Fertility awareness methods (FAM) vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Before using FAM, I was using the copper IUD religiously for about 11 years. I had a mixed experience even if overall positive with it, but back in 2021 after a year of chronic yeast infections and finally discovering it had slipped, I decided to not replace it. In that time, my periods were always like clockwork and I was tracking my cycles in a few years leading up to this. Not just tracking the days, but my symptoms and body sensations as I entered into each phase. I was using a period tracking app called Eve, but I knew not to rely on it religiously, it was just for a rough idea of when my fertile times and period would be. I decided to just continue with this, because I had built such a deep relationship with my body and have no problem checking my cervical fluids. I used it until 2022 when we decided to try to conceive, and we conceived within a few months, even though sadly, it was ectopic. I wouldn't recommend this method to anybody without months of really knowing your body and listening to it-- learning your cues for when you know you're about to ovulate, roughly timing how long your follicular phase is, and it helps if your periods are regular. While apps can be really helpful, you have to do the hard work of building that relationship with your body. I wouldn't recommend it for somebody just starting out, or if your periods are irregular.

I had been on PoP contraceptive pill for nearly 10yrs, I have also tried CoC's and injection prior. I wanted to learn more about my body and be natural. This method takes a lot of research and understanding in order for it to work and be effective. I read books and watched YouTube videos to educate myself and joined FB/Reddit group. I use an app called read your body to input my temperature and other symptoms to track where I am in my cycle. It is all done manually by me and not relying on a system like natural cycles to do it for me as this is less reliable....Since stopping the pill my libido came back which is great and I feel emotions depending on where I am in my cycle. My Cycle regulated within 2 months after stopping the pill and for the past 3 years I have learned what is normal for me. My cycle is very text book 28 days long on the dot every month, I ovulate on day 15. This method works for me, I haven't gotten pregnant but on the days during my cycle I could get pregnant, we use condoms rather than abstaining. I would say it took me about 6 months to learn and feel confident in this approach.

I’ve been using NC since 2021, I use to love this app and tell everybody about it until I had sex on a green day and got pregnant. I used to think it would never happen to me as I’ll use the app right. Measured every day and was very religious with the app. However, I ovulated earlier and fell pregnant! The app only goes off previous ovulation compared to current meaning it doesn’t prevent pregnancy as yes you have red days but it’s just a prediction! For example green day on day 6 (had sex) and ovulated on day 10 (red days) and fell pregnant. Ovulated 5 days early! Sperm can live inside you for 5 days hence why I’m pregnant and will be getting an abortion.

It's my 4th month, and I hate it. I have anxiety and a depressive mood, and I am so irritated with everyone and everything constantly for no reason, and I don't want it to affect my loved ones because I know this is not who I am. My hair's thinning vigorously, and my period, which was 5 days long, has increased to 15 and counting! And it's not just 15 days of light spotting, it's a full-on heavy period which has left me so damm tired and dizzy all the time with all the iron loss. yes i missed one day of the pill which i know can create spotting but that was 2 months ago. i have been consistantly taking my pills since and its just getting worse and worse for me. i honestly dont want to continue but i have heard it gets better after a while of use. but from what i see its doing to my body and mental state i just dont think i can continue like this. I dont know what to do.

I would have given this contraceptive 5 starts if it hadn’t caused me significant hair loss. It’s a shame because I didn’t experience any other negative side effects. I am lucky to have had thick hair to begin with, but after a few months of use and noticeable shedding I have ended up with nearly half the hair I started with.

