Desogestrel pill vs Cerelle pill

Day 1 - (14/10/24)- cramping in uterus but not like period cramps, felt more like movement down there. Day 2 - similar cramping to day 1. Day 3 - Similar cramping still (but less frequent/not as bad), increased discharge, slight pressure headache. Day 4 - Similar headache to previous day, increased discharge - no cramping at all. Day 5 - Headache on right side of head near the back (dull ache, like I was trying to fight off a migraine from starting) felt a bit spacey all day. Nausea and some different cramping to what I felt previously (like the warning sign period cramps I get before the big ones kick in) Day 6 - Same headache, nausea and spacey-ness. Found that I felt better after eating more frequently (which might make sense as to why people say they gain weight on the pill because if eating makes me feel better then I’m sure as hell going to do it) In the morning had similar cramps to day 5 but gone by evening. - Did spend the daytime out though so the headache could have been made worse by the fact I wasn’t drinking water as regularly as I usually would. Day 7 - Started the day without a headache but by lunchtime I had one again. This could be because I’d had a busy morning though and ate lunch later than usual. # Day 8 - Ok for most of the day but by the evening I felt so nauseous and headachey Day 9 - Felt down and low all day - boobs seem to hurt and feel bigger almost? Slight cramping. Day 10 - Really really low today - sore boobs Day 11 - Really sore boobs are cramping Day 17 - (30/10/24) - Been fine for most this week except I’ve had sore boobs. Yesterday I had a suspicious cramp and today I’ve had more and some spotting/pre-period blood. This would mean my period is starting on day 27/28 of my cycle not day 31-35 as usual. Day 18 - Period started, has a different consistency than usual. More mucusy? I’m really not sure how to describe it, slippery? I mean it makes sense since desogestrel thickens the mucus lining. Period cramps HURT and some clotting which I haven’t had for a couple of years. Nothing major though. Day 19 - Same as yesterday. Not an extremely heavy period where I’m constantly having to change pads but I can tell this is heavy. Still that new consistency but occasionally the usual consistency. Not as bloody as usual. Day 20 - (2/11/24) - Medium-light flow. Usual consistency like I would be coming towards the endings of my usual period. (which usually lasts about 5 days) 4/12/24 - Not sure what to say the day is. I’ve had a lot of spotting this past month and basically haven’t been a day without wearing a period pad just in case.I had a mini proper period (not spotting) last week and I’m having another proper period now. It’s a lot and I just want to be able to not wear a pad anymore. I’m going to go back to the doctor this week to tell them about what's happening and get another prescription. 21/01/24 - I have no idea what day this would be now. (I’m into my 2nd week of my 4th month) I’ve been pretty much consistently bleeding all of December. Very light with a heavier week but not like my usual period and not the same cramping/minimal cramping. I think I’ve possibly gone 2 days without wearing a pad since I last wrote. However, I did completely stop bleeding for about 3 days last week which was lovely but then I had a proper period with cramps that hurt (well more like my periods pre-pill) It seems to be slowly stopping now though. I’ve gained a bit of weight (but not gone up a dress size) but this could be because I have been less active recently and my eating habits have changed. My skin has cleared up recently but I can’t entirely put that down to the pill as I’ve changed the skincare products I’m using as well. Other than the bleeding I've felt completely fine, the bleeding (not the one just described) is just annoying more than anything.

Since starting this pill after changing from Yasmin my hair has been thinner, I have more hair loss, increased oily skin and acne and I've been noticing palpitations I don't know if this has happened to anyone else but I've been experiencing chest pain all over, and I notice when I stopped taking it for a few weeks that chest went away but I'm back on it again and the chest pain came back. It may not be related but it's something new for me being on this pill. Other than that it's not been horrible I haven't had as much cramping on this pill as I did with Yasmin and I don't get debilitating headaches either.

I have only been using the minipill for a month but I am already feeling pretty strong side effects especially on my mood: crying for no reason, being very angry at times and very sad at others, overall depressed mood. I am probably going to finish the blister and switch to something else.

