Yasmin pill vs Microgynon 30 pill

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Yasmin pill

£From £0.25/day

Microgynon 30 pill

£From £0.18/day

Overview

Rated 3.0

246 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

317 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Yasmin pill ingredients

Main hormones in Yasmin pill

Anti-Androgenic progestogen

Medium oestrogen


Microgynon 30 pill ingredients

Main hormones in Microgynon 30 pill

Androgenic progestogen

Medium oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

37% somewhat negative

48% lighter periods

55% lost sex drive

57% no impact

56% improved skin

Cycle return

28% in 1 month

37% very negative

53% lighter periods

44% lost sex drive

43% no impact

41% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% don’t know impact

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 £0.25/day

Try it now

£From £0.18/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Yasmin pill reviews

246 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Yasmin pill  

So I was prescribed the yasmin pill for my PCOS after being on desogestrel since I was about 14 for my periods. I’ve always had really really irregular periods, and bled very heavily. They would last for 2 weeks roughly and sometimes id have two in one month. In my particular case, I was told to take yasmin continuously, so all 3 packets in a row and then stop for a 7 day break, and start a new box. This has worked well for me i think (baring in mind i’ve only just started my 2nd box). At the beginning I had severe nausea, not to the point of throwing up but it was there constantly all day. I started taking the pill just before bed, so 11pm- midnight roughly and that seemed to help with the nausea. That was the side effect that has affected me the most, and since restarting after my 7 day break I am still experiencing nausea. I’m just praying it goes away after 1-2 weeks like it did before. Aside from that, my sex drive historically has been really high. I was down to do it whenever, and no issues whatsoever. Since being on yasmin, i literally could not think of ANYTHING worse than having sex with my partner. (it is nothing to do with him!!) I just have absolutely 0 sex drive, I can’t even get horny unless i really stick with it- so that’s been another big issue for me. I have also had quite bad acne since I was in school, and i’ve always struggled with it especially on my chin, forehead and back. I haven’t noticed a change in my acne yet but praying yasmin is able to clear some of it up! In terms of my PCOS management aswell, yasmin has made my first period during my 7 day break incredibly light, I hardly needed to wear a pad at all. I had cramps but nowhere near as bad as they used to be and it also seemed to completely stop around the 4 day mark out of 7. So if i’m being completely honest, my experience on yasmin so far has been okay- i’m struggling with the nausea and low sex drive but hoping as the weeks/ months go on my body will adapt to the hormones and i’ll be back to normal. If anyone out there is struggling with severe irregular periods and pcos symptoms I would recommend giving it a try and sticking it out for atleast 6 months to 1 year. for me personally my periods are so much easier to deal with, and i will do an update in a few months time to see if my skin and other side effects have cleared!

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Yasmin pill  

This is an update as I have now been taking Yasmin for over 10 months. I changed to this pill specifically because another pill gave me terrible acne that did not go away after stopping it and trying an old pill I had been on, nor when I came off hormonal birth control all together to test if that would fix things. I know a lot of people wonder how long it will take for Yasmin to totally clear up acne and for me it was between 5-6 months. I remember I had one terrible, cystic spot for a birthday gathering I was attending in July this year (hence this being seared in my mind lol) and after that my skin cleared up, practically nothing since. Truly the only downside has been the quite considerable hit it’s taken on my libido — my husband is not the most pleased about that aspect but saw how down I was with the bad skin so appreciates that this was the right decision, haha. Unfortunately I moved back to Scotland late summer and Yasmin is not provided here, so I will be changing to another pill. Now begins the test to see if my clear skin remains after I finish this final pack and go back on an old reliable pill I was on from years before that had no side-effects. 🤞🏻


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

Love this pill, I've been on it for nearly 10 years now and have noticed few changes and side effects. If anything, my skin is more clear and my periods are light (3-4 days instead of my usual 6-7). I feel more emotional than baseline but it does not bother my day-to-day activities.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Yasmin pill  

