Gynefix vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Overview
Rated 4.2
9 reviews
5 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1308 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Gynefix ingredients
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
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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Real life reviews from people like you
Gynefix reviews
9 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Sep 24
The insertion and week after insertion was incredibly painful, I had cramps running from my back to my uterus and down my thighs and I was bed bound. My periods became ridiculously heavy and the period cramps were incredibly intense. In the end, one day my period pain was so intense I pulled the IUD out myself at home. Pulling it out didn't hurt at all and the pain stopped immediately.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Feb 24
I really enjoy using this type of contraceptive method as it doesn’t involve me using medications and as my body has gone through and still going through a lot of physical changes with endo/pcos, I felt it was best to use this method (correctly) and use my Flo app to track my cycle which has been a easy and effective method for me personally. It can become scary at times as my period has changed a lot after birth and isn’t like clockwork anymore so sometimes I have been in positions where my period is late but this is due to hormonal levels changing. Really happy with this FAM as it’s natural and effective when used correctly.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Dec 23
Mortimer Market centre in London offer this service. You are required to undergo an internal ultrasound to check that your uterus is suitable for the Gynefix. When they did this they said that I was unable to have it inserted, which came as a massive surprise. Just thought that anyone who is thinking of having it should know that they may not be suitable for it!
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Sep 24
The insertion and week after insertion was incredibly painful, I had cramps running from my back to my uterus and down my thighs and I was bed bound. My periods became ridiculously heavy and the period cramps were incredibly intense. In the end, one day my period pain was so intense I pulled the IUD out myself at home. Pulling it out didn't hurt at all and the pain stopped immediately.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Feb 24
I really enjoy using this type of contraceptive method as it doesn’t involve me using medications and as my body has gone through and still going through a lot of physical changes with endo/pcos, I felt it was best to use this method (correctly) and use my Flo app to track my cycle which has been a easy and effective method for me personally. It can become scary at times as my period has changed a lot after birth and isn’t like clockwork anymore so sometimes I have been in positions where my period is late but this is due to hormonal levels changing. Really happy with this FAM as it’s natural and effective when used correctly.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Dec 23
Mortimer Market centre in London offer this service. You are required to undergo an internal ultrasound to check that your uterus is suitable for the Gynefix. When they did this they said that I was unable to have it inserted, which came as a massive surprise. Just thought that anyone who is thinking of having it should know that they may not be suitable for it!
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
1 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1308 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I was prescribed generic Desogestrel mini pill to treat my adenomyosis. I was only on it for a couple of weeks, but I couldn't cope with the symptoms. Daily bleeding and bloating but more worryingly, horrendous nausea, dizziness and migraines. Also had swollen tender enlarged breasts.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve never have had a pain free period over the years my periods of gotten drastically worse which it gotten to a point that i was physically sick during my periods and was house bound for the whole entire wake up period I have PCOS and i was scared using the pill as I read up online that the pill is bad for it I had gotten to point that I was tired and fed up in having painful periods so I as recommended by my nurse to try the Cerazette pill I’m shocked in how quick that this pill stopped my periods however I am over moon that this is the case I don’t wish become a mother so I will be taken this pill till menopause positive effects periods stopped acne on my face and back is starting go Low moods have gone no longer feel bloated Negative effects Little bit of breast pain Little bit of period like cramps only a week coming to what would be my period due this doesn’t last long and I just take paracetamol which helps
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This desogestrol progesterone only pill was recommended to me during a specialist appointment for severe Menorrhagia, I also have endometriosis. On the first day of taking I did not notice any symptoms, on the second day my whole abdomen from side to side became painful, tender and swollen, same on day three and four progressively becoming worse. On day three and four I was getting pins and needles in both my hands intermittently. I felt nauseous on day two, three and four (this became constant from day three to four) and had some dizzy spells on both days too. I also experienced tender breasts from day 1 to 4. I exercise well everyday and noticed I was sweating more than usual and breathless after exertion, a lot more than usual. My sex drive changed because of the side effects I think. I stopped taking this medication after the fourth tablet because the side effects were so bad.