Injection vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Injection

Add your Injection review

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Overview

Rated 2.9

309 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1486 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Injection ingredients

Main hormones in Injection

progestogen


Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

31% somewhat negative

70% stopped periods

57% lost sex drive

48% gained weight

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

42% don’t know impact

31% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

45% no impact on skin

Cycle return

39% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

Period pain

Period pain

Try it now

Add your Injection review

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Injection reviews

309 reviews

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Depo-Provera injection  

I got with a new partner a few years back and gave this ago as I wanted something I didn’t need to remember to take. I gained weight fast, I had mood changes, my skin broke out badly, my periods were heavier than before. I only ever had one injection then stopped as I no longer needed it and I didn’t like how it made me feel. Unfortunately I had a rare side effect where it stopped my periods/ovulation all together for 12 months I was referred to gynaecology at 6 months and luckily after all the scans everything was normal and by month 12 my cycle returned without needing to be medically induced. This is not a horror story but important that you could react the same or if you are reacting the same please get referred to gynaecology and hopefully your periods will return 🤍

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Sayana Press injection  

Having used both Depot and Sanaya Press, these are the best method of contraception. No side effect and a huge positive: no periods.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 26

Depo-Provera injection  

This has made my sex life a living hell .I get scared to have sex with my partner since I associate the vaginal dryness with this Depo shot ,the sex is always pain towards the end as there’s not enough lubrication


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Depo-Provera injection  

I got with a new partner a few years back and gave this ago as I wanted something I didn’t need to remember to take. I gained weight fast, I had mood changes, my skin broke out badly, my periods were heavier than before. I only ever had one injection then stopped as I no longer needed it and I didn’t like how it made me feel. Unfortunately I had a rare side effect where it stopped my periods/ovulation all together for 12 months I was referred to gynaecology at 6 months and luckily after all the scans everything was normal and by month 12 my cycle returned without needing to be medically induced. This is not a horror story but important that you could react the same or if you are reacting the same please get referred to gynaecology and hopefully your periods will return 🤍


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Sayana Press injection  

Having used both Depot and Sanaya Press, these are the best method of contraception. No side effect and a huge positive: no periods.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Apr 26

Depo-Provera injection  

This has made my sex life a living hell .I get scared to have sex with my partner since I associate the vaginal dryness with this Depo shot ,the sex is always pain towards the end as there’s not enough lubrication


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1486 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Slynd pill  

I love this pill. I was struggling with mood and physical symptoms around pms, I have tried several oral contraceptives intermittently over the last 15 years but had other side effects to them, I was using a Kyleena coil which worked really well for contraception and period control but as this did not stop me ovulating, PMS became my main concern. I tried Slynd when it became available in the UK and I love it. My cyclical mood, bloating and skin issues have basically completely resolved and the longer missed pill window works much better for me.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

this was my first contraception ever. i had read up on it so had an idea of what to expect but after a week of taking it i could already see the affect it was having on my body. i was easily gaining much more weight than i would when eating the same foods, same amount of foods. i was never one to have spots and noticed my skin getting loads around my forehead and cheeks. my mood was terrible, always angry and irritated causing a lot of arguments between me and my boyfriend. decreased sex drive. i decided to stop it as i just didn’t feel like myself anymore, im 4 days off it and im feeling a lot better than i was taking it.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I’d been off contraception for years and I wanted to go back on it as in a relationship and not TTC just yet. So far it seems to be okay th first 2 months was where i experienced most my symptoms mainly have settled sort from sex drive, headaches, no periods they still exist on month 5.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Slynd pill  

