I’ve been on Cilest twice now, once when I was a lot younger, mainly to help with painful periods, and once more recently, mainly for contraceptive purposes. Both times I changed to a different pill after about a year – the first time I didn’t get on with the alternative ... Read review
Advantages: No babies! Disadvantages: Lots of side-effects for me
I’ve been on Cilest twice now, once when I was a lot younger, mainly to help with painful periods, and once more recently, mainly for contraceptive purposes. Both times I changed to a different pill after about a year – the first time I didn’t get on with the alternative pill, so came off it altogether, but this time I am hoping that the alternative (which I am about to start taking next week) will be an improvement.
...my experiences.
Cilest is one of the range of combined oral contraceptive pills, which means it contains oestrogen and progesterone, and is taken for 21 days out of every 28, with a 7 day break in between. It prevents pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and also by thickening the mucus at the entrance to the womb. It is a second generation, medium dose pill, and is made by Janssen-Cileg Ltd. As one of the cheapest pills on the market, ... more
I’ve been on Cilest twice now, once when I was a lot younger, mainly to help with painful periods, and once more recently, mainly for contraceptive purposes. Both times I changed to a different pill after about a year – the first time I didn’t get on with the alternative pill, so came off it altogether, but this time I am hoping that the alternative (which I am about to start taking next week) will be an improvement.
Anyway, having finished my last packet of Cilest at the end of last week, I thought I’d write an opinion about my experiences.
Cilest is one of the range of combined oral contraceptive pills, which means it contains oestrogen and progesterone, and is taken for 21 days out of every 28, with a 7 day break in between. It prevents pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and also by thickening the mucus at the entrance to the womb. It is a second generation, medium dose pill, and is made by Janssen-Cileg Ltd. As one of the cheapest pills on the market, it is very commonly prescribed for first-time pill users.
The pills come in a lilac box with purple writing, each of which contains 3 months’ supply (i.e. 63 pills). The pills are in blister packs, each containing 21, with the days of the week printed under each for ease of reference when taking your pills. Also in the box is a cardboard ‘sleeve’ to keep your packet of pills in., and a comprehensive instruction leaflet which explains how to start taking your pill, how to take it, how to ensure it is effective, when it will not be effective, what the side-effects, health benefits and health risks are, and when you should stop taking your pill. I will not go into detail with any of these, as they are fairly generic to most brands of pill – although obviously anyone taking this, or any other brand, should ensure they read the appropriate instructions carefully.
Cilest has one huge advantage for me – after using it as a contraceptive for just over a year, I have not heard the patter of tiny feet. This also, however, is a fairly general benefit of all contraceptive pills, which if taken properly are over 99% effective, so I will focus more on the other features of this particular brand.
I have experienced a number of side-effects whilst taking Cilest, some positive and some negative – I’ll list them and let you make up your own mind which is which – one man’s meat is another man’s poison, as they say!
• Reduction in period pain • Lighter periods (often so light that it is uncomfortable to use tampons) • Shorter periods • Very slight increase in breast size • Weight gain, but only a couple of pounds • Constantly bloated stomach – my stomach was always quite flat before taking Cilest • Clearer skin (although my skin flared up for a month or so when I first started taking the pills) • Breast tenderness during the first couple of months – this is now not too bad • Lack of lubrication during sex • Increased vaginal discharge (but not always at the right time – see above!) • Almost constant “PMT”-like symptoms (being snappy, over-emotional, highly stressed at times and mildly depressed) • Headaches during my pill-free week
All of these are listed in the instruction leaflet as possible side-effects – and a load more besides! Some of these are pretty unpleasant, and I doubt that many people would put up with the majority of them!
Another side-effect I experienced was the fact that I developed a cervical erosion, or cervical ectropion. This is a common problem in young women, particularly those on the pill and is caused when the cells from the lining of your womb grow out onto your cervix, making it prone to bleeding – in between periods and after sex. Although completely harmless, the condition is annoying and slightly unpleasant to have to deal with. My doctor said that if I stopped taking the pill it would probably go away on its own, but if I wanted to continue taking the pill I could either put up with the symptoms or have a cervical cautery to stop the area from bleeding. As I don’t want children for some time, and absolutely definitely not at the moment, stopping the pill was not an option, so I opted for the treatment – which was a fairly minor hospital procedure, but not the most pleasant experience of my life! That’s another story, but I just wanted to make you aware of another, fairly common, side-effect of this and other pills.
