Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Implant

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Implant

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Overview

Rated 2.7

1420 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

617 reviews

Every 3 years

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen


Implant ingredients

Main hormones in Implant

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

32% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

37% somewhat negative

49% irregular periods

50% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

56% no impact on skin

Cycle return

31% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Heavy periods

Ovulation pain

Period pain

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£From £0.22/day

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Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1420 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Slynd pill  

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.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Slynd pill  

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

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

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

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


Implant reviews

617 reviews

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

Really easy insertion process, nothing to be worried about as a local anesthetic is used. Luckily so far I haven't had a single bleed on this (touch wood) although I had this fitted 2 months postpartum and my periods hadn't properly come back yet. I kept forgetting to take my pill and so I love the implant so far as it's automated contraception that requires no effort for 3 years! Perfect for a busy mama!!!


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

can be such hell sometimes my mood is literally allover the place all the time (i do also have PMDD) i also have baby fever all the time i just want a baby so bad have wanted to come off it a few times just so i could be a mother but the weight it’s on and off sometimes ill gain it sometimes ill lose it i’ve also gained stretch marks but its effective does the job and doesn’t interfere with my day to day life all the time


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

At first stopped my periods for 1 year but after periods came back much lighter but at random times. Now periods are more regular and still light rather than random spotting. Recently the doctor found a cyst in my ovary they think was caused by the implant.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Sep 25

Nexplanon implant  

I really didn’t like this. I felt I was always bleeding and the first 3 months are brutal emotionally.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Aug 25

Nexplanon implant  

To me, the implant feels like a very fair tradeoff, where inconsistent spotting and occasional sore boobs is a price I am willing to pay to ensure I have the best protection from pregnancy. That is why I have rated it 5 stars, despite mild side effects. I have had the implant for six months now, and I can honestly say that it has been immense. My copper IUD gave me heavy periods and back pain which would ruin my day, and caused me lots of stress when it randomly decided to dislodge itself after 3 months. The implant cannot dislodge, so this was a welcome improvement. My partner and I used condoms but were worried about the risk of "human error". I was hesitant to start hormonal birth control because I heard stories about people losing their libido or experiencing emotional/personality changes, but these changes have thankfully not occured for me! I may cry slightly more (at films and such) since getting the implant, but I don't actually feel any sadder if that makes sense. Prior to contraception I always had easy, regular periods. Since getting the implant, I have only experienced two physical side effects. One of these is irregular spotting for ~7 days at a time, once or twice a month. This spotting sometimes becomes period-like in terms of the bleeding, and occasionally comes with period-like cramps. I have found this to be easily manageable, but some people find it very frustrating and everyone will have a different experience. It's up to you which side effects you are and aren't willing to put up with. The second side effect for me is sore boobs, although I haven't experienced this for a while. I am hoping that this side effect has run its course now that I have had the implant for 6 months. In terms of the insertion process, it was a ridiculously easy procedure (although I only have an IUD insertion to compare it to). If you're scared of needles I would recommend taking a friend with you because they inject your arm to numb it (mild pain for under 10 seconds, then it's numb). As someone who isn't bothered by needles and had such a friendly doctor, getting the implant was nothing more than an excuse to be taken out for a celebratory dinner. Please don't let the insertion process put you off! Whilst the insertion may sound more inconvenient than picking up a box of condoms or a prescription, it is very straightforward and will only require a 10-minute doctors oppointment every 3 years. I had the implant in my dominant arm and I was able to do normal everyday things, although I had to be cautious about lifting things or raising my arm for the first few days. The bruise took about a month to fully fade, but the mild-moderate aching was gone within a week and a half. In summary, it is so easy to read these reviews and make asssumptions about the implant based on peoples stories of irregular bleeding, painful insertions and hormonal side effects. BUT it is not a negative experience for everyone, and I am so glad to have the implant!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  16th Aug 25

Implant  

All the great wetness I was feeling down there is all gone. I have painful sexual intercourse and I'm sad.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Aug 25

Nexplanon implant  

Poor experience. Great at preventing pregnancy however side effects on mental and physical health were not worth it. I chose to prioritise my health and swap to condoms.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

Bled constantly for months, then no period for ages, then bleeding again for weeks on end. Really heavy which is abnormal for me. No sex drive, I was really depressed for the nearly 3 years I was on this and I thought that was just me, funnily enough when i came off it I felt so much better and couldn’t believe most my problems were probably being caused by this implant


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

Extreme weight gain, despite always being a consistent weight and no changes in lifestyle/eating habits. Also I have become increasingly more self conscious and body conscious, so an affect on mental health


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Jul 25

Nexplanon implant  

Great if you want to have sex and not worry about pregnancy’s however the change in my physical appearance and mood swings have been crazy and I will be getting it removed asap as I can’t go on like this


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

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