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

1458 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

627 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

49% lost sex drive

40% gained weight

55% 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

1458 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Desogestrel pill  

Been on Desogestrel for just over 3 months now, started October. Had a good run with no side effects until 6th Jan and have been spotting ever since with no sign of it stopping. Told by nurse it can take 3+ months for body to get used to it. Also have a big increase in spots on face, majority chin and neck but can be all over which is really annoying. Lower back pain and some cramps experienced also. Unsure how long I’ll leave it before asking GP to change as spotting everyday is a little annoying.

Read more

Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

Was put on zeletta 5 weeks ago had one normal period 2 weeks later, then 2 weeks ago I started heavily bleeding a week later it became even heavier especially at night where i get intense cramping and fill a pad or tampon every 1-2hrs losing significantly large blood clots, several phone calls to doctors who claimed "its normal" on zelleta then prescribed me tranexamic acid 4 days ago which has not helped at all the large blood clots, cramping and heavy bleeding still continues so today 2 weeks later my doctor has asked me to stop and up dosage of tranexamic acid. I also noticed a breakout with large spots on face that ive never had! Very low mood and loss of motivation crying over the most smallest of things! This pill has ruined me this past 2 weeks and wreaked havoc on my body hoping now ive stopped the bleeding and cramping will ease, I honestly wish id looked into this more before started but was told it was the same as the last brand cerelle (which I had no issues with) so started to take. I have never experienced anything like this and its really taken a toll on me.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Hi everyone, I’ve been on Cerazette since October. Before that I had a Mirena coil, but I was bleeding constantly and had it removed after 10 months. First month on Cerazette was great period on time, only 4 days. Since then it’s been a mess: weeks of spotting short breaks a few days of bleeding then spotting again now spotting again with very sore breasts, which feels like another period starting My GP says to wait 6 months for things to settle, but I was told the same with Mirena and it never improved. I can’t use other hormonal methods and coils don’t suit me, so I’m really stuck. This constant bleeding/spotting is physically and mentally exhausting, and it’s affecting my relationship too. Did anyone actually see improvement on Cerazette? If yes, how long did it take? Or did you eventually have to stop? Thanks for any honest experiences.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

2 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Desogestrel pill  

Been on Desogestrel for just over 3 months now, started October. Had a good run with no side effects until 6th Jan and have been spotting ever since with no sign of it stopping. Told by nurse it can take 3+ months for body to get used to it. Also have a big increase in spots on face, majority chin and neck but can be all over which is really annoying. Lower back pain and some cramps experienced also. Unsure how long I’ll leave it before asking GP to change as spotting everyday is a little annoying.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

Was put on zeletta 5 weeks ago had one normal period 2 weeks later, then 2 weeks ago I started heavily bleeding a week later it became even heavier especially at night where i get intense cramping and fill a pad or tampon every 1-2hrs losing significantly large blood clots, several phone calls to doctors who claimed "its normal" on zelleta then prescribed me tranexamic acid 4 days ago which has not helped at all the large blood clots, cramping and heavy bleeding still continues so today 2 weeks later my doctor has asked me to stop and up dosage of tranexamic acid. I also noticed a breakout with large spots on face that ive never had! Very low mood and loss of motivation crying over the most smallest of things! This pill has ruined me this past 2 weeks and wreaked havoc on my body hoping now ive stopped the bleeding and cramping will ease, I honestly wish id looked into this more before started but was told it was the same as the last brand cerelle (which I had no issues with) so started to take. I have never experienced anything like this and its really taken a toll on me.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Hi everyone, I’ve been on Cerazette since October. Before that I had a Mirena coil, but I was bleeding constantly and had it removed after 10 months. First month on Cerazette was great period on time, only 4 days. Since then it’s been a mess: weeks of spotting short breaks a few days of bleeding then spotting again now spotting again with very sore breasts, which feels like another period starting My GP says to wait 6 months for things to settle, but I was told the same with Mirena and it never improved. I can’t use other hormonal methods and coils don’t suit me, so I’m really stuck. This constant bleeding/spotting is physically and mentally exhausting, and it’s affecting my relationship too. Did anyone actually see improvement on Cerazette? If yes, how long did it take? Or did you eventually have to stop? Thanks for any honest experiences.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

