Cap or diaphragm vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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 :)

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.

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.

I was put on this after being diagnosed with PMDD. I was wary to go on a hormonal pill after having a horrible time when I was a teenager on the combined pill but this has been lifechanging. I was losing 2 weeks out of the month due to my mood, especially with my AUDHD too. I have now got them back. I feel so much more level and calm. For the first 3 months, I had vaginal dryness (which made sex painful), spotting and nausea but this has now completely gone away. My bloating has also subsided a little and my boobs have grown A LOT, which Im not complaining about haha. My hot flashes have got slightly worse but I had them anyway with my ADHD meds and POTs. I am very relieved that this has worked as it has given me my life back. Try and stick with it for 3-4 months before giving up, as im so glad I did.

I have mild adenomyosis and pcos, i wanted to try out a POP before a method with estrogen or inserting something I need a healthcare specialist to take out. In the end I couldn’t stick this out for the 3 months that they advise. Since starting I’ve had different side effects. The first week was bad reflux, the second week I had leg cramps, then I had 3 weeks of a constant thumping in my head with a headache that comes and goes, I was referred for an MRV and told to stop the pill. It’s been a week since I’ve stopped, every day the thumping has gotten quieter, no sudden “hits” in my head and today it’s finally gone. For whatever reason, it’s not for me. I will admit it did lighten my bleeding and it looked like it was on its way to stopping, but it never actually stopped completely before the headaches started.

The first 2 years on this pill was fine, my moods were neutral and my periods stopped completely. However, this is my 3rd year using it and I’ve started growing darker facial hair on my chin and I’ve become more irritable with occasional breakthrough bleeding. Not sure if my body has just changed hormonally as I’ve grown older and doesn’t agree with Desorex anymore. My pharmacist recommended swapping to Noriday, so shall see how that goes and whether it improves my symptoms despite containing a higher amount of androgen than Desorex.

My side effects were all fine (basically non-existent) on Desogestrel besides very regular bleeding/spotting. The first 2-3 months were okay with a period-like bleed every 3 or 4 weeks with cramps too (although a lot less painful than my usual periods). But then the frequency increased. I tried to wait it out but after 7 months I was still experiencing spotting/bleeding every other week. Besides this I would’ve stayed on it and had no other problems. I’ve now changed to a combined pill which will hopefully make me bleed less.

I was put on Desogestrel after being on the combined pill (Rigevidon) for many years, but I was suffering from migraines. I was on Desogestral for roughly 5 months, and didn't have a single migraine for the entire time. I also had started to get period like cramps when taking the combined pill, but not when I was actually on my period. This also completely vanished for me which was great. Unfortunately the one big down side for me, which has caused me to try another type of mini pill was that I ended up having more days than not where I was bleeding. It wasn't always a lot, but it was always on my mind, and I didn't know which days would be clear and which would be not clear. Some days the bleeding would fade out but it might start like I was on my period, causing me to use a pad just in case it carried on. I stuck with it as the mentioned pros were so good that I really wanted it to work for me but in the end I just couldn't stand having more days that I bled than not, and I never felt like I could relax.

Ive been on this pill for over 5 months and I’m stopping. When I started about a month in I got horrible acne breakouts but I started using benzoyl peroxide and now it’s okay. I’ve had 3-4 periods and each one I’ve bled for weeks at a time so I am switching to a different one

Would have been ok apart from the bile acid diarrhoea anytime I ate anything with fat in it! Thought I was lactose intolerant, stopped pill and suddenly I could eat dairy again! Weird, went on it again after having my son and the diarrhoea suddenly came back doctors said it couldn’t be the pill but I’m not on it now and after 3 weeks no more diarrhoea. Bit of an odd coincidence if it’s not the pill

Vaginal atrophy, painful sex, painful urination, extreme constipation, right sided abdominal pain that felt like being stabbed (caused by constipation), dizziness from low blood pressure, fainting, extreme anxiety, chest pain, high cortisol, insomnia, depression, crying a lot, depression, dry skin, thirst,

Vaginal atrophy, vulvar pain, painful sex zero libido, constipation so bad I went to a&e, caused horrible right sided abdominal pain, very dry skin, extreme anxiety, chest pain, insomnia, depression, low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting, over all sucked, took a few months before side effects hit

I was taking Desogestrel for a year and was super happy with it no issues only a small three day period every few months everything seemed great. All of a sudden in the last month I have bled and bled even though I take my pill at the same time everyday. I was so upset and my mood went really low and I’m usually a very happy positively spirited person I have had no issues with mental health before. I believe it was because I was given a different brand of Desogestrel in my last 3 months it was called desorex (gold packaging) I have spoken to 3 girls at my work and they have all had the same problem absolutely fine until they started this brand of pill. The best advice I can give is stick to the brand you know and get on with! As the side effects and changes do differ so much even though they tell you Desogestrel tablets are all the same (they aren’t!!!) I have switched to slynd and my bleeding has completely gone, my mood is happy and normal and I feel healthy on it! I’m also glad to have a 4 day break to have a natural period as it gives me my cycle predictability back! It’s basically like a combined pill but no risk of blood clots which was my biggest worry! My skin is the same I just have small breakouts on my chin sometimes but that’s very normal to me, I don’t feel bloated and my weight has stayed the same. My boobs have definitely got bigger on this though could be temporary I’m not sure. Please try this pill if Desogestrel doesn’t work for you and you still want to be on a mini pill! Within 2 weeks it’s completely changed me making me happy and able to enjoy my sex life again without bleeding all the time! I will update this if anything changes :)