Implant vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Before I got the implant, I was nervous about all the side effects after reading horror stories about it, but I was pleasantly surprised after I got it done. I had it fitted on the second day of my period, the next day I noticed that my flow went from medium/heavy to very light, definitely not complaining. My next period came 9 days early (according to my period tracker app), it was very light, however I did notice some cramping, nothing I can’t handle, but the headaches and the overwhelming amount of emotions was the worse, I was emotional, and had no energy. But after my period, I went back to feeling normal. I have also noticed that my hair started to become greasier faster than usual, but that isn’t a big issue for me. My skin hasn’t changed, no weigh gain or loss. One main thing that I have truly noticed throughout my experience is mood swings, they come and go, one moment I can be happy, the next I want to cry when nothing even happened, but I guess this is normal because of the hormones and my body still adjusting to the implant. Overall, my experience wasn’t what I expected and it’s actually pretty good, and it’s comforting to know that I can get it taken out whenever I want. If anyone is scared to get the implant because of all the stories, it is very good to do research, but I recommend to just do it, see how you feel, wait out all the side effects and then make your decision if you still want to keep it in or not. I haven’t had it in for long, but at the moment, I am happy and not planning to take it out :)

Was convinced to try this by my doctor and definitely regret it. Acne made worse and didn’t feel like myself, small issues would seem like the biggest issues ever. Came off due to increased anxiety, overthinking… and wish I had done so sooner.

I was keen to try the implant as it seemed perfect for me on paper, but I ended up getting it removed due to very low mood and mood swings. Within a few days of insertion, I felt emotional all the time, getting easily upset and crying most days, and I didn't feel like myself at all. I regularly felt depressed, hopeless and overwhelmed. I also had irrational worries and anxious thoughts. I persevered with the implant for two years because I was convinced that these side effects would lessen over time, but I didn't notice any improvement. Throughout the time I had the implant, I experienced nearly constant light bleeding and spotting as well as breast tenderness. I found these side effects irritating as they interfered with my daily life, although I would have been willing to put up with them if I hadn't had the mood issues as well. Once I finally made my mind up and had my implant removed, my moods were back to normal within a week, and my periods returned to their regular pattern right away. In hindsight, I wish I had listened to my body and had it removed much sooner. For me the only positives were that the implant was convenient and effective, and the insertion/removal processes were fairly painless. I would say it is worth a try if these things are important to you, but my personal experience was so poor that it has put me off hormonal contraceptives entirely.

I’ve been on this pill for 7 weeks after having the Modena coil and then copper coil. For them removed fallen on pregnant so had to try something else. I was struggling as I suffer with hormonal acne so wanted to go on a combined pill but I could t as I suffer with migraines. So I but the bullet and give this a try. I can honestly say it’s helped with my anxiety and mood swings so much. I feel a lot calmer in myself too. My periods have stayed same so far maybe a bit lighter. My acne hasn’t improved or got worse really just same well I think so anyway. The first few weeks I was constantly bloated and constipated but I just take two husk tablets a night now and I’m back to goi g regular. Overall I’m finding this pill ok and I’m happy with the way it’s helped my mood swings.

Started first day of period and bleed went on for 11 days (3 days heavy) and then stopped. Started spotting exactly when next period would have been due but skipped placebos and this stopped as soon as it started. I suffer with endometriosis and heavy periods so need the break as ferritin was constantly low. Also sciatica pain on left side has strangely stopped since starting these and only on 2nd packet. Moods are more consistent and I’m not getting as angry over the small things anymore. Overall I’m pretty happy with this pill and hoping I can carry on with it to menopause now.

I started the mini-pill as a quick method inbetween the time I was waiting to get the Copper Coil contraceptive. It has worked very well! No spotting or bleeding. Except, my periods were slightly heavier but had little to no cramps. I was very skeptical of the pill affecting my mental health but I am not sure as it could be other reasons!

Overall after trying many different pills, this was the best, I started to have very depressive weeks so I stopped as I was afraid of some suicidal thoughts.

I've been on Slynd (Slinda) for 5 months. I've had irregular bleeding the whole time. It is lighter than an actual period but enough to have to wear a protection of some sort. I also get mild cramps with it often. I have PCOS and I feel it has helped my acne a bit but not as much as some combined pills I have been on (Yasmin, Yaz). I had hoped it would improve my skin more. No effect on weight, appetite or sex drive. I sleep very good with this pill but I see loads of quite vivid dreams, which I never used to see (or remember) in the past. My mood is stable with this pill, however I feel like my mood has been overall more positive on the combined pills.

I couldn’t be happier with this pill. After having a break from contraception and using FAM and falling pregnant twice, I decided I needed to go back on birth control. I initially tried the copper coil but it expelled after 24 hours and I didn’t want to go through the insertion process again. I went to the doctor and she’s said to give the mini pill a go, and I was prescribed Zelleta. I was really nervous as I have previously been in the combined pill for 7 years and it really impacted my mood so I was hesitant to try a pill again, but the doctor told me my body could react differently to the mini pill and she was right. The first two weeks I had headaches almost everyday, and was feeling extremely tired but I think this was down to my body getting used to the pill. After the three week mark they both disappeared. I had no loss of sex drive, I would actually say it’s increased which took me by surprise. I’ve lost around 8lbs and I feel like I have more energy. The only downside for me is my skin (previously completely clear) has had some breakouts but I will take it. My low mood and anxiety has decreased significantly. I was so hesitant to go back on the pill but when your doctor says they’re not all the same and you just have to find the right one for you, listen to them because it’s so true.

Lovima has essentially stopped my periods, with rare spotting for 1-2 days (hardly requires a pantyliner), but mostly these only come if I have been late taking a pill (less than 12 hours late but more than 6ish hours late). My mood is definitely slightly better, I noticed it especially after > 6 months. Less side effects than a combined pill so honestly would recommend.

The only side effect I had on this pill was the irregular bleeding. It worked for the first 2 months and then I just bled for the next 4 months (until I stopped). I suffer from VERY painful periods and even when I wasn’t bleeding or it was really light I can recall having 3 huge pain episodes that would last a few days. The pill didn’t affect my mood, but the side effects did because I had to spend nearly all summer inside because of the anxiety and depression. Aswell because of the bleeding I lost interest in sex (again, not caused by the pill directly). Overall I’m disappointed this method didn’t work. If I didn’t have bleeding and unexpected cramps this would’ve been perfect.

Took this for 7 weeks and my mood has rapidly declined over the last two weeks. Any inconvenience that I’d usually be able to brush off or get over seems to leave my crying uncontrollably. Anxiety levels are higher than normal for me. The two periods that I had while on the pill were definitely longer lasting, would usually be 5 days max but last one was 8 days (although light towards the end). Stopping today because of the depressive thoughts

Granted I suffer with anxiety and depression anyway but it was under control and I hadn’t had panic attacks in a year when I was off birth control. I started this in January and at first I felt great, I had more energy, little bit of bloating but that went and no changes really at all. By month 2 I noticed I was getting panic attacks again and felt very anxious in safe places/ around safe people where I have never experienced anxiety before. I am now on month 4 and it is worse than ever, I am irritable, angry, emotional, low body image, finding myself not wanting to do anything. I am coming off this pill now and trying another because I want to be myself again.