Zelleta pill vs Desogestrel pill

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Zelleta pill

£From £0.20/day

Desogestrel pill

£From £0.20/day

Overview

Rated 2.8

27 reviews

Daily

Frequency

93% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

416 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Zelleta pill ingredients

Main hormones in Zelleta pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

33% somewhat negative

37% stopped periods

41% no impact

30% no impact

59% worse skin

Cycle return

80% don’t know impact

33% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

51% lost sex drive

44% no impact

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

42% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Period pain

Try it now

£From £0.20/day

Try it now

£From £0.20/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Zelleta pill reviews

27 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Zelleta pill  

I'm not really sure how I feel about this pill. I've been on the combined pill for the last four years, and had to switch suddenly because one of my doctors said that I cannot take it anymore due to chronic migraines (without aura). One of the main reasons I started birth control was for the awful hormonal acne I've had since the age of 9. I've spent almost my entire life attempting to get clear skin, and managed to do so while I was within a few months of taking the combined pill. Now, I've had some of the worst breakouts ever since I was first going through puberty mainly around the cheek and jaw. Deep, blind pimples that stay there for days without coming to a head, and, when they do come to a head they take ages to go away. Even smaller pimples take around a week, maybe two, to heal fully. They'll scar over and stay there indefinitely. I am extremely diligent with my skincare, I stick to the same rotation of products and generally take good care of myself, so this has completely ruined my confidence. Not to mention the horror of viewing my face underneath dim lighting to see all the closed comedones threatening to crawl out of my skin. I say I'm not sure about this pill because the amount of pimples I get are around 3-4 at once, but as aforementioned, they take absolutely forever to heal which has never happened to me before. I have combination skin, so already the pores around my T-zone are slightly larger than most people's due to this and genetic factors, but some days I physically cannot stand to look at them in the mirror. Ever since starting this pill I swear I've had pores that literally look like dents in the size of my nose and it is HORRIFYING. It is so devastating to spend so much time and effort working on skincare for it to not matter because of hormones. I can only pray that as time goes on my body gets used to the pill and my skin doesn't look like this anymore. Another thing is that I definitely feel I'm sweating a lot more, having to re-apply deodorant much more frequently than before.

Read more

Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Zelleta pill  

gradually feel more down and down and my periods never stop i can bleed for 30 days then have a 3 day break and it’s back


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Feb 26

Zelleta pill  

The side effects I experienced on this pill were awful. I can’t take estrogen so have limited options. My mood dipped, and I had the worst breakouts of my life. Giant painful spots all over my chin which tanked my confidence, and I was bleeding almost constantly. Changed to Slynd after 3 months and can’t recommend that pill enough!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Zelleta pill  

I'm not really sure how I feel about this pill. I've been on the combined pill for the last four years, and had to switch suddenly because one of my doctors said that I cannot take it anymore due to chronic migraines (without aura). One of the main reasons I started birth control was for the awful hormonal acne I've had since the age of 9. I've spent almost my entire life attempting to get clear skin, and managed to do so while I was within a few months of taking the combined pill. Now, I've had some of the worst breakouts ever since I was first going through puberty mainly around the cheek and jaw. Deep, blind pimples that stay there for days without coming to a head, and, when they do come to a head they take ages to go away. Even smaller pimples take around a week, maybe two, to heal fully. They'll scar over and stay there indefinitely. I am extremely diligent with my skincare, I stick to the same rotation of products and generally take good care of myself, so this has completely ruined my confidence. Not to mention the horror of viewing my face underneath dim lighting to see all the closed comedones threatening to crawl out of my skin. I say I'm not sure about this pill because the amount of pimples I get are around 3-4 at once, but as aforementioned, they take absolutely forever to heal which has never happened to me before. I have combination skin, so already the pores around my T-zone are slightly larger than most people's due to this and genetic factors, but some days I physically cannot stand to look at them in the mirror. Ever since starting this pill I swear I've had pores that literally look like dents in the size of my nose and it is HORRIFYING. It is so devastating to spend so much time and effort working on skincare for it to not matter because of hormones. I can only pray that as time goes on my body gets used to the pill and my skin doesn't look like this anymore. Another thing is that I definitely feel I'm sweating a lot more, having to re-apply deodorant much more frequently than before.


Somewhat positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Zelleta pill  

gradually feel more down and down and my periods never stop i can bleed for 30 days then have a 3 day break and it’s back


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  4th Feb 26

Zelleta pill  

The side effects I experienced on this pill were awful. I can’t take estrogen so have limited options. My mood dipped, and I had the worst breakouts of my life. Giant painful spots all over my chin which tanked my confidence, and I was bleeding almost constantly. Changed to Slynd after 3 months and can’t recommend that pill enough!


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments


Desogestrel pill reviews

416 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I feel like the mini-pill has changed my life. I used to get so many painful spots on my chin, but now they are cleared up. I have noticed my boobs getting bigger and a bit more sore, and I don't if it is linked, but I am getting cystitis more, but honestly, the impact it has had on my moods has been positive. My periods are non-existence and I just feel like a whole different person (in a good way). I have looked at photos of me when I was off hormonal contraception and I just don't even recognise her. I kind of feel like the mini pill has balanced my hormones (even though the intention of using it was to not get pregnant)


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was constantly bleeding and around the third month I started seeing a pattern emerging that essentially flipped my natural cycle: three weeks of bleeding, 4–5 days off, three weeks of bleeding, a couple of days off. It had a bad impact on my mental health, made me feel exhausted most of the time and killed my sex drive, ultimately leading to a breakup.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