So I was prescribed the yasmin pill for my PCOS after being on desogestrel since I was about 14 for my periods. I’ve always had really really irregular periods, and bled very heavily. They would last for 2 weeks roughly and sometimes id have two in one month. In my particular case, I was told to take yasmin continuously, so all 3 packets in a row and then stop for a 7 day break, and start a new box. This has worked well for me i think (baring in mind i’ve only just started my 2nd box). At the beginning I had severe nausea, not to the point of throwing up but it was there constantly all day. I started taking the pill just before bed, so 11pm- midnight roughly and that seemed to help with the nausea. That was the side effect that has affected me the most, and since restarting after my 7 day break I am still experiencing nausea. I’m just praying it goes away after 1-2 weeks like it did before. Aside from that, my sex drive historically has been really high. I was down to do it whenever, and no issues whatsoever. Since being on yasmin, i literally could not think of ANYTHING worse than having sex with my partner. (it is nothing to do with him!!) I just have absolutely 0 sex drive, I can’t even get horny unless i really stick with it- so that’s been another big issue for me. I have also had quite bad acne since I was in school, and i’ve always struggled with it especially on my chin, forehead and back. I haven’t noticed a change in my acne yet but praying yasmin is able to clear some of it up! In terms of my PCOS management aswell, yasmin has made my first period during my 7 day break incredibly light, I hardly needed to wear a pad at all. I had cramps but nowhere near as bad as they used to be and it also seemed to completely stop around the 4 day mark out of 7. So if i’m being completely honest, my experience on yasmin so far has been okay- i’m struggling with the nausea and low sex drive but hoping as the weeks/ months go on my body will adapt to the hormones and i’ll be back to normal. If anyone out there is struggling with severe irregular periods and pcos symptoms I would recommend giving it a try and sticking it out for atleast 6 months to 1 year. for me personally my periods are so much easier to deal with, and i will do an update in a few months time to see if my skin and other side effects have cleared!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Yasmin pill  

This is an update as I have now been taking Yasmin for over 10 months. I changed to this pill specifically because another pill gave me terrible acne that did not go away after stopping it and trying an old pill I had been on, nor when I came off hormonal birth control all together to test if that would fix things. I know a lot of people wonder how long it will take for Yasmin to totally clear up acne and for me it was between 5-6 months. I remember I had one terrible, cystic spot for a birthday gathering I was attending in July this year (hence this being seared in my mind lol) and after that my skin cleared up, practically nothing since. Truly the only downside has been the quite considerable hit it’s taken on my libido — my husband is not the most pleased about that aspect but saw how down I was with the bad skin so appreciates that this was the right decision, haha. Unfortunately I moved back to Scotland late summer and Yasmin is not provided here, so I will be changing to another pill. Now begins the test to see if my clear skin remains after I finish this final pack and go back on an old reliable pill I was on from years before that had no side-effects. 🤞🏻


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

Love this pill, I've been on it for nearly 10 years now and have noticed few changes and side effects. If anything, my skin is more clear and my periods are light (3-4 days instead of my usual 6-7). I feel more emotional than baseline but it does not bother my day-to-day activities.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Microgynon 30 pill reviews

317 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Oct 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

I’ve been on this pill for many years. As a positive side effect, it helped with my acne, which makes sense as I used to have high testosterone levels. However, over the past few years I’ve started getting night sweats during the break week and noticed an increase in my blood pressure.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Oct 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Jul 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

Nice to stop menstruation but in no way worth it for the awful psychological impacts. Mental breakdowns were indeed had.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Oct 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

I’ve been on this pill for many years. As a positive side effect, it helped with my acne, which makes sense as I used to have high testosterone levels. However, over the past few years I’ve started getting night sweats during the break week and noticed an increase in my blood pressure.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Oct 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Jul 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

Nice to stop menstruation but in no way worth it for the awful psychological impacts. Mental breakdowns were indeed had.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Jun 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

I was on Microgynon 30 for almost 8 years and I never had any issues! I changed 3 months ago to the progesterone only pill due to my friend getting a blood clot from microgynon, and within a month I began getting spots all over my jawline! I have now had constant spots for 2 months. I will be going back to the pharmacy to discuss my options and potentially move back to Microgynon.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Jun 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

Absolutely legendary pill, I’ve been on a few others this one by far is the best. Haven’t had any changes in my emotions and most importantly not pregnant! And I really do push that to the test weekly. I was A cup before taking and now I’m pushing B cup so for me that’s great


