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

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Fertility awareness methods (FAM)

Add your fertility awareness methods (FAM) review

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Overview

Rated 4.3

157 reviews

Daily

Frequency

92% - 98%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1373 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Fertility awareness methods (FAM) ingredients

Fertility awareness methods is an umbrella term for a method of contraception that works by being able to identify when in the menstrual cycle you are fertile through a range of factors.

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

50% very positive

63% no change

50% increased sex drive

82% no impact

59% no impact on skin

Cycle return

64% in 1 month

32% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

50% lost sex drive

43% no impact

45% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Period pain

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Add your fertility awareness methods (FAM) review

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Fertility awareness methods (FAM) reviews

157 reviews

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Symptothermal method  

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.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 25

Natural Cycles App  

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.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jan 25

Natural Cycles App  

I've had an entirely positive experience using Natural Cycles. While using the impant I was struggling with acne, mood swings, irregular periods. And since swapping to use Natural Cycles I've felt much better in myself, my periods are very regular, I feel I understand my body and cycle so much more, and my skin has cleared up. In 5 years of using it it's been 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, I'm very careful to measure consistently, and I use the Oura Ring to help get accurate readings. But this small effort seems like a small price to pay in exchange for getting rid of all the nasty side effects of my previous contraception


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Symptothermal method  

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.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 25

Natural Cycles App  

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.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Fertility awareness methods (FAM)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jan 25

Natural Cycles App  

I've had an entirely positive experience using Natural Cycles. While using the impant I was struggling with acne, mood swings, irregular periods. And since swapping to use Natural Cycles I've felt much better in myself, my periods are very regular, I feel I understand my body and cycle so much more, and my skin has cleared up. In 5 years of using it it's been 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, I'm very careful to measure consistently, and I use the Oura Ring to help get accurate readings. But this small effort seems like a small price to pay in exchange for getting rid of all the nasty side effects of my previous contraception


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1373 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Was on desogestrel for almost 8 years. Only got light spotting when I missed a pill, otherwise very easy adjusting to pill. I’ve stopped now as I’m trying to conceive and actually stopping has been an experience - I’ve been getting hormonal acne and my sex drive has shot through the roof! I also developed minor vaginismus (related to stress levels) on the pill and that seems to have gone away in the last month since I stopped desogestrel. I can update this in a few months time in case these symptoms are temporary or not.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerazette pill  

I would HIGHLY recommend this contraception. In my opinion it is one of the best, if not the best and has worked for me 100%


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

This is the WORST. My mental health plummeted on this pill, crying nearlt everyday. Not to mention i was bleeding medium heavy for 30+ days every single day. Really terrible effect i would not recommend. My doctor said to wait another week but after bleeding for a month straight i couldnt.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Was on desogestrel for almost 8 years. Only got light spotting when I missed a pill, otherwise very easy adjusting to pill. I’ve stopped now as I’m trying to conceive and actually stopping has been an experience - I’ve been getting hormonal acne and my sex drive has shot through the roof! I also developed minor vaginismus (related to stress levels) on the pill and that seems to have gone away in the last month since I stopped desogestrel. I can update this in a few months time in case these symptoms are temporary or not.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerazette pill  

I would HIGHLY recommend this contraception. In my opinion it is one of the best, if not the best and has worked for me 100%


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

This is the WORST. My mental health plummeted on this pill, crying nearlt everyday. Not to mention i was bleeding medium heavy for 30+ days every single day. Really terrible effect i would not recommend. My doctor said to wait another week but after bleeding for a month straight i couldnt.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

this was my first contraceptive pill i tried. in the first three months, i did struggle with lower mood and had consistent light bleeding that would last for over a week. later on, i adjusted better and eventually stopped having a period, with the occasional light bleeding from time to time. i experienced decreased sex drive and mentally has not been great but it has been manageable. i decided to stop this after 10 months due to suddenly getting worsened acne, which is not something i have struggled with since i was a young teenager


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Norgeston pill  

I’ve gained some weight but I don’t think it was the pill alone, other factors such as other medication and enjoying food are at play! I’ve enjoyed having a regular cycle (still ovulating) with less intense highs and lows emotionally but no impact to libido. Has been helpful for PMS overall. Some side effects are headaches and tender/larger breasts. I’ve adjusted the 3 hour window to take this pill a few times with ease too.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Tried the mini pill because combined contraception scared me and I knew I had to go on something as I had recently got an abortion and suffered badly with period cramps. So far I’ve had very few side effects in the first month I had a couple of acne spots popping up due to the change in hormones but they stopped towards the end of my second month. I’ve been keeping an eye on my weight and it’s had no effect and I haven’t had an increase in appetite as I take the pill before I go to sleep at 9:30pm which I recommend so much. Overall my mood hasn’t been affected at all and I have stopped bleeding pretty much, I have had a small period recently on my 2nd month of pills but no cramps or bloating. Overall I’m super happy I started this pill of course it’s different for everybody my advice go with what you think is best for you and regularly check in with your doctor. It’s trial and error but don’t read into it online as everyone has different side effects this pill may work really well for you and not for others! I defo recommend though 🫶


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Cerazette pill  

Hi in my experience the breakthrough bleeding was too much for me. I had to change pill due to starting on hrt. Previously used microgynon which was great periods were like clockwork. Short 4 days and fairly light. I stopped using it and now use noriday.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Cerazette pill  

The first few months have been rough. Originally went on this pill to alleviate symptoms of Endemetriosis but I’ve had worse side effects then my natural cycle with Endo. I’m giving it one more cycle and if nothing changes then I’ll go off the pill


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  

I’ve been on multiple brands of pills, Cerazette, Yasminelle and Microlite. Microlite was the bane of my existence , it made me extremely hormonal I was constantly crying and a very irritable person but I’ve been on Cerazette about 2 years and have found it’s the one I agree with the most


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Slynd pill  

Generally happy with this pill, which I'm now able to get from my GP. It's much better than Desogestrel for me. I haven't had a period since I started it and no breakthrough bleeding either. My skin is great on this pill and my weight hasn't changed - if anything I lost a bit of weight, which unfortunately made my boobs smaller. I read this pill has a diuretic effect but I haven't noticed that at all. Initially I had headaches and some disturbed sleep, but these went away after the first month. My sex drive is lower but not to the point of it being an issue. I love that it has the safety of a 24-hour window, plus it's made my mood really stable and has stopped my periods.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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