Cilest pill vs Yasmin pill

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Cilest pill

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Yasmin pill

£From £0.21/day

Overview

Rated 3.1

78 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.9

202 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Cilest pill ingredients

Main hormones in Cilest pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Yasmin pill ingredients

Main hormones in Yasmin pill

Anti-Androgenic progestogen

Medium oestrogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

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£From £0.21/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Cilest pill reviews

78 reviews

Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

The first few years on this pill were okay, my skin cleared up and I had regular, light periods. My mood has been consistently low though, whether that was entirely due to the pill I'm not sure, the last few years have been stressful for everyone. The worst side effect I had was periodontal breakdown - I didn't know birth control pills were linked to this, but if I had, I probably would have stopped taken this pill sooner. I now need to spend loads of periodontal treatment.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Jul 23

  •  Still using

I've been using this pill since I was 17. I took a break for a progesterone only implant for a year which didn't work for me so I've moved back to cilest. This has worked as well as contraception can I think. Minimal side effects while my acne is much better. I take it until I break through bleed (about 10 weeks) to keep my endometriosis and adenomyosis at bay. It does the best any treatment at the moment can. I would note I have previously been told by my NHS GP that Cilest has been discontinued. At the advice of a pharmacist this isn't true, it's just simply more expensive than other pills so I have been able to continue using this pill.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Jun 23

  •  Stopped using

I began to get thrush very badly to the point the itching was excruciating. I would then get water infections which twice led to developing kidney infections. Before this pill I had only ever had cystitis and thrush once or twice and they weren't that bad and would go away quickly. On this pill, I was in a constant state of having thrush, a water infection, both. It was horrendous to the point I could barely leave the house. Nothing worked to treat it until I found Optibac probiotics for women which would keep them at bay somewhat but the only thing that really helped was stopping taking this pill and taking these probiotics. I cannot explain the impact this had on my life and the pain caused by having these conditions chronically.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

The first few years on this pill were okay, my skin cleared up and I had regular, light periods. My mood has been consistently low though, whether that was entirely due to the pill I'm not sure, the last few years have been stressful for everyone. The worst side effect I had was periodontal breakdown - I didn't know birth control pills were linked to this, but if I had, I probably would have stopped taken this pill sooner. I now need to spend loads of periodontal treatment.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Jul 23

  •  Still using

I've been using this pill since I was 17. I took a break for a progesterone only implant for a year which didn't work for me so I've moved back to cilest. This has worked as well as contraception can I think. Minimal side effects while my acne is much better. I take it until I break through bleed (about 10 weeks) to keep my endometriosis and adenomyosis at bay. It does the best any treatment at the moment can. I would note I have previously been told by my NHS GP that Cilest has been discontinued. At the advice of a pharmacist this isn't true, it's just simply more expensive than other pills so I have been able to continue using this pill.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Jun 23

  •  Stopped using

I began to get thrush very badly to the point the itching was excruciating. I would then get water infections which twice led to developing kidney infections. Before this pill I had only ever had cystitis and thrush once or twice and they weren't that bad and would go away quickly. On this pill, I was in a constant state of having thrush, a water infection, both. It was horrendous to the point I could barely leave the house. Nothing worked to treat it until I found Optibac probiotics for women which would keep them at bay somewhat but the only thing that really helped was stopping taking this pill and taking these probiotics. I cannot explain the impact this had on my life and the pain caused by having these conditions chronically.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments


Yasmin pill reviews

202 reviews

Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Much better than previous contraception I was on. Having to change to mini pill for health reasons


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I was on rigevidon for a few years which I found made me really emotionless and dull. I switched to this one bc of the different type of progesterone and found it gave me quite severe mood swings. I was annoyed with everyone around me and very self critical but then a day later I’d be absolutely fine. There was definitely a big change in my mood between the two pills.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I’ve been off Yasmin now since end of June 2023 and had the jaydess coil fitted in july. I feel so much better mentally and physically for being off it. The more I read about the combined pill the more I wish I had never been on it in the first place. It’s so wrong that drs just prescribe this method of contraception so quickly and to young girls, which alters your hormonal development. I wouldn’t recommend it


