Desomono pill vs Desogestrel pill

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Desomono pill

£From £0.18/day

Desogestrel pill

£From £0.20/day

Overview

Rated 2.1

19 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

385 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Desomono pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desomono pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

32% no impact on mood

58% irregular periods

42% lost sex drive

53% no impact

25% improved skin

Cycle return

100% in 1 month

34% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

54% lost sex drive

43% no impact

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

40% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Period pain

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£From £0.18/day

Try it now

£From £0.20/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Desomono pill reviews

19 reviews

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

Desomono pill  

I started the generic name for it: Desogestrel, I got given the brand Desomono once too, but most of the time the generic name. On it for 6 months, coming to 7. It's been great in many ways I wanted. I was sacred my mental health would be affected or I'd get acne. I monitored but I didn't get any negative or increasing mental health issues. No acne. Maybe a bit of hair thinning but I have that problem from before. A little weight gain but it could be new marriage fat. My main concern which is annoying as I was happy otherwise was that after 15 days of taking it, I was bleeding non stop till this day, bloody discharge or just blood, not lots like period but annoying as I wore pads for the bit of blood so it doesn't go on the side of my knickers. I'm started to feel a bit itchy around my vulva but that could be due to constant wear of pads. My breasts are starting to feel a little tendor and I think I feel a little less lubricated down there during intimacy. I'll be trying the combined pill next month because of the above mainly the bleeding. I'm gonna try Levest.. I hope it doesn't play with my mind!!

Read more

Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Jan 24

Desomono pill  

This is my favourite contraception. Other brands make my mental health so bad this doesn't. Period cramps can be bad but that's about it. Highly recommend


Very positive mood

1 more effect

5 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Dec 23

Desomono pill  

This was the 1st contraception I ever tried and I went on this pill for 2 reasons: The 1st was for cramps and the 2nd was for a contraception which I used alongside condoms. When I started this pill I was on my period/experienced spotting for 140days from May (when I started the pill) to December. However, I did not experience cramps so I was happy to continue with this pill as the period was very light. After this I got my period about every 6weeks and started to get mild cramps but would reduce with paracetamol. After about 18 months of being on this pill I started to experience cramps again. My period was been dreadful. I’ve been on my period for 2weeks now with cramps and heavier bleeding than usual. I’m really tired and run down due to it all and absolutely hate it. A new doctor informed me that this was not the best pill to go on if I don’t have any underlying health problems i.e. A risk of clots. I had no other side effects on this pill so I think it is a good option if you don’t experience cramps and are looking for a contraceptive with less hormones as my friend has had a good experience on it. However it’s definitely not for me and I’m going to change asap.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

4 helpful

0 comments

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

Desomono pill  

I started the generic name for it: Desogestrel, I got given the brand Desomono once too, but most of the time the generic name. On it for 6 months, coming to 7. It's been great in many ways I wanted. I was sacred my mental health would be affected or I'd get acne. I monitored but I didn't get any negative or increasing mental health issues. No acne. Maybe a bit of hair thinning but I have that problem from before. A little weight gain but it could be new marriage fat. My main concern which is annoying as I was happy otherwise was that after 15 days of taking it, I was bleeding non stop till this day, bloody discharge or just blood, not lots like period but annoying as I wore pads for the bit of blood so it doesn't go on the side of my knickers. I'm started to feel a bit itchy around my vulva but that could be due to constant wear of pads. My breasts are starting to feel a little tendor and I think I feel a little less lubricated down there during intimacy. I'll be trying the combined pill next month because of the above mainly the bleeding. I'm gonna try Levest.. I hope it doesn't play with my mind!!


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  29th Jan 24

Desomono pill  

This is my favourite contraception. Other brands make my mental health so bad this doesn't. Period cramps can be bad but that's about it. Highly recommend


Very positive mood

1 more effect

5 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  19th Dec 23

Desomono pill  

This was the 1st contraception I ever tried and I went on this pill for 2 reasons: The 1st was for cramps and the 2nd was for a contraception which I used alongside condoms. When I started this pill I was on my period/experienced spotting for 140days from May (when I started the pill) to December. However, I did not experience cramps so I was happy to continue with this pill as the period was very light. After this I got my period about every 6weeks and started to get mild cramps but would reduce with paracetamol. After about 18 months of being on this pill I started to experience cramps again. My period was been dreadful. I’ve been on my period for 2weeks now with cramps and heavier bleeding than usual. I’m really tired and run down due to it all and absolutely hate it. A new doctor informed me that this was not the best pill to go on if I don’t have any underlying health problems i.e. A risk of clots. I had no other side effects on this pill so I think it is a good option if you don’t experience cramps and are looking for a contraceptive with less hormones as my friend has had a good experience on it. However it’s definitely not for me and I’m going to change asap.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

4 helpful

0 comments


Desogestrel pill reviews

385 reviews

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

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
  •  6 days ago

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

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

Desogestrel pill  

This is the WORST. My mental health plummeted on this pill, crying nearlt everyday. Not to mention i was bleeding medium heavy for 30+ days every single day. Really terrible effect i would not recommend. My doctor said to wait another week but after bleeding for a month straight i couldnt.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

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

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
  •  6 days ago

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

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

Desogestrel pill  

This is the WORST. My mental health plummeted on this pill, crying nearlt everyday. Not to mention i was bleeding medium heavy for 30+ days every single day. Really terrible effect i would not recommend. My doctor said to wait another week but after bleeding for a month straight i couldnt.


