Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Implant
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Overview
Rated 2.7
1452 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
624 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
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Period pain
Heavy periods
Ovulation pain
Period pain
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Real life reviews from people like you
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1452 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I started the pill 12 months ago and it was fine for the first 2 months,no pain or anything but then i started bleeding and i havnt stopped bleeding for 10 months straight,it ranges in how heavy it is but it is constant everyday
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
My overall experience on this pill was a very negative one. I was on this pill for 12 months. I'm hoping to switch to the coil in January, still deciding which one, the copper or Mirena. I am 42 years old. On the mini pill I was emotional, very irritable and anxiety was through the roof. I could be okay one minute then the next I could flip a switch and be kicking off over minor things. I had racing thoughts most of the time which led me to be crying and causing my anxiety to be out of control. The spotting and breakthrough bleeding were horrendous which led to heavy clotting and sometimes it would happen unexpectingly. Sex most of the time wasn't happening due to this. The stomach cramps are so painful and because of this I felt unmotivated to do any hobbies and lost interest. I describe my hair as fine but I noticed it started to really thin and fall out which has led me to have low self-esteem and not wanting to engage in social events.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This pill made me feel emotionally empty and depressed. I know it wasn't placebo because I'm a pretty anxious person, and have tried everything to get rid of anxiety, without much success! A week on this pill and I had absolutely no anxiety because I had absolutely no emotions. I'm also a very motivated person normally, but I found it really hard to just get out of bed and function. It was wild. Took it for 2 weeks and then stopped, couldn't find any hard evidence that side effects improve after 3 months, and I genuinely didn't have time to be that unproductive and miserable for more than a couple of weeks.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I started the pill 12 months ago and it was fine for the first 2 months,no pain or anything but then i started bleeding and i havnt stopped bleeding for 10 months straight,it ranges in how heavy it is but it is constant everyday
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
My overall experience on this pill was a very negative one. I was on this pill for 12 months. I'm hoping to switch to the coil in January, still deciding which one, the copper or Mirena. I am 42 years old. On the mini pill I was emotional, very irritable and anxiety was through the roof. I could be okay one minute then the next I could flip a switch and be kicking off over minor things. I had racing thoughts most of the time which led me to be crying and causing my anxiety to be out of control. The spotting and breakthrough bleeding were horrendous which led to heavy clotting and sometimes it would happen unexpectingly. Sex most of the time wasn't happening due to this. The stomach cramps are so painful and because of this I felt unmotivated to do any hobbies and lost interest. I describe my hair as fine but I noticed it started to really thin and fall out which has led me to have low self-esteem and not wanting to engage in social events.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This pill made me feel emotionally empty and depressed. I know it wasn't placebo because I'm a pretty anxious person, and have tried everything to get rid of anxiety, without much success! A week on this pill and I had absolutely no anxiety because I had absolutely no emotions. I'm also a very motivated person normally, but I found it really hard to just get out of bed and function. It was wild. Took it for 2 weeks and then stopped, couldn't find any hard evidence that side effects improve after 3 months, and I genuinely didn't have time to be that unproductive and miserable for more than a couple of weeks.
Very negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Implant reviews
624 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
15 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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
Used for 6 - 12 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
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
Used for 3 - 5 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 15th Nov 25
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
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 14th Nov 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Nov 25
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
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Oct 25
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
1 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Oct 25
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
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Oct 25
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
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