Side effects
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
Desogestrel pill rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
5% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported discomfort wearing contact lenses
4% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported migraine with aura
4% of Desogestrel pill reviewers reported a latex allergy
Possible Desogestrel pill side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Tender breasts (52%)
- Period like cramps (45%)
- Breast enlargement (42%)
- Vaginal discharge (41%)
- Vaginal dryness (37%)
- Lower back pain (35%)
- Sweating more than usual (32%)
- Nausea or vomiting (24%)
- Body hair increase (19%)
- Thrush (17%)
- Headaches (15%)
- Cystitis (14%)
- Body hair getting darker (12%)
- High blood pressure (11%)
- Dizziness (9%)
- Migraines (8%)
- Hair loss (6%)
- Pelvic infection (6%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (5%)
- Migraine with aura (4%)
- A latex allergy (4%)
Reviews
2.7
401 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• today
Since i was 18 i tried 7 different contraception methods (pills and nuvaring). However i had diagnosed migraines, but none of the OBGYNs i was seeing though this was a concern. Now i am 24 and i finally found a competent OBGYN thanks to my friend. She was the only one who really looked through and studied my medical history and suggested taking desogestrel for my ovarian cysts and corpus luteum cyst, which were more rare occasion. I started my second pack today and i’m scared to jinx but the last two weeks were amazing. The first two weeks were a hell, i had bleeding for quite some time and then spotting for a week or more. Now i don’t have any spotting, my sex drive is the same, i am happy and i feel like i even started to lose weight. I am planning to update my story next month to see how my body would feel on these pills.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
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0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 3 weeks ago
It feels nice not having a period. But I’ve noticed I’ve become more spotty , I sweat more also & get thrush
Somewhat positive mood
3 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
I spotted for 3 months straight, but then stopped periods all together. I felt a bit sick after taking it, so i should’ve probably taken it after food or at night but i took in the morning. I feel like it made me quite anxious, but i’ve been off it for two years and still have anxiety problems so i’m not 100% whether it’s related! The sickness feeling made me feel quite nervous i think. No other side effects.
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
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Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 1 month ago
i’m not sure if it is normal but i have been on this pill for 3 months. a week into the taking the pill my period finally came back after around 100 days. since then ive had very irregular periods often bleeding for extended periods of time and also spotting more often with the periods being closer together. i have also experienced much more mood changes as i have felt somewhat more depressed on this pill. this might just be my experience and might also be influenced by the fact i am still going through pubity as i’m 16 yet i still can’t stop thinking that something is wrong .
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 23rd Jul 25
I’m was happy with the mini pill as I took it while breastfeeding my son, however as soon as I weaned him my periods came back but they were all over the place. I bled for nearly 2 weeks straight then it finally stopped, but only for 3 days then it started again. If it wasn’t for this issue I’d have kept using the mini pill but I couldn’t deal with it anymore as it was preventing me from living my life normally
Somewhat positive mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 10th Jul 25
After coming off a combined pill (Yasmin) that I was on for 14 years - I am now on Desogestrel, within a week I suffered a mild acne rash/breakout on chin and neck but some gel from my GP quickly sorted that. I am now 2 days late to what would have been a bleed/period and my lower back and period cramps are quite severe and prolonged - my breasts are bigger and tender to touch - hoping these symptoms begin to decrease if I get my bleed or not! Saw GP today to discuss and they’re just general side effects whilst my hormones adjust (I’m told to allow >3 months to review) - general mood has decreased a bit and I feel a bit numb emotionally but started feeling better today so fingers crossed I’m on the up!
Somewhat negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 5th Jul 25
Switched eventually to an implant because of having to remember to bring them everywhere each day. Overall a positive experience though - a reduction in headaches, and usually say it 'flattened' my mood. Whereas before there would be some very low mood points in my cycle, this greatly reduced those. Sometimes it felt a little dull as it seemed to also reduce some of the good spikes, but this was worth it to me to not have to deal with such mood swings.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 26th Jun 25
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
Somewhat negative mood
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
• 24th Jun 25
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
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