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I was prescribed generic Desogestrel mini pill to treat my adenomyosis. I was only on it for a couple of weeks, but I couldn't cope with the symptoms. Daily bleeding and bloating but more worryingly, horrendous nausea, dizziness and migraines. Also had swollen tender enlarged breasts.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve never have had a pain free period over the years my periods of gotten drastically worse which it gotten to a point that i was physically sick during my periods and was house bound for the whole entire wake up period I have PCOS and i was scared using the pill as I read up online that the pill is bad for it I had gotten to point that I was tired and fed up in having painful periods so I as recommended by my nurse to try the Cerazette pill I’m shocked in how quick that this pill stopped my periods however I am over moon that this is the case I don’t wish become a mother so I will be taken this pill till menopause positive effects periods stopped acne on my face and back is starting go Low moods have gone no longer feel bloated Negative effects Little bit of breast pain Little bit of period like cramps only a week coming to what would be my period due this doesn’t last long and I just take paracetamol which helps
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This desogestrol progesterone only pill was recommended to me during a specialist appointment for severe Menorrhagia, I also have endometriosis. On the first day of taking I did not notice any symptoms, on the second day my whole abdomen from side to side became painful, tender and swollen, same on day three and four progressively becoming worse. On day three and four I was getting pins and needles in both my hands intermittently. I felt nauseous on day two, three and four (this became constant from day three to four) and had some dizzy spells on both days too. I also experienced tender breasts from day 1 to 4. I exercise well everyday and noticed I was sweating more than usual and breathless after exertion, a lot more than usual. My sex drive changed because of the side effects I think. I stopped taking this medication after the fourth tablet because the side effects were so bad.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Was put on this to help with my severe period pains. It has helped but I'm not sure it's worth it with the side effects. I can honestly say I am depressed. I have zero motivation, zero energy, zero inclination to do anything I used to enjoy. My sex drive has disappeared it doesn't matter because I've bled for the majority of the time I've been taking it. I want to stop but my GP won't try me on anything else until I've been on this for 3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I have been taking Desogestral for just over 6 months. It took 3-4 months of irregular bleeding/spotting before my periods seem to have stopped completely. I do notice that I have had several occurrences of thrush along with weight gain/increased hunger, tender breasts and occasional period like cramping without bleeding. Mood overall has been slightly lower and feel like I am prone to pms symptoms still (teary, low mood) at the time I would have previously been due on. Had been off contraception for several years as combined pill previously contributed to anxiety/depression. Wanted something to control v heavy periods and not impact mood greatly and this seems to be working so far despite some unwanted side effects
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Awful , periods went on for 16-28 days over 3 months. Decided to stop taking this totally as it was awful. Don’t recommend at all.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
It helped with my anxiety and insomnia. I definitely started sleeping better
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I started taking the minipill about 6 months ago because of my really heavy and painful periods. And the first three months I still had my period, but it did get a lot lighter and less painful. The last 3 months I've had no period except for a week of spotting. My mood has become more stable, I used to become almost depressed before my period. I do however become nauseaus a lot faster especially if I'm stressed, I have lost 5 kg almost because of that. I don't think this is the best contraceptive, but I do like that it only contains one type of hormone and that I don't have my period anymore. But I'm not planning on taking it for a very long time.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Sep 24
The minipill gave me pretty bad acne, which took years to resolve after I gave up the pill. It also completely killed my sex drive.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Sep 24
Most of my life I was on Mercilon combined pills which was the only one working for me after tried few in my early 20tis. Had them with some breaks . Later I tried mini pill for few months which didn’t work for me. Mostly because of painful red spots on my neck like acne. Now I am 50 can’t take combined pills and trying the progesterone pills. Tried 1 month Cerazette but stopped after 1 month. I didn’t want to eat Titanium dioxide . Now 2 months in I am on Zelleta. Having acne on my chin and around my mouth. Now have very bad numbness in my hands especially during the night . And some in my legs too . Finishing 2nd pack but coming of it now . Can’t feel my fingers. My hands hurt . It’s not menaupase or lower estrogen level as got this suddenly within days. Very low sex drive like I am switched off completely . Also mood swings with anxiety. I am done with desogestrel pills they are not good for my heath, never was. I am trying natural cycles with app next . And my period should be completely stopping soon with my age.Also, Didn’t have any period with these pills.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
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