Cerelle

Description

Cerelle contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone, the progestogen, desogestrel. For this reason Cerelle is called a progestogen-only pill (POP) or mini-pill.

Unlike the combined pill, the POP or mini-pill does not contain an oestrogen hormone, but only a progestogen. Most POPs or mini-pills work primarily by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb but do not always prevent the egg cell from ripening which is the primarily action of combined pills.

Cerelle is distinct from other mini-pills in having a dose that in most cases is high enough to prevent the egg cell from ripening. As a result, Cerelle provides high contraceptive efficacy.

In contrast to the combined pill, Cerelle can be used by women who do not tolerate oestrogens and by women who are breast feeding. A disadvantage is that vaginal bleeding may occur at irregular intervals during the use of Cerelle. You also may not have any bleeding at all.