Side effects
Progestogen-only / Mini pill common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
52% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported tender breasts
46% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported period like cramps
45% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge
41% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported breast enlargement
39% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness
Progestogen-only / Mini pill rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
4% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported hair loss
4% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported a latex allergy
4% of Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported migraine with aura
Possible Progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Tender breasts (52%)
- Period like cramps (46%)
- Vaginal discharge (45%)
- Breast enlargement (41%)
- Vaginal dryness (39%)
- Lower back pain (37%)
- Sweating more than usual (31%)
- Nausea or vomiting (24%)
- Body hair increase (21%)
- Thrush (20%)
- Cystitis (14%)
- Headaches (14%)
- Body hair getting darker (13%)
- High blood pressure (10%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (7%)
- Dizziness (7%)
- Pelvic infection (7%)
- Migraines (7%)
- Hair loss (4%)
- A latex allergy (4%)
- Migraine with aura (4%)
Reviews
2.7
1244 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
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!!
Top side effects not reported
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Used for 6 - 12 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Loss of sex drive and mood swings were especially bad for the first 4 months or so. It since has gotten better, but I don't think it's back to normal. I have gained about 10-15 lbs since I've started the pill and I have also bled (more spotting than normal period flow) around 5 days during the second week of the pack and never (or so I recall) during the last four days of the pack. While I'm spotting I have pretty constant cramps, which I didn't have before.
Top side effects not reported
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Leaving a review for the PMDD, Peri, and hormone sensitive girlies: Pro: only BC that didn't cause breast pain and swelling Only BC that didn't cause water retention Cons: mild fatigue throughout the day that then turned into extreme fatigue and low mood. Basically it mimicked PMDD symptoms and that's why I stopped taking it. I wasn't able to make it through the supposed '3 months to settle down phase' that is recommended for BC. The other POP pill I've tried is cerazette and Slynd was a better experience. I've also tried other drospirenone containing pills with no success but I thought Slynd could be different. I felt better a few days after stopping.
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
Just started my third pack, originally I was on the combined pill (4+ years) but experienced some migraines so the GP switched me to desogestrel. The first week of taking I had a regular heavy period for 8 days ish and then was okay for about 2 weeks, then the breakthrough bleeding started and has been on and off for 4 weeks now, a mixture of red / brown spotting which is not ideal as I can't be intimate with my partner as its very off-putting. I'm due to meet with my GP over the next few weeks to discuss but I know they will just say this is bleeding is normal for the first few months of taking. I did notice some spots around my chin and mouth area about a month in, they have since gone. I'm losing weight purely because of my good diet and workouts but tis good to know I can lose weight on this pill. Unsure if I want to continue taking these.
Top side effects not reported
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Used for 12 - 18 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
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.
Top side effects not reported
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I’ve been on this pill for 7 weeks after having the Modena coil and then copper coil. For them removed fallen on pregnant so had to try something else. I was struggling as I suffer with hormonal acne so wanted to go on a combined pill but I could t as I suffer with migraines. So I but the bullet and give this a try. I can honestly say it’s helped with my anxiety and mood swings so much. I feel a lot calmer in myself too. My periods have stayed same so far maybe a bit lighter. My acne hasn’t improved or got worse really just same well I think so anyway. The first few weeks I was constantly bloated and constipated but I just take two husk tablets a night now and I’m back to goi g regular. Overall I’m finding this pill ok and I’m happy with the way it’s helped my mood swings.
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Started first day of period and bleed went on for 11 days (3 days heavy) and then stopped. Started spotting exactly when next period would have been due but skipped placebos and this stopped as soon as it started. I suffer with endometriosis and heavy periods so need the break as ferritin was constantly low. Also sciatica pain on left side has strangely stopped since starting these and only on 2nd packet. Moods are more consistent and I’m not getting as angry over the small things anymore. Overall I’m pretty happy with this pill and hoping I can carry on with it to menopause now.
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I started the mini-pill as a quick method inbetween the time I was waiting to get the Copper Coil contraceptive. It has worked very well! No spotting or bleeding. Except, my periods were slightly heavier but had little to no cramps. I was very skeptical of the pill affecting my mental health but I am not sure as it could be other reasons!
Top side effects not reported
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Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Overall after trying many different pills, this was the best, I started to have very depressive weeks so I stopped as I was afraid of some suicidal thoughts.
Top side effects not reported
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What are the Progestogen-only / Mini pill with the least side effects?
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