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

this was my first contraceptive pill i tried. in the first three months, i did struggle with lower mood and had consistent light bleeding that would last for over a week. later on, i adjusted better and eventually stopped having a period, with the occasional light bleeding from time to time. i experienced decreased sex drive and mentally has not been great but it has been manageable. i decided to stop this after 10 months due to suddenly getting worsened acne, which is not something i have struggled with since i was a young teenager


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

Tried the mini pill because combined contraception scared me and I knew I had to go on something as I had recently got an abortion and suffered badly with period cramps. So far I’ve had very few side effects in the first month I had a couple of acne spots popping up due to the change in hormones but they stopped towards the end of my second month. I’ve been keeping an eye on my weight and it’s had no effect and I haven’t had an increase in appetite as I take the pill before I go to sleep at 9:30pm which I recommend so much. Overall my mood hasn’t been affected at all and I have stopped bleeding pretty much, I have had a small period recently on my 2nd month of pills but no cramps or bloating. Overall I’m super happy I started this pill of course it’s different for everybody my advice go with what you think is best for you and regularly check in with your doctor. It’s trial and error but don’t read into it online as everyone has different side effects this pill may work really well for you and not for others! I defo recommend though 🫶


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th Apr 25

Desogestrel pill  

3-6 months: (started the pill on 14/10/2024. I've done a review on my first 3 months so this is a follow up) Day 126 - 17/02/2024 – I’ve pretty much had 2 back to back periods with a 2 day break between which I really didn’t appreciate. They really hurt and I convinced myself something was wrong. I have made a doctors appointment to talk through everything. I’m just fed up with bleeding all of the time. I’m spending SO MUCH on pads it’s ridiculous. 12/03/2025 - I’m on my second week of my 6th month of the pill. I’ve kept having back to back periods and consulted the doctor. Because I’m coming up to 25 I had a routine smear (that came back clear) and the doctor did a pelvic exam and they recon it’s the pill that’s the cause of all the bleeding (which I assumed it was anyway. But better safe than sorry). I’m fed up of the bleeding but they’ve given me 6 more months after this to see if it settles. If not we’ll switch to something else. 5/4/2025 - I’m coming to the end of my 1st week in the 7th month of the pill. All I can say is that I’ve stopped bleeding/spotting for the most part. It’s been about 3 weeks since I last bled. So I guess the doctor was right. However, I had like a 1 day period at the beginning of the week it was painful and some period blood and then nothing since. But the last couple of days I’ve had some cramping as if a period wants to start but hasn’t yet. Overall, I think we’re getting back on track hopefully. Sorry I didn't reflect as much but it's pretty much been the same sort of story for the past 3 months


Worse skin

2 more effects

0 helpful

2 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Mar 25

Desogestrel pill  

I’ve been taking the pill since I was 17, I’m now 25 and have never had an issue with it! I’ve not had any side effects at all! It stopped my periods after about 2/3 months and has been smooth sailing since then. I find the ‘window’ in which you can take it without it being considered a ‘missed pill’ is also really reassuring if you suffer with anxiety! Would definitely recommend.


Improved skin

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  12th Mar 25

Desogestrel pill  

The chest pain was really awful, and that’s a big red flag. Even though a month might not seem like long enough to make a final judgment, the intensity of the chest pain and other symptoms definitely made me question whether this was the right pill for me. It's important to listen to your body, and in my case, the discomfort and pain outweighed any potential benefits. I would highly recommend discussing these symptoms with a healthcare provider to explore alternative options or further guidance


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
25 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3rd Mar 25

Desogestrel pill  

During the first 2-3 months of using Desogestrel, I'd have prolonged periods (14+ days) of spotting/bleeding around times when my period would normally have been. I wasn't having cramps or any other pain, it was just a little annoying to be bleeding like this. It did settle down after a few months and I stopped getting my period altogether. Overall, I found the contraception to be pretty easy to use (I don't really have issues remembering to take the pill), physical side-effects were pretty minimal and it was nice to not have a period after suffering with really heavy painful periods for years. I had a gnarly chronic UTI issue around this time, but don't think this was necessarily because of the pill, there's a million other reasons why that could have been happening. I eventually stopped using it because I noticed it was really having an effect on my mood. I'd have days every few weeks where something small in the morning would set me off and I wouldn't be able to stop crying all day, which was starting to affect my social life, relationships, and productivity. I decided to stop using it a few weeks before my partner and I shifted into being a long-distance relationship.


Gained weight

0 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Feb 25

Desogestrel pill  

The mini pill worked well for lack of periods and I only had one break through bleed. However I felt very emotionally unstable, crying a lot and feeling overwhelmed. I have come off this pill due to those issues. I also had very bad headaches in the first few months.


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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