Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Injection

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Injection

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Overview

Rated 2.7

1397 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

293 reviews

Every 2-3 months

Frequency

94% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Short term

Effect on fertility

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen


Injection ingredients

Main hormones in Injection

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

31% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

32% somewhat negative

70% stopped periods

56% lost sex drive

49% gained weight

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

43% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Endometriosis

Heavy periods

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

1397 reviews

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

Desogestrel pill  

After coming off a combined pill (Yasmin) that I was on for 14 years - I am now on Desogestrel, within a week I suffered a mild acne rash/breakout on chin and neck but some gel from my GP quickly sorted that. I am now 2 days late to what would have been a bleed/period and my lower back and period cramps are quite severe and prolonged - my breasts are bigger and tender to touch - hoping these symptoms begin to decrease if I get my bleed or not! Saw GP today to discuss and they’re just general side effects whilst my hormones adjust (I’m told to allow >3 months to review) - general mood has decreased a bit and I feel a bit numb emotionally but started feeling better today so fingers crossed I’m on the up!

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Switched eventually to an implant because of having to remember to bring them everywhere each day. Overall a positive experience though - a reduction in headaches, and usually say it 'flattened' my mood. Whereas before there would be some very low mood points in my cycle, this greatly reduced those. Sometimes it felt a little dull as it seemed to also reduce some of the good spikes, but this was worth it to me to not have to deal with such mood swings.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

After coming off a combined pill (Yasmin) that I was on for 14 years - I am now on Desogestrel, within a week I suffered a mild acne rash/breakout on chin and neck but some gel from my GP quickly sorted that. I am now 2 days late to what would have been a bleed/period and my lower back and period cramps are quite severe and prolonged - my breasts are bigger and tender to touch - hoping these symptoms begin to decrease if I get my bleed or not! Saw GP today to discuss and they’re just general side effects whilst my hormones adjust (I’m told to allow >3 months to review) - general mood has decreased a bit and I feel a bit numb emotionally but started feeling better today so fingers crossed I’m on the up!


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

Switched eventually to an implant because of having to remember to bring them everywhere each day. Overall a positive experience though - a reduction in headaches, and usually say it 'flattened' my mood. Whereas before there would be some very low mood points in my cycle, this greatly reduced those. Sometimes it felt a little dull as it seemed to also reduce some of the good spikes, but this was worth it to me to not have to deal with such mood swings.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues


Improved skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments


Injection reviews

293 reviews

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Injection  

Side effects are bad


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

All women should really do the research before starting this medication. I have read quite a few stories online of women who have felt the same. I have basically felt like a completely different person. I am near on the end of one injection and I will not be going back for another. It’s absolutely ruined my relationship with my partner. I’ve been absolutely horrible to him and it’s only now I’m starting to realise just what this injection did to me. Thank goodness he’s so understanding and helped me through it because I was literally horrendous. Literally a few days after I had it I was a different person, I hated him. Everything he done annoyed me, I was rude and hurtful and I couldn’t control it. I would snap in and out of moods so badly that we named the other “person” Patrica. He was constantly walking on egg shells as he never knew which version he would get. I am so upset that I have felt this way in the last few months. So much so I was having suicidal thoughts. I pray that anyone doesn’t risk it because it’s been 3 months of hell for us.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

This has been great for me helped regulate my moods no longer huge crashes i get around periods. Also it has completely stopped my periods which were heavy and painful, I get the occasional period pain leading up to when my injection is due but they are very very mild and don’t really effect me.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Injection  

Side effects are bad


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

All women should really do the research before starting this medication. I have read quite a few stories online of women who have felt the same. I have basically felt like a completely different person. I am near on the end of one injection and I will not be going back for another. It’s absolutely ruined my relationship with my partner. I’ve been absolutely horrible to him and it’s only now I’m starting to realise just what this injection did to me. Thank goodness he’s so understanding and helped me through it because I was literally horrendous. Literally a few days after I had it I was a different person, I hated him. Everything he done annoyed me, I was rude and hurtful and I couldn’t control it. I would snap in and out of moods so badly that we named the other “person” Patrica. He was constantly walking on egg shells as he never knew which version he would get. I am so upset that I have felt this way in the last few months. So much so I was having suicidal thoughts. I pray that anyone doesn’t risk it because it’s been 3 months of hell for us.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

This has been great for me helped regulate my moods no longer huge crashes i get around periods. Also it has completely stopped my periods which were heavy and painful, I get the occasional period pain leading up to when my injection is due but they are very very mild and don’t really effect me.


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Depo-Provera injection  

Things I’ve had history struggling with in the past: depression, anxiety, weight Things depo increased: depression, anxiety, weight


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Noristerat injection  

im not gaining weight is that normal?


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Jun 25

Noristerat injection  

started using it on April but so far my body is still the same & haven’t experienced breast enlargement yet


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th May 25

Sayana Press injection  

Used for over 10 years, completely stopped my periods which was fantastic. The devices became harder and harder to use, needing a lot of force to inject so I ended up turning myself into a pin cushion & wasting a few, which made reordering a faff. Don’t think I gained weight and if anything my skin improved (but that could just be normal from teenage to late 20s). The only negative I noticed was decreased sex drive - but it didn’t totally go so not a massive issue for me.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th May 25

Sayana Press injection  

I was on this injection for 2 years, the whole process put me off . when i started the injection i had a period of 16 days (over two weeks) and it was so heavy, months went on and my periods stopped all together, i didn’t have a period for minus 2 years , i’m now on the combined pill but i did receive higher anxiety and depression towards taking it for ages, the doctor offered me antidepressants but i didn’t want to be taking them as i am a quite smily happy person but i literally lost all my energy and motivation to do anything.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th May 25

Noristerat injection  

With the contraception I experience a lot of abdominal pains frequently


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Injection  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd May 25

Depo-Provera injection  

Worst decision I’ve ever made Gained a lot of weight Depressed Anxious Moods all over the place


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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