Drospirenone is a type of progestogen used in several contraceptive pills available in the UK. You’ll most commonly see it in:

Slynd: a progestogen-only pill
Yasmin, Eloine, and Drovelis: combined oral contraceptive pills (contain drospirenone + an oestrogen)

This guide explains what drospirenone is, why it’s used, when it may help clinically (including some off-licence situations), and the key risks to understand.

Table of Contents

What Is Drospirenone (and Why Is It Different)?

Drospirenone is often described as a “newer” generation progestogen. Two features tend to matter most in real life:

Anti-androgenic effect

This means it may help with androgen-related symptoms like acne or unwanted hair growth in some people.

Anti-mineralocorticoid effect

This can help reduce fluid retention for some, which is why some people feel less “puffy” or bloated on drospirenone compared with other pills.

That said, everyone’s response is individual. One person’s “life-changing pill” can be another person’s “never again.”

Key Uses of Drospirenone (At a Glance)

Depending on the pill it’s in, drospirenone may be used for:

Contraception
More predictable cycle control (particularly in combined pills)
Acne and androgen-related symptoms
PCOS symptom support (cycle regulation, acne, unwanted hair growth)
Period pain and heavy bleeding (varies person to person)
Perimenopause contraception
PMS / PMDD symptom support in some people
Endometrial protection alongside oestrogen HRT (typically off-licence with Slynd)

Let’s look at each brand.

Slynd: Drospirenone-Only Pill (POP)

Slynd is a progestogen-only pill (POP): https://thelowdown.com/contraceptives/slynd-pill

Common Uses

Contraception for people who can’t take oestrogen
Perimenopause contraception
Cycle / bleeding management for some people who prefer a POP

Why People Choose It

Taken as 24 active pills + 4 placebo pills
Has a 24-hour missed-pill window, which is more forgiving than many traditional mini pills

PMS / PMDD

Slynd may be considered when combined pills aren’t suitable. Response is individual, so tracking symptoms for 2–3 cycles is sensible.

HRT Endometrial Protection (Off-Licence Use)

If you’re taking oestrogen HRT and still have a womb, you need a progestogen to protect the womb lining.
In some situations, clinicians may use Slynd as the progestogen option. This is off-licence, so it should only be done with medical guidance and appropriate follow-up, especially if bleeding is persistent or unusual.

Yasmin: Combined Pill (3mg Drospirenone + 0.03mg Ethiny-estradiol)

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP).

Common Uses

Contraception
Predictable cycle control
Skin benefits for some people (acne / oily skin)
PCOS symptom support
PMS-type symptom support in some people

Because Yasmin contains oestrogen, it isn’t suitable for everyone (see “Risks” below).

Eloine: Combined Pill (3mg Drospirenone + 0.02mg Ethiny-estradiol)

Eloine is another combined pill containing drospirenone but with a slightly lower dose of ethinyl-estradiol (0.02mg vs. 0.03 in yasmin).

Common Uses

Contraception
Cycle control
Potential improvement in acne for some people
PCOS support (skin / hair / cycle control)
Some people feel less bloated compared with other pills

If you’ve previously felt “not yourself” on certain pills, it’s worth knowing that mood responses can vary widely, even within the same hormone family.

Drovelis: Combined Pill (3mg Drospirenone + 14.2mg Estetrol Monohydrate)

Drovelis is another drospirenone-containing combined pill option but the oestrogen is different – it is the equivalent of what is produced by the foetal liver.

Common Uses

Contraception
Cycle control
PCOS symptom support
Option for those wanting drospirenone but who have had mixed responses on other pills

As with all combined pills, suitability depends on your health, risk profile, and medical history.

Risks & Considerations with Drospirenone

It’s important to balance benefits and risks.

Blood Clot Risk (Relevant to Combined Pills)

Combined pills slightly increase the risk of blood clots compared with not using hormonal contraception. This is mainly due to the oestrogen component.

