Cap or diaphragm vs Combined pill
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£From £0.16/day
Overview
Rated 3.8
16 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
84% - 94%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.8
2797 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
Increased
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
Combined pill ingredients
Main hormones in Combined pill
progestogen
oestrogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Acne or bad skin
Heavy periods
PMS and PMDD
PCOS symptoms
Period pain
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Add your cap or diaphragm review
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£From £0.16/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Cap or diaphragm reviews
16 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Dec 25
I decided to invest in the Caya diaphragm since I was determined to find a non-hormonal method I could use that wouldn’t impact sex too much (I get irritation with condoms and the copper coil moved out of place pretty much immediately). I really wanted it to work but unfortunately it was way too uncomfortable during sex. It feels like there’s just way too much ‘stuff’ inside me. And I think it obstructs my natural wetness (I suspect that’s why some people mention a lot of discharge upon removal). My partner also said while he could definitely feel it, it wasn’t uncomfortable. I’d choose condoms over the diaphragm unfortunately. Hope this helps :)
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Apr 25
I’ve enjoyed using the cap around my fertile window but struggle to feel 100% confident I have inserted it correctly. When removing the cap I notice a lot of discharge but not after use, only when removing. Way better than the pill or condoms for me.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 24
Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th Dec 25
I decided to invest in the Caya diaphragm since I was determined to find a non-hormonal method I could use that wouldn’t impact sex too much (I get irritation with condoms and the copper coil moved out of place pretty much immediately). I really wanted it to work but unfortunately it was way too uncomfortable during sex. It feels like there’s just way too much ‘stuff’ inside me. And I think it obstructs my natural wetness (I suspect that’s why some people mention a lot of discharge upon removal). My partner also said while he could definitely feel it, it wasn’t uncomfortable. I’d choose condoms over the diaphragm unfortunately. Hope this helps :)
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Apr 25
I’ve enjoyed using the cap around my fertile window but struggle to feel 100% confident I have inserted it correctly. When removing the cap I notice a lot of discharge but not after use, only when removing. Way better than the pill or condoms for me.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 24
Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Combined pill reviews
2797 reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I was on Rigevidon when I was 20, switched to mini-pill then the coil. I asked to go back on Rigevidon because it worked for me the last time. Cut to 29, I am miserable. My main side effects are - Extreme fatigue Nausea Mood swings / irritability Not feeling myself Brain fog Low sex drive Skin worsen Headaches Tender and swollen breasts I am at the GP tomorrow to be asked to change to a different kind of hormone and smaller dose. The nausea and tiredness I cannot take anymore.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Been on it for 2 weeks now and my anxiety has gotten so bad, should I wait 3months for my body to adjust or just switch?
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I started Microgynon30 becase my previous mini-pill (Cerelle) made me bleed every other week. Pharmacist advised the combined would regulate the periods. Unfortunately within 24h of starting Microgynon30 I have severely painful breasts, swollen and itchy (I went up a full cup size and it's not fun, I can't fit into my bras and running has become impossible). Nipples are itchy and sensitive and get scabby and dry. I have sore muscles as if I was constantly PMSing. The worst side effect though has been migraines with aura. Never had migraines in my life before, and now I do. I'm gonna switch to Slynd now, I don't ever wanna go back on a combined pill ever again.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
I was on Rigevidon when I was 20, switched to mini-pill then the coil. I asked to go back on Rigevidon because it worked for me the last time. Cut to 29, I am miserable. My main side effects are - Extreme fatigue Nausea Mood swings / irritability Not feeling myself Brain fog Low sex drive Skin worsen Headaches Tender and swollen breasts I am at the GP tomorrow to be asked to change to a different kind of hormone and smaller dose. The nausea and tiredness I cannot take anymore.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
Been on it for 2 weeks now and my anxiety has gotten so bad, should I wait 3months for my body to adjust or just switch?
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I started Microgynon30 becase my previous mini-pill (Cerelle) made me bleed every other week. Pharmacist advised the combined would regulate the periods. Unfortunately within 24h of starting Microgynon30 I have severely painful breasts, swollen and itchy (I went up a full cup size and it's not fun, I can't fit into my bras and running has become impossible). Nipples are itchy and sensitive and get scabby and dry. I have sore muscles as if I was constantly PMSing. The worst side effect though has been migraines with aura. Never had migraines in my life before, and now I do. I'm gonna switch to Slynd now, I don't ever wanna go back on a combined pill ever again.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Only lasted a month on this pill as it made me incredibly low and irritable. Severe bloating
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Generally my mood on it was brilliant however it caused severe bloating and cravings so I gained weight
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I have tried a few contraceptives including the implant, mini pill and a different combined pill before landing on this one and it was by far the best. Lighter periods, can predict them starting to the hour. No cramps or pains or nausea which i did have before contraception. I do have hormonal headache leading up to and during the break week. Moods were awful on the progesterone only pills but on gedarel I am very level to the point of sometimes feeling a bit numb.
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I have been happy with this pill and haven’t really noticed anything significant and has been working as it should, however over the past 15ish months i have been having recurring thrush and i have worked it down to i believe being this pill. i have gone to the pharmacy today and gotten a new pill to try so fingers crossed but yeah turns out thrush is a symptom i believe 1 in 10 people on it
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Brilliant medication, the bio identical oestrogen is definitely kinder and easier to manage. I managed to gain weight and keep it, it's something I struggled with massively before. I have nicer bust size too 😁. Tbh is better than Eloine and I have less tension in my body. I recommend it to neurodiverse ppl for certain.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I have been taking for a month now and I was TERRIFIED after trying rigevidon when I was 16 (I’m 24 now). I have PMS (I believe PMDD) so I got to the point where I was desperate for help. My acne, fatigue and low moods were just too much for life and I needed to do something about it! The first couple of weeks I felt a tiny bit nauseous (no where near as bad as rigevidon which I assume is bc of the lower oestrogen in Eloine) and I got some night sweats which have calmed down also after a couple of weeks. I have also experienced some slight fluttering anxiety and heavy chest when I wake up (I take it at 11pm due to my schedule) which isn’t ideal but as someone who used to be extremely anxious I haven’t found this particularly overwhelming or affecting my life. It hasn’t been through the day so I believe it’s because of the time I am taking it but not a major issue. I have insatiable hunger but again, as someone who didn’t eat much and had low appetite (especially the week leading up to my period) this has had a majorly positive effect on my life, I’m fuelling myself more which is probably also helping my fatigue and mood in itself! Regarding weight gain, I have had no water retention type of weight gain from it, any weight gain will be due to eating more bc of the hunger but personally I have not noticed any gain yet. However, PMDD wise, it has changed my life so far. The week I usually feel down and sleep 14 hours I didn’t even realise that week had passed (I’m taking it continuously without the placebos). No acne, no low moods no fatigue, I just finally feel normal 🙏🏻 If you’re looking into this for PMS and PMDD that is becoming too much, I would honestly give this a go. As someone who had awful nausea with rigevidon, it took me two years to get the courage to try another but I’m so so happy I did. I used to spend the PMDD weeks struggling and my normal weeks recovering, now every week is just normal
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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