2 helpful

1 comments


Implant reviews

627 reviews

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
14 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

It's my first time on birth control and I get way angrier then I used to but all I'm seeing from my body is positive things


Improved skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

Was previously on the progesterone only pill but did not want to have to remember it daily. Have had no issues with Nexplanon and had it changed recently after having the first for three years.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I would recommend getting the implant. There has been little to no difference in my body while using it and it has been a positive experience. I did notice my periods have gone from Light and regular every month to continue being light but very irregular and can last anything from 4 days to 3 months at a time. I also had one other negative experience a few weeks into having the implant. (I do think it was just my body adjusting as I haven’t had anything the same since). Where I was continuously being sick for 2 days, There was no signs of me being ill or have eaten anything unusual. I do think the implant has made very little changes to my body. Obviously a 3 month period is annoying but it does end you just need to be patient. I’m coming up to 2 years on my implant so I do feel as though my input is helpful as some people aren’t patient enough to wait out the symptoms like a long period.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
14 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

It's my first time on birth control and I get way angrier then I used to but all I'm seeing from my body is positive things


Improved skin

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Nexplanon implant  

Was previously on the progesterone only pill but did not want to have to remember it daily. Have had no issues with Nexplanon and had it changed recently after having the first for three years.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I would recommend getting the implant. There has been little to no difference in my body while using it and it has been a positive experience. I did notice my periods have gone from Light and regular every month to continue being light but very irregular and can last anything from 4 days to 3 months at a time. I also had one other negative experience a few weeks into having the implant. (I do think it was just my body adjusting as I haven’t had anything the same since). Where I was continuously being sick for 2 days, There was no signs of me being ill or have eaten anything unusual. I do think the implant has made very little changes to my body. Obviously a 3 month period is annoying but it does end you just need to be patient. I’m coming up to 2 years on my implant so I do feel as though my input is helpful as some people aren’t patient enough to wait out the symptoms like a long period.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

I got this because I have very bad periods. I’ve had worse cramps then before and they go on for longer however the bleeding is lighter


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Dec 25

Nexplanon implant  

wish i knew got it honestly periods stopped completely so much weight loss rlly bad increase in my mh and mood makes me feel so not me


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

Apart for heavy long periods, I Became mean and short fused. My sex drive is zero. I am less excited and feeling empty. Had the implant for 8 months, the behaviour changes are not settling.I am generally miserable and its damaging my relationship.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

Safest and easiest contraception in my opinion. However does come with lots of side effects as any medication does, it is manageable but irritating at times (headaches, irregular bleeding every month and lower back pain). I also get rashes at the implant site quite frequently and heard this is very common- gets itchy but normal apparently


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

Of all the contraceptives I tried I was most satisfied with the implant. I had mostly no side effects and it stopped my period completely after 1 year (had some spotting irregularly in the first year). It was a very effective method, with painless insertion and changes (had 3 implants in 7 years). I removed it because I wanted to give my body a break before potentially trying for a baby. The main side effect and reason I took off one star is the loss of libido and vaginal dryness. My libido was very low and when I did get into sex, the dryness made things painful. Overall the sensation and pleasure of sex took a hit, but it was manageable. Now that I am off the implant I notice a resurgence in libido and feel more connected to my body and sexual self.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  11th Nov 25

Nexplanon implant  

I had the implant for 19 months and got it taken out today after being a little fed up of the side effects. For the first couple of months, I had my period as normal and pretty much no other symptoms except being a bit more emotional. Then over the next year or so i had completely stopped bleeding and had no issues. Then I started to get migraines maybe 2 a week for a couple weeks (I had 5 in the space of a month?) and they were so unbearable. And then I started bleeding again but it was so irregular. I could have a period twice in 2 weeks but not have one for like 6-8 weeks and then get spotting for a few days. It was so frustrating. That and having incredibly sore nipples and tender breasts that I couldn’t wear anything without it hurting. Ever since getting it inserted I have gained around 30kg which is very noticeable on someone who is barely 5ft tall. So because of that my self confidence has completely dropped. It felt like I was buying a bigger bra every 2 months. And none of my clothes that I had a year and a half ago fit me anymore. Overall the beginning was pretty great but about a year in I didn’t like it anymore.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

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