Patch vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

I was prescribed this following the birth of my second child at 7 weeks pp. It seemed like a good option because taking a pill every day was difficult for me and it was discreet and easy to remove when we wanted to conceive again. I very quickly noticed a drop in supply of my breastmilk - I did contact the GP who told me this wasn’t related because I was more than 6 weeks post partum. I also rarely get spots or skin problems but I saw a large increase in spots around my chin and face. When I stopped using the patch my milk supply jumped back up almost immediately.

Was great for the first 6 months+ but then the last two weeks I've experienced itchy skin and burn red marks where the patch was - having to go back to the pill sadly. Before this would have rated 5/5. The mark it's left is so sore and feels like a burn and is scabbing up badly.

My overall experience was good and I don’t suffer from any major side effects. This method worked well for me

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.

I have PCOS, so I don't have periods normally as is and hormonal birth control effects me differently. My review is for the other PCOS girlies who have amenorrhea (lack of/no menses). I started cramping almost immediately. I take the pill at noon everyday, and the cramping sets in 30 minutes later. It is worse at night before bed. As far as emotional side effects, I've noticed I am more apathetic than usual, but otherwise fine.