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Much better than previous contraception I was on. Having to change to mini pill for health reasons


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I was on rigevidon for a few years which I found made me really emotionless and dull. I switched to this one bc of the different type of progesterone and found it gave me quite severe mood swings. I was annoyed with everyone around me and very self critical but then a day later I’d be absolutely fine. There was definitely a big change in my mood between the two pills.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I’ve been off Yasmin now since end of June 2023 and had the jaydess coil fitted in july. I feel so much better mentally and physically for being off it. The more I read about the combined pill the more I wish I had never been on it in the first place. It’s so wrong that drs just prescribe this method of contraception so quickly and to young girls, which alters your hormonal development. I wouldn’t recommend it


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

First 3 packs were fine, in the 4th i developed SEVERE anxiety panic attacks daily which is SO unlike me, nothing ever stressed me out before. I also cried every day and felt like a completely different person. The anxiety caused me to not be able to drive or work due to lightheadedness and nausea and even just sitting on the sofa i had constant heart palpitations. It was so severe i had 111 on the phone and went to the hospital and i am not one to panic about my health. If you’re experiencing similar symptoms definitely come off this pill.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Aug 23

  •  Still using

I have been on this pill for many years, the main reason was problems with my skin. I was first on Dianette then changed to Yasmin. Since being on this pill I suffer with extreme headaches during my period. I did stop taking this pill last year for a procedure then started back on it after Christmas 2022, I have since gained lots of weight and my sex drive is nonexistent (poor husband) overall I do not recommend this pill.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Jul 23

  •  Still using

giving this one more month before i try a different one because so far my experience with yasmin has been extremely negative. some of my worst issues with it are the on and off nausea and cramps almost every day, as well as painful, sensitive, and swollen chest. i started taking this to reduce my period symptoms and pms, so it has been really annoying that it has not really improved any but instead given me them every day. i also didn't experience nausea before but now i have that which has also given me an irregular appetite. i became extremely emotional, low mood, crying most days, bad anxiety and low self esteem, and physically tired and slow too. also when i got to the pill break it felt just like my normal periods except with even more large clots. yasmin has made me feel really disheartened and i can only hope i have more luck with something else, or these side effects ease off


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jul 23

  •  Stopped using

Having been on the Yasmin pill since the age of 15yo, (for 15 years, currently 30yo) it’s difficult to pinpoint whether it’s the pill causing exaggerated anxiety , low moods, frustration, insecurities mood swings etc, or, if it’s just who I am, coupled with external stressors of everyday life! I don’t know who I am without it. With such a high dose of hormone, I can only believe this has impacted my mental health but then again typical women we doubt ourselves and dismiss it. The positives of taking the Yasmin pill , is that my skin has always been great, my periods regular, and fairly light. I think it made my boobs a little bigger, but then again , this could have just happened with getting older. The pill has allowed me to have more sexual freedom and manage my periods better, but I don’t think it’s worth the impact it’s had on my mood. I’ve recently had the Jaydess hormonal coil fitted and I look forward in hope that this will be the better option for me & I can start to learn about who I am off the pill. Good luck everyone x


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 5 yr
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Jul 23

  •  Stopped using

This pill was ok. I was on it for years and it suited me well aside from the extremely low libido and vaginal dryness. When having sex, I had to use lube every single time. I came off the pill because I felt like a zombie. I felt like I had no emotions, I was numb. I did feel better after I came off it, I felt I could feel my emotions more.


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Jul 23

  •  Stopped using

I did really like this pill. I felt the symptoms were minimal and I enjoyed being able to run packs together and skip periods. I unfortunately developed a cervical ectropion due to too much estrogen in my body, so had to come off this pill


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jul 23

  •  Stopped using

I was previously on many different combined pills for 11 years I came off it due to my relationship breaking up I had over 1year of all contraception and I was a changed person, so happy and relaxed. I got into a new relationship and went onto the Yasmin pill, which was the worst thing I could have ever done, it drove me crazy I was crying all the time, so sad and emotional, very insecure and argumentative, I also had no desire to do anything or go anywhere! I came off it after 5 months and I will continue to use condoms for the foreseeable as I am not afraid to use any other contraception.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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