Implant vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Add your Implant review
£From £0.22/day
Overview
Rated 2.8
617 reviews
Every 3 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1423 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
Period pain
Try it now
Add your Implant review
Try it now
£From £0.22/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
617 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1423 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Everything seems ok only issue is that period has fully stopped. Unsure if i should be concerned.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
It's great to stop your period but after being on it for a long time losing weight is almost impossible.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Started taking Slynd to help with heavy periods and cramping. First month was fine, felt a little extra emotional. Second month I got my period two weeks before I was supposed to and I am still bleeding after two weeks. Crazy cramping, clotting, heavy bleeding. Had a day or two in there that was light or medium. Poking around on Reddit this seems quite common. Most people stop, not a lot of folks talking about continuing and it levelling out. Waiting to see.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Everything seems ok only issue is that period has fully stopped. Unsure if i should be concerned.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
It's great to stop your period but after being on it for a long time losing weight is almost impossible.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Started taking Slynd to help with heavy periods and cramping. First month was fine, felt a little extra emotional. Second month I got my period two weeks before I was supposed to and I am still bleeding after two weeks. Crazy cramping, clotting, heavy bleeding. Had a day or two in there that was light or medium. Poking around on Reddit this seems quite common. Most people stop, not a lot of folks talking about continuing and it levelling out. Waiting to see.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
Constant low mood, lack of energy and motivation, brain fog, bloating, cramping most of the month, breakthrough bleeding data 10 - 22 of pills for 3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I was put on this pill to manage endometriosis. I had clear skin for years, and after around a month of desogetrel I experienced a massive flare up in cystic acne on chin and cheeks. I also gained 6 kilos in 3 months. I would not recommend.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I had break through bleeding most weeks for my first 6 months of this pill, then everything was great, however for my final 5 months of the pill I bled again every single day. I decided to come off as it was negatively effecting my mood from the bleeding and also felt zero emotions towards sex or excitement - just felt generally 'meh'.
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
2 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I went on desogestrel twice. The first time I noticed it made me cry extremely easily, and I bled pretty much constantly for 9 months. Then I came off it. When I tried it again for a few months, I had a similar experience, with the added side effect of being so hungry that if I wasn't constantly snacking I was insanely nauseous. Ultimately, it was the bleeding that made me stop it.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I have never been this overweight in my lifetime... Always been a size 10-12, I'm 50yrs old and started taking these at 48 yrs old due to falling pregnant unexpectantly... however this was the worst option I took as I gained over 20kgs in weight. I went from 80kgs to 106kgs
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I went on Slynd to help with endometriosis, but unfortunately I developed a wide range of side effects that made me stop. The most unusual one was nerve-like stinging pain after sex and orgasms. Even though I stayed lubricated, I would get a burning/nerve pain that lasted for days afterwards. Alongside that, I also experienced dry mouth, chest pain, insomnia, low mood, low energy, acne, dry skin, anxiety, and frequent headaches. The combination left me feeling really unwell, physically and emotionally. I wanted to share because painful orgasms and these systemic symptoms weren’t something I’d ever read about with Slynd, and if anyone else is going through the same thing, you’re not imagining it
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

Women's health, reviewed.
Get the best women’s health info in your inbox
You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy
Slide into our DMs
Built by doctors and experts
Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind
Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them