Implant vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Implant ingredients
Main hormones in Implant
progestogen
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
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Real life reviews from people like you
Implant reviews
573 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
It was good for the first implant but then when my second one was fitted I bled for almost a whole year and became very exhausted
Top side effects not reported
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0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I really enjoyed the implant for the first 12 months, however after this I started to spot more and more and for longer periods. These were also accompanied with increased fatigue and pain. The breakout bleeding than got progressively worse until the end of the 3 year period. Otherwise little to no symptoms which was made the increasing spotting so much more annoying!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It was my first time on contraception, I was afraid to forget the pill and had the feeling that the implant had less hormones in it. My mood was very fluctuating for the first 4-6 months but then settled. My period was much lighter at the beginning and not painful for the first few months, then actually got irregular after 7-8 months (only a few days, then nothing for 2 weeks, then 3 weeks long period...) The insertion of the implant was very easy and not too painful, been able to feel it since the beginning.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
It was good for the first implant but then when my second one was fitted I bled for almost a whole year and became very exhausted
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I really enjoyed the implant for the first 12 months, however after this I started to spot more and more and for longer periods. These were also accompanied with increased fatigue and pain. The breakout bleeding than got progressively worse until the end of the 3 year period. Otherwise little to no symptoms which was made the increasing spotting so much more annoying!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It was my first time on contraception, I was afraid to forget the pill and had the feeling that the implant had less hormones in it. My mood was very fluctuating for the first 4-6 months but then settled. My period was much lighter at the beginning and not painful for the first few months, then actually got irregular after 7-8 months (only a few days, then nothing for 2 weeks, then 3 weeks long period...) The insertion of the implant was very easy and not too painful, been able to feel it since the beginning.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1265 reviews
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I had to switch from the combined pill to the mini pill following a bought of migraines with aura. At first, it was great - I didn’t get periods, I felt good, I wasn’t worried about strokes etc. However, after around 6 months of my body getting used to it, my periods came back, extremely irregular (I.e. 3 periods in one month), my mood and mental health had significantly declined, and my skin is absolutely terrible.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I actually really loved the Cerazette mini pill. It basically stopped my periods, so pretty amazing because my period cramps are unbearable. I was really sad when I had to stop taking it but I just couldn't deal with the extreme acne it gave me. It started about 3 weeks after starting Cerazette and it vanished within a couple months of stopping it so I am 100 percent sure it was this pill. I have never before or since had acne at all (apart from when I was a teenager eons ago, but basically I am not someone who ever has it). I am waiting for a mini pill that will not give me acne, meanwhile I make due with the combined pill.
Top side effects not reported
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0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Generally a good pill but I am bleeding every week on it which is it’s main downside for me
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I had to switch from the combined pill to the mini pill following a bought of migraines with aura. At first, it was great - I didn’t get periods, I felt good, I wasn’t worried about strokes etc. However, after around 6 months of my body getting used to it, my periods came back, extremely irregular (I.e. 3 periods in one month), my mood and mental health had significantly declined, and my skin is absolutely terrible.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I actually really loved the Cerazette mini pill. It basically stopped my periods, so pretty amazing because my period cramps are unbearable. I was really sad when I had to stop taking it but I just couldn't deal with the extreme acne it gave me. It started about 3 weeks after starting Cerazette and it vanished within a couple months of stopping it so I am 100 percent sure it was this pill. I have never before or since had acne at all (apart from when I was a teenager eons ago, but basically I am not someone who ever has it). I am waiting for a mini pill that will not give me acne, meanwhile I make due with the combined pill.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Generally a good pill but I am bleeding every week on it which is it’s main downside for me
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
Switched to this after not liking the combined pill side effects. After a few months of using it and having very irregular periods I noticed my skin and hair became very oily, needing to be washed daily. My hair also became thinner. I decided to stop this pill and look for an alternative.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
36 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 4 days ago
I used Cerazette for 15 years and didn't really think about it, which is a testament to how few notable side effects I had. Worked effectively, and didn't hugely affect my appearance (skin or weight) which was very important to me when I began taking it at 21. However, I suffered from headaches / migraines almost weekly which I never connected to Cerazette until I stopped taking it, and since then they've gone completely (it's now been almost a year since I last took a pill). I've also got so much more energy, and my libido came back as soon as I got my periods back. Overall, if you can't take the combined pill and want a hormonal option, I really would recommend it, but be mindful that some side effects might come on slowly over years.
Top side effects not reported
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0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
Overall, I was happy with this pill. I am not currently on it as I'm in between prescriptions and its been difficult contacting my doctor. However, the last week without it has made me realise how I was benefitting from it. I used to get mood swings quite often which disappeared when on this pill. The first month, my mood swings were still there like before and I found that I was more likely to cry over small things but this went away after the first 4 weeks. Before, I would also get medium pain cramps that lasted nearly the whole day for about 2 weeks on and off every month. This went down to small cramps for an hour maybe one or twice a month which was definitely a positive. I did get one or two more spots on my face which was annoying as I've struggled with my skin for a while and was finally starting to clear it up before starting the pill but this wasn't a significant impact because I was used to my stubborn skin. I also got spots on my back and chest, but these started going away again after about 6-8 weeks. The main impact I had was my period. It went from being pretty regular and heavy for 6-7 days every month to a very light period (ranging from light/medium to basically only spotting) that lasted for 3 weeks. Although without cramps and because it was so light it didn't impact me much (it was more an inconvenience). After this, I wouldn't get my period for over a month (about 5 weeks) and then it started again. I understand that this is what would put most people off getting the pill and it was what I had been dreading the most but I realised that it wasn't as bad as I thought as most days I could get away with just a panty liner rather than an actual pad or tampon (and it reassured me I wasn't pregnant).
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Constant spotting throughout use. Skin had a few spots but generally felt less smooth, larger pores and oilier. Noticeable decrease in sex drive. More apathetic mood.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on this contraception for 12 months and didn't notice any negative side effects. I have heavy periods with pain and after a few months of using the mini pill these mostly stopped which was a great benefit. I have listed weight gain as a symptom however I would not attribute this to the pill and more to unrelated health reasons. Ordered through The Lowdown which I found easy to do. Where possible I prefer not to go through the NHS for cost reasons/hope those who really need their services get them and the Lowdown offered a great alternative.
Top side effects not reported
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0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
First few weeks were lovely, no noticeable side effects. Then came the breakthrough bleeding which didn't stop for months on end and still continues to this day at a minimal level. Couldn't fault this pill otherwise but the breakthrough bleeding is a major inconvenience and almost defeats the point of being on a form of BC. Breasts became slightly more enlarged and occasional lower back pains. I just wasn't one of the lucky ones for which bleeding stops completely. Periods are much lighter though but more drawn out. My usual 4-5 days are now 7-9 and that's not counting the daily spotting. It's been good as a temporary measure but I'll be glad to be off Lovima when the time is right because predictable periods >>> unpredictable spotting.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
This contraception has been great for me. I went on to stop my periods as I suffer badly with cramps and it did stop them. I haven’t noticed many physically side effects but I do feel my sex drive has been badly hit! I also think I am a little less joyous on this pill, nothing is wet yourself funny to me anymore!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
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