Desogestrel pill vs Cerazette pill

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Desogestrel pill

£From £0.20/day

Cerazette pill

£From £0.24/day

Overview

Rated 2.6

329 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

385 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Cerazette pill ingredients

Main hormones in Cerazette pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Period pain

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£From £0.24/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Desogestrel pill reviews

329 reviews

Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

  •  Stopped using

Overall after trying many different pills, this was the best, I started to have very depressive weeks so I stopped as I was afraid of some suicidal thoughts.

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Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

The only side effect I had on this pill was the irregular bleeding. It worked for the first 2 months and then I just bled for the next 4 months (until I stopped). I suffer from VERY painful periods and even when I wasn’t bleeding or it was really light I can recall having 3 huge pain episodes that would last a few days. The pill didn’t affect my mood, but the side effects did because I had to spend nearly all summer inside because of the anxiety and depression. Aswell because of the bleeding I lost interest in sex (again, not caused by the pill directly). Overall I’m disappointed this method didn’t work. If I didn’t have bleeding and unexpected cramps this would’ve been perfect.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Granted I suffer with anxiety and depression anyway but it was under control and I hadn’t had panic attacks in a year when I was off birth control. I started this in January and at first I felt great, I had more energy, little bit of bloating but that went and no changes really at all. By month 2 I noticed I was getting panic attacks again and felt very anxious in safe places/ around safe people where I have never experienced anxiety before. I am now on month 4 and it is worse than ever, I am irritable, angry, emotional, low body image, finding myself not wanting to do anything. I am coming off this pill now and trying another because I want to be myself again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week ago

  •  Stopped using

Overall after trying many different pills, this was the best, I started to have very depressive weeks so I stopped as I was afraid of some suicidal thoughts.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Stopped using

The only side effect I had on this pill was the irregular bleeding. It worked for the first 2 months and then I just bled for the next 4 months (until I stopped). I suffer from VERY painful periods and even when I wasn’t bleeding or it was really light I can recall having 3 huge pain episodes that would last a few days. The pill didn’t affect my mood, but the side effects did because I had to spend nearly all summer inside because of the anxiety and depression. Aswell because of the bleeding I lost interest in sex (again, not caused by the pill directly). Overall I’m disappointed this method didn’t work. If I didn’t have bleeding and unexpected cramps this would’ve been perfect.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

  •  Still using

Granted I suffer with anxiety and depression anyway but it was under control and I hadn’t had panic attacks in a year when I was off birth control. I started this in January and at first I felt great, I had more energy, little bit of bloating but that went and no changes really at all. By month 2 I noticed I was getting panic attacks again and felt very anxious in safe places/ around safe people where I have never experienced anxiety before. I am now on month 4 and it is worse than ever, I am irritable, angry, emotional, low body image, finding myself not wanting to do anything. I am coming off this pill now and trying another because I want to be myself again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Cerazette pill reviews

385 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

I started this pill after being advised to come off the COCP. It gave me severe cystic acne on my body and face which caused pain and low self-confidence, it also caused very frequent UTI's (which I never had before taking this pill) and issues with the skin of my vulva (burning/dryness/pain) which even consultants could not diagnose or treat. I ended up coming off this pill and going back onto the COCP and all my symptoms went away.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 24

  •  Stopped using

I only lasted 8 weeks on Cerazette due to the constant bleeding and complete loss of sex drive. I had heavier period-like bleeds every 2 weeks and still continued to spot in between. I had headaches 3-4x a week, constipation, more acne than usual, and it was starting to make me depressed. I took a month off before switching to Noriday, which I'm also stopping for loss of sex drive and spotting.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

For me personally this contraceptive method didn’t suit me. The side effects became too much that I didn’t want to take the pill anymore.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

  •  Stopped using

I started this pill after being advised to come off the COCP. It gave me severe cystic acne on my body and face which caused pain and low self-confidence, it also caused very frequent UTI's (which I never had before taking this pill) and issues with the skin of my vulva (burning/dryness/pain) which even consultants could not diagnose or treat. I ended up coming off this pill and going back onto the COCP and all my symptoms went away.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 24

