Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Combined pill
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Overview
Rated 2.7
1446 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2686 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Period pain
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1446 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
The mini-pill has been a life saver for me. I’ve always struggled with combined pills, trying so many to control horrible periods and always having awful side effects. Since first trying the mini pill, I had spotting for about a week, and I haven’t had anything since, it’s been three years! The only side effect I have is that my skin is very sensitive and breaks out easily like it did before I started taking oral contraceptives, which started again about two months in, but it’s worth it for the benefits for me. No mood swings, no migraines, no bleeding, no hair loss, no weight gain, just a bit of manageable acne!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
64 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
64 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Im a trans for estrogen therapy to help with my breast
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
The mini-pill has been a life saver for me. I’ve always struggled with combined pills, trying so many to control horrible periods and always having awful side effects. Since first trying the mini pill, I had spotting for about a week, and I haven’t had anything since, it’s been three years! The only side effect I have is that my skin is very sensitive and breaks out easily like it did before I started taking oral contraceptives, which started again about two months in, but it’s worth it for the benefits for me. No mood swings, no migraines, no bleeding, no hair loss, no weight gain, just a bit of manageable acne!
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
64 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
64 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Im a trans for estrogen therapy to help with my breast
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2686 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I have been prescribed Qlaira for heavy periods and excessive bleeding. I might have endometriosis but they didn't prove it yet. Qlaira stopped my excessive bleeding the very next day after taking the first pill. I also didn't notice any major side effects beside a little soreness in my breasts. My skin is crystal clear. I suffer from PMDD very bad and have bad pains in my abdomen during ovulation. It fixed all of these issues in the first month and I'm happy. My vaginal lubrication improved as well. Mood swings improved significantly.
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Love this pill, I've been on it for nearly 10 years now and have noticed few changes and side effects. If anything, my skin is more clear and my periods are light (3-4 days instead of my usual 6-7). I feel more emotional than baseline but it does not bother my day-to-day activities.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Overall its fine, slowed down my metabolism and made me pretty dry but that's all
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
I have been prescribed Qlaira for heavy periods and excessive bleeding. I might have endometriosis but they didn't prove it yet. Qlaira stopped my excessive bleeding the very next day after taking the first pill. I also didn't notice any major side effects beside a little soreness in my breasts. My skin is crystal clear. I suffer from PMDD very bad and have bad pains in my abdomen during ovulation. It fixed all of these issues in the first month and I'm happy. My vaginal lubrication improved as well. Mood swings improved significantly.
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Love this pill, I've been on it for nearly 10 years now and have noticed few changes and side effects. If anything, my skin is more clear and my periods are light (3-4 days instead of my usual 6-7). I feel more emotional than baseline but it does not bother my day-to-day activities.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Overall its fine, slowed down my metabolism and made me pretty dry but that's all
Gained weight
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
This has by far been the best pill for me I love how confident and comfortable I feel
Very positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
My worst side effects have been the mood swings, I am crying a lot more for no reason than I ever did before, it definitely has made me more emotional. My period has gone from being 3 to 4 days to being 1.5 / 2. My breasts become really sore and hard before and after my period. I don’t feel as sexually active as before and I experience dryness more regularly than normal. My skin is completely clear with the pill. Everything bad is / has been fairly manageable, not ideal but haven’t had any pregnancy scares.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
The “Nordette” pill was not much better than the Nur-Isterate injection. It just decreased my mood swings. I lost a bit of weight (went back to my normal size) my acne got worse . Libido was still incredibly low. And Vag still as dry as a desert
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
This contraception is highly effective, but for me the main side-effect is major hair loss and irregular periods.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
My legs randomly ache, I have. 0 sex drive, the thought of being touched is making me sick. I have severe anxiety and I’m borderline suicidal. This is not the right pill for me but going back to my gp and getting another one seems exhausting.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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