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

1385 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

602 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

31% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

50% 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

57% 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

1385 reviews

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

Norgeston pill  

I tried the mini pill after experiencing migraines after 6 years on the combined pill. First I tried Zelleta which gave me such low mood and tearful all the time, as well as constant spotting. I wanted to try Norgeston as the synthetic hormone is different. My mood definitely improved (although a little more anxious) and I’ve had no spotting, but my periods are so irregular, really close together and so heavy I can get through more than 3 pads a day. I’ve had 2 periods a month for the last few months and will end up with an iron deficiency at this rate! Running out of options

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I must say that this pill absolutely saved my life. Suffering from severe endometriosis pain & PMDD and it reversed the effects of that. I have control of my moods and body back and I’m so grateful. I must leave a positive review because it’s not all bad. The beginning was rocky with irregular bleeding but this stopped after 8 months or so. It was worth it.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Zelleta pill  

I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

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

Norgeston pill  

I tried the mini pill after experiencing migraines after 6 years on the combined pill. First I tried Zelleta which gave me such low mood and tearful all the time, as well as constant spotting. I wanted to try Norgeston as the synthetic hormone is different. My mood definitely improved (although a little more anxious) and I’ve had no spotting, but my periods are so irregular, really close together and so heavy I can get through more than 3 pads a day. I’ve had 2 periods a month for the last few months and will end up with an iron deficiency at this rate! Running out of options


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I must say that this pill absolutely saved my life. Suffering from severe endometriosis pain & PMDD and it reversed the effects of that. I have control of my moods and body back and I’m so grateful. I must leave a positive review because it’s not all bad. The beginning was rocky with irregular bleeding but this stopped after 8 months or so. It was worth it.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Zelleta pill  

I started using this pill to help with endometriosis symptoms. Instead of making me bleed less, I was bleeding every 12 days, and for about a week at a time which was exhausting and painful. I would also get night sweats and felt very low in mood at times. I tried it for 5 months but I couldn’t deal with 2 periods a month, so I have switched to a combined pill to see if that is any better.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments


Implant reviews

602 reviews

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve had the implant for 2 years and it’s great that I haven’t had a pregnancy scare. However, my periods are so irregular it’s a joke. I keep track of my periods on an app called Flo and my cycle seems really abnormal. One month I’d be spotting for a week then my period would be over, the next month I’d either miss the whole month or I’d be bleeding on and off for 12 days or more, stop and be on again a week or 2 later, it’s never the same week every month. I can’t keep up with how irregular it is so I’m thinking to change contraception.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

I found the procedure fine. Changed from the pill so I didn’t have to take medication daily which was convenient. I did get acne on this contraception which did get severe so had to change.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

Loved that it was bullet proof and low maintenance + Long lasting. Didn't like the irregular bleeding in the last year so changed to the pill early for more flexibility and control


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Nexplanon implant  

I’ve had the implant for 2 years and it’s great that I haven’t had a pregnancy scare. However, my periods are so irregular it’s a joke. I keep track of my periods on an app called Flo and my cycle seems really abnormal. One month I’d be spotting for a week then my period would be over, the next month I’d either miss the whole month or I’d be bleeding on and off for 12 days or more, stop and be on again a week or 2 later, it’s never the same week every month. I can’t keep up with how irregular it is so I’m thinking to change contraception.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Nexplanon implant  

I found the procedure fine. Changed from the pill so I didn’t have to take medication daily which was convenient. I did get acne on this contraception which did get severe so had to change.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

Loved that it was bullet proof and low maintenance + Long lasting. Didn't like the irregular bleeding in the last year so changed to the pill early for more flexibility and control


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

Have been using the implant for years. Went to clinic to get replacement, would be my fourth, and practice didn't put implant in. Only discovered months later. Scary process all round, getting 10+ appointments to locate it! Only to be told it wasn't inserted in the first place.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 25

Nexplanon implant  

my periods stopped but i noticed when i wanted to have sex i wasn’t able to get wet easily. i also developed acne for the first time after i stopped due to the sudden loss of hormones. overall it worked and i enjoyed no periods and no other symptoms outside of sex.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

took the bandage and plaster off to let the area breathe. (Added new plaster on the second day then removed it once I was sure that the bleeding stopped/wopuld stop. Noticed some bruising, but nothing too bad. A bit of clear, yellowish vaginal discharge No other issues so far!


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Nexplanon implant  

I feel really happy about my experience on the implant. The first 6 months while it settled in were hard, I had a month long period then no bleeding since then. Emotionally speaking I cried every day for the first 6 months, then it was like a light switch went off and I've been fine since! Towards the end of my 3 years I started to get some break through bleeding so had it changed and a new one put in about 3 months earlier than expected but this was no trouble. I have been on it now for 4.5 years and would recommend to everyone but I know I've been lucky having no bleeding at all. I am looking to get off hormonal contraception and want to regulate my cycle to hope to have children in the next few years and want to experience a normal hormonal cycle so this is the only reason I'm changing from the implant! Overall I've had a really great time on the implant and feel reassured while being on the most effective form of birth control against unwanted pregnancy- which is a nice plus for the implant!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 25

Nexplanon implant  

Have chronic thrush. Trying to constantly battle doctors to get it treated but they say it’s nothing to do with the implant 😕


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Feb 25

Nexplanon implant  

Normal for me I’m a U.S. bodybuilder nothing has change a lot of women gain weight because it can be an appetite enhancing affect. I’ve stayed the same tracking calories my spotting is normals as other off and on some missed periods and most lighter and little do not heavy. Experiencing hard sore nipples. And depression seems more there but not to bad. Do feel tired though out the day.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Implant  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Feb 25

Nexplanon implant  

Used this for 1,5 years and I love it. The implant completely stopped my period this whole time, except 1 small break-thru bleeding 1yr ago. Insertion was not painful. Started using due to painful periods. Now living pain-free!


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Progestogen-only / Mini pill with other contraceptives

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