have issues with it prior. They're still there but after years of dealing with it I don't notice as much as I used to. I have noticed that water retention is a big issue, as well as increased appetite - it's much harder to lose weight on the pill compared to off it. I also have an extremely lower libido, like crazy low. My skin cleared so fast and i had really bad dermatitis around my mouth and nose, not to mention hormonal acne on the rest of my face - now i get pimples almost never. Also please please be careful when drinking if you've newly started the pill, it made me a lightweight overnight i swear. Also I skip the sugar pills most of the time, only having my period about 3 times a year which is FANTASTIC


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

This pill does what it claims, I noticed some improvement in my skin, I’m prone to mild acne on my chest, back, and face, and those areas have cleared up, which I’m pleased about. However, after 21 days of taking it, there’s a seven-day break, and within two days of that break I experience severe headaches and migraines. They’re often debilitating and leave me bedridden for one to three days. Because of this, I’ve decided to stop taking Yazmin altogether. Everyone reacts differently, but due to the recurring migraines and headaches, this pill just isn’t the right fit for me.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Yasmin pill  

I have PCOS and had been told this would be my best option after having tried between 6-8 other pills and patches over the last 5 years. The main concern was facial acne, body acne and lack of periods all of which this pill is incredible for. My skin has completely cleared despite taking around 2-3 months to do so, particularly stubborn back acne and periods are as they should be. However in the short time I’ve been taking this I’ve gained 4-5kg. My job is physical and I work out often so there’s not much I can put it to but the pill. Additionally I have had extreme hair loss, zero sex drive and very flatlined emotions. All in all a great pill for clearing skin though when it comes to other side effects I do think I will be stopping this once I run out.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Yasmin pill  

VERY mixed emotions about Yasmin. I've been on it for ages, and I'm still on it. yes the boobs grow a lot. at the beginning my mood changes were crazy I thought I was losing my mind. Anxiety and depression symptoms surfaced (mostly anxiety - intense panic attacks), when I didn't have issues with it prior. They're still there but after years of dealing with it I don't notice as much as I used to. I have noticed that water retention is a big issue, as well as increased appetite - it's much harder to lose weight on the pill compared to off it. I also have an extremely lower libido, like crazy low. My skin cleared so fast and i had really bad dermatitis around my mouth and nose, not to mention hormonal acne on the rest of my face - now i get pimples almost never. Also please please be careful when drinking if you've newly started the pill, it made me a lightweight overnight i swear. Also I skip the sugar pills most of the time, only having my period about 3 times a year which is FANTASTIC


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

This pill does what it claims, I noticed some improvement in my skin, I’m prone to mild acne on my chest, back, and face, and those areas have cleared up, which I’m pleased about. However, after 21 days of taking it, there’s a seven-day break, and within two days of that break I experience severe headaches and migraines. They’re often debilitating and leave me bedridden for one to three days. Because of this, I’ve decided to stop taking Yazmin altogether. Everyone reacts differently, but due to the recurring migraines and headaches, this pill just isn’t the right fit for me.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Yasmin pill  

I have PCOS and had been told this would be my best option after having tried between 6-8 other pills and patches over the last 5 years. The main concern was facial acne, body acne and lack of periods all of which this pill is incredible for. My skin has completely cleared despite taking around 2-3 months to do so, particularly stubborn back acne and periods are as they should be. However in the short time I’ve been taking this I’ve gained 4-5kg. My job is physical and I work out often so there’s not much I can put it to but the pill. Additionally I have had extreme hair loss, zero sex drive and very flatlined emotions. All in all a great pill for clearing skin though when it comes to other side effects I do think I will be stopping this once I run out.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 25

