Cap or diaphragm vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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£From £0.22/day
Overview
Rated 3.9
15 reviews
During or before sex
Frequency
84% - 94%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1395 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Cap or diaphragm ingredients
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
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
Period pain
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£From £0.22/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Cap or diaphragm reviews
15 reviews
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 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jan 24
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
2 helpful
2 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 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jan 24
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
2 helpful
2 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1395 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I really wanted to write about my positive experience as most people write reviews when they have a negative experience, for me the Cerazette has been really good, it improved my feeling of being in balance and lessened mood swings, it did not effect my libido, in fact in the beginning I noticed a higher libido, but most importantly I suffer from migraines with aura and since I started taking this a month ago I didn’t have an intense migraine, just one or two mild days and I normally have 2/3 days per week so in a month 8 at least. The only negative things are not too bad: I have very tender breasts which became a bit bigger but I heard this might go away after 3 months or so and I got a little bit of acne but nothing too crazy and this also usually settles after taking it consistently for a few month. All in all for me it’s truly been life changing.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The first 3-5 months were a bit rough, having sex would cause me to get a period and sometimes was painful. I also was definitely more emotional than before. It all calms down over time, I’ve been on it for almost 3 years now and it was the best decision i get very occasionally spotting and cramps if i miss a pill or two but overall I like it
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Got pregnant on it because I wasn’t taking it properly, since having my son and ensuring to take it regularly I have had no issues
Improved skin
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 week ago
I really wanted to write about my positive experience as most people write reviews when they have a negative experience, for me the Cerazette has been really good, it improved my feeling of being in balance and lessened mood swings, it did not effect my libido, in fact in the beginning I noticed a higher libido, but most importantly I suffer from migraines with aura and since I started taking this a month ago I didn’t have an intense migraine, just one or two mild days and I normally have 2/3 days per week so in a month 8 at least. The only negative things are not too bad: I have very tender breasts which became a bit bigger but I heard this might go away after 3 months or so and I got a little bit of acne but nothing too crazy and this also usually settles after taking it consistently for a few month. All in all for me it’s truly been life changing.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
The first 3-5 months were a bit rough, having sex would cause me to get a period and sometimes was painful. I also was definitely more emotional than before. It all calms down over time, I’ve been on it for almost 3 years now and it was the best decision i get very occasionally spotting and cramps if i miss a pill or two but overall I like it
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Went on the mini pill at 16 for 3 years. The first 9 months I bled pretty constantly (no cramps at least) then bled randomly most months. Bleeding was usually light and unpainful. My mood swings were awful and my skin broke out and got so much worse (quite discouraging after being on accutane). Didn’t notice any weight gain or other side effects. I later changed to the combined pill to try and help my skin but this caused other issues (high blood pressure, recurrent yeast infections) so last week I got the copper IUD! Would not recommend. As a 16 year old the doctor did not give me much information about my choice and the impact it would have on me. She just said “if you trust your boyfriend you don’t need to use condoms now” …
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was on Microgynon 30 for almost 8 years and I never had any issues! I changed 3 months ago to the progesterone only pill (Desogesterel) due to my friend getting a blood clot from microgynon, and within a month I began getting spots all over my jawline! I have now had constant spots for 2 months. I also have breakthrough bleeding which I never had on Microgynon. I will be heading back to the pharmacy to discuss my options
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I started using slynd around 6 months ago for period control due to heavy flow and pain Initially I felt optimistic I never took the placebo green pills as I was on tricycling method I still had a period every month with ovarian pain I had a 4 week spotting episode I’ve had 3 utis which I never had in my life every month for the last 3 My sex drive dropped off the earth and there was none My mood went from frantic cycling cleaning the house and obsessing over things to emotionally crying before feeling stupid and back to normal The biggest thing for me was hair loss at least half my hair fell Out in week one I stayed commuted thinking it would get better until bald patches started to appear in month 5 that’s when I jd enough I also had graphic nightmares waking up with sweating so bad my sheets were soaked Since finished this pill I feel like I’m getting back to me with no mood swings or low mood I am 38 and maybe I needed some Oestrogen to balance it out this pill was not for me
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I swapped from the combined pill to Cerazette because I was having anxiety, dizziness and low libido. These have both improved since changing. The most annoying thing has been inconsistent bleeding and spotting. I won’t bleed for 3 months then will have spotting out of nowhere for 3 weeks. I have also got acne on my chin which I didn’t have before. Overall though these extra inconveniences have far outweighed the reduced anxiety, dizziness and libido issues.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I’m very satisfied with the pill. I only been taking it for few weeks but my mental health improved so much ! I can’t actually believe it. I used to suffer mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations . None of this is happening . Very happy. No side effects either
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1st Jun 25
I was so concerned about weight gain and mood changes but have not experienced this. I have barely any side effects and have had a really positive experience!
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th May 25
I use this pill in combination with a copper coil and it has helped enormously with my PMDD symptoms. I used to really struggle around ovulation with feeling very unwell and now that I don’t have a cycle everything is a lot calmer. I’ve had some spotting and I’m sweating more but it’s much better than having hellish and painful periods. I now don’t have periods at all, which is so much less stressful. I feel like I can finally enjoy my life.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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