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

363 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

400 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

34% somewhat negative

42% stopped periods

54% lost sex drive

43% no impact

45% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% don’t know impact

32% somewhat negative

51% stopped periods

54% lost sex drive

45% no impact

40% no impact on skin

Cycle return

34% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Period pain

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£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

363 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I started the POP because I had a few migraines with auras on the combined pill and had to stop this. When I started the mini-pill my periods became very irregular. However, I went on the combined pill in the first place because of my irregular cycle so this may just be me. I have noticed my periods are lighter but I never had heavy periods anyway. I have had a few cases of spotting for 2-3weeks after getting my period but this hopefully seems to have settled now after 5/6 months and I get a 3-5 day light period. My skin flared up with bad hormonal acne about 3/4months after I started taking the POP and hasn’t gotten any better. Another reason why I went on the combined pill initially was to help with acne so I feel this has regressed since starting the mini-pill. Also, I have had some horrific cramping at random times. A couple of times has been a whole week of painful cramps but again this hopefully seems to have settled down a bit after about 7/8 months of taking the POP. Overall, I’m not happy with the side effects I’m experiencing, especially my skin, and am considering trying the hormonal coil, but will give it a full year on the POP to see if my body starts to settle.

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Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I really wanted to like Desogestrel. Initially, my skin was the worst - so oily and immediately broke out in painful acne. This quickly subsided after about 2 weeks. For 3 months, my breasts were so enlarged and sore all the time. I noticed around the 3 month mark that I was experiencing vaginal dryness too. My periods have been totally irregular - since starting Desogestrel in May I've had 10 periods. Many of these were trigged by intercourse. The volume of blood and the level of pain was variable for every period, making it hard to predict. The final straw for me was I started losing my hair around the 5-6 month mark. My hair is noticeably thinner on top and the ends are ruined / look awful. The only positive for me has been that it made me more energetic and have a better / more even mood. It did has not affected my sex drive and I gained a negligible amount of weight.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Oct 24

Desogestrel pill  

I was prescribed generic Desogestrel mini pill to treat my adenomyosis. I was only on it for a couple of weeks, but I couldn't cope with the symptoms. Daily bleeding and bloating but more worryingly, horrendous nausea, dizziness and migraines. Also had swollen tender enlarged breasts.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I started the POP because I had a few migraines with auras on the combined pill and had to stop this. When I started the mini-pill my periods became very irregular. However, I went on the combined pill in the first place because of my irregular cycle so this may just be me. I have noticed my periods are lighter but I never had heavy periods anyway. I have had a few cases of spotting for 2-3weeks after getting my period but this hopefully seems to have settled now after 5/6 months and I get a 3-5 day light period. My skin flared up with bad hormonal acne about 3/4months after I started taking the POP and hasn’t gotten any better. Another reason why I went on the combined pill initially was to help with acne so I feel this has regressed since starting the mini-pill. Also, I have had some horrific cramping at random times. A couple of times has been a whole week of painful cramps but again this hopefully seems to have settled down a bit after about 7/8 months of taking the POP. Overall, I’m not happy with the side effects I’m experiencing, especially my skin, and am considering trying the hormonal coil, but will give it a full year on the POP to see if my body starts to settle.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I really wanted to like Desogestrel. Initially, my skin was the worst - so oily and immediately broke out in painful acne. This quickly subsided after about 2 weeks. For 3 months, my breasts were so enlarged and sore all the time. I noticed around the 3 month mark that I was experiencing vaginal dryness too. My periods have been totally irregular - since starting Desogestrel in May I've had 10 periods. Many of these were trigged by intercourse. The volume of blood and the level of pain was variable for every period, making it hard to predict. The final straw for me was I started losing my hair around the 5-6 month mark. My hair is noticeably thinner on top and the ends are ruined / look awful. The only positive for me has been that it made me more energetic and have a better / more even mood. It did has not affected my sex drive and I gained a negligible amount of weight.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th Oct 24

Desogestrel pill  

I was prescribed generic Desogestrel mini pill to treat my adenomyosis. I was only on it for a couple of weeks, but I couldn't cope with the symptoms. Daily bleeding and bloating but more worryingly, horrendous nausea, dizziness and migraines. Also had swollen tender enlarged breasts.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Cerazette pill reviews

400 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Cerazette pill  

My periods are much lighter now, I probably bleed for about 3 days in 3-4 months - it is irregular though unfortunately so I can't predict when it may occur. My mood is much more stable than it was before and whilst using other hormonal contraception. I have been getting much more increased sweating recently though and had not made the link that it may be connected to the pill before seeing it on the Lowdown website. I have had a really positive experience with the mini-pill, especially after having used the implant before.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Oct 24

