Hana pill vs Cerazette pill

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Hana pill

£From £0.20/day

Cerazette pill

£From £0.20/day

Overview

Rated 2.6

13 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

378 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hana pill ingredients

Main hormones in Hana 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 £0.20/day

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£From £0.20/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hana pill reviews

13 reviews

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I was worried about side effects going on to Hana but had zero side effects apart from breast tenderness for the the first two weeks, and a regular period (although slightly lighter and shorter than normal) in week 3. I started seeing some spotting in week 5, I'm in week 7 now and on day 16 of continuous bleeding. It's reasonably light but inconvenient. No PMS symptoms other than the breast tenderness, which started in week 1/2 and is the same as the breast tenderness I got with PMS. I'm going to stick with it for now but if the breast tenderness and continuous bleeding hasn't stopped after 3 months I may give up on it as it's pretty inconvenient.

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Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Sep 23

  •  Still using

It started off well 3 weeks no bleeding then a light period for a week, mood was more mellow and just abit lower, no sex drive at all. Started second pack and had a week no bleeding at beginning and 3 weeks non stop bleeding to the point I just finished my lst pill and I’m giving up. I currently have another migraine and bleeding is getting heavier again I have no sex drive my mood is mellow in a way I’m just so frustrated about the bleeding it just making me feel gross so my mood is getting worse by the day . I think all mini pills are like this with me I tried another one three years ago and had similar side effects. Definately not for me. If I didn’t get the headaches still and had less bleeding maybe I’ll stick with it but maybe some women are just not meant for this synthetic hormone pill.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

I deeply appreciate the ease it took for me to get this medication. The pharmacist helped me understand what I was getting, and the pharmacist was so kind and helping ease my fears. She actually recommended that I go to my GP if I want to remain on this medication because the GP can prescribe it for free. The side effects were horrific and got worse the longer I was on them. I got halfway through my second pack before I genuinely couldn't do it anymore. I was sweating so much I was having to shower three times a day, my tummy was hard and distended. My anxiety got so bad I couldn't bring myself to even open my curtains and I couldn't even self-soothe. I was writing on a whiteboard and my head felt it was about to explode. Multiple times it felt like my eyes were coming up from my socket (this side effect is not written on any slip and I believe it is described as having difficulty putting contact lenses in, I don't wear contact lenses but my eyes fell out they were coming out) I thought after I finished my first month things would get easier, They didn't The side effects just got worse and worse and worse. To the point I was considering calling for an ambulance because I had a severe migraine with an aura that lasted for 3 days (I have not experienced one since stopping Hana) Just because Hana doesn't work for you don't write off all birth control. After some trial and error I have found something that works for me. I am sad that Hana caused me so much grief because it fitted in so well with my lifestyle, being able to walk into any pharmacy and getting it over the counter.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

  •  Still using

I was worried about side effects going on to Hana but had zero side effects apart from breast tenderness for the the first two weeks, and a regular period (although slightly lighter and shorter than normal) in week 3. I started seeing some spotting in week 5, I'm in week 7 now and on day 16 of continuous bleeding. It's reasonably light but inconvenient. No PMS symptoms other than the breast tenderness, which started in week 1/2 and is the same as the breast tenderness I got with PMS. I'm going to stick with it for now but if the breast tenderness and continuous bleeding hasn't stopped after 3 months I may give up on it as it's pretty inconvenient.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
39 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Sep 23

  •  Still using

It started off well 3 weeks no bleeding then a light period for a week, mood was more mellow and just abit lower, no sex drive at all. Started second pack and had a week no bleeding at beginning and 3 weeks non stop bleeding to the point I just finished my lst pill and I’m giving up. I currently have another migraine and bleeding is getting heavier again I have no sex drive my mood is mellow in a way I’m just so frustrated about the bleeding it just making me feel gross so my mood is getting worse by the day . I think all mini pills are like this with me I tried another one three years ago and had similar side effects. Definately not for me. If I didn’t get the headaches still and had less bleeding maybe I’ll stick with it but maybe some women are just not meant for this synthetic hormone pill.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

