Desogestrel pill vs Cerazette pill
Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
£From £0.20/day
£From £0.24/day
Overview
Rated 2.7
403 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.6
415 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
Period pain
Period pain
Try it now
£From £0.20/day
Try it now
£From £0.24/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Desogestrel pill reviews
403 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I went on desogestrel twice. The first time I noticed it made me cry extremely easily, and I bled pretty much constantly for 9 months. Then I came off it. When I tried it again for a few months, I had a similar experience, with the added side effect of being so hungry that if I wasn't constantly snacking I was insanely nauseous. Ultimately, it was the bleeding that made me stop it.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I stopped taking the pill yesterday. I used desogestrel for four months for my endometriosis. I tried really hard to stay positive, to remind myself that it takes time for the side effects to go away and for my endo pain to lessen. Well, unfortunately desogestrel hasn't helped at all, but has made everything worse for me. I've gained 5 kgs in these four months. I've always been naturally skinny and never gained (or lost) weight, so gaining this much in such a short amount of time is a lot for my body and self-esteem. Most of my pants don't fit anymore. Sure, some of it is just endo bloating, but the weight gain does play a part in it. And then there's the hot flashes. One minute I'm sweating like crazy, the next I'm feeling cold. I've also had constant breakthrough bleeding, so I'm using pantyliners daily. For the last two months of using the pills, I've had my periods every other week, which means I'm in terrible pain more often than I was without the pills. That's why I finally decided I've had enough and stopped taking desogestrel. I can't stand all the side effects and the pain. But this is just my experience, the pills might work for someone else! :)
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Aug 25
Since i was 18 i tried 7 different contraception methods (pills and nuvaring). However i had diagnosed migraines, but none of the OBGYNs i was seeing though this was a concern. Now i am 24 and i finally found a competent OBGYN thanks to my friend. She was the only one who really looked through and studied my medical history and suggested taking desogestrel for my ovarian cysts and corpus luteum cyst, which were more rare occasion. I started my second pack today and i’m scared to jinx but the last two weeks were amazing. The first two weeks were a hell, i had bleeding for quite some time and then spotting for a week or more. Now i don’t have any spotting, my sex drive is the same, i am happy and i feel like i even started to lose weight. I am planning to update my story next month to see how my body would feel on these pills.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I went on desogestrel twice. The first time I noticed it made me cry extremely easily, and I bled pretty much constantly for 9 months. Then I came off it. When I tried it again for a few months, I had a similar experience, with the added side effect of being so hungry that if I wasn't constantly snacking I was insanely nauseous. Ultimately, it was the bleeding that made me stop it.
Very negative mood
3 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
I stopped taking the pill yesterday. I used desogestrel for four months for my endometriosis. I tried really hard to stay positive, to remind myself that it takes time for the side effects to go away and for my endo pain to lessen. Well, unfortunately desogestrel hasn't helped at all, but has made everything worse for me. I've gained 5 kgs in these four months. I've always been naturally skinny and never gained (or lost) weight, so gaining this much in such a short amount of time is a lot for my body and self-esteem. Most of my pants don't fit anymore. Sure, some of it is just endo bloating, but the weight gain does play a part in it. And then there's the hot flashes. One minute I'm sweating like crazy, the next I'm feeling cold. I've also had constant breakthrough bleeding, so I'm using pantyliners daily. For the last two months of using the pills, I've had my periods every other week, which means I'm in terrible pain more often than I was without the pills. That's why I finally decided I've had enough and stopped taking desogestrel. I can't stand all the side effects and the pain. But this is just my experience, the pills might work for someone else! :)
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
1 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Aug 25
Since i was 18 i tried 7 different contraception methods (pills and nuvaring). However i had diagnosed migraines, but none of the OBGYNs i was seeing though this was a concern. Now i am 24 and i finally found a competent OBGYN thanks to my friend. She was the only one who really looked through and studied my medical history and suggested taking desogestrel for my ovarian cysts and corpus luteum cyst, which were more rare occasion. I started my second pack today and i’m scared to jinx but the last two weeks were amazing. The first two weeks were a hell, i had bleeding for quite some time and then spotting for a week or more. Now i don’t have any spotting, my sex drive is the same, i am happy and i feel like i even started to lose weight. I am planning to update my story next month to see how my body would feel on these pills.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
1 helpful
0 comments
Cerazette pill reviews
415 reviews
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th Aug 25
I used this for a month hoping it would help with period cramps. Do not recommend. I used it perfectly and felt nauseous everyday after taking it. I got a 9 day period (with cramps) during what was supposed to be my "ovulation" week.It had me feeling very anrgy, caused me period like pains and headaches daily.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Aug 25
Went on this for fibroid heavy bleeding and period pain. Have daily bleeding and spotting since starting, and periods are now more irregular and as heavy as before. It didn't help with pain at all. Im going to finish out this month's pack and go off them. However, I got some acupuncture two weeks ago and the pain during my period this month has been greatly reduced. Would reccommend trying it!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 27th Aug 25
I used this for a month hoping it would help with period cramps. Do not recommend. I used it perfectly and felt nauseous everyday after taking it. I got a 9 day period (with cramps) during what was supposed to be my "ovulation" week.It had me feeling very anrgy, caused me period like pains and headaches daily.
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
45 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Aug 25
Went on this for fibroid heavy bleeding and period pain. Have daily bleeding and spotting since starting, and periods are now more irregular and as heavy as before. It didn't help with pain at all. Im going to finish out this month's pack and go off them. However, I got some acupuncture two weeks ago and the pain during my period this month has been greatly reduced. Would reccommend trying it!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 28th Jun 25
I really wanted to write about my positive experience as most people write reviews when they have a negative experience, for me the Cerazette has been really good, it improved my feeling of being in balance and lessened mood swings, it did not effect my libido, in fact in the beginning I noticed a higher libido, but most importantly I suffer from migraines with aura and since I started taking this a month ago I didn’t have an intense migraine, just one or two mild days and I normally have 2/3 days per week so in a month 8 at least. The only negative things are not too bad: I have very tender breasts which became a bit bigger but I heard this might go away after 3 months or so and I got a little bit of acne but nothing too crazy and this also usually settles after taking it consistently for a few month. All in all for me it’s truly been life changing.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6th Jun 25
I swapped from the combined pill to Cerazette because I was having anxiety, dizziness and low libido. These have both improved since changing. The most annoying thing has been inconsistent bleeding and spotting. I won’t bleed for 3 months then will have spotting out of nowhere for 3 weeks. I have also got acne on my chin which I didn’t have before. Overall though these extra inconveniences have far outweighed the reduced anxiety, dizziness and libido issues.
Very positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
17 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 18th May 25
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 13th May 25
I had to switch birth control after having a Pulmenary Embolism (blood clot) - GP switched me onto the mini pill. I was on it for 7 months and bled nearly everyday. Regular levels of bleed during the first few months and then lighter but still spotting most days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
33 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3rd May 25
I would HIGHLY recommend this contraception. In my opinion it is one of the best, if not the best and has worked for me 100%
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
46 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Apr 25
Hi in my experience the breakthrough bleeding was too much for me. I had to change pill due to starting on hrt. Previously used microgynon which was great periods were like clockwork. Short 4 days and fairly light. I stopped using it and now use noriday.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 22nd Apr 25
The first few months have been rough. Originally went on this pill to alleviate symptoms of Endemetriosis but I’ve had worse side effects then my natural cycle with Endo. I’m giving it one more cycle and if nothing changes then I’ll go off the pill
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments

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
Slide into our DMs
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