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th May 25

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
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Apr 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

Began taking this when i was 14 when i got my first boyfriend and I am now 18 so it is very hard to determine or remember what things i suffered with prior to the pill and what increased while on it. One thing i can say is my skin has never been more oily in my whole life, regular bumps on my forehead which i don’t recall ever having. I can only put this down to hormones/the pill, i’ve tried antibiotics, thousands of pounds worth of skincare, changing shampoos, stopping vaping, bettering my diet, replacing makeup brushes regularly (im talking fortnightly!) and so much more and nothing seems to even touch the sides. cystic acne bumps on my back which seem to worsen in the winter/autumnal months. I have been seen to by uncountable doctors and a dermatologist who have all simply told me to wash my face with a cloth lol (wish i tried that one!!???). I have found my skins got worse through the years but now it’s totally uncontrollable, skincare does not even seem to touch the sides which also convinces me it’s something to do with my contraception. Have found myself very snappy and irritable 24/7 i feel very low… nothing major is happening in my life to be making me feel like that and it’s getting draining. booking another doctors appointment tomorrow to consider changing.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Apr 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

It went smoothly in the start. No side effects other than weight gain. Slowly the mood startet to be affected. I startet to swear more and react more angrily towards situations and people around me. Felt almost like I was a child and could not contain myself. My husband told me I had to get of because I was horrible to live with. The anger subsided when I stopped


Very negative mood

3 more effects

2 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Apr 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

Granted I havent used it for long, i've only noticed positive side effects that I was happy with (Stopped periods, Larger and tender breasts, Better skin) however, I have been having some worse mood swings from time to time, though personally I find that has been managable. So far, I have not been made pregnant after corrcet and consistant use, the pill being my only form of contraception too. Perhaps I just got really lucky with the pill!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 25

Microgynon 30 pill  

I used Microgynon for several years, as advised by my GP from the age of 15. I remember feeling very, very miserable at times and very angry and having a feeling of 'this is not me, this isn't who I am.' After taking the pill for nearly 10 years, I started to experience chronic stomach pain which would result in me being hospitalised every 7-8 months over a 5 year period. The first time I was admitted, I genuinely thought I was going to die. I had never experienced pain like it and was taken to hospital by ambulance. I was under a specialist for gastro problems, had multiple tests multiple times to try and find the cause of my flare ups. I would be put on a morphine drip once admitted and after a few days of tests would be discharged. The cycle repeated itself like this for the next 5 years, each time the pain being worse and eventually on my last hospital admission, blood in my vomit. I had ultra sound scans, blood tests, x-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, biopsies taken from my stomach, a camera that I had to swallow to monitor my digestion, blood and urine samples taken in the dark and sent off to a specialist lab in Cardiff to see if I had an auto immune disease, discussions on could it be cancer? Could it be another rare auto immune disease that was incurable? I had Oramorph prescribed to me at home to take as and when I had a flare up as when I was admitted to A and E each time, this is what I was given. I nearly lost my job working in a primary school due to time off and not really having an explanation in a formal diagnosis as to what was causing this issue, going through a disciplinary each time. Every time I was admitted to A and E, I would be asked if I was on any medication and every time I said 'just the pill'. I asked several health professionals several times, if this could be the cause of my reoccurring pain? I was told each time, no the pill can't do this to you, you would have pain more often. It was the suggested that it could be psychological, basically was it all in my head as tests all came back with nothing. I felt worthless. It was NEVER suggested to me that I should stop taking it to see if it changed anything. One day I decided to stop taking it. This was 5 years ago now and I have not had another episode of chronic stomach pain since. I had follow up appointments with my specialist who said 'it was as rare as hens teeth' for the pill to have caused this but he agreed and truly believed that it had been the cause of my reoccurring, 5 year battle, with chronic and debilitating pain. From being given the pill from such a young age, and a lack of education as to what is in it and what it actually does in order to work, I look back and can't believe what my body went through. Not just with the hospital admissions but with the constant bombardment of hormones that made me feel depressed, angry and at times despondent, all the time being told these feelings are 'normal' side effects. Treat your body with kindness and think about what you are expecting it to tolerate.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

2 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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