Finally, and probably the main reason why I have finally given up on Cilest, I have started to experience some irregular bleeding. One of the huge benefits for me of being on the pill is knowing exactly when my period will start (I know practically to the nearest hour!) and being able to regulate this by taking two packets of pills together if I need to (e.g. if I am going on holiday). Doctors are generally happy for you to do this, and the instructions explain it as a legitimate use of the pill. Until recently, I have been able to take two packets together with no problems at all, but lately this has caused me to start bleeding half way through the second packet, and the bleeding has continued until a week after I finish this packet. This is not satisfactory for me at all, as it is inconvenient, and also starts to make me doubt the contraceptive efficacy of the pills when this is happening (although my doctor assures me that the bleeding does not signify that the pill is not working).
Again, many of the effects I have described are common to all or most contraceptive pills, but different people experience different side-effects from different pills. Although I’ve put up with Cilest for a year (mainly because the other pill I tried, Microgynon, made me gain about a stone in weight), reading back through this opinion makes me wonder why I have endured it for so long! I have reached the conclusion it is not for me, and am now going to try Yasmin instead, which some doctors are reluctant to prescribe due to its being approximately 4 times as expensive as some other brands, but which claims not to produce as many unwelcome side-effects as most other brands. It’ll take a good few months for me to get used to the Yasmin, but watch this space and perhaps I’ll be back with another opinion on that one!
I’ve given this pill 3 stars – as it can’t have been that bad if I put up with it for a year, and it has done the trick and prevented an unwanted pregnancy, but the side-effects I’ve experienced prevent me from awarding a good or excellent rating. I would recommend it – because it suits many people, and there is no harm in giving it a try.
Men (those of you who have stayed the course and read to the end!) – you can now un-wrinkle your noses and select a rating as you see fit! Ladies – you can now stop nodding sympathetically at what us women have to endure and also select the appropriate rating!
Advantages: No side effects, easy and simple form of contraception Disadvantages: Larger pills than other brands
...suggested that I change to Cilest and see if that worked any better for me.
~*~What is Cilest~*~
This is a combined oral contraceptive otherwise known as "The Pill".
Containing a combination of Ethinylestradiol and norgestimate which are synthetic versions of the two naturally occuring hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
During the menstrual cycle the levels of these sex hormones change causing oestrogen levels to rise causing an egg to ripen ... ...that I have previously taken. Cilest is easy to take and although I find the pills to be slightly larger and a little more difficult to swallow as they are not sugar coated, I feel that I am much happer, I have less mood swings, my aggression has disappeared and I appear to be losing weight once more.
I do recommend random pregnancy tests just to ensure with any pills as the break from the pill is not a true period. ...
KELLYLOUJ 01.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cilest Contraceptive Pill
...known to increase the risk. Cilest is also thought to lessen the chances of cervical cancer.
Although the contraceptive pill is usually taken firstly and foremost for stopping a women getting pregnant it also has several other fantastic advantages such as controling my PMT and regulating my periods.
Cilest pills are small and easy to swallow as they are sugar coated. They are blue in color and come in a blister pack of 21. The idea is that you ... ...You should start taking cilest on the first day of your period when taking it for the first time, this way it will be effective from day 1. Otherwise you can take it on day 5 but you must use other forms of contreceotion for 5 days after this, just so the pill has time to kick in properly.
I have had no trouble with cilest what so ever. It has made my life a whole lot easier. It has actually lightened my oeriods(sorry to grosse you out boys! but ...
KarmababyUK 29.05.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cilest Contraceptive Pill
Advantages: No side-effects and it works! Disadvantages: You have to remember to take it...
...You can get Cilest prescribed by your GP or given to you by a family planning clinic and you will find both recommend it highly. Cilest comes in strips of 21 small blue pills, it also, thoughtfully, comes with a little pouch to keep them in that will easily and discreetly slip into your make-up bag or purse.
