Slynd pill vs Desogestrel pill
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£From £0.20/day
Overview
Rated 3.5
20 reviews
Daily
Frequency
93% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.6
379 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Period pain
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Real life reviews from people like you
Slynd pill reviews
20 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Feb 25
I have taken this pill for four months to help with endometriosis symptoms. Previously, I was on Eloine for about a year which worked greatly for me with minor side effects, but changed out of precautions due to having had two or three migraines with an aura. Within the first month of taking Slynd, my headaches became more frequent and intense (to such degree that I need to see a neurologist). Without changing my food habits, I gradually gained 8 kg in the four months of taking Slynd. I also have felt my mental health has been negatively affected by depressive feelings and mood swings. I am a mental health professional and was very surprised at this side effect, given my self-care routines and emotional regulation skills are usually optimal. I also developed adult acne, which I would have been ok with if it was the only side effect. The acne and weight gain have negatively affected my self-esteem. One good thing I experienced on Slynd is that my endometriosis cramps were less intense and that I was able to take this pill continuously, thereby skipping my periods and making endometriosis symptoms more manageable. As a result of this, I had more energy to work out.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Jan 25
I’ve been on Slynd just over three months, and as someone who has tried several other mini pills this one seems to agree with me best. On other mini pills I experienced mild to moderate side effects, notably acne, spotting between periods/constantly and low mood. On Slynd I’ve only had very, very minor spotting and it’s infrequent. I haven’t yet had a period on Slynd but that’s not unusual for me on mini pills. Most notable is my skin, which has seen a noticeable and gradual improvement. Acne has been my biggest challenge on mini pills, with painful cystic acne requiring prescription topical creams for years on end. I’ve just started my fourth month on Slynd and seem to have turned a corner to where I have very little acne, if at all, and no cystic spots. My skin hasn’t been this clear in years! The only other side effects i’ve experienced, but cannot be 100% sure are related, are some moderate thirst in month 2/3 and a strange, weeks-long cramp in the bottom of my foot. I started eating more bananas to try and balance my potassium and the cramp has since gone. Rating 4 stars only because I’ve been on combination pills before (no longer can be on them) and I will always prefer the combination ones over mini pills. But I would say Slynd has been the closest to combination pills I’ve found yet.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Dec 24
The Slynd pill has helped my adenomyosis symptoms! I used to have extremely heavy and painful periods that were so bad that I couldn't walk and leave the house. I had to take high doses of codeine. Apart from a bit of nausea on the first two days (couldve been my period though as I took the pill on the first day of my period) I haven't had any negative side effects.
Lost weight
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Feb 25
I have taken this pill for four months to help with endometriosis symptoms. Previously, I was on Eloine for about a year which worked greatly for me with minor side effects, but changed out of precautions due to having had two or three migraines with an aura. Within the first month of taking Slynd, my headaches became more frequent and intense (to such degree that I need to see a neurologist). Without changing my food habits, I gradually gained 8 kg in the four months of taking Slynd. I also have felt my mental health has been negatively affected by depressive feelings and mood swings. I am a mental health professional and was very surprised at this side effect, given my self-care routines and emotional regulation skills are usually optimal. I also developed adult acne, which I would have been ok with if it was the only side effect. The acne and weight gain have negatively affected my self-esteem. One good thing I experienced on Slynd is that my endometriosis cramps were less intense and that I was able to take this pill continuously, thereby skipping my periods and making endometriosis symptoms more manageable. As a result of this, I had more energy to work out.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Jan 25
I’ve been on Slynd just over three months, and as someone who has tried several other mini pills this one seems to agree with me best. On other mini pills I experienced mild to moderate side effects, notably acne, spotting between periods/constantly and low mood. On Slynd I’ve only had very, very minor spotting and it’s infrequent. I haven’t yet had a period on Slynd but that’s not unusual for me on mini pills. Most notable is my skin, which has seen a noticeable and gradual improvement. Acne has been my biggest challenge on mini pills, with painful cystic acne requiring prescription topical creams for years on end. I’ve just started my fourth month on Slynd and seem to have turned a corner to where I have very little acne, if at all, and no cystic spots. My skin hasn’t been this clear in years! The only other side effects i’ve experienced, but cannot be 100% sure are related, are some moderate thirst in month 2/3 and a strange, weeks-long cramp in the bottom of my foot. I started eating more bananas to try and balance my potassium and the cramp has since gone. Rating 4 stars only because I’ve been on combination pills before (no longer can be on them) and I will always prefer the combination ones over mini pills. But I would say Slynd has been the closest to combination pills I’ve found yet.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 21st Dec 24
The Slynd pill has helped my adenomyosis symptoms! I used to have extremely heavy and painful periods that were so bad that I couldn't walk and leave the house. I had to take high doses of codeine. Apart from a bit of nausea on the first two days (couldve been my period though as I took the pill on the first day of my period) I haven't had any negative side effects.
