Cap or diaphragm vs Combined pill

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Cap or diaphragm

Want to switch contraception?

Combined pill

£From £0.16/day

Overview

Rated 3.9

14 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

84% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.8

2457 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Cap or diaphragm ingredients

A contraceptive diaphragm or cap is a circular dome made of thin soft silicone although they come in different shapes sizes and materials. You need to use it with a gel that kills sperm called spermicide. The most common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9.

Combined pill ingredients

Main hormones in Combined pill

progestogen

oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

86% no impact on mood

86% no change

93% no impact

100% no impact

75% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

32% somewhat negative

46% lighter periods

46% lost sex drive

48% no impact

44% improved skin

Cycle return

36% don’t know impact

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

Try it now

Want to switch contraception?

Try it now

£From £0.16/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

14 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th May 24

Cap or diaphragm  

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.

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

Cap or diaphragm  

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 23

Cap or diaphragm  

I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!


Very positive mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th May 24

Cap or diaphragm  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

Cap or diaphragm  

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

1 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 23

Cap or diaphragm  

I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!


Very positive mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments


Combined pill reviews

2457 reviews

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Drovelis pill  

Good


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Lizinna pill  

I moved on to this from Cilique due to a shortage. At first I didn't notice any side effects or difference from cilique, but as the months went on (started around 3 months onwards) I noticed that the pill seemed to trigger my cold sores every single month, at least 1 week prior to my period starting. I've never had them triggered by hormones before and this is a big reason for coming off this pill. Looking back I also can see my sex drive dramatically reduced, but this could be also due to the cold sores.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

Originally went on the contraceptive pill to control and ease very painful and heavy periods, it helped and made my periods regular and easier to deal with. However, around 12 months in I began having regular migraines with aura which are dangerous when using this pill, it was an amazing pill other than that major side effect I had no emotional affect because of it.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Drovelis pill  

Good


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Lizinna pill  

I moved on to this from Cilique due to a shortage. At first I didn't notice any side effects or difference from cilique, but as the months went on (started around 3 months onwards) I noticed that the pill seemed to trigger my cold sores every single month, at least 1 week prior to my period starting. I've never had them triggered by hormones before and this is a big reason for coming off this pill. Looking back I also can see my sex drive dramatically reduced, but this could be also due to the cold sores.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Microgynon 30 pill  

Originally went on the contraceptive pill to control and ease very painful and heavy periods, it helped and made my periods regular and easier to deal with. However, around 12 months in I began having regular migraines with aura which are dangerous when using this pill, it was an amazing pill other than that major side effect I had no emotional affect because of it.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 8+ yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Lizinna pill  

Very few side effects other than a bit of breast tenderness and nausea in the first couple of months. Since then I've had much lighter periods and it helped with breakouts


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Rigevidon  

I used this pill continuously but my body rejected it. I had 2 breakthrough spotting bleeds every 6 months but after 1 and a ½ years I had a full blown period while on the pill. So I had to come off it. Had no issues on it other than that because I have endometriosis, the pain built up and during self pleasure I'd get debilitating cramps. This stopped after coming off the pill. However no one talks about how hard it is to come off the pill. Your hormones are bring shifted and changed and the emotional toll is so harsh. I've had the worst anxiety and paranoia and it's really hard.


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Yacella pill  

Initially I thought that Yacella was suiting me, I had no noticeable side effects, I was able to take it straight away and not have any nausea etc. It was only after a year I noticed how much thinner my hair had become since taking this pill and also had affected my hair texture (I have naturally curly hair and on this pill it was getting straighter). I decided to come off Yacella and since my hair has started to return to its natural texture and thickness. Ironically I went on Yacella as it’s meant to prevent hair loss, even encourage hair growth!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Rigevidon  

I was weary to go on Rigevidon after switching from a mini pill which caused non stop bleeding and decreased sex drive however, I was positively surprised. For me I found the side effects minimal if not positive: clearer skin and slightly bigger boobs. I take it without a break which means I only bleed every few months and find it a convenient method of contraception.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Dretine pill  

Ive been given this pill as a substitute for yasmin from my pharmacy and the last few months ive suffered alot of hormonal issues. I only linked all my issues ater googling why I had spots in each ear that has never happened before. It said its due to hormonal problems and then I realised all my other problems such as mouth ulcers every week, migraine, increased acne on my face and spots in my ear are down to this pill. I never had any problems like this on other contraceptions so I wont be using this again.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Gedarel 20/150 pill  

Have been using Gedarel for 2 weeks now, the initial side effects in week 1 were strong.I got dizzy, was nauseous and slightly depressed.By week 2 I didn't feel as bad, my boobs started to hurt and I got light cramping, my moods are still up and down but not as severely.Overall ive had mild symptoms.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Combined pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Rigevidon  

I was put on Rigevidon to help my pms and OCD symptoms which worsened the week before and during my period. I was on this pill for a month only and had to stop because of the side effects; the first day I took it i vomited in the middle of the night and every time I took this pill i would feel some sort of nausea. It made my mood much worse, I was uncontrollably sobbing almost every day and would frequently get very annoyed and shout at my family. It also worsened my OCD a lot which was triggered by my mood. I felt a lot better coming off of it.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Cap or diaphragm with other contraceptives

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