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Original poster

Experiences of taking the mini pill

56 replies

DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 16:21

I went for my pill check today and the nurse recommended I change to the mini pill. I’m 42, overweight and my blood pressure is a bit high (not terrible though). I’ve been on Millinette for around 4 years (since Loestrin got discontinued, but been on others since I was 18 except pregnancy) and I mentioned that I get terrible headaches for a day or two before I’m due on and for the first couple of days of my period. This together with the other factors meant that she thought the mini pill would be safer. I haven’t collected the prescription yet so don’t know which It’ll be but she said it’s one with a 12 hour window. After reading up about it I’m really concerned about terrible side effects especially acne and hair loss. My skin and hair are my only good features. I know that sounds really vain, but I don’t want problem skin. I honestly don’t think I look good at all, but I do have clear skin. If you’ve taken the mini pill how did you find it?

OP posts:
southlondoner02 · 26/09/2023 18:21

All good here. I switched because I used to get migraines and they completely cleared up. Plus no periods. No noticeable impact on skin and hair

unvillage · 26/09/2023 18:25

Been taking desogestrel for 7 or 8 years, I had spotty periods every 3-4 months for the first few years, now haven't had one in god knows how long. No other side effects, no acne, hair loss, anything of the sort.

SilentHedges · 26/09/2023 18:29

IamSmarticus · 26/09/2023 16:36

I took cerazette (desogestrel) for 10 years - no side effects whatsoever and the added bonus of no periods either!

Similar experience, 10 years and counting. Debilitating periods, which were completely un necessary ... eliminated. Life changing!

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Women's health
Dippydinosaurus · 26/09/2023 18:32

IamSmarticus · 26/09/2023 16:36

I took cerazette (desogestrel) for 10 years - no side effects whatsoever and the added bonus of no periods either!

Same for me although I have to get a private prescription now as my GP will only prescribe the cheaper own brand which they claim is the same but it's not. Even if the one you're prescribed doesn't work try another one. I also get headaches and had to come off the combined pill as you're at risk of a stroke.

Frosty1000 · 26/09/2023 18:46

Been taking Cerazette/cerelle for over 8 years and love it. No side effects apart from the bonus of no periods which is great as I have horrific ones with endometriosis.

Only snag is that Doc can't tell if I'm peri / gone through menopause as it's certainly masking a lot of symptoms and I won't be able to say I haven't had a period for a year. So that's unknown but all good otherwise.

WanderingWitches · 26/09/2023 18:47

Cowlover89 · 26/09/2023 17:43

I had a terrible experience. Got all the side effects. I literly went batshit and suffered panic attacks and anxiety. Never again

Similar to this for me too
It also made me very angry and gave me suicidal thoughts

Inmyonesie · 26/09/2023 18:49

I’m really sensitive to hormones and haven’t had any side effects with mini pill except irregular periods. No acne, no weight gain, no hair loss.

Original poster
DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 18:53

@WanderingWitches that sounds absolutely awful.

OP posts:
ghostbusters · 26/09/2023 18:55

I tried 4 or 5 types of mini pill after #1 child, all gave me side effects of some sort. Cerazette gave me a constant headache. So stopped trying to find one that worked and had #2 child instead.
After #2 child I tried the copper coil but that made me bleed between periods (maybe, seen by gynae who thought could be that coil or 'my age' causing bleeding between periods, I was 36-ish).
Got a mirena and it's been fab. Spotting for 2 months after fitting but no periods since. My GP told me the mirena has the same amount of hormones as taking 2 mini pill tablets a week, so much lower dose as it works locally.

tootrueblue · 26/09/2023 18:59

I tried it for about 4 months but spotted every day which was immensely irritating. GP agreed that if it hadn't settled by then, it probably wasn't going to.

WeeBenny · 26/09/2023 20:38

I hated it. Bled constantly. Now I've got the implant. You can forget about it for 3 years. I've had no side effects and no periods

Original poster
DanceMumTaxi · 26/09/2023 20:58

So many people have had an awful time. The nurse didn’t say anything about side effects she just said it was better for me.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 26/09/2023 21:22

All you can do is try it. It might suit and it might not

SausageinaBun · 26/09/2023 21:27

I'm on a double dose (gynae recommendation) to try to stop bleeding between periods and very painful periods due to endometriosis glomming my insides together. It took 6 months, but the bleeding has finally stopped (the painful periods stopped immediately). No side effects as far as I have noticed. So I'm pretty happy with it.

dearanon · 26/09/2023 21:28

I have had no issue on the mini pill. They did swap me from one brand to another brand of mini pill which caused skin issues but they're since rectified since going back to original brandof mini pill.