You may not be suitable for a combined pill if you have:

previous clot
migraine with aura
certain thrombophilias
smoking history over age 35
uncontrolled high blood pressure
very high BMI
certain medical conditions

Slynd (drospirenone-only) does not contain oestrogen, so it may be an alternative where oestrogen is not suitable.

Potassium Levels

Drospirenone can increase potassium in some people.

Extra caution if you:

have kidney or adrenal disease
take medicines that raise potassium

Your clinician can check whether monitoring is needed.

Mood Effects

Some people feel emotionally steadier on drospirenone. Others feel worse. If you have a history of anxiety, depression or PMDD, it’s sensible to:

track symptoms for 2–3 cycles
have a clear plan on when to continue vs stop
seek support early if symptoms worsen

Bleeding Changes

With POPs (including Slynd), spotting and irregular bleeding can be common, particularly early on.

Headaches & Migraines

Combined pills are not suitable if you have migraine with aura. POPs are often an alternative. New or changing headaches should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.

FAQs

Is drospirenone a good pill for acne?

For some people, yes. Drospirenone has anti-androgenic properties, meaning it can help reduce acne related to hormone activity. It’s more likely to help when used in a combined pill like Yasmin, Eloine or Drovelis because oestrogen also supports acne improvement. Results vary and it’s not a guaranteed “skin cure,” but many people do notice clearer skin.

Is Slynd better than traditional mini pills?

Slynd works differently to older progestogen-only pills and has a 24-hour missed pill window, which many people find easier. Some people also experience fewer bleeding issues and better tolerance. However, “better” is individual, it depends on your health needs, symptoms, and response.

Does drospirenone cause weight gain?

There’s no strong evidence that drospirenone causes significant weight gain. In fact, because it has mild anti-mineralocorticoid effects, some people feel less bloated or “puffy” compared to other pills. However everyone’s body responds differently.

Is drospirenone safe if I have migraine?

If you have migraine with aura, combined pills (including Yasmin, Eloine and Drovelis) are usually not recommended because of clot risk. Slynd (the drospirenone-only pill) may be an option in some cases. Always get individual medical advice.

Can drospirenone help PCOS?

It can help some PCOS symptoms, particularly cycle control, acne and unwanted hair growth, mainly when used in combined pills. It doesn’t “treat PCOS” itself but can be part of symptom management as part of a wider care plan.

Can I use Slynd with HRT?

In some carefully selected cases, clinicians may use Slynd alongside oestrogen HRT to protect the womb lining. This is generally off-licence, so it requires proper clinical assessment, shared decision-making, and follow-up, especially if bleeding changes occur.

Who shouldn’t take drospirenone?

You may not be suitable if you:

cannot take oestrogen (for combined pills)
have certain clotting risks
have kidney or adrenal disease
take medicines affecting potassium
have uncontrolled high blood pressure or significant medical risk factors

A clinician will review suitability individually.

Does drospirenone affect mood?

Some people feel emotionally steadier on drospirenone, while others may notice worsening mood. If you have anxiety, depression, PMDD or previous difficult experiences with the pill, it’s wise to monitor symptoms across 2–3 cycles and seek support early if things change.

What’s the difference between Slynd, Yasmin, Eloine and Drovelis?

Slynd = drospirenone-only pill (POP), no oestrogen
Yasmin, Eloine, Drovelis = combined pills with drospirenone + oestrogen
They differ in dosing schedules, hormone combinations, and patient suitability.

Final Thoughts

Drospirenone is a versatile progestogen used in both progestogen-only and combined pills. It can be an excellent contraceptive choice and, for some people, may also help with:

cycle control
acne and skin symptoms
PCOS symptom management
PMS / PMDD support
perimenopause contraception

But the right drospirenone-containing pill depends on your health history, whether you can safely use oestrogen, and what matters most to you (skin, bleeding pattern, mood, migraine history, perimenopause symptoms).

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, personalised medical advice makes a huge difference. Book an appointment with one of our team so we can help guide you.

Until next time,

Dr Nikki x