Reviews

Desogestrel pill reviews

2.7

353 reviews

Desogestrel pill has an average rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars from a total of 353 reviews when used as a contraceptive. These are self-reported reviews where users of Desogestrel pill review their satisfaction with this contraceptive and any side effects they feel they experienced whilst using.
Desogestrel has an average rating of 2.6 out of 5 from a total of 326 reviews when used as a contraceptive. 34% of reviewers reported negative mood changes. 54% reported a decrease in sex drive. 42% reported no change to their weight.

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Desogestrel pill

Reviews

2.7

353 reviews

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Community reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have only been on this pill for around 2 months however my side effects have been so drastic in this time period. My mood is unstable and I have become more irritable and quick to be upset, as for periods they have been irregular and my cramps have been the same if not worse than before i started contraception.

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Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

it’s really good, like that there’s no estrogen and doesn’t make me feel like i’m going crazy. only annoying thing is the loss of sex drive but that’s something i work through with my partner


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

This was my first time using a hormonal contraception method and was given this by my doctor to start with. I persevered for 3-4 months but experienced continuous medium break through bleeding that didn’t show any sign of stopping. At this point my sex drive had disappeared and I switched over to a combined pill which I now have a much better time with.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

This is the first time I’ve tried the mini pill after using the combined pill since I was 15 (until 18), the hormonal coil (18-22) and then experiencing my adult body for around 3 months with no hormones. After this contraceptive break, I fell pregnant and had a really rough abortion. After this experience I was terrified of this happening again and noticed my weight had increased due to pregnancy and my moods were really up and down in the last 6-8 weeks. After speaking to a doctor I got given this pill due to optical migraines and high risk of stroke. It was fine for the first few weeks and got used to it very quick, however, I noticed an insane decrease in sex drive. I never think about sex now and it’s really hard to get in the mood, this had led to me getting too in my head during sex and ruining it for me, a constant cycle!! Recently I’ve also became really irritable and short tempered which is very out of character for me. *Really important note* that I’ve not seen in many reviews!! After a quarterly checkup with the nurse she told me this pill is one of the worst for weight gain!! Saying that basically no matter how much of a calorie deficit you’re in/how active you are, you’re going to gain some weigh. Wasn’t informed about this prior to prescription. For context I was 69kg prior to taking this pill and in 6 months I’ve gained 11kg without changing my diet and increasing my cardio and general exercise. Apart from this the pros are no periods, very minimal cramps. I’m leaving this (very long) review to help anyone else who’s using this or considering it, like other reviews say, it really depends on you and unfortunately you’ll never know how these things affect you until you try. To help some sisters out, I’m now considering the copper coil as I’m missing having periods (sounds crazy I know) and really want a non-hormonal option


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Jun 24

Desogestrel pill  

I have endometriosis and this is the only pill I’ve tried that has stopped my daily pain. After a couple of failed attempts at a coil fitting my doctor suggested the progesterone only pill and I wish I had started taking it years ago! It’s increased my sex drive, dramatically reduced my endometriosis pain, had a positive impact on my mood and hasn’t caused weight gain or acne. The two main side effects I’ve had are occasional spotting and nausea, I’m still only on my 2nd month of the pill so hoping these settle down soon.


Very positive mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Jun 24

Desogestrel pill  

This pill has been amazing for me, I went on it because of very heavy periods and it really helped with that, I would really recommend it. I have heard a lot of bad stories from friends about their (different) pills but for me I don’t think I’ve had any bad side effects or experiences with it and I’ve been on it for nearly 7 years!


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Jun 24

Desogestrel pill  

I completely lost my appetite for sex and became very irritable


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Jun 24

Desogestrel pill  

I have tried lots of contraception and this has not been good for me. I was in agony with abdominal pain for a week and had period symptoms with no bleeding, followed by random bleeds.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
44 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  28th May 24

Desogestrel pill  

Spotting, headaches, period type pains. Not for me


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  27th May 24

Desogestrel pill  

Started spotting on day 9 after starting this pill, increased anxiety symptoms and have now started getting daily panic attacks. I normally have increased anxiety during the week up to my period as a PMS symptom. But this pill has increased the intensity of that and I have struggled to keep it under control. I had not had a full on panic attack since 2020. I have only just gone onto the second packet since starting and I am just going to stop taking it. Decreased sex drive, so bad I do even want to be even touched by my partner. My mood is crazy, I'm snappy and irritated. I am just not myself.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Desogestrel pill FAQs

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Desogestrel pill side effects

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Desogestrel pill benefits

Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive

Period pain

Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

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