Optimizette is a microdose progestative contraceptive pill containing 75 μg degestrel, Generic Cerazette®. Key points:
- Estrogen-free pill, continuous
- Variable physical and psychological side effects
- Impact on weight, libido and skin
- Accessible price (1.23 € at 3.01 €)
Here is our full analysis to help you evaluate this contraception.
What is Optimizette pill?
Optimizette is a pure progestative pill without estrogen. It contains 75 micrograms deogestrel and is taken daily without interruption, unlike conventional pills that provide a seven-day break.
Generic Cerazette®, it costs between 1,23 € and 3.01 € the box and is reimbursed at 65% by the Sickness Insurance. Each blister contains 28 tablets.
How does Optimizette work?
Deogestrel acts in two ways: it blocks l-ovulation in 97% of cycles and thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm passage. This double action ensures a contraceptive effectiveness comparable to the pills combined.
Regular intake remains essential: you have a tolerance window of only 3 hours around your usual time.
In what cases is it prescribed?
Optimizette is suitable for women who cannot take estrogen: smokers over 35 years of age, women who are susceptible to migraines with aura, or during breastfeeding. It passes in minimal amounts into breast milk without affecting lactation.
This pill also helps manage endometriosis by stabilizing the uterine mucosa and reducing pelvic pain. Several patients appreciate the disappearance of painful periods.
How to take Optimizette properly
Choose a fixed daily moment for your take. Ideally start the first day of the rules for immediate protection. If you start between day 2 and day 5 of the cycle, use additional protection for 7 days.
Chain one blister directly after the other without pause. Schedule a daily alarm to never forget your catch, the margin of error being very narrow.
What to do if you forget or vomit?
Forget less than 12 hours: Take the tablet immediately, the protection remains active. Forget more than 12 hours: take the tablet as soon as possible and use a condom for 7 days.
In case of vomiting or diarrhoea within 4 hours of taking, take a tablet. If the disorders persist beyond 12 hours, add additional protection for one week.
What are the common side effects?
Menstrual disorders dominate: spotting, irregular menstruation, prolonged bleeding, or complete stopping of menstruation. Skin problems are common: acne on the face and back, sometimes severe hair loss.
Other effects: nausea, diarrhoea, intense fatigue, muscle pain, breast tension, headache and hot flashes. The returns show great variability among women.
Can Optimizette be taken during breastfeeding or pregnancy?
Optimizette is a reference contraception during breastfeeding. Deogestrel passes in tiny amounts in breast milk without effect on baby development or milk production. It may be prescribed from the first weeks after delivery.
If pregnancy occurs despite taking, stop treatment immediately and consult your doctor. No hormonal contraception should be continued during pregnancy.
What are the user reviews of Optimizette?
Evidence from Carenity (43 patients) showed overall satisfaction of 3.5/10 and efficacy noted 5.8/10. Easy to take gets 8.8/10, but side effects seriously penalize: 8.5/10 for their frequency and only 3.3/10 for improving quality of life.
Some appreciate stopping menstruation and reducing pain. Others stop quickly due to overly invasive disorders: weight gain, acne, fatigue, anxiety or depression.
Optimizette and endometriosis: effective or not?
Continuous intake prevents hormonal fluctuations that stimulate ectopic endometrial tissue. Some women experience a dramatic decrease in pelvic cramps and pain during sexual intercourse.
The results vary considerably. Benefits usually occur after several months of regular treatment. We recommend gynecological monitoring to objectively evaluate evolution.
Does Optimizette grow or lose weight?
A large proportion of users report weight gain: some 3-5 kg, some up to 15-25 kg for others over several years. This is often accompanied by increased appetite and water retention.
Conversely, cases of weight loss exist, even if they remain less frequent. These weight variations depend on individual sensitivity to progestins, which influence metabolism differently among individuals.
Impact on libido and sex life
The drop in libido is one of the most destabilizing effects. Many women describe a gradual decrease in sexual desire, or even a total loss of interest in sexuality, affecting their life as a couple.
Deogestrel lowers the rate of free testosterone, reducing sexual motivation. Vaginal dryness and difficulties in reaching orgasm are also reported. The good news is that libido is usually back to normal within weeks of stopping.
Does Optimizette cause acne or hair loss?
Acne appears or worsens in many users, touching face, back and neckline. The absence of estrogen in the formulation explains this reaction: progestins alone stimulate sebaceous glands in sensitive women.
Hair loss also worries. Several accounts describe significant hair loss, sometimes in handles. This hormonal alopecia can be diffuse or localized. Regrowth usually occurs within months of cessation.
Comparison with other progestin pills
Optimizette is distinguished by its quasi-systematic blocking of ovulation (97% of cycles), unlike Microval, which inhibits only 60% of cases. This difference offers a wider forgotten window: 12 hours against 3 hours.
Clareal contains exactly the same molecule at the same dosage: it is another generic of Cerazette with strictly identical effects. Microval, based on levonorgestrel, has a slightly different side effect profile depending on individual sensitivity.
Is Optimizette suitable for all women?
Some situations contraindicate Optimizette: history of phlebitis or pulmonary embolism, active liver disease, hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer, and unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Avoid association with St. John's wort, which reduces contraceptive efficacy. Always check drug interactions with your pharmacist if you are taking other treatments.
My experience with Optimizette: personal testimony
Leah, 29, "I was breastfeeding my daughter. Optimizette has allowed no period for 18 months without side effect."
Sophie, 32 years old: "After three months, I had taken 7 kg, my acne had returned, and I had no more libido. I stopped and everything came in order."
Marine, 35 (endometriosis): "Optimizette saved. No more periods or pain. The spottings of the first few months were quite worth it."
These experiences illustrate the need for a customized approach. Give at least three months of testing, while staying tuned to alert signals.
Should we stop Optimizette? Weaning tips
Stopping requires no gradual withdrawal: simply stop taking at any time. Fertility usually recovers from the next cycle, so immediately adopt another contraception if you do not want to become pregnant.
The rules reappear within 2 to 8 weeks. Side effects gradually fade: libido goes back in the first month, skin gets better in a few weeks. You can design immediately after stopping without waiting for "cleaning": your body regains its natural functioning within a few days.