When I was on it I was really pleased with how it was going. I felt balanced due to no periods and lack of mood swings etc. It felt great to not have periods and have that interruption on my life each month. What I didn’t realise until after I came off it after many years of using this pill, the implant and another pill previously was the affect it had had on my arousal/libido, I had always put this down to anxiety, but I feel very confident in saying now that having a true cycle has made a huge difference to this. When on the pill (especially the mini pill) I felt broken as to why I didn’t ever think about sex, but that changed almost instantly when I stopped. I wish I had known how much this would have impacted this. I would use it again, but I would be cautious of this change.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I feel like the mini-pill has changed my life. I used to get so many painful spots on my chin, but now they are cleared up. I have noticed my boobs getting bigger and a bit more sore, and I don't if it is linked, but I am getting cystitis more, but honestly, the impact it has had on my moods has been positive. My periods are non-existence and I just feel like a whole different person (in a good way). I have looked at photos of me when I was off hormonal contraception and I just don't even recognise her. I kind of feel like the mini pill has balanced my hormones (even though the intention of using it was to not get pregnant)


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was constantly bleeding and around the third month I started seeing a pattern emerging that essentially flipped my natural cycle: three weeks of bleeding, 4–5 days off, three weeks of bleeding, a couple of days off. It had a bad impact on my mental health, made me feel exhausted most of the time and killed my sex drive, ultimately leading to a breakup.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

When I was on it I was really pleased with how it was going. I felt balanced due to no periods and lack of mood swings etc. It felt great to not have periods and have that interruption on my life each month. What I didn’t realise until after I came off it after many years of using this pill, the implant and another pill previously was the affect it had had on my arousal/libido, I had always put this down to anxiety, but I feel very confident in saying now that having a true cycle has made a huge difference to this. When on the pill (especially the mini pill) I felt broken as to why I didn’t ever think about sex, but that changed almost instantly when I stopped. I wish I had known how much this would have impacted this. I would use it again, but I would be cautious of this change.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was so scared to go on this pill because of the mounds of negative stuff on it online as well as my own medical anxiety but it’s the best thing I ever did. Went on it at 17 due to heavy painful long periods and for the first like 6 months? I spotted every day. Which no isn’t ideal but it wasn’t painful. After those 6 months I have not bled or had any period since. My general anxiety has decreased so much after being on the pill and my overall mood. No side effects except maybe a small weight gain. Don’t let bad reviews put you off, this pill works for so many people, it changed me and my friends life for the better


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

I wanted birth control to calm down or stop my painful periods. I was put on denestrogel as my gp wasn't comfordable putting me on oestrogen due to migranes. the first two weeks were great, then i started getting cramping but no bleeding. all that i saw was brown discharge for another week before i started bleeding. i didnt stop bleeding for the three months I was on it. completely ruined my sex drive as I was bleeding all the time and all of my underwear got ruined. I couldnt use a pad or tampon as the bleed wasn't heavy enough. it really started to affect my mood that i stopped taking it halfway through my third month on it because i was getting so distressed was really dissapointing as I saw so many good reviews on it and loved that it had a 12 hr forgetfulness window.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th Feb 26

Desogestrel pill  

I’ve been using Desogestrel for over 6 months now it’s the first pill I tried as I didn’t like the fact that the combined pill affected your blood pressure. I struggled with heavy periods, cramping and always hated when my period came around as I had to use heavy flow tampons/towels continuously for 5-6 days. Since going on the pill I haven’t noticed any unusual side effects I take it in the evening at about 9pm I wouldn’t recommend it if you have spot prone skin as I didn’t originally I haven’t noticed a difference other than small breakouts before my period is due however I know it can make others worse if you already have spots. It hasn’t changed my weight at all however it does increase your appetite so as long as you keep on top of it stay active and eat healthy it shouldn’t affect you either. I’m very sexually active with my partner and so far we have had no pregnancy scares and we don’t use condoms. Overall the pill has made my periods much lighter I tend to either not bleed or bleed very little and I no longer have any cramping. It does cause breakthrough bleeding occasionally so if you want to stay regular I wouldn’t recommend this pill. I’m really happy with my decision to go on this form of contraception,


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Jan 26

Desogestrel pill  

Completely ruined my skin and gave me awful acne after already suffering with it for years. Also gave me horrible headaches and migraines. Would never recommend this to anyone.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th Jan 26

Desogestrel pill  

Been on Desogestrel for just over 3 months now, started October. Had a good run with no side effects until 6th Jan and have been spotting ever since with no sign of it stopping. Told by nurse it can take 3+ months for body to get used to it. Also have a big increase in spots on face, majority chin and neck but can be all over which is really annoying. Lower back pain and some cramps experienced also. Unsure how long I’ll leave it before asking GP to change as spotting everyday is a little annoying.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

1 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Hi everyone, I’ve been on Cerazette since October. Before that I had a Mirena coil, but I was bleeding constantly and had it removed after 10 months. First month on Cerazette was great period on time, only 4 days. Since then it’s been a mess: weeks of spotting short breaks a few days of bleeding then spotting again now spotting again with very sore breasts, which feels like another period starting My GP says to wait 6 months for things to settle, but I was told the same with Mirena and it never improved. I can’t use other hormonal methods and coils don’t suit me, so I’m really stuck. This constant bleeding/spotting is physically and mentally exhausting, and it’s affecting my relationship too. Did anyone actually see improvement on Cerazette? If yes, how long did it take? Or did you eventually have to stop? Thanks for any honest experiences.


Increased sex drive

1 more effect

2 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Dec 25

Desogestrel pill  

it has helped massively with my cramps which is the reason i was put onto it. my tender breasts and spotting are what i have struggled with the most


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

3 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Zelleta pill with other contraceptives

Compare the Desogestrel pill with other contraceptives

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