Cerazette is a contraceptive pill for women to prevent pregnancy. It’s a type of progesterone-only pill, often known as the mini pill. It only contains one type of hormone and it’s often prescribed for women who encountered side effects with the combined pill or cannot take it for medical reasons. The combined pill contains synthetic versions of both progesterone and oestrogen.
Cerazette contains a synthetic version of the progesterone hormone. Progesterone is produced naturally by your body during your menstrual cycle. Cerazette works by stopping ovulation so that your ovaries do not release an egg into the womb. It also thins the lining of the womb and thickens the mucus surrounding the entrance to the womb so that sperm cannot enter through the vagina so easily. All this protects against pregnancy by stopping fertilisation and creating an artificial menstrual cycle.
If Cerazette is taken correctly, it has an efficiency of over 99% but it’s estimated that the progesterone-only pill is actually 92% effective, taking into account how it’s often taken. This includes external factors, such as remembering to take it every day, and at the correct time.
If you start Cerazette on days 1-5 of your period, then it will protect you against pregnancy right away. If you start taking it at any other time of the month then you’ll need to wait two days before it starts to work.
Cerazette is only used to prevent pregnancy, it cannot be used for period delay.
Desogestrel is the active ingredient in Cerazette which is a synthetic version of progesterone.
The other ingredients are colloidal anhydrous silica; all-rac-α-tocopherol; maize starch; povidone; stearic acid; hypromellose; macrogol 400; talc; titanium dioxide (E171) and lactose.
The best time to start Cerazette is on the first day of your period. If you start it on day 1-5 then you’ll be protected from pregnancy right away but if your menstrual cycle is shorter, where you have your period every 23 days or less, then you may not be protected unless you’ve taken Cerazette on day one. You can start Cerazette at any time, but if it’s at a different point in the month then you’ll need to use another method of contraception for the first couple of days to ensure you are protected against pregnancy.
Once you start Cerazette it should be taken everyday, with no break between packs. The most effective time to start taking Cerazette is the first day of your period but you can start it at any time as long as there is no chance that you are pregnant. Choose a time that is convenient for you to take your pill, as you’ll need to take it at this time every day, or within twelve hours of it, for the pill to be effective.
Cerazette contains a 75mg dose of desogestrel in each pill. You should take one pill every day.
If you miss a pill you will not be protected against pregnancy and should use additional contraception such as condoms or a diaphragm for 48 hours. You should take the missing pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two at once (but if you’ve missed more than one, take only the most recent missed pill.) Continue taking the rest of your pills at the correct time.
If you have taken a pill too late, i.e more than 12 hours after you were scheduled to take it, then follow the same instructions as if you have missed a pill. You’ll need to use condoms, or another method of contraception, for the next two days. If you realise that you have taken your pill too late, or missed it, and you have already had unprotected sex then you may need to take emergency contraception.
Cerazette usually does not cause side effects and many women find that it’s more compatible than the combined pill. If you do experience side effects these are likely to include:
Cerazette is not suitable for women who:
There are certain types of medication which can interact with Cerazette and cause it to become ineffective. These are:
You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines.
Yes, you can expect side effects to disappear after the first couple of months. If they don’t, then speak to your doctor for advice.
If you do experience side effects while taking Cerazette they are usually short lived. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water and eat properly to reduce headaches and nausea. Painkillers can be taken if you are getting headaches but these side effects usually disappear once your body gets used with Cerazette.
Drinking alcohol does not cause any adverse effects alongside Cerazette.
Some women may experience irregular bleeding while other women find that their periods stop altogether. There is no way to tell how it will affect each individual so you should be prepared for this possibility.
The progesterone hormone contained in Cerazette might cause the ligaments in the breast to stretch, enlarging the breast glands. This is what causes breast tenderness.
Taking Cerazette will not affect your fertility in the long run. It’s usually possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking the pill.
Cerazette can be taken safely alongside antidepressants. However, if you are taking the herbal remedy St. John’s Wort this may interact with Cerazette. If you are taking antidepressants then you should inform your doctor or pharmacist of this to be certain that they won’t be affected by Cerazette.
If you wish to switch the type of contraceptive pill you are taking, you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist who will advise you what to do based on your individual circumstances. Usually, you’ll be able to start taking your new pill straight away without taking a break. However, depending on which pill you are currently taking and which one you are switching to, it may be necessary to use additional methods of contraception, like condoms, for the first month until your cycle adjusts.
Cerazette only contains desogestrel, which is a synthetic version of progesterone whereas the combined pill contains both progesterone and oestrogen. Cerazette causes less side effects than the combined pill and has fewer health risks associated with it. It’s also a suitable option for women who are breastfeeding. However, the combined pill provides greater control over your period and can also have a positive effect on PMS and acne.
There are three different types of progesterone-only contraceptive pills available in the UK. These are Desogestrel (which Cerazette is a brand of), Levonorgestrel and Norethisterone. Cerazette may be more convenient as you have a 12 hour window to take it in case you forget, whereas with other types you’ve only got a three hour window. Aside from the contraceptive pill, other methods of long term contraception include the implant, injection IUS, IUD and the patch.
Unlike the combined pill, Cerazette cannot be used to delay your period. The mini pill is taken continuously instead of having a seven day break in between packs. If you wish to delay your period for an important occasion, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you can switch to the combined pill.
It may take three months for your body to readjust after coming off Cerazette so you should allow some time for your natural cycle to return. However, you can become pregnant as soon as you stop taking the pill. The time it takes will differ for every woman.
If you vomit within two hours of taking Cerazette then the pill may not have taken effect. If this happens, take another pill either right away or within twelve hours of your usual time and continue to take the rest of your pills as usual. Otherwise, use condoms for the next seven days and keep taking the rest of your pills on time.
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