Started taking in April 2024 finished the last pack September 2024. Had spotting for the first couple months in the place of period which was frustrating (spotting for 14days instead of normal 5-7day period flow). Once settled, periods just completely stopped which made me feel slightly uneasy as there’s no indicator of “missed period” for pregnancy sirens to ring. Mood was a strange one, felt slightly mentally exhausted but difficult to tell whether that was life or the pill, but I do remember having PMS type symptoms (emotional, cramps) once a month, almost mimicking a period without the bleeds.

I've only been on this pill for two months so there's a chance this may calm down after the full adjustment period, but the side effects have been interesting. Most notably, my cycle has gone from around 35 days to 13 days, and I have been having a period every other week. The first two periods gave me hope because they were significantly lighter - to the point where I was questioning whether or not I should even log it as a period - and painless. However, the next three periods I've had so far have been gradually getting heavier and I'm getting more cramping. It's weird though because, for most of my period it's still quite light, but on around the second or third day, I do have a few hours where it's quite heavy and crampy, then it subsides again and the rest is light. I had spotting between the first three periods but that's stopped now. Other than the annoying cycle changes, I had a constant lingering headache for the first two weeks, I'm getting more acne than usual, and some vaginal dryness before my period. I don't know if this is worth staying on as I'm only on the pill to manage my painful and heavy periods. Current plan is to finish my three months' supply and take it from there.

Overall it’s excellent and all positive, no periods at all and steady mood

I'm giving this pill more time because maybe it's just an adjustment. But I've been a bit weepy with sore breasts and spotting every week. Also a really tender feeling in my lower abdomen-especially during sex. Which I hate obviously. So I'm definitely not getting pregnant because I no longer enjoy sex.. so in that respect it is effective. It's getting one more month and then I'm done.

went on this pill due to high blood pressure, and the experience has been very well. my periods skip a month then return lighter. the first month my bleed was longer but lighter, ever since then it has been lighter. my period cramps have reduced massively. few headaches and light sensitivity but has not occurred in a while. acne has be a little bit worse and oily but clears up after a bit. overall has benefited me and libido increased surprisingly 😊

I suffer from migraines and was convinced to try this contraption as a way to prevent hormonal fluctuations and therefore prevent them. This pill left me with status migranosus / intractable migraine. It was horrific

I started on this contraception when I was 16, and am now 21, so in lots of ways it feels difficult to pin any major changes onto it given I would have changed so much in this time anyway. For me, the best thing about it is that it completely stopped my periods for nearly 4 years and then, after experiencing bleeding for the first time in years and seeking advice from the wonderful team at the lowdown, I was able to double my dose so that periods stopped again. I generally have been stable on it which is brilliant, especially after starting on the combined pill and experiencing intense symptoms of nausea and vomiting. I would definitely recommend it based on my experience!

Was told I could no longer continue my low dose combined pill (Gedarel) at age 43 because I was deemed overweight by a GP (a nurse looked at me in disbelief at this and actually initially extended my prescription to allow me to enjoy my honeymoon. GP now still stubbornly going on my BMI) Blood pressure fluctuates at times too so didn’t want to go through the stress of not knowing at a 3 month check if I’d suddenly be forced to come off it depending who I saw. Started Cerelle in January. First 6 weeks weren’t pleasant. Really sore breasts, spotting mixed in with random heavier bleeds, dryness when not bleeding and bladder irritation. All calmed down (apart from Dryness)- by third strip stopped spotting etc. Then on fourth strip started to bleed for two weeks (light enough to be ok) but by week 3 was bleeding so heavy was leaking through a heavy tampon/pad/period pants and passing clots with no sign of easing up after a full stressful week of this. Stopped taking the pill and bleeding calmed down. It took another 6 days to stop but feel so relieved. A nurse wanted me to switch straight away onto a new mini pill or coil but honestly I feel my body needs a break. Not sure where to go now as already my body feels so much better/libido back/moods balanced. Fed up of hormones!!

Short term symptoms were: very tender breasts and feeling weird for a week couple of weeks. Most importantly I suppose - I did not get pregnant while on the mini pill, so it did it's job. It also stopped my periods completely, which was convenient. I was struggling on and off with depression starting just BEFORE I started on the pill, so it didn't caused thay but but I do think it prolonged the problem.

Put on a lot of weight