Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Combined pill
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£From £0.16/day
Overview
Rated 2.7
1400 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2612 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
1400 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
i’m not sure if it is normal but i have been on this pill for 3 months. a week into the taking the pill my period finally came back after around 100 days. since then ive had very irregular periods often bleeding for extended periods of time and also spotting more often with the periods being closer together. i have also experienced much more mood changes as i have felt somewhat more depressed on this pill. this might just be my experience and might also be influenced by the fact i am still going through pubity as i’m 16 yet i still can’t stop thinking that something is wrong .
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I’m was happy with the mini pill as I took it while breastfeeding my son, however as soon as I weaned him my periods came back but they were all over the place. I bled for nearly 2 weeks straight then it finally stopped, but only for 3 days then it started again. If it wasn’t for this issue I’d have kept using the mini pill but I couldn’t deal with it anymore as it was preventing me from living my life normally
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Started this purely to help my skin after experiencing constant hormonal breakouts, which it did clear up and meant I could eat however I wanted basically with no consequences on my skin (sugar and fatty foods). However I feel as thought the pill has really dampened my mood making me low level depressed all the time. Also experienced a decreased sex drive and lots of hair loss - but still unsure whether these are directly related.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
i’m not sure if it is normal but i have been on this pill for 3 months. a week into the taking the pill my period finally came back after around 100 days. since then ive had very irregular periods often bleeding for extended periods of time and also spotting more often with the periods being closer together. i have also experienced much more mood changes as i have felt somewhat more depressed on this pill. this might just be my experience and might also be influenced by the fact i am still going through pubity as i’m 16 yet i still can’t stop thinking that something is wrong .
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I’m was happy with the mini pill as I took it while breastfeeding my son, however as soon as I weaned him my periods came back but they were all over the place. I bled for nearly 2 weeks straight then it finally stopped, but only for 3 days then it started again. If it wasn’t for this issue I’d have kept using the mini pill but I couldn’t deal with it anymore as it was preventing me from living my life normally
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Started this purely to help my skin after experiencing constant hormonal breakouts, which it did clear up and meant I could eat however I wanted basically with no consequences on my skin (sugar and fatty foods). However I feel as thought the pill has really dampened my mood making me low level depressed all the time. Also experienced a decreased sex drive and lots of hair loss - but still unsure whether these are directly related.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2612 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
For the first 2 years it was great. Then it got progressively worse, it severely affected my mental health and physical qualities of life too. Periods are so unpredictable by both pain and flow. As a contraceptive however, it works very well.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
Intended purpose is great- it’s stopped my debilitating periods and I can now carry on with my day when I first start my period, however I have experienced acid reflux and a lot of nausea specifically in the morning even after 8 months on this pill.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had several fortnight long periods on this pill. My regular periods are horrific so I was initially willing to take any side effects the pill had, and even though my regular level of pain/vomiting/fainting went away, I barely had rests from bleeding, my mood swings and hormonal breakdowns were uncontrollable, I gained a lot of weight, and I still had nausea and cramping. After over 18 months the side effects still had not dialled down so I had to quit.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
For the first 2 years it was great. Then it got progressively worse, it severely affected my mental health and physical qualities of life too. Periods are so unpredictable by both pain and flow. As a contraceptive however, it works very well.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
Intended purpose is great- it’s stopped my debilitating periods and I can now carry on with my day when I first start my period, however I have experienced acid reflux and a lot of nausea specifically in the morning even after 8 months on this pill.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I had several fortnight long periods on this pill. My regular periods are horrific so I was initially willing to take any side effects the pill had, and even though my regular level of pain/vomiting/fainting went away, I barely had rests from bleeding, my mood swings and hormonal breakdowns were uncontrollable, I gained a lot of weight, and I still had nausea and cramping. After over 18 months the side effects still had not dialled down so I had to quit.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Nice to stop menstruation but in no way worth it for the awful psychological impacts. Mental breakdowns were indeed had.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
My boobs have got so much bigger but my skin it completely cleared my awful awful acne and I have the clearest skin now.
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Little to no very noticeable side effects, my anxiety definitely heightened but that was a personal predisposition. Overall very happy experience but swapping due to some low moods
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Been on this pill for years and it has treated me well. I have lighter periods and they are a lot less painful. I have suffered very badly with acne over the years and although my skin is not perfect, it has been the most stable on this pill. I don’t find any other side effects to my mood or body that I notice.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
As soon as I started taking it, my first period whist on this pill came after a week and it was the most horrible period I’ve had in my entire life (it was a longer period then I ever had before (with really heavy cramps constantly) that was the first step in the negative journey. After that, I continued taking it and my acne got worse especially on my back. I had thought it would improve but was much worse event at month two. After two months of taking this pill, I’ve also gained weight which I noticed straight away but had put down to temporary water retention but seems to not budge and have had extreme weight fluctuations like never before and been feeling very off and not myself ever since taking it/depressed, also have lost all sex drive. I am at the point where it’s either stick it out for another month to see if symptoms ease up or stop and cut my losses. I’ve decided to stop.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
This was prescribed to me to help regulate my periods; however did the complete opposite and have made them worse. I have no clue when my periods are going to begin or end now, as well as if the bleeding will be light spotting or extremely heavy. I have become incredibly sensitive to many things that would never have bothered me pre-pill, as well have been bed bound due to negative mood changes that I have no explanation for. I have been sad before, however, these feelings I could not explain or combat so I have decided to switch pill.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
My period was ok on it. My acne was very bad cystic nothing would get rid of it. Changed to Yasmin and I haven’t had cystic acne my skin is clearing. Hair thinned on top of my head too. This pill can cause high androgens which can cause bad hormonal acne and hair loss
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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