The pills must be taken daily. Unlike some other contraceptive pills, which must be taken at an exact time each day, Cilest can be taken within ... ...prepared. Another advantage is that Cilest is safe to take strait through, meaning you can miss your period all together for a month if a special occasion arises. I must say, though it has many advantages one of the biggest ones for me is simply the feeling of safety I get from being on the pill. No need to worry about split/forgotten condoms and a regular predictable period are both very reassuring for me. The only difficulty I have found is remembering ...
DarcyOnly 23.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cilest Contraceptive Pill
Advantages: unprotected safe sex, lighter periods. Disadvantages: Weight gain, doesn't protect from STD's
Cilest is one of many combined pill's available to women through prescription from their GP free of charge. You can either go to your local GP or family planning centre who will assess you and your family's medical history to see if you will be able to take the pill safely. It contains both oestrogen and progesterone hormones. When you take the pill, it releases these hormones and prevents ovulation.
It is 99% effective against unwanted pregnancy.
... ...for 7 days. During these 7 days bleeding occurs and unprotected sexual intercourse may still take place and you are still protected against pregnancy.
If you forget to take the pill as long as you have taken the pill correctly in the last 7 days and have seven or more pills left to take then you will be covered. If you have not got 7 pills left to take then you need to start the next packet of pills as soon as you finish the pack that you are on. ...
redballoon 06.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cilest Contraceptive Pill
Advantages: easy to remember when to take, 98 percent effective Disadvantages: can have unpleasant side effects
...day, he told me that Cilest would be best for me.
***********THE FUNCTION*************
Cilest is used both to prevent pregnancy, and also sometimes used for some disorders of the menstrual cycle.
*************HOW DOES IT WORK?************
This is a combined oral contraceptive, containing a combination of two synthetic derivatives of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. During the menstrual cycle, levels of these hormones change - oestrogen ... ...implanted. ************REASONS WHY CILEST SHOULD NOT BE USED*********
In some cases, this pill cannot be prescribed, a few of which are listed below - if you are not sure if a condition you have will affect the effects of the pill, ask your doctor.
- if you are/think you may be pregnant
- if you have moderate/severe high blood pressure
- if you have, or have ever had, tumours of the breast, womb or ovary.
Similarly, there are conditions under ...
emmorticia 12.11.2002 (01.12.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cilest Contraceptive Pill
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Advantages: No noticeable water retention, no mood alterations :) Disadvantages: Week long migraines, light sensitivity and sickness. :(
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Advantages: Contraceptive cover Disadvantages: pain, depression, tender breasts, headaches, not safe to be on for too long
break.
Advantages:
* Works as a contraceptive
* Works as an acne treatment
Disadvantages:
* Didn't do anything for my acne
* My ovaries felt like shards of glass were being pushed through them on the 7-day break in particular.
* Not safe for long-term use.
* Tends to cause depression (possibly the higher oestrogen, but also the progestogen type)
* Ridiculous weight gain in spite of diet and exercise.
* Headaches and low moods.
* I felt irritable all the time and constantly cried.
* Very tender breasts - probably the higher oestrogen.
I would not write this pill off completely. I know of some great success stories from other acne and PCOS sufferers. Unfortunately not me though!
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Advantages: First 2 months BIGGER BOOBS!! Clear skin Disadvantages: Nauseous first 2-3 months
All i have to say is that i have been plagued by mood swings, spots, and headaches for the past 6 years i started taking Yasmin 3 and a half months ago and my skin has never been clearer!! I feel so much better about myself my confidence has soared by being able to walk into work without acne ridden skin, my relationship with my partner is better because i'm not constantly up and down with my moods and my headaches have gone.
I tried every spot treatment going i must have spent hundreds in the last few years and nothing worked. I'm never taking anything else. i so happy i've found something that agrees with me, after being prescribed Microgynon, Cilest and the contraceptive injection. I took Microgynon for 2 years when i was to naive to connect the terrible moodiness to the pill, I'm sure it helped me burn a few bridges! But anyway ...
