Patch vs Combined pill

I would highly recommend using the patch if you want a form of contraception that can easily fit around your life. Doctors will be very quick to try and prescribe the pill or the coil and will rarely mention the patch. The patch makes it easier to absorb hormones instead of digesting them like you do with the pill. It’s great not having a luteal phase which makes me feel really low anymore. My mood is stable and my skin has improved a lot. The only negative side effects I would say I’ve experienced is more difficulty in my vagina lubricating itself and water retention making me feel like I’m more bloated/ added on weight. However the latter could be due to other factors and I’ve found that I can manage it with exercising more.

Been using the patch for 1 month now. The first 2 weeks weren’t great, I was having intense mood swings and irritability which was not like myself. I also experienced headaches during the first 2 weeks which now seem to be a lot better. By the third week things started to settle and my moods became better and less intense. On the patch free week I experienced bleeding and stomach pain (similar to a normal period) I’ve also noticed my skin has gotten worse as I very rarely get spots but have had quite a few breakouts since beginning the patch. I haven’t noticed any weight gain but slight breast enlargement. Overall, I would recommend the patch due to quite a lot of the side effects being temporary and as someone who struggles with contraception this has been the best one so far.

I went back on the patch a few months ago as it's probably my most preferred form of contraception (I'm often not on any and am reluctant to use anything but needs must). I actually have fallen pregnant on the patch in the past and have a 5 year old son to show for it but so far this time round it seems to be doing the job. Pros: It's so easy to use, changing once a week is so much easier than trying to remember a pill each day. I usually use the whole pack back to back so appreciate less frequent periods. It stays put with no issue at all. Cons: My moods have been awful, to the point I feel quite depressed some of the time, I'm crying a lot and not coping with challenges very well as I normally would. My periods are generally heavier, I have a couple of days of constantly leaking through tampons in a very short space of time. I'm getting headaches quite regularly which won't shift with painkillers. Also feel nauseous quite often. This month have started breakthrough bleeding after just a couple of weeks since last patch free week. Overall, not loving it at the moment. However I've had such bad experiences with other forms of contraception that I still think this is the best of a bad bunch. Really rate the convenience of it. No noticeable difference to weight or skin thankfully.

Absolutely legendary pill, I’ve been on a few others this one by far is the best. Haven’t had any changes in my emotions and most importantly not pregnant! And I really do push that to the test weekly. I was A cup before taking and now I’m pushing B cup so for me that’s great

Low mood, caused depression anxiety and lethargy

I stopped taking the pill 2 years ago to see if my libido would improve. Ultimately, though my libido was better off the pill, it has not been worth the horrendous PMDD symptoms that accompany my period. I was experiencing heightened severe depression, anger, sadness, and brain fog in the 2 weeks before my period; I'd also been dealing with nasty cystic acne on my chin and cheeks that was so deep under my skin, that even when my period was over, my face would be blotched and swollen with scabs or scars. Not cool when you're about to turn 30! Having this incessant acne made me even more depressed and at times, antisocial. All I could do was doom spiral. I recently moved to the UK and decided to see a doctor about my PMDD again as healthcare is accessible (as it should be!), and she suggested Eloine for acne and mood fluctuations. I'm happy to report that 5 weeks in, my acne is subsiding and I'm less up and down / quick to overreact mood-wise. My breasts have gotten a bit larger and although I also have a bit of bloating in my stomach, I'll happily take bigger boobs. In the past month, I have gotten some pretty bad, throbbing headaches, but those have started to become less frequent. I have also felt strong nausea in the afternoons, not always but frequently. This is still occurring in my fifth week. I do think my libido is down... but frankly, my husband was more tortured by my monstrous moods and deep self-loathing, and we've committed to working through it and being patient. So far, I recommend this for any menstruating person that deals with cystic hormonal acne and depression. It's been a relief for me.

Used Rigevidon for 6 months, had to stop due to mood. It didn't make me depressed or anxious just a lot more sensitive, took my quite a while (another 6 months) for my hormones to finally balance out again. My weight didn't change a massive deal, I gained a little bit, probably more due to me being more upset than usual. Stopped period pain and made periods a lot lighter and easier and grew my boobs a bit. Also very clear skin which is a bonus. Overall okay pill I just didn't like the mood swings.

sadly got swapped as my pharmacy isn’t stocking it anymore. it served me well for 5 years. can’t really complain

I’ve managed 10 days on this pill - but have stopped for my mental health. Never have I suffered with anxiety like I have on this pill. It has been horrendous. My mood is so low and I’ve not been able to function normally for days. I’ve not eaten or drank normally. The headaches and nausea are constant.

I used this pill a few years ago during a difficult period and wondered then if it impacted my mood, but it was a difficult time so it was hard to gauge. Tried again this time around and sadly no the pill was definitely a contributing factor. My pill free week I had a constant feeling of anxiety, which then followed into my next round. Im not really an anxious person but by week 4 on this I felt constantly on edge. Im a light sleeper anyway so I didn't make the connection last time between insomnia symptoms and night sweats but I think this contributed. I wonder if its linked to the heightened anxiety. A shame because otherwise no impact on skin, weight or periods sadly it just does not work with my mental health. I recently switched to Yasmin and it was like a light came on almost to the day I switched. I'd avoided it because of some negative stories id heard but for me its been much better so far. Sadly its a bit of trial and error to find the right one for you.

Vagina is very dry and sex has become a chore as I also have a low sex drive now

This combined pill has been the best one for me that I have tried so far. It hasn’t impacted my mood (as far as I can tell) and I haven’t experienced many negative side effects.

Overall, Haven’t noticed any changes to mood, it’s definitely made me gain a little bit of weight. However, My period i had when coming off the pill was in one word…. Excruciating. I’ve never had bad period cramps but with this pill my period came out in massive blood clots and it was very very painful.