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

  •  Stopped using

I deeply appreciate the ease it took for me to get this medication. The pharmacist helped me understand what I was getting, and the pharmacist was so kind and helping ease my fears. She actually recommended that I go to my GP if I want to remain on this medication because the GP can prescribe it for free. The side effects were horrific and got worse the longer I was on them. I got halfway through my second pack before I genuinely couldn't do it anymore. I was sweating so much I was having to shower three times a day, my tummy was hard and distended. My anxiety got so bad I couldn't bring myself to even open my curtains and I couldn't even self-soothe. I was writing on a whiteboard and my head felt it was about to explode. Multiple times it felt like my eyes were coming up from my socket (this side effect is not written on any slip and I believe it is described as having difficulty putting contact lenses in, I don't wear contact lenses but my eyes fell out they were coming out) I thought after I finished my first month things would get easier, They didn't The side effects just got worse and worse and worse. To the point I was considering calling for an ambulance because I had a severe migraine with an aura that lasted for 3 days (I have not experienced one since stopping Hana) Just because Hana doesn't work for you don't write off all birth control. After some trial and error I have found something that works for me. I am sad that Hana caused me so much grief because it fitted in so well with my lifestyle, being able to walk into any pharmacy and getting it over the counter.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

1 comments


Cerazette pill reviews

378 reviews

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

1 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

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

1 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

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
42 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Sep 23

  •  Stopped using

I've been on a wide variety of contraceptives over the last 20 years but Cerazette has been the one that has affected my libido. Periods stopped for the 3 years I was on it which was great, but there doesn't seem much point taking contraception if you're not having sex. I've been off it now for 2 weeks and hoping things will return to normal. I'm 42 so hopefully not perimenopausal just yet. Not sure yet how my husband will feel about going back to condoms longer-term, but I'm fed up of synthetic hormones so he'll just have to deal with it (or get the snip!).


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 5 - 8 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  31st Aug 23

  •  Still using

I have been on this pill since 2016 after months of trying to find what works for me. I waited it out for it to be fully in my system and I love. I do occasionally have spotting but that is usually when I am stressed or if I am ill. I have gained a bit of weight but I yo-yo in general. At the start I was on it for preventing pregnancy as I was in a relationship. Now being single, I use it for period pain relief and to not have a period in general.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

I started using cerazette when I was 14 for heavy periods and pains and it was great, no note worthy side affects and stopped my periods altogether. However it stopped working for me after 2/3 years and I started bleeding almost constantly, not as much as a period but enough for it to be a nuisance.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

On the whole I had a really great experience - my periods stopped which I loved, no major side effects - except one. I found that the longer I was on this pill, the more it effected my libido. After 8 years on it, I recently decided to take a break to try and restore my AWOL sex drive. If this wouldn’t have become a big side effect, I would have definitely stayed on this pill until I was looking to conceive.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

This pill took me from overweight to obese, happy to anxious and grumpy, and from having a high sex drive to having absolutely no sex drive whatsoever. The low sex drive was also accompanied by vaginal dryness so any attempt at sex would hurt and was not worth it. Only positive was my periods and hormonal migraines stopping but in the end this was not enough for me to continue taking this pill.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

Used for 1 - 3 mo
34 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

It was awful. I put on 10lbs in 3 weeks. My boobs went up 3 cup sizes. Low mood, bad skin. There was nothing good about this pill


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
27 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Aug 23

  •  Stopped using

I took me a whole year to realise my depressive state, my terrible body odor, my thick and dense body hair, my hair loss and my constant headaches were related to the same thing: the pill. The only thing that was evident from the start was how oily my face and body became and consequently, all the acne that I got on my face, chest and entire back were due to the pill. Another thing no one tells you about is how your breasts lose density and become smaller and saggy (as opposed to the enlargement caused by estrogen). And you can also have constant insomnia. After 2 years taking the pill and accepting that I would have to deal with side effects for many years to come (I have endometriosis), my spotting turned into heavy bleeding and then into multiple periods in a single month. The diagnosis: I had developed an intolerance to synthetic progestogen. How great! After stopping the pill, I felt like I had taken a shot of serotonin, and only then did I notice how depressive I had been all this time. It's been a battle, but I believe I'm uphill now.


Top side effects not reported

2 helpful

0 comments

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