Yasmin pill  

From the ages of 15-20 I took Yasmin for my acne and I remember it was wonderful for my skin, hair and lightening of periods. My moods were a bit erratic and I was always teary, but I could contribute some of that to puberty/developmental years. Fast forward 13 or so years and I’ve restarted the pill, and decided on Yasmin. The first two weeks on Yasmin have been absolute hell. The main and so far only issue has been nausea which has been extreme. I’ve taken the pill in the morning with food, then in the evening with food. No matter what, I wake up feeling extremely sick and I have to take anti-nausea tablets (dramamine) to get me through the day. Considering I’ve not been on hormonal oral contraceptives in years, I’m trying to ride out the first month and see if it gets better, but for now I’m seriously nauseous with tender boobs and a teary mood, and considering quitting. It’s a shame as I feel the skin benefits and lighter periods historically were worth it.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 25

Yasmin pill  

From the ages of 15-20 I took Yasmin for my acne and I remember it was wonderful for my skin, hair and lightening of periods. My moods were a bit erratic and I was always teary, but I could contribute some of that to puberty/developmental years. Fast forward 13 or so years and I’ve restarted the pill, and decided on Yasmin. The first two weeks on Yasmin have been absolute hell. The main and so far only issue has been nausea which has been extreme. I’ve taken the pill in the morning with food, then in the evening with food. No matter what, I wake up feeling extremely sick and I have to take anti-nausea tablets (dramamine) to get me through the day. Considering I’ve not been on oral contraceptives in years, I’m trying to ride out the first month and see if it gets better, but for now I’m seriously unwell and considering quitting. Shame as I feel the skin benefits and lighted periods generally are well worth it.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 25

Yasmin pill  

other than my boobs getting bigger i experienced significant mood swings and emotions that didn't feel like me at all. in addition to this i noticed now after being off yasmin my sex drive is THROUGH THE ROOF. i felt as if yasmin took away my sex drive and made me into an angry emotional crazy lady. sadly im going to miss my d cups; it was hard to stop yasmin because of that but mentally im so much better. after reading the reviews from other people, im glad to see that i am not crazy about yasmin decreasing my libido.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Sep 25

Yasmin pill  

Overall okay, main side effect affecting me is the loss of libido and vaginally dryness as someone in a long-term relationship.


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Aug 25

Yasmin pill  

Don’t listen to everyone fear mongering about the combined pill . As a young adult , I’ve had zero issues with taking it . I was at first so so scared of the side effects but I have had zero !! Literally no changed whatsoever. I have endometriosis and pcos and the pill so far hasn’t made a huge difference but then again I don’t have very many symptoms or pain for either of the conditions . No mood swings , no anxiety depression or anything . I feel exactly as before , more balanced maybe ? No weight gain at all , didn’t kill my libido either . Actually I would say it made my libido a bit stronger . No change in personality , sense of smell taste or anything else . I’ve had literally zero effects and feel just like before . So honestly if you’re thinking of going on it , try it for a month , you can always quit if you don’t like it . Remember everyone’s body is different though and may react in a different way.


Increased sex drive

1 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Aug 25

Yasmin pill  

At first I spotted almost everyday but after 2 months the spotting stopped. I noticed that I started having mood swings, 😔. The most uncomfortable though is the breast enlargement. My breasts have grown bigger. They're mostly feeling tender and sore. It's uncomfortable. Other than that the pill didn't change my menstrual cycle.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jul 25

Yasmin pill  

As soon as I started taking it, my first period whist on this pill came after a week and it was the most horrible period I’ve had in my entire life (it was a longer period then I ever had before (with really heavy cramps constantly) that was the first step in the negative journey. After that, I continued taking it and my acne got worse especially on my back. I had thought it would improve but was much worse event at month two. After two months of taking this pill, I’ve also gained weight which I noticed straight away but had put down to temporary water retention but seems to not budge and have had extreme weight fluctuations like never before and been feeling very off and not myself ever since taking it/depressed, also have lost all sex drive. I am at the point where it’s either stick it out for another month to see if symptoms ease up or stop and cut my losses. I’ve decided to stop.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Norimin pill with other contraceptives

Compare the Yasmin pill with other contraceptives

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