Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill
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Overview
Rated 4.4
7 reviews
Permanent
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
Permanent
Effect on fertility
Rated 2.7
1356 reviews
Daily
Frequency
91% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) ingredients
Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients
Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill
progestogen
What Lowdown reviewers say
Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with
There are no benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Period pain
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£From £0.22/day
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) reviews
7 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Mar 24
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jul 23
This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!
Very positive mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th May 24
Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.
Very positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 25th Mar 24
Decreased sex drive
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
• 30th Jul 23
This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!
Very positive mood
1 helpful
0 comments
Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews
1356 reviews
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I have been on Cerazette for 4 years now. Initially, I had headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings. These symptoms subsided after 3 months. My periods became very irregular and then stopped altogether. Although my doctors deny this all the time, I feel like the pill caused excessive weight gain. Yes, I have had circumstances that affected my life but the weight gain was dramatic. In the first year alone, I gained 15 kilograms. After 4 years, I am up to 25 kg extra weight (BMI 29) and I am struggling to lose the weight with diet and exercise. Lately, I have had more bodily hair growth and am losing some hair on my head. Not many mood swings but definitely feeling angry most of the time. I am also struggling with a very low sex drive, which is starting to affect my marriage. I have an appointment with my GP, will try to switch to the combined pill to try.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
This pill stopped me from getting pregnant and that was the only good thing about it. Constant spotting, sore nipples, and decreased sex drive. Now on norgeston and so much happier!
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I moved onto Norgeston after trialling desogestrel for a few months (it gave me near constant spotting and super decreased sex drive). I was optimistic as levonorgestrel was the hormone I used to have in my combined pill and so far it’s been great for me - I do get periods, but these are regular and of a normal flow each month and thankfully my sex drive has come back.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I have been on Cerazette for 4 years now. Initially, I had headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings. These symptoms subsided after 3 months. My periods became very irregular and then stopped altogether. Although my doctors deny this all the time, I feel like the pill caused excessive weight gain. Yes, I have had circumstances that affected my life but the weight gain was dramatic. In the first year alone, I gained 15 kilograms. After 4 years, I am up to 25 kg extra weight (BMI 29) and I am struggling to lose the weight with diet and exercise. Lately, I have had more bodily hair growth and am losing some hair on my head. Not many mood swings but definitely feeling angry most of the time. I am also struggling with a very low sex drive, which is starting to affect my marriage. I have an appointment with my GP, will try to switch to the combined pill to try.
Somewhat negative mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
This pill stopped me from getting pregnant and that was the only good thing about it. Constant spotting, sore nipples, and decreased sex drive. Now on norgeston and so much happier!
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
I moved onto Norgeston after trialling desogestrel for a few months (it gave me near constant spotting and super decreased sex drive). I was optimistic as levonorgestrel was the hormone I used to have in my combined pill and so far it’s been great for me - I do get periods, but these are regular and of a normal flow each month and thankfully my sex drive has come back.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5 days ago
honestly haven’t experience any negative side effects, it was a bit rough for the first couple of months but after about 8-12 weeks it settled and it’s been great, i gained a little weight but no more than about 7lbs so overall it’s been brilliant
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 6 days ago
I’ve been taking the pill since I was 17, I’m now 25 and have never had an issue with it! I’ve not had any side effects at all! It stopped my periods after about 2/3 months and has been smooth sailing since then. I find the ‘window’ in which you can take it without it being considered a ‘missed pill’ is also really reassuring if you suffer with anxiety! Would definitely recommend.
Improved skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Been on this pill for about 15years its great i have no periods at all, i have no symptoms of periods etc and i have gained weight but i dont think i can put that down to taking cerelle haha all in all i love this pill and most importantly i havent gotten pregnant while taking it so its main job is done
Very positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I really tried to give it a chance and persevere despite a lot of breakthrough bleeding. My skin got worse. My mood/anxiety got worse. The bleeding never stopped. I would be spotting nonstop for 2 weeks, get a period (heavier bleeding), then no bleeding for ~1 week, and then back to spotting. I didn't notice any changes to my sex drive but the constant spotting was a huge deterrent. I am now switching to a combined pill.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
Monitor your moods closely. Don’t recommend using if you’re not in a somewhat ok place mentally.
Very negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
48 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 2 weeks ago
I started bleeding the following day and it was heavy
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
The chest pain was really awful, and that’s a big red flag. Even though a month might not seem like long enough to make a final judgment, the intensity of the chest pain and other symptoms definitely made me question whether this was the right pill for me. It's important to listen to your body, and in my case, the discomfort and pain outweighed any potential benefits. I would highly recommend discussing these symptoms with a healthcare provider to explore alternative options or further guidance
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments

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