0 reviews
Daily
Frequency
93% - 99+%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Period pain
Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients
0 reviews
I took this pill for roughly a year, after I was told the mini-pill I'd been on previously (Cerelle) was not available at my local sexual health clinic. I'd also had an 8 month break in taking any pill due to lack of supply/need during lockdown. Although Desogestrel supposedly contains exactly the same kind/dose of hormone as Cerelle, I had a very different experience on it. The first 6 months were fine for me mood-wise, and my periods became lighter and more irregular but nothing drastic. Around the 7 month mark I realised I had lost a considerable amount of weight and this worried me a bit - due to covid restrictions at my GP however I never got an appointment to check this out. I got increasingly bothered by the irregular periods (naturally mine are like clockwork) & they were usually not even proper blood but a dark brown coloured discharge I'd never experienced before. To add to this I also suffered from vaginal dryness and a lower sex drive after about 7 months too. Around the time I was returning to uni to study a master's (10 months in) I started to feel extremely anxious and have really low moods quite regularly; despite this being more of an external factor, with all the other side effects I decided it was time to give my body a break at the 12month mark.
Top side effects not reported
As soon as I went on this pill I experienced cystic red spots on my cheeks and chin, which are (for me) hormonal spot areas. Literally made my skin awful as well as exacerbating my migraines with aura which were caused by the combined pill- the joys! I will definitely be researching alternative options now.
Top side effects not reported
I have been on Marvelon previously which made me terribly anxious with few panic attacks a day. I was really concerned that Desogestrel will make me feel the same. My mood was up and down (more on the anxious side) during first 3 months when I was experiencing irregular spotting and bleeding. After 3rd month the bleeding stopped and my mood evened out. Also no periods since. Overall 4/5 as much better than combined pill for me disadvantage is excessive sweating, greasy hair and acne.
Top side effects not reported
Really liked this pill at first as I had minimal side effects and only had a period once every 3 months. My periods were also so much lighter, almost like spotting. However, about 2 years in I started to have more irregular and frequent periods - sometimes once a month, sometimes twice in a month. I also started to experience spotting after sex and otherwise so ended up switching.
Top side effects not reported
No changes was really made, my periods stopped but I do get a pain every now again and get a tiny bit of bloody.
Top side effects not reported
I have to take the mini-pill because of other medication I am on. I have been on it since the first lockdown and I have had no problems. Since then I've had my period once (when I had covid and I think it was because of the change in my body), otherwise no period, no pms, no pain. My skin or hair hasn't really changed at all. I do get headaches but I have chronic headaches so wasn't any different from the pill. My only gripe is taking it at the same time every day. e
Top side effects not reported
I tried this pill after the combined pill didn't work well for me and I hated it! It made my spots so bad I didn't want to leave my house, my periods were painful and irregular and lasted longer which I have never suffered from any of these. I gave it over 6 months to settle but to no avail.
Top side effects not reported
Although there have been some negatives, this is the best experience I've had with a pill
Top side effects not reported
I had to switch to this type of contraception as I had migraines with aura on the combined pill. I much preferred the combined pill as I had much less side effects with it, other than the migraines which meant I had to switch. Upon the first few months of taking this pill, I noticed it caused considerable low moods, but this got better over time. The first few months pretty much stopped my periods, but then after around three months I began to have bleeds every fortnight that last 7 days and have had this since. Switching to this pill was convenient for me and it is reliable, but the side effects are simply not ideal.
Top side effects not reported
Due to family history of blood clots, I was recommended this pill over the combined. Overall it has been a positive experience, especially as it stopped my periods which used to be very heavy and painful.
Top side effects not reported