Side effects of the progestogen-only pill
The progestogen-only pill (mini pill) has few side effects.
The progestogen-only pill may change your periods.
It can affect periods in different ways. Your periods may be lighter, more frequent or may stop altogether. You may get some bleeding (spotting) between periods.
Some people may get acne, mood swings, weight gain or changes to sex drive (libido). But there's not enough evidence to say whether these are caused by the progestogen-only pill.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you have side effects that are a problem for you.
Risks of the progestogen-only pill
There is a chance you could develop fluid-filled sacs on your ovaries (ovarian cysts) when taking the progestogen-only pill. These cysts are not dangerous and do not usually need to be removed.
The cysts often disappear without treatment. They do not usually cause symptoms, although you may feel pain in the lower part of your tummy (pelvic pain).
Find out more about ovarian cysts, including symptoms and treatment.
There may be a possible link between the progestogen-only pill and breast cancer, but the evidence is limited. If there’s any increased chance of breast cancer, the risk is still very small.