Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Patch

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Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Patch

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Overview

Rated 2.7

1465 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.4

123 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen


Patch ingredients

Main hormones in Patch

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

32% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

45% no impact on skin

Cycle return

39% don’t know impact

36% no impact on mood

34% lighter periods

48% no impact

48% no impact

48% no impact on skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

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

1465 reviews

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

Zelleta pill  

gradually feel more down and down and my periods never stop i can bleed for 30 days then have a 3 day break and it’s back

Read more

Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Noriday pill  

Gave me extreme depression. I was on this pill so long that I didn’t even realise it was the pill giving me the depression, when coming off it I felt a weight lift off my shoulder. My thinning hair went away and my mood improved so drastically. It did make my boobs bigger which was the only good side effect but I’d rather be happy. Would recommend cerazette as an alternative to anyone who has mood issues and frequent bleeding on noriday


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I’ve been using Desogestrel for over 6 months now it’s the first pill I tried as I didn’t like the fact that the combined pill affected your blood pressure. I struggled with heavy periods, cramping and always hated when my period came around as I had to use heavy flow tampons/towels continuously for 5-6 days. Since going on the pill I haven’t noticed any unusual side effects I take it in the evening at about 9pm I wouldn’t recommend it if you have spot prone skin as I didn’t originally I haven’t noticed a difference other than small breakouts before my period is due however I know it can make others worse if you already have spots. It hasn’t changed my weight at all however it does increase your appetite so as long as you keep on top of it stay active and eat healthy it shouldn’t affect you either. I’m very sexually active with my partner and so far we have had no pregnancy scares and we don’t use condoms. Overall the pill has made my periods much lighter I tend to either not bleed or bleed very little and I no longer have any cramping. It does cause breakthrough bleeding occasionally so if you want to stay regular I wouldn’t recommend this pill. I’m really happy with my decision to go on this form of contraception,


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Zelleta pill  

gradually feel more down and down and my periods never stop i can bleed for 30 days then have a 3 day break and it’s back


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

Noriday pill  

Gave me extreme depression. I was on this pill so long that I didn’t even realise it was the pill giving me the depression, when coming off it I felt a weight lift off my shoulder. My thinning hair went away and my mood improved so drastically. It did make my boobs bigger which was the only good side effect but I’d rather be happy. Would recommend cerazette as an alternative to anyone who has mood issues and frequent bleeding on noriday


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I’ve been using Desogestrel for over 6 months now it’s the first pill I tried as I didn’t like the fact that the combined pill affected your blood pressure. I struggled with heavy periods, cramping and always hated when my period came around as I had to use heavy flow tampons/towels continuously for 5-6 days. Since going on the pill I haven’t noticed any unusual side effects I take it in the evening at about 9pm I wouldn’t recommend it if you have spot prone skin as I didn’t originally I haven’t noticed a difference other than small breakouts before my period is due however I know it can make others worse if you already have spots. It hasn’t changed my weight at all however it does increase your appetite so as long as you keep on top of it stay active and eat healthy it shouldn’t affect you either. I’m very sexually active with my partner and so far we have had no pregnancy scares and we don’t use condoms. Overall the pill has made my periods much lighter I tend to either not bleed or bleed very little and I no longer have any cramping. It does cause breakthrough bleeding occasionally so if you want to stay regular I wouldn’t recommend this pill. I’m really happy with my decision to go on this form of contraception,


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Patch reviews

123 reviews

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Evra patch  

noticed that the side effects were less or more intense depending on where i put the patch on my body. i used to have it on my arm and had intense nausea nonstop and after putting on my hip/ bum it stopped. also cystitis symptoms however i’m not sure if they are related


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Evra patch  

Started taking the Evra patch to help regulating my hormones and to help with bad health anxiety. The 3rd day I had it on resulted in me taking the patch off straight away due to immense nausea, panic, shaking and complete loss of appetite. 3 months later my hormones have been worse than ever with random crying and anxiety increasing throughout my cycle.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Evra patch  

Overall good birth control. I do get random cramps throughout the day ever since I started it and my skin is irritated and itchy where I place my patch.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  today

Evra patch  

noticed that the side effects were less or more intense depending on where i put the patch on my body. i used to have it on my arm and had intense nausea nonstop and after putting on my hip/ bum it stopped. also cystitis symptoms however i’m not sure if they are related


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Evra patch  

Started taking the Evra patch to help regulating my hormones and to help with bad health anxiety. The 3rd day I had it on resulted in me taking the patch off straight away due to immense nausea, panic, shaking and complete loss of appetite. 3 months later my hormones have been worse than ever with random crying and anxiety increasing throughout my cycle.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Evra patch  

Overall good birth control. I do get random cramps throughout the day ever since I started it and my skin is irritated and itchy where I place my patch.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Jan 26

Evra patch  

Overall good, so far effective. But my periods are a lot heavier and a lot more painful. Tender breasts for at least half of the month and random cramps throughout the month even when I’m not on my period.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Dec 25

Evra patch  

I got pregnant twice in 3 months…


Lost weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Nov 25

Evra patch  

The Evra patch has been a good choice for me so far, and it’s my first time on birth control! I would say the only downfall is around the edge of the patch gets dirty from adhesive, and that it’s nerve racking to swim a lot in fear it will come off! I went on vacation and was nervous but I used a tagaderm to keep it on when swimming!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Nov 25

Evra patch  

The patch made me feel extremely unwell. I had nausea, heavy headed feeling, headaches, tiredness, sweating and soreness where the patch was placed. I ended up removing it before 24 hours was up because I couldn't sleep and felt so out of sorts.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Patch  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Oct 25

Evra patch  

Went on the patch having been on the implant previously. On the implant I had lots of spotting which thankfully went away on the patch. However I have definitely noticed a distinct rise in anxiety since being on the patch over the last year - enough to stop me wanting to go to things like the theatre or going on tours without getting sweaty. I also think it's killed my sex drive so I'm going to go off it and seek alternative contraception. Its a shame because I do find it convenient and have felt very protected on it. My period increased its flow a lot during the period week and I also got bad headaches around that week which I wasn't used to. Sad to have to change but dont like the quality of life.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Aug 25

Evra patch  

I love using the patch. It has made using contraceptive so much easier and I went through a phase of recommending it too everyone I know. I've had a few symptoms recently, but not sure if that is related to the Patch or a different medical issue. In the last year, I've had more hormonal acne than I did before, but that's the main side effect that I would say I've been affected by. We are coming off contraceptive soon, so hoping it is a smooth process


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jul 25

Evra patch  

I found this much more convenient than a pill as it only has to be thought about each week. The patch cover seemed to often slip leaving the adhesive to get dirty through the week however, and I was told to stop using them after a short time as they brought back migranes that I had not experienced in years.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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