I love this pill. I was struggling with mood and physical symptoms around pms, I have tried several oral contraceptives intermittently over the last 15 years but had other side effects to them, I was using a Kyleena coil which worked really well for contraception and period control but as this did not stop me ovulating, PMS became my main concern. I tried Slynd when it became available in the UK and I love it. My cyclical mood, bloating and skin issues have basically completely resolved and the longer missed pill window works much better for me.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

this was my first contraception ever. i had read up on it so had an idea of what to expect but after a week of taking it i could already see the affect it was having on my body. i was easily gaining much more weight than i would when eating the same foods, same amount of foods. i was never one to have spots and noticed my skin getting loads around my forehead and cheeks. my mood was terrible, always angry and irritated causing a lot of arguments between me and my boyfriend. decreased sex drive. i decided to stop it as i just didn’t feel like myself anymore, im 4 days off it and im feeling a lot better than i was taking it.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I’d been off contraception for years and I wanted to go back on it as in a relationship and not TTC just yet. So far it seems to be okay th first 2 months was where i experienced most my symptoms mainly have settled sort from sex drive, headaches, no periods they still exist on month 5.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I started taking the mini pill as the combined was making me cry every single day, it was great for the first year but now I am experiencing absolutely no sex drive and I feel awful! It’s made me hate myself as I know my partner can notice but I don’t know what to do. It seems like every conception has massive negatives so I don’t even know if I want to try another one and go through this again. In the same through I don’t want to come off the pill as my anxiety will go mental if I’m not on anything !!! It’s such a shame because I’ve experienced no other side effects but I can’t go on like thi


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Noriday pill  

My GP suggested I switch from Desogesterel to Noriday as I was consistently getting break through bleeding after many years of being period free. The first 6 months of taking Noriday were great, with a few days of very light spotting over many months. Then I started to get more regular, painful periods. I persisted with taking it, and after a few months of no period, it's been months of heavy, painful bleeds that last anywhere from 4 to 9 days at a time every 2-4 weeks. For the last few months I've been getting the type of period pain I haven't had since I was a teenager (I'm not in my mid-30s) - the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night and stops you from sleeping. I'm coming off this pill today.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Slynd pill  

I had my first postpartum period without any birth control and it was a bit heavier than normal (pre-pregnancy comparison) but not too bad honestly, the cramps weren’t horrible either. Then my second period I had been on Slynd for about a month and it was HORRIBLE, I’m a medical nurse and I have an relatively high pain tolerance but I considered going to the hospital. The first night I was having multiple medium sized clots that my coworker said looked like it was uterine lining, heavy heavy bright red bleeding and horrendous cramps that made me want to vomit. Plus my uterus was contracting so much I think I went #2 like 5x that day alone. Day 2 was slightly better with slightly less horrible cramps but still relatively heavy bleeding and some small clots every hour or so. Now day 3 and I’m heavy bleeding still and now have some sharp lower abdomen pain especially when in the motion of going to sit down or stand up. I’m hoping this stops soon because this has been the worst period I think I’ve ever had and pre-pregnancy I thought I had some pretty bad ones. I don’t think I will be continuing this birth control


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Mar 26

Slynd pill  

I’ve had nothing but cystic acne, heavy bleeding for 2+ weeks at a time, hair growth is still the same rate if not even worse.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Mar 26

Desogestrel pill  

I’m generally happy but I was looking for a contraceptive that did not reduce my sex drive and that mission was failed. I tried the coil for 5 years and found that at the end, as it wore off, I started to get my sex drive back and was hoping to keep it. I was recommended the mini pill as a good option by my GP but it still doesn’t work for me. No interest in sex at all.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Mar 26

Desogestrel pill  

I feel like the mini-pill has changed my life. I used to get so many painful spots on my chin, but now they are cleared up. I have noticed my boobs getting bigger and a bit more sore, and I don't if it is linked, but I am getting cystitis more, but honestly, the impact it has had on my moods has been positive. My periods are non-existence and I just feel like a whole different person (in a good way). I have looked at photos of me when I was off hormonal contraception and I just don't even recognise her. I kind of feel like the mini pill has balanced my hormones (even though the intention of using it was to not get pregnant)


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 26

Lovima pill  

Started to take them again and noticed that I've been having breast pain for weeks now, alongside this I'm much more tearful. Period cramps were somewhat unbearable.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Injection with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

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

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