Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Injection
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Overview
Rated 2.7
1356 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.9
281 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
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Period pain
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Period pain
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Real life reviews from people like you
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1356 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I have been on Cerazette for 4 years now. Initially, I had headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings. These symptoms subsided after 3 months. My periods became very irregular and then stopped altogether. Although my doctors deny this all the time, I feel like the pill caused excessive weight gain. Yes, I have had circumstances that affected my life but the weight gain was dramatic. In the first year alone, I gained 15 kilograms. After 4 years, I am up to 25 kg extra weight (BMI 29) and I am struggling to lose the weight with diet and exercise. Lately, I have had more bodily hair growth and am losing some hair on my head. Not many mood swings but definitely feeling angry most of the time. I am also struggling with a very low sex drive, which is starting to affect my marriage. I have an appointment with my GP, will try to switch to the combined pill to try.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
This pill stopped me from getting pregnant and that was the only good thing about it. Constant spotting, sore nipples, and decreased sex drive. Now on norgeston and so much happier!
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I moved onto Norgeston after trialling desogestrel for a few months (it gave me near constant spotting and super decreased sex drive). I was optimistic as levonorgestrel was the hormone I used to have in my combined pill and so far it’s been great for me - I do get periods, but these are regular and of a normal flow each month and thankfully my sex drive has come back.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I have been on Cerazette for 4 years now. Initially, I had headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings. These symptoms subsided after 3 months. My periods became very irregular and then stopped altogether. Although my doctors deny this all the time, I feel like the pill caused excessive weight gain. Yes, I have had circumstances that affected my life but the weight gain was dramatic. In the first year alone, I gained 15 kilograms. After 4 years, I am up to 25 kg extra weight (BMI 29) and I am struggling to lose the weight with diet and exercise. Lately, I have had more bodily hair growth and am losing some hair on my head. Not many mood swings but definitely feeling angry most of the time. I am also struggling with a very low sex drive, which is starting to affect my marriage. I have an appointment with my GP, will try to switch to the combined pill to try.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
This pill stopped me from getting pregnant and that was the only good thing about it. Constant spotting, sore nipples, and decreased sex drive. Now on norgeston and so much happier!
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I moved onto Norgeston after trialling desogestrel for a few months (it gave me near constant spotting and super decreased sex drive). I was optimistic as levonorgestrel was the hormone I used to have in my combined pill and so far it’s been great for me - I do get periods, but these are regular and of a normal flow each month and thankfully my sex drive has come back.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Injection reviews
281 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
It is effective and it's convenient but unfortunately the side effects are really bad but it depends on different body types
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Feb 25
Caused me horrendous hunger such that i couldn't feel satisfied with any amount of food. It was terrible for me. And the side effects continue even after stopping. It was my first time in 11 years to back to hormonal contraception and l will never ever do it again. I only go non hormonal. I honestly can't take the risk.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
It is effective and it's convenient but unfortunately the side effects are really bad but it depends on different body types
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This is pretty good for preventing pregnancy and my periods are thankfully gone, but now I have acne after having years of clear skin. It’s hormonal acne too due to the progesterone in the injection, so a nightmare to get rid of. I was prewarned about this issue but still hate it. I feel like my mood has gone lower too and I am more irritable than usual. Unsure whether I’ll get it again I will probably go back to the Lucette pill as that completely cleared my skin.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
41 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Feb 25
Caused me horrendous hunger such that i couldn't feel satisfied with any amount of food. It was terrible for me. And the side effects continue even after stopping. It was my first time in 11 years to back to hormonal contraception and l will never ever do it again. I only go non hormonal. I honestly can't take the risk.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Jan 25
As a newer young and childless nuristrate injection patient I don't recommend it for use . So far my body is experiencing a hell of changes . Irregular periods ,green smelly discharge and ugly acne
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Dec 24
Its a right contraception but it stopped my periods since I was young end now I'm struggling to conceive end I think I'm running out of time and my marriage it's on thin ice here so I don't think that someone can still use it
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 17th Dec 24
Great that it stopped my period completely, only have to remember to have it every 12 weeks
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Dec 24
I’ve only had the injection once and had to come off, I already suffer mental health for years and the depo made my anxiety worse, constant bloated, the bleeding never stopped which led me to constant itch down below due to wearing constant pads, my hair was falling out so so badly, now my baby hairs are growing through and I look awful, not like my self asteem is poor already,
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd Nov 24
Eix very terrible,,everything I eat taste very back even the food I love,have terrible headache n my period stopped with my first shot so was thinking I was pregnant,I’ve gained a lot lot of weight 😫😫
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 12th Nov 24
I’ve had a really positive experience with depo. I was on it for around 4 years pre-covid, and have currently been using again for 18 months. Periods have completely stopped and I haven’t experienced side effects (my hair might be slightly thinner, but I’m not sure if I’d just never noticed I have thin hair). After stopping use the first time it did take many months for my periods to return. I’m only thinking about stopping taking it now with the recent studies on links to brain tumours.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 11th Nov 24
I have really enjoyed not having periods and not having to remember my pill as I am very forgetful. I have gained an increased sex drive and I used to get cramps all the time and it stopped most of those. I rarely get migraines. Maybe one every two months. My only major issue was my hair loss. I’ve lost about 50% of my hair and now it’s brittle but after taking calcium supplements and changing my diet it’s a bit more normal. It could be unrelated but around the same time as I started the depo I also got Dyshidrotic eczema on my feet. What makes me think this could be related is I’m also very itchy on my hands, and legs since starting. I could just be getting older and I’ve had issues in the past with my hips but I’ve also pulled my back, and badly sprained my ankle and hip. This has only happened after starting the depo. After a year of being on it everything seems to have leveled out. All bad points above have now become less noticeable and I feel very comfortable. External issues are still an issue like being constantly interrogated like I don’t know what I’m doing in the nurses office as I take my depo every 10 weeks due to bleeding for the last 3 weeks of the cycle. They also seem to want you on the coil I’m not sure what that is about but it’s very annoying. Also depending on who is administering the shot you may feel basically no pain or a ton that could last for a few hours These side effects may not be for some but from my past personal issues I am happy with the contraceptive compared to others I’ve tried
Improved skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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