Lost weight
1 helpful
1 comments
Desogestrel pill reviews
379 reviews
Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
I’ve been taking the pill since I was 17, I’m now 25 and have never had an issue with it! I’ve not had any side effects at all! It stopped my periods after about 2/3 months and has been smooth sailing since then. I find the ‘window’ in which you can take it without it being considered a ‘missed pill’ is also really reassuring if you suffer with anxiety! Would definitely recommend.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
The chest pain was really awful, and that’s a big red flag. Even though a month might not seem like long enough to make a final judgment, the intensity of the chest pain and other symptoms definitely made me question whether this was the right pill for me. It's important to listen to your body, and in my case, the discomfort and pain outweighed any potential benefits. I would highly recommend discussing these symptoms with a healthcare provider to explore alternative options or further guidance
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
During the first 2-3 months of using Desogestrel, I'd have prolonged periods (14+ days) of spotting/bleeding around times when my period would normally have been. I wasn't having cramps or any other pain, it was just a little annoying to be bleeding like this. It did settle down after a few months and I stopped getting my period altogether. Overall, I found the contraception to be pretty easy to use (I don't really have issues remembering to take the pill), physical side-effects were pretty minimal and it was nice to not have a period after suffering with really heavy painful periods for years. I had a gnarly chronic UTI issue around this time, but don't think this was necessarily because of the pill, there's a million other reasons why that could have been happening. I eventually stopped using it because I noticed it was really having an effect on my mood. I'd have days every few weeks where something small in the morning would set me off and I wouldn't be able to stop crying all day, which was starting to affect my social life, relationships, and productivity. I decided to stop using it a few weeks before my partner and I shifted into being a long-distance relationship.
Gained weight
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
I’ve been taking the pill since I was 17, I’m now 25 and have never had an issue with it! I’ve not had any side effects at all! It stopped my periods after about 2/3 months and has been smooth sailing since then. I find the ‘window’ in which you can take it without it being considered a ‘missed pill’ is also really reassuring if you suffer with anxiety! Would definitely recommend.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
The chest pain was really awful, and that’s a big red flag. Even though a month might not seem like long enough to make a final judgment, the intensity of the chest pain and other symptoms definitely made me question whether this was the right pill for me. It's important to listen to your body, and in my case, the discomfort and pain outweighed any potential benefits. I would highly recommend discussing these symptoms with a healthcare provider to explore alternative options or further guidance
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
During the first 2-3 months of using Desogestrel, I'd have prolonged periods (14+ days) of spotting/bleeding around times when my period would normally have been. I wasn't having cramps or any other pain, it was just a little annoying to be bleeding like this. It did settle down after a few months and I stopped getting my period altogether. Overall, I found the contraception to be pretty easy to use (I don't really have issues remembering to take the pill), physical side-effects were pretty minimal and it was nice to not have a period after suffering with really heavy painful periods for years. I had a gnarly chronic UTI issue around this time, but don't think this was necessarily because of the pill, there's a million other reasons why that could have been happening. I eventually stopped using it because I noticed it was really having an effect on my mood. I'd have days every few weeks where something small in the morning would set me off and I wouldn't be able to stop crying all day, which was starting to affect my social life, relationships, and productivity. I decided to stop using it a few weeks before my partner and I shifted into being a long-distance relationship.
Gained weight
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
The mini pill worked well for lack of periods and I only had one break through bleed. However I felt very emotionally unstable, crying a lot and feeling overwhelmed. I have come off this pill due to those issues. I also had very bad headaches in the first few months.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Feb 25
Did not enjoy this pill! Tried for around 5 months, mood was poor and crying very easily or completely numb! Skin got bad at first but then was okay! Gained weight around increase by a dress size or two, felt bloated constantly and breast size increased but sore! Vaginal dryness was extreme was even sore to walk and have thrush twice in this 5 month period! Was spotting pretty much constantly and obviously unable to track periods with it being a continuous pill and they were irregular.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Feb 25
I got put on this pill when i had a miscarriage, i get worried from time to time about my period. I have the flo app and i’m on my period about every 2 weeks, but it’s not exactly a period it’s just very very light and lasts for longer then a period should last this only started happening when i missed a pill for a day and the next day took 2 of them so it didn’t screw the pill up in my body and it has so it worries me. I’ve also put on so much weight using the pill.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 9th Feb 25
I was 30 when I started this for anyone wanting reference and have had three children. I suffered from horrific period and ovulation pain coupled with ovarian cysts. I had tried many different forms of contraception but I cannot take estrogen as it gives me Hyperemesis Gravidarum, not uncommon in those who have also experienced it in pregnancy, which I did. The first three months weren’t great, mood was all over the place and libido plummeted but after that it levelled out and I’m glad I waited it out. My periods stopped almost immediately and so did my ovulation pain. As I usually got ovarian cysts that burst at the time of ovulation, that’s pretty much stopped too and I’ve gone from having cysts burst monthly, to maybe once or twice a year. It’s dramatically improved my quality of life and I’m so happy on it. What with it being desogestrel, it has a 12 hour time window, so if you forget to take it at your usual time, as long as you take it in the 12 hours following, you’ll still be protected. I’m usually fine as I take it first thing, but it’s always good to know.
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4th Feb 25
I had no periods and then all of a sudden had extremely heavy and long periods, bleeding for weeks at a time. I had no libido which isn't ideal at all. I had terrible anxiety with this pill, I would get extremely bad anxiety with intrusive thoughts
Very negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd Feb 25
I've been on the tablet since July 2024. I first had period that lasted a month from August-September, which was followed by a 10 day break. I then came on again in Ocotber and I've been having a period now for 4 months with no sign of it stopping. Thankfully I've been told my gynecologist to come of it later this year. This tablet came as a suggestion because I had issues with the implant. It's pretty much caused me to go through the equivalent of hell. I'm constantly in pain, I cannot have sex with my boyfriend and I'm pretty much hormonal all the time. I do not recommend going on this pill.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 29th Jan 25
I really wanted to like this pill as I had recently switched from rigevidon however it just wasn’t working for me at all. I found that my moods became very low and I would always cry for no reason. This pill also made my periods stop and me being a very anxious person this did not help as I was constantly worrying about being pregnant. I have now stopped taking my pill for a couple of weeks and I am so much happier now. Overall I have not had the best experience and I will be switching
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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