Morning after pill vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

All good, easy and convenient.

I used the emergency contraception pill when someone ejaculated inside of me to avoid pregnancy and it was useful.

For those emergencies where me and my partner haven’t used a condom or had sex during my ovulation period, I’ve been used the morning after pill which has most definitely been very effective for me. I don’t really experience any excessive side effects but what I do notice every time I take this medication my period is comes a week later than normal and it can be much heavier at times with more clots , and the periods are very painful.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Put on a lot of weight

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.

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.

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!

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.