Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) vs Progestogen-only / Mini pill

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Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)

Add your Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) review

Progestogen-only / Mini pill

£From £0.22/day

Overview

Rated 4.4

7 reviews

Permanent

Frequency

Over 99%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

Permanent

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

1311 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) ingredients

Plastic or titanium clamps or silicone ring may be used to block the fallopian tubes.

Progestogen-only / Mini pill ingredients

Main hormones in Progestogen-only / Mini pill

progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

57% no impact on mood

57% no change

43% no impact

71% no impact

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

32% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

50% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

38% don’t know impact

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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Add your Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion) review

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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

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th May 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.

Read more

Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Mar 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

eryew4yhwesgs


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jul 23

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

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

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 5 yr
38 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th May 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

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

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Mar 24

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

eryew4yhwesgs


Decreased sex drive

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jul 23

Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)  

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

0 helpful

0 comments


Progestogen-only / Mini pill reviews

1311 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days 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
  •  1 week 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 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks 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 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days 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
  •  1 week 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 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks 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
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

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 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

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 1 - 3 mo
50 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

This desogestrol progesterone only pill was recommended to me during a specialist appointment for severe Menorrhagia, I also have endometriosis. On the first day of taking I did not notice any symptoms, on the second day my whole abdomen from side to side became painful, tender and swollen, same on day three and four progressively becoming worse. On day three and four I was getting pins and needles in both my hands intermittently. I felt nauseous on day two, three and four (this became constant from day three to four) and had some dizzy spells on both days too. I also experienced tender breasts from day 1 to 4. I exercise well everyday and noticed I was sweating more than usual and breathless after exertion, a lot more than usual. My sex drive changed because of the side effects I think. I stopped taking this medication after the fourth tablet because the side effects were so bad.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Was put on this to help with my severe period pains. It has helped but I'm not sure it's worth it with the side effects. I can honestly say I am depressed. I have zero motivation, zero energy, zero inclination to do anything I used to enjoy. My sex drive has disappeared it doesn't matter because I've bled for the majority of the time I've been taking it. I want to stop but my GP won't try me on anything else until I've been on this for 3 months.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have been taking Desogestral for just over 6 months. It took 3-4 months of irregular bleeding/spotting before my periods seem to have stopped completely. I do notice that I have had several occurrences of thrush along with weight gain/increased hunger, tender breasts and occasional period like cramping without bleeding. Mood overall has been slightly lower and feel like I am prone to pms symptoms still (teary, low mood) at the time I would have previously been due on. Had been off contraception for several years as combined pill previously contributed to anxiety/depression. Wanted something to control v heavy periods and not impact mood greatly and this seems to be working so far despite some unwanted side effects


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Awful , periods went on for 16-28 days over 3 months. Decided to stop taking this totally as it was awful. Don’t recommend at all.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 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

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