6 - 12 months 15/04/2025 - currently in my third week of me 7th month of the pill. I’ve just had a period after 3 weeks of not bleeding (having pretty much spotting all of the time/constantly bleeding) I feel like we’re finally getting back on track. The period was however thicker and more like ‘old’ blood than usual with a day of normal bleeding. I’ve been quite emotional recently and I’m pretty sure my breast have gotten slightly bigger while being on the pill but I haven’t gone up a bra size. I did put on some weight but I think I’m finally dropping it slowly but it feels slow going. 30/04/2025 - So I had that last period and have been and and off since. I think I’ve only had a couple of days on not bleeding at all or spotting. Today it seems that there is nothing. My boobs definitely feel larger but still not up a bra size. I had an awful breakout last week on my chest and back but my face seems ok/if not better than usual. 12/05/2025 - I’ve just had THE WORST under the skin spots on my chest. Like really really bad to the point I’m going to scar. However, I did just have a period but it lasted 3 days at most. I did feel super strange before it and in pain but not my usual period cramps. More like a full body sensation of pain which wasn’t excruciating but still not pleasant. Otherwise, I’ve been fine on it. I think I had nearly 2 weeks of no bleeding or spotting at all before this small period? 22/05/2025 - I’ve actually been feeling fine recently. I think I only had about 13 days between my last bleed and the small bleed/period that I’ve just had but there was no blood/spotting in between again which was nice. 01/07/2025 - I’ve still been bleeding really regularly. I’m noticing weight gain now that I can’t shift and I’m sweating so much more than usual. I’m at the point where I’m considering going to the GP and telling them I’m coming off of the pill I’m really not having a great time. 17/07/2025 - I’m about month 9 now of starting the pill. I’ve gone from bleeding about every 2 weeks to now having bled for nearly 3 now which is great. I did take a pregnancy test even though pregnancy would be a miracle (we use condoms as well because I definitely don’t want to be pregnant) It was negative. I’ve changed eating habits and have been exercising regularly and my weight is still creeping up. If it doesn’t start to come down soon I’ll be chatting to the GP about it. My mood is also really low. I’ve said this before but the spots on my face are definitely better than they were pre-pill but other body acne/spots are definitely worse. 15/08/2025 - So I still haven’t really had a period. I had a couple of days of cramps and old blood in mucus at the start of this week but nothing I’d really describe as a period. (definitely not pregnant). The issue I’m having is the increased sweating. It’s unbearable. My sister says that she has suffered the same since starting the pill. I’ve never in my life sweat this much. 4/11/25 - Yes it’s been over a year since being on the pill now. I’ve still not had a period since June so I guess it’s decided that it's not happening anymore (not pregnant) Breast tenderness is still here as well.

Im loosing so much hair since I started taking slynd, my first couple of months I was constantly dizzy. My sexy drive is very low. Im constantly bleeding, im considering stopping it.

Overall is ok but still have a lot of sid effects

I have been on this pill just over a month and the side effects have been horrendous. I have felt suicidal and utterly depressed everyday, I feel as though I am completely not myself. I have insomnia and wake in the night with intense anxiety and my hands are shaking. I have had bleeding for the past week, extreme hunger, weight gain and feeling so angry I could punch someone. Would NOT recommend this at all, it's dangerous for women. Going to stop taking today as I can't keep feeling like this.

I have been using the pill for around 6 months and I keep getting irregular bleeding whilst taking the pill. I take my pill everyday but somehow seem to bleed anyway it’s not spotting as people say it’s heavier like a normal period. It changed my mood within seconds and keeps giving me my Period every 2-3 weeks.

After years of being on no contraception I decided to give the Mini Pill another go. It worked for me several years ago but began impacting my mental health so I stopped. This time round I have been more in tune with my body. The first 3-5 days I had itchy nipples. I’ve gained 4kg in a month and my diet hasn’t changed. I have had a headache and neck pain since day one, if I didn’t keep on top of pain relief it would come back. I already have acne prone skin which has took years to get under control and within the first week I developed cystic acne. I’ve felt myself snapping at others in my house over silly things and also felt unable to make decisions. They say to give it 3 months to settle into your system but it’s a no go for me. I cannot deal with the daily head and neck pain, acne and mood issues - so back to condoms we go.

Everything seems ok only issue is that period has fully stopped. Unsure if i should be concerned.

It's great to stop your period but after being on it for a long time losing weight is almost impossible.