Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)
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Overview
Rated 2.7
1513 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 4.5
8 reviews
Permanent
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Permanent
Effect on fertility
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) ingredients
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Period pain
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
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Add your Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) review
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1513 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
My side effects were all fine (basically non-existent) on Desogestrel besides very regular bleeding/spotting. The first 2-3 months were okay with a period-like bleed every 3 or 4 weeks with cramps too (although a lot less painful than my usual periods). But then the frequency increased. I tried to wait it out but after 7 months I was still experiencing spotting/bleeding every other week. Besides this I would’ve stayed on it and had no other problems. I’ve now changed to a combined pill which will hopefully make me bleed less.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I was put on Desogestrel after being on the combined pill (Rigevidon) for many years, but I was suffering from migraines. I was on Desogestral for roughly 5 months, and didn't have a single migraine for the entire time. I also had started to get period like cramps when taking the combined pill, but not when I was actually on my period. This also completely vanished for me which was great. Unfortunately the one big down side for me, which has caused me to try another type of mini pill was that I ended up having more days than not where I was bleeding. It wasn't always a lot, but it was always on my mind, and I didn't know which days would be clear and which would be not clear. Some days the bleeding would fade out but it might start like I was on my period, causing me to use a pad just in case it carried on. I stuck with it as the mentioned pros were so good that I really wanted it to work for me but in the end I just couldn't stand having more days that I bled than not, and I never felt like I could relax.
Worse skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Ive been on this pill for over 5 months and I’m stopping. When I started about a month in I got horrible acne breakouts but I started using benzoyl peroxide and now it’s okay. I’ve had 3-4 periods and each one I’ve bled for weeks at a time so I am switching to a different one
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 days ago
My side effects were all fine (basically non-existent) on Desogestrel besides very regular bleeding/spotting. The first 2-3 months were okay with a period-like bleed every 3 or 4 weeks with cramps too (although a lot less painful than my usual periods). But then the frequency increased. I tried to wait it out but after 7 months I was still experiencing spotting/bleeding every other week. Besides this I would’ve stayed on it and had no other problems. I’ve now changed to a combined pill which will hopefully make me bleed less.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 days ago
I was put on Desogestrel after being on the combined pill (Rigevidon) for many years, but I was suffering from migraines. I was on Desogestral for roughly 5 months, and didn't have a single migraine for the entire time. I also had started to get period like cramps when taking the combined pill, but not when I was actually on my period. This also completely vanished for me which was great. Unfortunately the one big down side for me, which has caused me to try another type of mini pill was that I ended up having more days than not where I was bleeding. It wasn't always a lot, but it was always on my mind, and I didn't know which days would be clear and which would be not clear. Some days the bleeding would fade out but it might start like I was on my period, causing me to use a pad just in case it carried on. I stuck with it as the mentioned pros were so good that I really wanted it to work for me but in the end I just couldn't stand having more days that I bled than not, and I never felt like I could relax.
Worse skin
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
Ive been on this pill for over 5 months and I’m stopping. When I started about a month in I got horrible acne breakouts but I started using benzoyl peroxide and now it’s okay. I’ve had 3-4 periods and each one I’ve bled for weeks at a time so I am switching to a different one
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) reviews
8 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Jan 26
I had a laparoscopic bisalpingectomy. Obviously it is a surgery, which means a few weeks of recovery and scars can take a few months to properly heal and fade, but I am so glad I got it done. It is permanent, so that is something to keep in mind if you are not 100% sure, but very safe and reliable.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Mar 24
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 16th Jan 26
I had a laparoscopic bisalpingectomy. Obviously it is a surgery, which means a few weeks of recovery and scars can take a few months to properly heal and fade, but I am so glad I got it done. It is permanent, so that is something to keep in mind if you are not 100% sure, but very safe and reliable.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Mar 24
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jul 23
This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!
Very positive mood
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 8+ yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 2nd Dec 20
It maybe ok for some people and for some, like the other women here it may even be good, but for myself and a lot of other women this was and still is the worst thing that could have happened to me. My life has been irrevocably damaged by this procedure and is still being damaged. The complex migraines I have suffered since having the procedure caused me to have a stroke 3 days after my 39th birthday, I have never smoked, eat healthy, organic food and don’t abuse my body. Before this procedure I was extremely fit, quick minded, outgoing and energetic. It might not harm everyone but if you are one of the growing number of women that have been affected you will regret it for the rest of your life. Even a reversal may not completely fix things (as I found) depending on how badly the tubes have been damaged. Really do your research, join support groups for ptls and ask the women who are all suffering the same symptoms, as many questions as you can.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Sep 20
I chose sterilization several years ago to prevent pregnancy. It was the right decision for me and I have had no long-lasting effects.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 7th Nov 19
Best decision ever. I never have to worry about a pregnancy scare. Note: only do this if you are sure you never want to become pregnant naturally.
Increased sex drive
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Jun 19
I decided to get sterilised at age 25 after awful side effects from hormonal contraceptives (which doctors brushed off as nothing) including weight gain, depression, mood swings and complete loss of libido. I didn't want kids so I went to Marie Stopes and had my tubes tied privately (think it cost about £1000). Doctors on the NHS had more or less told me I was supposed to have kids and they only sterilised women who are older or who have already had kids...women's healthcare is shockingly bad. Anyway, other than temporary pain and discomfort after the surgery, which gradually tapered off after 2 weeks (I was in bad period-level pain immediately after, but by the next day I was just uncomfortable and this got better day by day), I feel completely myself and have done ever since...zero side effects! P.s. don't trust NHS doctors when it comes to women's health - they lie.
Top side effects not reported
7 helpful
0 comments

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