Progestogen-only / Mini pill and lighter periods

How our community feel progestogen-only / Mini pill has affected their periods

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Stopped

44%

No change

3%

Don't know

2%

Out of the 1397 reviews for progestogen-only / Mini pill, 122 people (9%) reported lighter periods.

Reviewers that reported lighter periods as a side effect

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Went on the mini pill at 16 for 3 years. The first 9 months I bled pretty constantly (no cramps at least) then bled randomly most months. Bleeding was usually light and unpainful. My mood swings were awful and my skin broke out and got so much worse (quite discouraging after being on accutane). Didn’t notice any weight gain or other side effects. I later changed to the combined pill to try and help my skin but this caused other issues (high blood pressure, recurrent yeast infections) so last week I got the copper IUD! Would not recommend. As a 16 year old the doctor did not give me much information about my choice and the impact it would have on me. She just said “if you trust your boyfriend you don’t need to use condoms now” …

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Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jun 25

I swapped from the combined pill to Cerazette because I was having anxiety, dizziness and low libido. These have both improved since changing. The most annoying thing has been inconsistent bleeding and spotting. I won’t bleed for 3 months then will have spotting out of nowhere for 3 weeks. I have also got acne on my chin which I didn’t have before. Overall though these extra inconveniences have far outweighed the reduced anxiety, dizziness and libido issues.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jun 25

I’m very satisfied with the pill. I only been taking it for few weeks but my mental health improved so much ! I can’t actually believe it. I used to suffer mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations . None of this is happening . Very happy. No side effects either


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

50% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported tender breasts

46% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported period like cramps

42% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge

40% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported breast enlargement

37% of progestogen-only / Mini pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Possible progestogen-only / Mini pill side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

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