Slynd is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (mini pill) containing drospirenone 4 milligrams. It is oestrogen-free and taken as 24 active tablets followed by 4 inactive tablets. It has a forgiving 24 hour late window and is free on the NHS through the Pharmacy Contraception Service for people aged 16 to 49.

Is Slynd a mini pill or a combined pill?

Slynd is a mini pill, also called a progestogen-only pill. It contains one hormone, drospirenone, and no oestrogen. This makes it suitable for people who cannot take the combined pill, including those who are breastfeeding, get migraines with aura, or smoke and are over 35.

Is Slynd the same as Yasmin?

No. Both contain drospirenone, but Yasmin is a combined pill that also contains oestrogen, while Slynd is progestogen-only. Because Slynd has no oestrogen, it does not carry the small blood clot risk that combined pills like Yasmin do.

Does Slynd stop your periods?

It can. Bleeding patterns vary on Slynd, and many people find their periods become lighter, less frequent, or stop. Irregular bleeding or spotting is common in the first few months as your body adjusts, and usually settles.

Does Slynd cause weight gain?

Current evidence does not show that Slynd directly causes significant weight gain. Drospirenone has a mild anti-mineralocorticoid effect, which can reduce water retention rather than increase it. Some people report changes, but these are not clearly linked to the pill itself.

Can I take Slynd while breastfeeding?

Yes. Slynd does not contain oestrogen and can be taken while breastfeeding. As with any medicine while breastfeeding, your pharmacist confirms it is suitable for you before supplying it.

Slynd: What You Need to Know

Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: August 2026.

Slynd is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (mini pill) containing drospirenone 4 milligrams. It contains no oestrogen, has a forgiving 24 hour late window, and is taken as 24 active tablets followed by 4 inactive ones. Its anti-androgenic effect may also help acne.

It is free on the NHS through the Pharmacy Contraception Service for people aged 16 to 49.

What is Slynd?

Slynd is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, also called the mini pill. It contains one active ingredient: drospirenone at a dose of 4 milligrams per tablet. It is manufactured by Exeltis.

Unlike older mini pills, Slynd comes as a 28 day pack of 24 active tablets followed by 4 inactive tablets, so you take a tablet every day without a break. Unlike the combined pill, Slynd does not contain oestrogen. That makes it suitable for people who cannot take oestrogen, including those who are breastfeeding, have migraines with aura, smoke and are over 35, or have raised blood pressure.

Drospirenone is the same progestogen used in the combined pill Yasmin. The difference is that Slynd is progestogen-only and contains no oestrogen, so it does not carry the small blood clot risk that combined pills do.

How does Slynd work?

Slynd prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg in most cycles. It also thickens the mucus at the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg, and thins the lining of the womb.

Taken correctly, Slynd is more than 99% effective. With typical use, where pills are occasionally missed or taken late, effectiveness is around 91% (FSRH, 2022).

Because drospirenone stops ovulation in most cycles, Slynd is more effective at this than traditional mini pills containing norethisterone or levonorgestrel, which rely mainly on thickening cervical mucus.

How do you take Slynd?

Take one tablet at the same time each day. A pack has 24 white active tablets followed by 4 green inactive tablets. You take one tablet every day with no break, and you may get a bleed during the 4 inactive days. When you finish a pack, start the next one the following day.

If you start Slynd on day 1 of your period, you are protected straight away. If you start on any other day, use condoms for the first 7 days.

For personalised missed pill advice, use our missed pill tool.

What if you miss a Slynd pill?

Slynd has a 24 hour late window, which is more forgiving than the 12 hour window of desogestrel mini pills and the 3 hour window of traditional ones. If you take an active tablet less than 24 hours after your usual time, you are still protected.

If you are more than 24 hours late with an active tablet, take it as soon as you remember, continue the rest of the pack as normal, and use condoms for the next 7 days. Missing an inactive (green) tablet does not affect your protection, so throw the missed one away and carry on.

Does Slynd help with acne?

Slynd may help acne for some people. Drospirenone has anti-androgenic properties, meaning it lowers the effect of androgens, the hormones that drive oil production and can worsen acne. This is why drospirenone is sometimes chosen when acne or oily skin is a concern.

Slynd is not licensed purely as an acne treatment, so your pharmacist supplies it as contraception that may also help your skin, not as a skin medicine. If acne is your main concern, read our guide on the pill and acne, and mention it during your consultation.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects listed in the Slynd SPC include irregular bleeding or spotting, acne, headache, breast tenderness, reduced sex drive, nausea, and mood changes including low mood. These are most common in the first 2 to 3 months and usually settle as your body adjusts.

