Patch vs Cap or diaphragm

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Patch

£From £0.32/day

Cap or diaphragm

Add your cap or diaphragm review

Overview

Rated 3.4

109 reviews

Weekly

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

Increased

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 3.9

15 reviews

During or before sex

Frequency

84% - 94%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Patch ingredients

Main hormones in Patch

progestogen

oestrogen

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.

What Lowdown reviewers say

35% no impact on mood

35% lighter periods

51% no impact

50% no impact

44% no impact on skin

Cycle return

37% don’t know impact

87% no impact on mood

87% no change

93% no impact

100% no impact

80% no impact on skin

Cycle return

50% in 1 month

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Acne or bad skin

Heavy periods

PMS and PMDD

PCOS symptoms

Period pain

There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Try it now

£From £0.32/day

Try it now

Add your cap or diaphragm review

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Patch reviews

109 reviews

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Evra patch  

I went back on the patch a few months ago as it's probably my most preferred form of contraception (I'm often not on any and am reluctant to use anything but needs must). I actually have fallen pregnant on the patch in the past and have a 5 year old son to show for it but so far this time round it seems to be doing the job. Pros: It's so easy to use, changing once a week is so much easier than trying to remember a pill each day. I usually use the whole pack back to back so appreciate less frequent periods. It stays put with no issue at all. Cons: My moods have been awful, to the point I feel quite depressed some of the time, I'm crying a lot and not coping with challenges very well as I normally would. My periods are generally heavier, I have a couple of days of constantly leaking through tampons in a very short space of time. I'm getting headaches quite regularly which won't shift with painkillers. Also feel nauseous quite often. This month have started breakthrough bleeding after just a couple of weeks since last patch free week. Overall, not loving it at the moment. However I've had such bad experiences with other forms of contraception that I still think this is the best of a bad bunch. Really rate the convenience of it. No noticeable difference to weight or skin thankfully.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Mar 25

Evra patch  

I don't like it. It makes me feel sad, like full-time pms. I've cried most days on it. I get headaches and I never used to. My friends say I don't seem like myself. My sex drive is lower. I was spotting for the first 6 weeks. Pluses are decreased risk of pregnancy, being able to skip a break and less heavy period/breakthrough bleeding so iron levels are easier to control. It's easy to use and so far has stayed on well (we'll see if this is still the case in summer). I like that if I wanted to stop using it I can remove it myself.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 25

Evra patch  

Breast tenderness and headaches


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

1 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4 days ago

Evra patch  

I went back on the patch a few months ago as it's probably my most preferred form of contraception (I'm often not on any and am reluctant to use anything but needs must). I actually have fallen pregnant on the patch in the past and have a 5 year old son to show for it but so far this time round it seems to be doing the job. Pros: It's so easy to use, changing once a week is so much easier than trying to remember a pill each day. I usually use the whole pack back to back so appreciate less frequent periods. It stays put with no issue at all. Cons: My moods have been awful, to the point I feel quite depressed some of the time, I'm crying a lot and not coping with challenges very well as I normally would. My periods are generally heavier, I have a couple of days of constantly leaking through tampons in a very short space of time. I'm getting headaches quite regularly which won't shift with painkillers. Also feel nauseous quite often. This month have started breakthrough bleeding after just a couple of weeks since last patch free week. Overall, not loving it at the moment. However I've had such bad experiences with other forms of contraception that I still think this is the best of a bad bunch. Really rate the convenience of it. No noticeable difference to weight or skin thankfully.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Patch  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Mar 25

Evra patch  

I don't like it. It makes me feel sad, like full-time pms. I've cried most days on it. I get headaches and I never used to. My friends say I don't seem like myself. My sex drive is lower. I was spotting for the first 6 weeks. Pluses are decreased risk of pregnancy, being able to skip a break and less heavy period/breakthrough bleeding so iron levels are easier to control. It's easy to use and so far has stayed on well (we'll see if this is still the case in summer). I like that if I wanted to stop using it I can remove it myself.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Patch  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 25

Evra patch  

Breast tenderness and headaches


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

1 comments


Cap or diaphragm reviews

15 reviews

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

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 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

Cap or diaphragm  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

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 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Jan 24

Cap or diaphragm  

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

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Feb 23

Cap or diaphragm  

I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!


Very positive mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

1 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Dec 22

Cap or diaphragm  

Having experienced terrible physical and mental health side effects from both types of contraceptive pill (Combined and POP), and permanent pain and repeated UTIs with the copper coil, I hoped that Caya diaphragm would be a suitable non-hormonal method to try. Unfortunately, I found insertion very tricky - it seems I have a case of "deep vagina, small fingers", as I could never tell whether I'd pushed the diaphragm up far enough to cover my cervix, and sex was always a bit uncomfortable. I'm naturally prone to cystitis and thrush, and getting both while using the diaphragm also put me off using it long term. However, on the plus side - I didn't get pregnant (though I was still breastfeeding a lot, and my periods hadn't yet returned postpartum), and I did manage to avoid the hormonal depression, skin changes and weight gain/loss that I've experienced in the past with pills.


Top side effects not reported

3 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th May 21

Cap or diaphragm  

All in all it was acceptable


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Aug 19

Cap or diaphragm  

Fiddly and a faff. Didn’t bother a couple of times and ended up pregnant. He’s nearly 20 now and I’m still married to his father so not all bad :) Tried the copper coil for a bit after but it gave me very heavy periods and stomach cramps which had never been a problem before. Switched to the mirena coil and now on my third - no periods for 15 years and no menopausal symptoms despite being 52. What’s not to like?


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Aug 19

Cap or diaphragm  

I was only using it shortly, as I wanted to avoid hormones. It was not bad, but the need of using a spermicide as well was the reason why I stopped, I had vaginal discharge caused by the spermicide.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Aug 19

Cap or diaphragm  

As someone who has struggled with more mainstream contraception, this was a miracle. Zero side effects and non-invasive! You're able to insert it up to two hours before sex so it doesn't have the moodkiller effect of a condom, and neither partner can feel it once it's in, unless you're searching for it with a finger. Inserting and removing it takes a little getting used to, but the initial learning curve is very much worth it. (And any Mooncup users will find it easy enough.) Note you will need to be fitted by a nurse/ health practitioner to ensure its effectiveness. This can be tricky to find unless you live in a larger city/ you have a very thorough doctor, but it was worth persisting for me.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Cap or diaphragm  
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Aug 19

Cap or diaphragm  

Tried the pill in my early 20s but didn’t like the side effects, felt generally unwell and slightly “down” while taking it. Started using the cap in my mid-twenties, first one fitted at the wonderful Marie Stopes Centre, but subsequent ones refitted after two preganancies by my (female) GP. Used it for about 25 years until menopause (apart from gaps to have children). Brilliant if used properly with gel or cream, no side effects, and means when you want to attempt a pregnancy your body doesn’t have to adjust to your normal hormone levels as it does if you take the pill. Pregnant within 3 months of trying for both my preganancies.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Patch with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them