Cerazette pill  

I’ve never have had a pain free period over the years my periods of gotten drastically worse which it gotten to a point that i was physically sick during my periods and was house bound for the whole entire wake up period I have PCOS and i was scared using the pill as I read up online that the pill is bad for it I had gotten to point that I was tired and fed up in having painful periods so I as recommended by my nurse to try the Cerazette pill I’m shocked in how quick that this pill stopped my periods however I am over moon that this is the case I don’t wish become a mother so I will be taken this pill till menopause positive effects periods stopped acne on my face and back is starting go Low moods have gone no longer feel bloated Negative effects Little bit of breast pain Little bit of period like cramps only a week coming to what would be my period due this doesn’t last long and I just take paracetamol which helps


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Oct 24

Cerazette pill  

It helped with my anxiety and insomnia. I definitely started sleeping better


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Cerazette pill  

My periods are much lighter now, I probably bleed for about 3 days in 3-4 months - it is irregular though unfortunately so I can't predict when it may occur. My mood is much more stable than it was before and whilst using other hormonal contraception. I have been getting much more increased sweating recently though and had not made the link that it may be connected to the pill before seeing it on the Lowdown website. I have had a really positive experience with the mini-pill, especially after having used the implant before.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th Oct 24

Cerazette pill  

I’ve never have had a pain free period over the years my periods of gotten drastically worse which it gotten to a point that i was physically sick during my periods and was house bound for the whole entire wake up period I have PCOS and i was scared using the pill as I read up online that the pill is bad for it I had gotten to point that I was tired and fed up in having painful periods so I as recommended by my nurse to try the Cerazette pill I’m shocked in how quick that this pill stopped my periods however I am over moon that this is the case I don’t wish become a mother so I will be taken this pill till menopause positive effects periods stopped acne on my face and back is starting go Low moods have gone no longer feel bloated Negative effects Little bit of breast pain Little bit of period like cramps only a week coming to what would be my period due this doesn’t last long and I just take paracetamol which helps


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Oct 24

Cerazette pill  

It helped with my anxiety and insomnia. I definitely started sleeping better


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Sep 24

Cerazette pill  

Most of my life I was on Mercilon combined pills which was the only one working for me after tried few in my early 20tis. Had them with some breaks . Later I tried mini pill for few months which didn’t work for me. Mostly because of painful red spots on my neck like acne. Now I am 50 can’t take combined pills and trying the progesterone pills. Tried 1 month Cerazette but stopped after 1 month. I didn’t want to eat Titanium dioxide . Now 2 months in I am on Zelleta. Having acne on my chin and around my mouth. Now have very bad numbness in my hands especially during the night . And some in my legs too . Finishing 2nd pack but coming of it now . Can’t feel my fingers. My hands hurt . It’s not menaupase or lower estrogen level as got this suddenly within days. Very low sex drive like I am switched off completely . Also mood swings with anxiety. I am done with desogestrel pills they are not good for my heath, never was. I am trying natural cycles with app next . And my period should be completely stopping soon with my age.Also, Didn’t have any period with these pills.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Jul 24

Cerazette pill  

I had breakthrough bleeding every day for almost 6 months starting from the day after my first pill. Sometimes heavy like a period but mainly spotting but it never stopped. Eventually the nurse advised it’s probably not for me and told me to stop taking it. It gave me no other negative effects but I thought that was negative enough!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Jul 24

Cerazette pill  

Since beginning this pill I have been strictly observing my weight and other side effects. Other birth control methods were unsuitable for me as I experience migraines. So far, I have had minimal side effects and have not noticed any impact on my mood or weight. I have had some small spots appear on my chin, I feel my breasts have gotten a little bit bigger (but I have actually lost weight since starting cerazette). I have had irregular bleeding/periods as the hormones are settling into my system, which has been annoying for myself and for my partner but better than the alternative, which is the point in taking the pill anyway. So far I'm happy to have chosen Cerazette and hope this will continue.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Jun 24

Cerazette pill  

Was great for 2 years, no side effects. Then after 2 years was getting very irregular bleeding even though you get no periods on this pill. That is why I stopped using it.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Jun 24

Cerazette pill  

Took it for 2 years. It numbed and blunted my feelings and led to outbursts because I wasn’t aware I was feeling bad in the first place. Had a terrible effect on my ADHD and made my meds much less effective, leading to massive burn out. I was sooo depressed and angry, and couldn’t figure out why. I had a light period non stop!!! I started getting the worst acne, which I found out was hormonal acne. This was what prompted me to stop! And I’m so glad I did!!! Using a combined pill with some estrogen right now and it’s been a total game changer!


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st May 24

Cerazette pill  

I used this pill for my mental and physical health. I had debilitating periods for years along with servere mood swings. This has helped a lot along side using Sertraline


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  20th May 24

Cerazette pill  

Was really anxious about taking these after coming off rigevidon however I’m pleasantly surprised. Minor spotting episodes during the first few months of taking but not bothersome. My skin and hair are oilier but not unmanageable. No more intense period pains or heavy bleeding.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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Compare the Cerazette pill with other contraceptives

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