Changes to your bleeding pattern are the most frequently reported effect. Some people find their periods become lighter or stop, while others get irregular spotting, especially in the first few months. Both are normal and not a sign that anything is wrong.

Drospirenone has a mild anti-mineralocorticoid effect, which can raise potassium levels. For most people this is not a problem, but it is why your pharmacist checks your kidney health and other medicines before supplying Slynd. Slynd does not increase the risk of blood clots, because it contains no oestrogen.

Who can take Slynd?

Slynd is suitable for most people aged 16 to 49 through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. It is safe for people who are breastfeeding, have migraines with aura, smoke and are over 35, have a higher BMI, have raised blood pressure, or have a history of blood clots, as none of these rule out a progestogen-only pill.

Slynd is not suitable if you have severe kidney disease, or if you take other medicines that raise potassium, because drospirenone can raise potassium levels. It is also not suitable if you have or have had breast cancer, severe liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Your pharmacist checks your full medical history and current medicines before supplying it.

A blood pressure reading is not usually needed for the mini pill. Your pharmacist will confirm what is required when you book.

How does Slynd compare to other mini pills?

Mini pill	Active ingredient	Timing window	Stops ovulation?	May help acne?	PCS age range
Slynd	Drospirenone 4mg	24 hours	Yes	Yes	16 to 49
Cerelle, Cerazette	Desogestrel 75mcg	12 hours	Yes, in most cycles	No	16 to 54
Noriday	Norethisterone 350mcg	3 hours	No	No	16 to 54
Norgeston	Levonorgestrel 30mcg	3 hours	No	No	16 to 54

Slynd is a genuinely different mini pill. Its 24 hour window is the most forgiving of the mini pills, and its anti-androgenic drospirenone may help acne and reduce water retention. The trade-off is a narrower age range under the NHS PCS, 16 to 49, compared with 16 to 54 for the desogestrel pills.

The desogestrel mini pills (Cerelle, Cerazette) are the most commonly supplied and have a 12 hour window. For help choosing between them, read which contraceptive pill is right for me.

How to get Slynd free

Slynd is available free on the NHS through your GP, a sexual health clinic, or a pharmacy through the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service. With Contraception Direct, you book a free phone consultation, your pharmacist checks your suitability, and your pill is posted in discreet packaging within 1 to 3 working days.

Slynd is supplied by brand rather than by a generic equivalent, so if it is right for you, that is what you receive. If you are currently on Slynd and want to continue, or want to start the pill for the first time, book a consultation and your pharmacist will confirm whether it is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

What is Slynd?: Slynd is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (mini pill) containing drospirenone 4 milligrams. It is oestrogen-free and taken as 24 active tablets followed by 4 inactive tablets. It has a forgiving 24 hour late window and is free on the NHS through the Pharmacy Contraception Service for people aged 16 to 49.
Is Slynd a mini pill or a combined pill?: Slynd is a mini pill, also called a progestogen-only pill. It contains one hormone, drospirenone, and no oestrogen. This makes it suitable for people who cannot take the combined pill, including those who are breastfeeding, get migraines with aura, or smoke and are over 35.
Is Slynd the same as Yasmin?: No. Both contain drospirenone, but Yasmin is a combined pill that also contains oestrogen, while Slynd is progestogen-only. Because Slynd has no oestrogen, it does not carry the small blood clot risk that combined pills like Yasmin do.
How late can I take Slynd?: Slynd has a 24 hour late window, which is more forgiving than most mini pills. If you take it less than 24 hours after your usual time, you are still protected. If more than 24 hours late, take it as soon as you remember and use condoms for the next 7 days.
Does Slynd help with acne?: It may. Drospirenone has anti-androgenic properties that can reduce oil production and improve acne in some people. Slynd is not licensed purely as an acne treatment, so a pharmacist supplies it as contraception that may also help your skin.
Does Slynd stop your periods?: It can. Bleeding patterns vary on Slynd, and many people find their periods become lighter, less frequent, or stop. Irregular bleeding or spotting is common in the first few months as your body adjusts, and usually settles.
Does Slynd cause weight gain?: Current evidence does not show that Slynd directly causes significant weight gain. Drospirenone has a mild anti-mineralocorticoid effect, which can reduce water retention rather than increase it. Some people report changes, but these are not clearly linked to the pill itself.
Can I take Slynd while breastfeeding?: Yes. Slynd does not contain oestrogen and can be taken while breastfeeding. As with any medicine while breastfeeding, your pharmacist confirms it is suitable for you before supplying it.

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