Patch vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Overview
Rated 3.5
115 reviews
Weekly
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1425 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Patch ingredients
Main hormones in Patch
progestogen
oestrogen
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Patch reviews
115 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Aug 25
I love using the patch. It has made using contraceptive so much easier and I went through a phase of recommending it too everyone I know. I've had a few symptoms recently, but not sure if that is related to the Patch or a different medical issue. In the last year, I've had more hormonal acne than I did before, but that's the main side effect that I would say I've been affected by. We are coming off contraceptive soon, so hoping it is a smooth process
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 25
I found this much more convenient than a pill as it only has to be thought about each week. The patch cover seemed to often slip leaving the adhesive to get dirty through the week however, and I was told to stop using them after a short time as they brought back migranes that I had not experienced in years.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jun 25
I really liked the patch with my moods, periods, only having to remember once a week to change it, etc, but it gave me a rash. I went to my doctor and was hoping they’d be able to say the rash isn’t a big deal or offer me a patch for more sensitive skin but there isn’t any other patch so sadly I had to come off it and go on the pill
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Aug 25
I love using the patch. It has made using contraceptive so much easier and I went through a phase of recommending it too everyone I know. I've had a few symptoms recently, but not sure if that is related to the Patch or a different medical issue. In the last year, I've had more hormonal acne than I did before, but that's the main side effect that I would say I've been affected by. We are coming off contraceptive soon, so hoping it is a smooth process
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 25
I found this much more convenient than a pill as it only has to be thought about each week. The patch cover seemed to often slip leaving the adhesive to get dirty through the week however, and I was told to stop using them after a short time as they brought back migranes that I had not experienced in years.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jun 25
I really liked the patch with my moods, periods, only having to remember once a week to change it, etc, but it gave me a rash. I went to my doctor and was hoping they’d be able to say the rash isn’t a big deal or offer me a patch for more sensitive skin but there isn’t any other patch so sadly I had to come off it and go on the pill
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1425 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have been using the pill for around 6 months and I keep getting irregular bleeding whilst taking the pill. I take my pill everyday but somehow seem to bleed anyway it’s not spotting as people say it’s heavier like a normal period. It changed my mood within seconds and keeps giving me my Period every 2-3 weeks.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
After years of being on no contraception I decided to give the Mini Pill another go. It worked for me several years ago but began impacting my mental health so I stopped. This time round I have been more in tune with my body. The first 3-5 days I had itchy nipples. I’ve gained 4kg in a month and my diet hasn’t changed. I have had a headache and neck pain since day one, if I didn’t keep on top of pain relief it would come back. I already have acne prone skin which has took years to get under control and within the first week I developed cystic acne. I’ve felt myself snapping at others in my house over silly things and also felt unable to make decisions. They say to give it 3 months to settle into your system but it’s a no go for me. I cannot deal with the daily head and neck pain, acne and mood issues - so back to condoms we go.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days 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 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
I have been using the pill for around 6 months and I keep getting irregular bleeding whilst taking the pill. I take my pill everyday but somehow seem to bleed anyway it’s not spotting as people say it’s heavier like a normal period. It changed my mood within seconds and keeps giving me my Period every 2-3 weeks.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
After years of being on no contraception I decided to give the Mini Pill another go. It worked for me several years ago but began impacting my mental health so I stopped. This time round I have been more in tune with my body. The first 3-5 days I had itchy nipples. I’ve gained 4kg in a month and my diet hasn’t changed. I have had a headache and neck pain since day one, if I didn’t keep on top of pain relief it would come back. I already have acne prone skin which has took years to get under control and within the first week I developed cystic acne. I’ve felt myself snapping at others in my house over silly things and also felt unable to make decisions. They say to give it 3 months to settle into your system but it’s a no go for me. I cannot deal with the daily head and neck pain, acne and mood issues - so back to condoms we go.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days 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
• 4 days 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
• 5 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
• 6 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
• 2 weeks 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
• 1 month 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

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