Cerazette pill vs Desogestrel pill

I actually really loved the Cerazette mini pill. It basically stopped my periods, so pretty amazing because my period cramps are unbearable. I was really sad when I had to stop taking it but I just couldn't deal with the extreme acne it gave me. It started about 3 weeks after starting Cerazette and it vanished within a couple months of stopping it so I am 100 percent sure it was this pill. I have never before or since had acne at all (apart from when I was a teenager eons ago, but basically I am not someone who ever has it). I am waiting for a mini pill that will not give me acne, meanwhile I make due with the combined pill.

I used Cerazette for 15 years and didn't really think about it, which is a testament to how few notable side effects I had. Worked effectively, and didn't hugely affect my appearance (skin or weight) which was very important to me when I began taking it at 21. However, I suffered from headaches / migraines almost weekly which I never connected to Cerazette until I stopped taking it, and since then they've gone completely (it's now been almost a year since I last took a pill). I've also got so much more energy, and my libido came back as soon as I got my periods back. Overall, if you can't take the combined pill and want a hormonal option, I really would recommend it, but be mindful that some side effects might come on slowly over years.

I was on this contraception for 12 months and didn't notice any negative side effects. I have heavy periods with pain and after a few months of using the mini pill these mostly stopped which was a great benefit. I have listed weight gain as a symptom however I would not attribute this to the pill and more to unrelated health reasons. Ordered through The Lowdown which I found easy to do. Where possible I prefer not to go through the NHS for cost reasons/hope those who really need their services get them and the Lowdown offered a great alternative.

Switched to this after not liking the combined pill side effects. After a few months of using it and having very irregular periods I noticed my skin and hair became very oily, needing to be washed daily. My hair also became thinner. I decided to stop this pill and look for an alternative.

Constant spotting throughout use. Skin had a few spots but generally felt less smooth, larger pores and oilier. Noticeable decrease in sex drive. More apathetic mood.

This contraception has been great for me. I went on to stop my periods as I suffer badly with cramps and it did stop them. I haven’t noticed many physically side effects but I do feel my sex drive has been badly hit! I also think I am a little less joyous on this pill, nothing is wet yourself funny to me anymore!

I have found desogestrel good over the last few months compared to my experiences with the combined pill however it has definitely affected my mood. I feel more negative than I would usually and less motivated to start/do things. I am hoping that this will level out as I am on it a bit longer. I have noticed that there is a difference even between the brands of desogestrel, when I switch my mood changes and it takes a couple of weeks to stablise again.

This is an easy and quick contraception method which I have found really beneficial to me personally. My periods have now essentially stopped, with very irregular periods now being the norm with my last period being over a year ago. Because of that, when I get a period it is only a few days at a time, whereas before they would sometimes last over 2 weeks. Menstrual pain such as cramps, lower back pain etc are also a lot more controlled. I still get these every month or two but they don't last for long and the pain has decreased massively although I do get breast tenderness more than I used to pre-pill. The downsides though do include acne which has had periods of improving/getting worse and weight gain. Overall though, I like the ease of this (mine is the 12 hour mini pill) compared to other options out there.

After a really rough time on combined pills (Rigevidon & Loestrin 30, both of which gave me horrific mood swings / changes to sex drive) I went on progesterone only pill Desogestrel/cereals and was on it for about 3 years. I had a great time on it it evened my moods out (I suffer from bad PMS) and it stopped my periods which was great. I came off it because after 6 years on the pill by age 22 I wanted to see if I was any different off it and wanted to go hormone free. However, I also came off it because after the Covid vaccines and during my 3rd year of uni my periods came back even though nothing about my pill had changed and I was having 2 week long periods every 2 weeks for about 6 months ☹️ went to the doctor and had ultrasounds / checks etc and everything was normal so the doctor said it might just be stress / my cycle settling into itself in my 20s post-initial puberty stage. That period of time was super frustrating and I blamed the pill for a lot of things. But when I came off it it all went back to normal ASAP and I have a very regular, trackable cycle now that I really appreciate especially as I look deeper into PMS/PMDD/anxiety and my cycle. I now use (male) condoms with my partner of 3 years and we both really like them. I’m very pro condoms particularly as a lot of women/girls are anti just from knowing boys don’t like them (I know I was). I actually way prefer it now and think they don’t have a big impact on either of us at all so totally recommend them if you are looking for a non-hormonal, non-invasive method of contraception (however I do acknowledge that being in a long term relationship may make this an easier conversation than it can sometimes otherwise be).

My periods were only irregular/spotting for the first 4ish months while my body was adjusting to the hormones, after that my periods became regular again and lighter than before too. I also believe this mini pill has not effected my mood, breasts or weight.

I experienced some negative side effects when I first went on the pill (mood swings, headaches), both this time around and previously, but they dissipated/softened after a few months. My migraines have increased in frequency over the last 12 months, but I have been a migraine suffered since puberty.

Just started my third pack, originally I was on the combined pill (4+ years) but experienced some migraines so the GP switched me to desogestrel. The first week of taking I had a regular heavy period for 8 days ish and then was okay for about 2 weeks, then the breakthrough bleeding started and has been on and off for 4 weeks now, a mixture of red / brown spotting which is not ideal as I can't be intimate with my partner as its very off-putting. I'm due to meet with my GP over the next few weeks to discuss but I know they will just say this is bleeding is normal for the first few months of taking. I did notice some spots around my chin and mouth area about a month in, they have since gone. I'm losing weight purely because of my good diet and workouts but tis good to know I can lose weight on this pill. Unsure if I want to continue taking these.

I’ve been on this pill for 7 weeks after having the Modena coil and then copper coil. For them removed fallen on pregnant so had to try something else. I was struggling as I suffer with hormonal acne so wanted to go on a combined pill but I could t as I suffer with migraines. So I but the bullet and give this a try. I can honestly say it’s helped with my anxiety and mood swings so much. I feel a lot calmer in myself too. My periods have stayed same so far maybe a bit lighter. My acne hasn’t improved or got worse really just same well I think so anyway. The first few weeks I was constantly bloated and constipated but I just take two husk tablets a night now and I’m back to goi g regular. Overall I’m finding this pill ok and I’m happy with the way it’s helped my mood swings.