  •  Stopped using

I only lasted 8 weeks on Cerazette due to the constant bleeding and complete loss of sex drive. I had heavier period-like bleeds every 2 weeks and still continued to spot in between. I had headaches 3-4x a week, constipation, more acne than usual, and it was starting to make me depressed. I took a month off before switching to Noriday, which I'm also stopping for loss of sex drive and spotting.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Feb 24

  •  Stopped using

For me personally this contraceptive method didn’t suit me. The side effects became too much that I didn’t want to take the pill anymore.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Feb 24

  •  Still using

In the beginning, I thought I got lucky with this pill as although my periods were regular and light before, made them come every two months. I'm not sure whether it's circumstantial or the pill but after about 6 months I started to feel very depressed and couldn't shift this feeling of emptiness. I also lost my sex drive completely and became unbothered about everything and everyone. I wish more non-hormonal birth control was available other than the coil. I'm starting a different kind of progesterone-only pill today so hopefully it goes better than this did.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Jan 24

  •  Still using

Ive been on this pill for just a week so far and its the best mini pill ive tried. I have no side effects apart from some mild dizziness and some drowsiness which is considered normal. If anything i feel more relaxed and happier on it. Ive tried multiple combined & mini pills and had bad side effects from them so cerazette is definitely a big improvement for me.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jan 24

  •  Still using

Started with cerazette for first 6 months and now on zelletts 7 months in. Had spotting randomly for around 4.5 months, the first 3 months were hardest with what seemed like 2 periods a month! This is my 3rd time being on this pill and it hasn't stopped my periods (it did the 1st and 2nd time around). I'm 31 and have pcos, I found this pill does decrease libido slightly and low mood. However I take mood stabilisers and inositol alongside it (not at the same time), so perhaps helps a little with low mood. I also have pmdd and find that it's not changed that but the mood stabiliser have over time. Although my periods are regular after 4.5 months, they are still heavy bur for first 2 days now, with less cramps. I'm not sure why I still get periods when I didnt before but it does help to know I'm not pregnant, considering mood stabilisers can reduce the efficency of oral contraception. I would recommend this pill, it never changed my weight and the decrease in libido works well for me, given I have a high drive prob just crave it like a regular person now lol. P.S Patience is a must with this pill but I do find it worth it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 3 - 6 mo
37 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Dec 23

  •  Still using

Have been taking cerzette for 6 months and my anxiety is creeping up again. I had this last time I took this and hoped it was not the pill. Sex drive is zero. No periods at all but the side effects are not worth it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 12 - 18 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

I went on this pill because I get migraines with aura, so can’t have the combined pill any more after being on Microgynon for years and having no major issues. I had some headaches to start with on this pill while I got used to it. Cerazette was okay, it stopped my period for the most part (got a v light period with intense cramps every 4 months or so), and it didn’t affect my sex drive. However my boobs hurt every month and periodically, despite not getting a period. My nipples literally felt like razors!! And the vaginal dryness was not fun. I’ve been lucky that I’ve never had bad skin but it was really greasy when I started Cerazette and I noticed more hormonal spots around my chin that wouldn’t ever really go. I definitely feel like I was bloated a lot more and noticed some weight gain but this could have been down to my lifestyle at the time - was going out and not always looking after myself in terms of what I ate and drank. I’ve always suffered from brain fog (thanks ADHD and depression), so it’s hard to say if Cerazette also had an affect on this, but I definitely had mood swings for the first few months of being on this pill. The highs were high and the lows were low for 3-4 months.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Oct 23

  •  Stopped using

Tried this help with pre menstrual mood. I tried to stick with it because my doctor said that it make take a while to settle/get used to. It did help make me more chilled, but the irregular bleeding / spotting and headaches meant the benefits didn't outweigh enough for me to continue to use it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Sep 23

  •  Still using

I feel like shit


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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