Side effects

Desogestrel pill side effects

2.7

393 reviews

What Lowdown reviewers say

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

33% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

53% lost sex drive

44% no impact

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

41% don’t know impact

Desogestrel pill

Desogestrel pill common side effects

Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews

52% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported tender breasts

45% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported period like cramps

42% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported breast enlargement

41% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported vaginal discharge

37% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported vaginal dryness


Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews


Reviews

2.7

393 reviews

Filter reviews

Community reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Desogestrel pill  

The first 3-5 months were a bit rough, having sex would cause me to get a period and sometimes was painful. I also was definitely more emotional than before. It all calms down over time, I’ve been on it for almost 3 years now and it was the best decision i get very occasionally spotting and cramps if i miss a pill or two but overall I like it

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Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was on Microgynon 30 for almost 8 years and I never had any issues! I changed 3 months ago to the progesterone only pill (Desogesterel) due to my friend getting a blood clot from microgynon, and within a month I began getting spots all over my jawline! I have now had constant spots for 2 months. I also have breakthrough bleeding which I never had on Microgynon. I will be heading back to the pharmacy to discuss my options


Worse skin

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I’m very satisfied with the pill. I only been taking it for few weeks but my mental health improved so much ! I can’t actually believe it. I used to suffer mood swings due to hormonal fluctuations . None of this is happening . Very happy. No side effects either


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was so concerned about weight gain and mood changes but have not experienced this. I have barely any side effects and have had a really positive experience!


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I use this pill in combination with a copper coil and it has helped enormously with my PMDD symptoms. I used to really struggle around ovulation with feeling very unwell and now that I don’t have a cycle everything is a lot calmer. I’ve had some spotting and I’m sweating more but it’s much better than having hellish and painful periods. I now don’t have periods at all, which is so much less stressful. I feel like I can finally enjoy my life.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th May 25

Desogestrel pill  

I must say that this pill absolutely saved my life. Suffering from severe endometriosis pain & PMDD and it reversed the effects of that. I have control of my moods and body back and I’m so grateful. I must leave a positive review because it’s not all bad. The beginning was rocky with irregular bleeding but this stopped after 8 months or so. It was worth it.


Very positive mood

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th May 25

Desogestrel pill  

I was put on this pill after I suffered from bad migraines from the combined pill- I wanted to try contraception to tackle my low moods, PCOS and acne. I became so depressed over the course of about 3 months, to the point where I went to the GP to try and get some therapy/talk about possibly taking antidepressants. Straight away the GP was like 'oh just stop taking the pill'- I did and a few months later I felt normal again. Literally can't believe that GPs prescribe this stuff without giving you proper warning- I felt like an empty shell of a person for a few months literally all because of this pill.


Very negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
18 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 25

Desogestrel pill  

i was put on this pill due to me being incredibly hormonal and 'hysterical' every month (on top of other issues i was facing). i was put on at 15-16 years of age i am now 18. my skin became more acne-like on cheeks and chin, whereas before it was just one or two. my breasts grew a lot, which was hard for me to come to terms with. thinking of coming off due to just 'having enough' and being worried about blood clots etc.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th May 25

Desogestrel pill  

I have been on this pill for a little over 10 weeks with the hopes of it stopping my period altogether but I spent more time bleeding than not. Sometimes little bits here and there, sometimes a lot and for 10+ days at a time. I found myself having a lot of down days and googling PPD symptoms. The worst thing I noticed was the brain fog. My ability to remember things and speak clear and cohesive sentences was just obliterated. I’m on day 2 post stopping and it feels a little better already although I have started my withdrawal bleed. I know you should give your body at least 3 months to settle after starting but honestly that was enough time for me. I just hope my cycle goes back to normal fairly soon!


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  9th May 25

Desogestrel pill  

Was on desogestrel for almost 8 years. Only got light spotting when I missed a pill, otherwise very easy adjusting to pill. I’ve stopped now as I’m trying to conceive and actually stopping has been an experience - I’ve been getting hormonal acne and my sex drive has shot through the roof! I also developed minor vaginismus (related to stress levels) on the pill and that seems to have gone away in the last month since I stopped desogestrel. I can update this in a few months time in case these symptoms are temporary or not.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

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