Cap or diaphragm vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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Cap or diaphragm

Add your cap or diaphragm review

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Overview

Rated 3.8

16 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

84% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1452 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

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.

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

88% no impact on mood

88% no change

94% no impact

100% no impact

83% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

32% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

49% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% 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

Period pain

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Add your cap or diaphragm review

Try it now

£From £0.22/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cap or diaphragm reviews

16 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Cap or diaphragm  

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 :)

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Apr 25

Cap or diaphragm  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Cap or diaphragm  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Apr 25

Cap or diaphragm  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 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


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1452 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerazette pill  

I started the pill 12 months ago and it was fine for the first 2 months,no pain or anything but then i started bleeding and i havnt stopped bleeding for 10 months straight,it ranges in how heavy it is but it is constant everyday


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

My overall experience on this pill was a very negative one. I was on this pill for 12 months. I'm hoping to switch to the coil in January, still deciding which one, the copper or Mirena. I am 42 years old. On the mini pill I was emotional, very irritable and anxiety was through the roof. I could be okay one minute then the next I could flip a switch and be kicking off over minor things. I had racing thoughts most of the time which led me to be crying and causing my anxiety to be out of control. The spotting and breakthrough bleeding were horrendous which led to heavy clotting and sometimes it would happen unexpectingly. Sex most of the time wasn't happening due to this. The stomach cramps are so painful and because of this I felt unmotivated to do any hobbies and lost interest. I describe my hair as fine but I noticed it started to really thin and fall out which has led me to have low self-esteem and not wanting to engage in social events.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd pill  

This pill made me feel emotionally empty and depressed. I know it wasn't placebo because I'm a pretty anxious person, and have tried everything to get rid of anxiety, without much success! A week on this pill and I had absolutely no anxiety because I had absolutely no emotions. I'm also a very motivated person normally, but I found it really hard to just get out of bed and function. It was wild. Took it for 2 weeks and then stopped, couldn't find any hard evidence that side effects improve after 3 months, and I genuinely didn't have time to be that unproductive and miserable for more than a couple of weeks.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Cerazette pill  

I started the pill 12 months ago and it was fine for the first 2 months,no pain or anything but then i started bleeding and i havnt stopped bleeding for 10 months straight,it ranges in how heavy it is but it is constant everyday


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

My overall experience on this pill was a very negative one. I was on this pill for 12 months. I'm hoping to switch to the coil in January, still deciding which one, the copper or Mirena. I am 42 years old. On the mini pill I was emotional, very irritable and anxiety was through the roof. I could be okay one minute then the next I could flip a switch and be kicking off over minor things. I had racing thoughts most of the time which led me to be crying and causing my anxiety to be out of control. The spotting and breakthrough bleeding were horrendous which led to heavy clotting and sometimes it would happen unexpectingly. Sex most of the time wasn't happening due to this. The stomach cramps are so painful and because of this I felt unmotivated to do any hobbies and lost interest. I describe my hair as fine but I noticed it started to really thin and fall out which has led me to have low self-esteem and not wanting to engage in social events.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Slynd pill  

This pill made me feel emotionally empty and depressed. I know it wasn't placebo because I'm a pretty anxious person, and have tried everything to get rid of anxiety, without much success! A week on this pill and I had absolutely no anxiety because I had absolutely no emotions. I'm also a very motivated person normally, but I found it really hard to just get out of bed and function. It was wild. Took it for 2 weeks and then stopped, couldn't find any hard evidence that side effects improve after 3 months, and I genuinely didn't have time to be that unproductive and miserable for more than a couple of weeks.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Cerelle pill  

Ive been on cerelle for 2 months so far but that is long enough. My hair and skin are extremely greasy all the time, i’m so moody and I keep getting bursts of anger. I have food cravings too so I have gained some weight! Sex drive did increase slightly


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Norgeston pill  

I went on norgeston because although i didnt get many side effects on desogestrel, i did suffer from hairloss. I think it has given me less regulation over my anxiety and notnreally done anything to reduce pain from adenomyosis but other contraceptives disagree with me (to the point I have painfully expelled 2 mirena coils).


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Cerelle pill  

I’ve been on 3 different mini pills over the last 6 months and I have bled every single day since. 3 months ago I was recommended to double dose and take 2 mini pills a day to try and stop the bleeding. (I was previously on the combined pill and loved it but not allowed now as history of migraines with aura) It made no difference and actually made them heavier by the last month. Doctors just kept trying me on a different mini pill hoping it would stop the bleeding, so obviously my hormones have been all over the shop, when I would change to a new pill I couldn’t stop crying. It felt like no one really cared until today I sat in the doctors and just cried saying I just want someone to listen to me. I am now considering the hormonal coil.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desorex pill  

The mini-pill has been a life saver for me. I’ve always struggled with combined pills, trying so many to control horrible periods and always having awful side effects. Since first trying the mini pill, I had spotting for about a week, and I haven’t had anything since, it’s been three years! The only side effect I have is that my skin is very sensitive and breaks out easily like it did before I started taking oral contraceptives, which started again about two months in, but it’s worth it for the benefits for me. No mood swings, no migraines, no bleeding, no hair loss, no weight gain, just a bit of manageable acne!


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
64 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  

Im a trans needing to help my breast fuller


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
64 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  

Im a trans for estrogen therapy to help with my breast


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Cerelle pill  

Good experience, not experienced many side effects.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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