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
1407 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
1407 reviews
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was taking the contraception to stop painful periods or although I wasn’t any physical pain, my mental health went in freefall.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
It feels nice not having a period. But I’ve noticed I’ve become more spotty , I sweat more also & get thrush
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Has helped with PMDD symptoms, have not had a period since I’ve been using it. Complete loss of sex drive which I really don’t like.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I was taking the contraception to stop painful periods or although I wasn’t any physical pain, my mental health went in freefall.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
It feels nice not having a period. But I’ve noticed I’ve become more spotty , I sweat more also & get thrush
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
Has helped with PMDD symptoms, have not had a period since I’ve been using it. Complete loss of sex drive which I really don’t like.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I spotted for 3 months straight, but then stopped periods all together. I felt a bit sick after taking it, so i should’ve probably taken it after food or at night but i took in the morning. I feel like it made me quite anxious, but i’ve been off it for two years and still have anxiety problems so i’m not 100% whether it’s related! The sickness feeling made me feel quite nervous i think. No other side effects.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Compared to other mini pills ive tried, this one has the least side effects by far. The side effects I do get include slightly reduced sex drive, very sore breasts and I cry more easily. All of them are managable though.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Ive been on this pill for a few years..Mood okay most of month but then after my period it seems to drop quite alot to low levels..which concerned me when im not depressed.. sore breasts at times .bleeding very little .no spotting.. but that could be my age. Sex drive okay. Skin seems okay- normal acne. I'm might try cerazette see if it helps mood issue.
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
i’m not sure if it is normal but i have been on this pill for 3 months. a week into the taking the pill my period finally came back after around 100 days. since then ive had very irregular periods often bleeding for extended periods of time and also spotting more often with the periods being closer together. i have also experienced much more mood changes as i have felt somewhat more depressed on this pill. this might just be my experience and might also be influenced by the fact i am still going through pubity as i’m 16 yet i still can’t stop thinking that something is wrong .
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I’m was happy with the mini pill as I took it while breastfeeding my son, however as soon as I weaned him my periods came back but they were all over the place. I bled for nearly 2 weeks straight then it finally stopped, but only for 3 days then it started again. If it wasn’t for this issue I’d have kept using the mini pill but I couldn’t deal with it anymore as it was preventing me from living my life normally
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th Jul 25
Started this purely to help my skin after experiencing constant hormonal breakouts, which it did clear up and meant I could eat however I wanted basically with no consequences on my skin (sugar and fatty foods). However I feel as thought the pill has really dampened my mood making me low level depressed all the time. Also experienced a decreased sex drive and lots of hair loss - but still unsure whether these are directly related.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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