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 2.7

423 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

44% stopped periods

52% lost sex drive

44% no impact

47% no impact on skin

Cycle return

42% 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
  •  14th May 25

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
  •  14th May 25

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

423 reviews

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

Desogestrel pill  

i have definitely noticed good and bad side effects just after a month of taking this mini pill, one of the good ones is i have lost weight without changing my diet or physical exercise, as well as an increased sex drive and enlarged breasts! (a positive for a smaller chest sized girlie like me) however i have also experienced negatives such as very drastic mood swings that change rapidly, as well as uncomfortable vaginal dryness and more bloating than usual. i am also spotting quite frequently but not heavy whatsoever, i only have to use a tampon a day to prevent the blood from ruining my nice underwear


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have been on this contraception since I was 17 and I am now 35. The contraception has done what it said it would do and provided me with a very low risk of pregnancy. During that time I had no scares or worries that i was pregnant. Whilst being on this pill I have had no bleeding for over 5 years. Prior to that the bleeding was very minimal and infrequent. I have suffered with hornmonal (neck and jaw) acne throughout the whole time I have been on this pill. I have had frequent lower back ache and stomach cramps. I have suffered with normal to severe anxiety which has fluctuated throughout the years.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I started taking desogestrel for Endometriosis symptoms, I was having a lot of fatigue and thought I would try altering my hormones. I saw on the packet that the pill contained lactose but after a google search I was fairly confident that it was a low enough level to not affect me too much (I have had quite a lot of gut symptoms due to Endo and eliminated a few foods, lactose was one of them). After being on the pill for 3 months I was sure that the lactose has been causing some significant side effects, including less control over my bowels. Through an e-consult, I requested a version of the pill that didn't contain lactose. It turns out that there is not one single oral contraceptive pill that does not contain lactose! This is unbelievable to me and I believe there should be more awareness of this.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

i have definitely noticed good and bad side effects just after a month of taking this mini pill, one of the good ones is i have lost weight without changing my diet or physical exercise, as well as an increased sex drive and enlarged breasts! (a positive for a smaller chest sized girlie like me) however i have also experienced negatives such as very drastic mood swings that change rapidly, as well as uncomfortable vaginal dryness and more bloating than usual. i am also spotting quite frequently but not heavy whatsoever, i only have to use a tampon a day to prevent the blood from ruining my nice underwear


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 day ago

Desogestrel pill  

I have been on this contraception since I was 17 and I am now 35. The contraception has done what it said it would do and provided me with a very low risk of pregnancy. During that time I had no scares or worries that i was pregnant. Whilst being on this pill I have had no bleeding for over 5 years. Prior to that the bleeding was very minimal and infrequent. I have suffered with hornmonal (neck and jaw) acne throughout the whole time I have been on this pill. I have had frequent lower back ache and stomach cramps. I have suffered with normal to severe anxiety which has fluctuated throughout the years.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I started taking desogestrel for Endometriosis symptoms, I was having a lot of fatigue and thought I would try altering my hormones. I saw on the packet that the pill contained lactose but after a google search I was fairly confident that it was a low enough level to not affect me too much (I have had quite a lot of gut symptoms due to Endo and eliminated a few foods, lactose was one of them). After being on the pill for 3 months I was sure that the lactose has been causing some significant side effects, including less control over my bowels. Through an e-consult, I requested a version of the pill that didn't contain lactose. It turns out that there is not one single oral contraceptive pill that does not contain lactose! This is unbelievable to me and I believe there should be more awareness of this.


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  14th May 26

Desogestrel pill  

Not a good experience, lots of weight gain, more emotional/moody. cant wear contacts anymore


Somewhat negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5th May 26

Desogestrel pill  

I’d been off contraception for years and I wanted to go back on it as in a relationship and not TTC just yet. So far it seems to be okay th first 2 months was where i experienced most my symptoms mainly have settled sort from sex drive, headaches, no periods they still exist on month 5.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Apr 26

Desogestrel pill  

I started taking the mini pill as the combined was making me cry every single day, it was great for the first year but now I am experiencing absolutely no sex drive and I feel awful! It’s made me hate myself as I know my partner can notice but I don’t know what to do. It seems like every conception has massive negatives so I don’t even know if I want to try another one and go through this again. In the same through I don’t want to come off the pill as my anxiety will go mental if I’m not on anything !!! It’s such a shame because I’ve experienced no other side effects but I can’t go on like thi


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  18th Mar 26

Desogestrel pill  

I’m generally happy but I was looking for a contraceptive that did not reduce my sex drive and that mission was failed. I tried the coil for 5 years and found that at the end, as it wore off, I started to get my sex drive back and was hoping to keep it. I was recommended the mini pill as a good option by my GP but it still doesn’t work for me. No interest in sex at all.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
31 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  13th Mar 26

Desogestrel pill  

I feel like the mini-pill has changed my life. I used to get so many painful spots on my chin, but now they are cleared up. I have noticed my boobs getting bigger and a bit more sore, and I don't if it is linked, but I am getting cystitis more, but honestly, the impact it has had on my moods has been positive. My periods are non-existence and I just feel like a whole different person (in a good way). I have looked at photos of me when I was off hormonal contraception and I just don't even recognise her. I kind of feel like the mini pill has balanced my hormones (even though the intention of using it was to not get pregnant)


Very positive mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6th Mar 26

Desogestrel pill  

I was constantly bleeding and around the third month I started seeing a pattern emerging that essentially flipped my natural cycle: three weeks of bleeding, 4–5 days off, three weeks of bleeding, a couple of days off. It had a bad impact on my mental health, made me feel exhausted most of the time and killed my sex drive, ultimately leading to a breakup.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 8+ yr
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1st Mar 26

Desogestrel pill  

When I was on it I was really pleased with how it was going. I felt balanced due to no periods and lack of mood swings etc. It felt great to not have periods and have that interruption on my life each month. What I didn’t realise until after I came off it after many years of using this pill, the implant and another pill previously was the affect it had had on my arousal/libido, I had always put this down to anxiety, but I feel very confident in saying now that having a true cycle has made a huge difference to this. When on the pill (especially the mini pill) I felt broken as to why I didn’t ever think about sex, but that changed almost instantly when I stopped. I wish I had known how much this would have impacted this. I would use it again, but I would be cautious of this change.


Somewhat positive mood

1 more effect

1 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Desomono pill with other contraceptives

Compare the Desogestrel pill with other contraceptives

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