Hecate01 · 26/09/2023 21:29

Honestly as bad as my experience was I'd still tell women to try it because they could have a better experience. Personally I opted for the copper coil because I wanted no hormones after the mini pill and it's been fantastic for me but I've read so many terrible experiences from other women on MN. It really is a minefield when it comes to contraception but I hope you find something that suits you.

FijiSea · 26/09/2023 21:34

I’ve been on the Desogestrel pill for about 3 years now and love it.
No side effects and no periods
No hair loss / no acne.
I wished I changed onto it years ago, I had previously been on brevinor since age 15 and was always faffing around with pill packets to avoid periods by running packets together etc
The Desogestrel pill is great .

wineandsunshine · 26/09/2023 21:38

I had to change due to headaches too (previously on the Evra patch). So far I've had light periods and low sex drive - that could be peri menopausal though 🤣

I do also think I've put on weight but again that could be 40 year old spread up to 11 stone!

Lavender14 · 26/09/2023 21:38

I had loads of issues with acne over the years and I've never really had a major issue with the mini pill. I can't take the combined pill or equivalents because it makes me physically sick/headaches etc I would say my skin is maybe slightly more irritable but provided I keep on top of my skincare routine it's not an issue. I've been on the mini pill for about 5 months now after having my baby and I've stopped using foundation and switched to tinted moisturiser if that's any comfort. Hair loss I can't comment on because I lost some after the baby but its not something I ever noticed when I was on the mini pill before. Only thing I would say is I do sometimes get mood swings or feel a bit foggy so I'll stop taking it when I'm a year past my c section.

Broodywuz · 26/09/2023 21:51

I bled pretty much constantly, stopped taking it after 3 months. No other side effects though

DrNo007 · 26/09/2023 21:54

The mini pill ruined my health for decades even though I was only on it for 9 months. Had terrible effects that dominated my life for 20 years. Please read The Bitter Pill by Dr Ellen Grant. And choose another method of contraception.

Fatandnearly50 · 26/09/2023 21:55

As the name suggests I am fat and around 50. I also have hoggish blood pressure but not high enough to treat. I went on Zelletta one of the 12hr window ones about 2 years ago having not taken hormonal contraception for 20 years. It took a few months to settle, wasn’t sure if I was going to continue as I had some spots, some spotting and wondered if I was moody.

That said, I gave it a few months and everything settled down. It’s been absolutely fine, no periods for ages. All simple and fine.

give it a go for a few months, if it doesn’t suit you then you can just stop it.

BeckyWithTheGoodHair010101 · 26/09/2023 22:01

I think everyone reacts differently. I was absolutely batshit on the combined pill in my 20's. Came off that to have two children. Tried the implant, bled constantly. The copper coil gave me dreadful BV. Now on cerelle (desogestrel) and I'm fine. No acne, no mood swings (no more than usual anyway!!) Also very light / sometimes no periods. Give it a go!

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 26/09/2023 22:04

I was on cerazette for 12 years and then started HRT, didn't want a coil so I continue to take it alongside Utrogestan and Estrogen patches. I've never had any issues at all. No periods (until 12 years in I started having random bleeds which was one of the reasons I started HRT) No weight gain or skin or hair problems. It might be that you need to try it for a few months to see how you go.

Andthen · 26/09/2023 22:08

Frosty1000 · 26/09/2023 18:46

Been taking Cerazette/cerelle for over 8 years and love it. No side effects apart from the bonus of no periods which is great as I have horrific ones with endometriosis.

Only snag is that Doc can't tell if I'm peri / gone through menopause as it's certainly masking a lot of symptoms and I won't be able to say I haven't had a period for a year. So that's unknown but all good otherwise.

Snap apart from the endometriosis. No periods (or side effects) since I started on cerazette 12 years ago and wondering whether I am menopausal or not (now 51). GP says only way to find out is to stop but I can't bring myself to risk having periods again!