Cap or diaphragm vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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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
1427 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
1427 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I have been on this pill just over a month and the side effects have been horrendous. I have felt suicidal and utterly depressed everyday, I feel as though I am completely not myself. I have insomnia and wake in the night with intense anxiety and my hands are shaking. I have had bleeding for the past week, extreme hunger, weight gain and feeling so angry I could punch someone. Would NOT recommend this at all, it's dangerous for women. Going to stop taking today as I can't keep feeling like this.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I have been using the pill for around 6 months and I keep getting irregular bleeding whilst taking the pill. I take my pill everyday but somehow seem to bleed anyway it’s not spotting as people say it’s heavier like a normal period. It changed my mood within seconds and keeps giving me my Period every 2-3 weeks.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 day ago
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I have been on this pill just over a month and the side effects have been horrendous. I have felt suicidal and utterly depressed everyday, I feel as though I am completely not myself. I have insomnia and wake in the night with intense anxiety and my hands are shaking. I have had bleeding for the past week, extreme hunger, weight gain and feeling so angry I could punch someone. Would NOT recommend this at all, it's dangerous for women. Going to stop taking today as I can't keep feeling like this.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I have been using the pill for around 6 months and I keep getting irregular bleeding whilst taking the pill. I take my pill everyday but somehow seem to bleed anyway it’s not spotting as people say it’s heavier like a normal period. It changed my mood within seconds and keeps giving me my Period every 2-3 weeks.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
After years of being on no contraception I decided to give the Mini Pill another go. It worked for me several years ago but began impacting my mental health so I stopped. This time round I have been more in tune with my body. The first 3-5 days I had itchy nipples. I’ve gained 4kg in a month and my diet hasn’t changed. I have had a headache and neck pain since day one, if I didn’t keep on top of pain relief it would come back. I already have acne prone skin which has took years to get under control and within the first week I developed cystic acne. I’ve felt myself snapping at others in my house over silly things and also felt unable to make decisions. They say to give it 3 months to settle into your system but it’s a no go for me. I cannot deal with the daily head and neck pain, acne and mood issues - so back to condoms we go.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Everything seems ok only issue is that period has fully stopped. Unsure if i should be concerned.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
It's great to stop your period but after being on it for a long time losing weight is almost impossible.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Started taking Slynd to help with heavy periods and cramping. First month was fine, felt a little extra emotional. Second month I got my period two weeks before I was supposed to and I am still bleeding after two weeks. Crazy cramping, clotting, heavy bleeding. Had a day or two in there that was light or medium. Poking around on Reddit this seems quite common. Most people stop, not a lot of folks talking about continuing and it levelling out. Waiting to see.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Constant low mood, lack of energy and motivation, brain fog, bloating, cramping most of the month, breakthrough bleeding data 10 - 22 of pills for 3 months.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I was put on this pill to manage endometriosis. I had clear skin for years, and after around a month of desogetrel I experienced a massive flare up in cystic acne on chin and cheeks. I also gained 6 kilos in 3 months. I would not recommend.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I had break through bleeding most weeks for my first 6 months of this pill, then everything was great, however for my final 5 months of the pill I bled again every single day. I decided to come off as it was negatively effecting my mood from the bleeding and also felt zero emotions towards sex or excitement - just felt generally 'meh'.
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
2 helpful
0 comments
Women's health, reviewed.
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