The active ingredient in Slynd is drospirenone 4 mg per tablet. Drospirenone is a synthetic progestogen structurally related to spironolactone, with both progestogenic and anti-mineralocorticoid activity. Inactive ingredients include lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, and magnesium stearate. Slynd does not contain peanut oil or soya, which makes it a suitable alternative for women who cannot take Gepretix or Utrogestan due to peanut or soya allergy. It does not contain any oestrogen, if you have a womb, a separate oestrogen preparation will be prescribed alongside it.

No, Slynd is licensed in the UK as a contraceptive pill, not for use in HRT. However, some clinicians prescribe it off-licence as part of hormone replacement therapy for individuals who still have a womb, particularly those who experience side effects with other progestogens.

Off-licence prescribing is common and safe when done by experienced clinicians. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

No, Slynd contains drospirenone, which is different from other progestogens used in HRT such as micronised progesterone (Utrogestan, Gepretix) or dydrogesterone (Gyperetix).

Drospirenone has anti-mineralocorticoid properties, which means it may help reduce bloating and water retention. This makes it an option for women who experience these side effects with other progestogens.

Slynd is not body-identical like micronised progesterone. It is a synthetic progestogen, but it may be better tolerated by some women, particularly those who struggle with mood changes or bloating on other progestogens.

Slynd vs Gepretix / Utrogestan (micronised progesterone): Gepretix and Utrogestan are body-identical progesterone — the preferred first-line progestogen in HRT according to NICE and British Menopause Society guidance. Slynd is synthetic and not body identical, but may be better tolerated by women who experience persistent bloating, fluid retention, or mood changes on micronised progesterone. Gepretix also contains peanut oil, making Slynd a useful alternative for women with peanut or soya allergies.

Slynd vs norethisterone (e.g. Evorel Conti): Both are synthetic progestogens, but they differ in their properties and side effect profiles. Norethisterone has some androgenic activity, which can contribute to mood changes, acne, and other androgenic effects in some women. Drospirenone has anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid properties, which may make Slynd better tolerated for women who are sensitive to androgenic progestogens.

Slynd vs dydrogesterone (e.g. Femoston): Dydrogesterone is a synthetic progestogen used in combined oral HRT preparations. It is available only as part of a fixed-dose combined tablet with oestrogen (Femoston), whereas Slynd is prescribed separately alongside a chosen oestrogen preparation, offering more flexibility in oestrogen type and dose.

Slynd vs the Mirena coil (levonorgestrel IUD): The Mirena coil delivers levonorgestrel locally to the womb and is a long-acting alternative for women who prefer not to take a daily tablet. However, levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestogen with androgenic properties, and Slynd may be preferred by women who are sensitive to androgenic side effects or who prefer an oral option.

Body-identical progesterone (such as Utrogestan or Gepretix) is the preferred first-line progestogen for most women in HRT. However, some women experience side effects with micronised progesterone or other synthetic progestogens.

Slynd may be prescribed as an alternative for women who:

• Experience significant bloating or water retention with other progestogens
• Have mood changes or other side effects with micronised progesterone
• Need an alternative progestogen option

Your doctor will help you decide which progestogen is right for you based on your symptoms and medical history.

Slynd is typically prescribed alongside oestrogen as part of combined HRT. Taking progestogen alone does not usually provide the symptom relief associated with menopause, as oestrogen is the hormone primarily responsible for managing symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.

However, in some cases, progestogen alone may be prescribed for specific conditions such as heavy or irregular bleeding. Always follow your doctor's advice regarding your HRT regimen.

No, Slynd is designed to be taken orally only. Unlike Utrogestan or Gepretix capsules, which can be used vaginally off-licence, Slynd tablets are not suitable for vaginal administration.

Yes, drospirenone (the active ingredient in Slynd) has anti-mineralocorticoid properties, which means it can affect potassium levels in the body. For most women, this is not a problem and may actually help reduce bloating and water retention.

However, Slynd may not be suitable for women with kidney problems or those taking certain medications that affect potassium levels. Your doctor will assess this before prescribing and may recommend blood tests to monitor potassium levels if needed.

When Slynd is used as part of HRT, it is typically taken continuously (every day without a break), which means monthly bleeding should not occur. The continuous balance of oestrogen and progestogen helps keep the womb lining thin and stable.

However, some women may experience irregular bleeding or spotting, particularly in the first few months of treatment. This is common when starting HRT and usually settles with time.

If you experience unexpected or prolonged bleeding, it is important to discuss this with your doctor to ensure your treatment is working as it should.

There is no strong evidence that Slynd causes weight gain. In fact, because drospirenone has anti-mineralocorticoid properties, it may help reduce bloating and water retention, which some women experience with other progestogens.

However, every woman is different and side effects are deeply personal. If you are taking Slynd and worried about weight gain, it's worth tracking your symptoms and keeping a food diary to try and isolate what might be causing fluctuations in weight.

Slynd can be taken at any time of day, but it is important to take it at the same time each day for consistency. Choose a time that works best for you and fits into your daily routine.

If you have any questions about when to take Slynd, speak with your doctor.

No, you should not change your dose or stop taking Slynd without speaking to your clinician first. Slynd is prescribed at a fixed dose of 4 mg daily for HRT use, and adjusting this without guidance could mean your womb lining is inadequately protected. If your current treatment is causing side effects or you have concerns about how it is working, contact your Voy clinician. There are other progestogen options available if Slynd does not suit you, and your clinician can guide any changes.