Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Combined pill

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 2.7

1483 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2751 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

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

31% somewhat negative

47% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

43% improved skin

Cycle return

37% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1483 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days 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

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks 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
  •  2 weeks 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 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days 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
  •  2 weeks 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
  •  2 weeks 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


Combined pill reviews

2751 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Yasmin pill  

I’ve been taking Yasmin for just over 2 months now (skipping periods). About a month and a half in I noticed I’ve been extremely irritated, not particularly angry but it’s made me have a really short fuse. Unfortunately for me, it has made my boobs grow pretty significantly and made them super tender and sore after wearing sports bras etc. I’ve noticed a slight weight gain which also sucks as have been losing weight pretty steadily a few months before starting and I feel like I’ve lost that progress. I haven’t really noticed a change in my skin, i think it’s a little bit worse but maybe it’s purging? I’ve skipped both periods since starting, and noticed I was having some cramps after 1 month. I’ve had extreme cramping the last 48 hours and thought I was dying, and ended up passing a decidual cast (which I’ve never experienced before) and have had pretty heavy breakthrough bleeding the past 48 hours. A month ago I probably would’ve stayed on the pill but after everything I think I’ll be swapping to something else..


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Eloine pill  

I dont even feel as though I'm on the pill I havnt had 1 single mood swing or negative side affect. Deffinately the best pill I've tried so far.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Rigevidon  

Went on this at 15 because I had very painful and heavy periods, which the pill stopped entirely. I had no physical side effects aside from the complete stop of periods however it did severely affect my mental health (I already have a history of mental health issues prior to going on this pill but it made them notably worse and I’ve noticed improvements after coming off it). I would notice that I’d get very suicidal and anxious a couple weeks before I was due to have a 4 day break from the pill and this would then go away after the 4 days, I also experienced feeling dazed and derealisation which has somewhat improved after coming off this pill. I came off the pill because I was scared of the blood clot risk that had not been properly explained to me by doctors, so be aware of this also.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Yasmin pill  

I’ve been taking Yasmin for just over 2 months now (skipping periods). About a month and a half in I noticed I’ve been extremely irritated, not particularly angry but it’s made me have a really short fuse. Unfortunately for me, it has made my boobs grow pretty significantly and made them super tender and sore after wearing sports bras etc. I’ve noticed a slight weight gain which also sucks as have been losing weight pretty steadily a few months before starting and I feel like I’ve lost that progress. I haven’t really noticed a change in my skin, i think it’s a little bit worse but maybe it’s purging? I’ve skipped both periods since starting, and noticed I was having some cramps after 1 month. I’ve had extreme cramping the last 48 hours and thought I was dying, and ended up passing a decidual cast (which I’ve never experienced before) and have had pretty heavy breakthrough bleeding the past 48 hours. A month ago I probably would’ve stayed on the pill but after everything I think I’ll be swapping to something else..


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Eloine pill  

I dont even feel as though I'm on the pill I havnt had 1 single mood swing or negative side affect. Deffinately the best pill I've tried so far.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Rigevidon  

Went on this at 15 because I had very painful and heavy periods, which the pill stopped entirely. I had no physical side effects aside from the complete stop of periods however it did severely affect my mental health (I already have a history of mental health issues prior to going on this pill but it made them notably worse and I’ve noticed improvements after coming off it). I would notice that I’d get very suicidal and anxious a couple weeks before I was due to have a 4 day break from the pill and this would then go away after the 4 days, I also experienced feeling dazed and derealisation which has somewhat improved after coming off this pill. I came off the pill because I was scared of the blood clot risk that had not been properly explained to me by doctors, so be aware of this also.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Rigevidon  

Overall not too bad, did give me some pretty bad mood swings, felt a bit down but had no reason to be, found my mood then got better as I came off it - however this may have just been due to life events surrounding it so not 100% sure but It did made me feel a bit rubbish. Side effects period wise were fine, bled on the break


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

honestly great pill and has stopped my periods completely but I’ve had ridiculous amounts of headaches and period cramps, I’ve also been incredibly sweaty specifically in the night to the point I’m waking up because I’m covered in sweat which has never happened to me before


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

I went on it as my first contraception pill at 15, WORST THING EVER, im 16 now and i knew i needed to put something on here. I know everyone reacts different but with any pill BUT ESPECIALLY this one if u dont feel right COME STRAIGHT OFF PLEASE. I took this pill for around 13 days and everyone says stick out side effects for first month but i broke out in a rash, severe acne, belly pains,back pains,headaches felt SOOO sick was in and out of doctors they tried to tell me i was allergic to eostrogen and didnt listen to me, and i was severely depressed it led to a breakdown of my relationship and we could never have sex or anything like that because i had NO sex drive at all and ill be honest i absolutely HATED HIM. It was the worst id ever felt in my life.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Yasmin pill  

My overall experience on Yasmin has been awful from the very first day I started taking it, made me lose my personality within one week, my sex drive is usually medium-high but it’s decreased and I’ve lost my appetite along with other side effects which weren’t pleasant. I would not recommend Yasmin if you have a history of mental health like myself too!!


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

When I first started taking Regividon I had a good experience, minimal side effects and had no changes to my skin, sex drive or weight. However, 3 months into taking Regividon my moods changed, I was snappy and frustrated even over little things 24/7 which affected my relationship so I came off it and went onto a different pill.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Levest pill  

pros - clear skin, less oily, went up a cup size, lighter periods and option to skip them entirely cons - after a few years it just got rid of my sparkle. I’ve noticed whenever i stopped using it i was more outgoing, more horny, enjoyed sex more. One of the main reasons was just how dry it was down there making sex feel like a chore.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Drovelis pill  

It's good, it stopped ovulation and didn't have an effect on my body except mental health. The first month was also a challenge, I bled every day (small amount but it was so annoying). Gave me really bad mood swings. It also made my periods somewhat irregular. When i would take placebo pills, even though theres 4 of them for 4 days of period, it would always be longer and never the same amount of days.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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