Desomono pill vs Desogestrel pill

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
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

393 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

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

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Period pain

Try it now

£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

393 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days 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


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
29 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week 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
  •  1 month 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 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  5 days 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


Somewhat negative mood

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Desomono pill with other contraceptives

Compare the Desogestrel pill with other contraceptives

Order online

Order online now

Use our online prescription in under 5 mins

  • No GP appointment needed

  • Free standard delivery

Speak to a doctor

Not sure yet? Speak to a doctor

Schedule an appointment now

87% of women are happier with their contraceptive choice after speaking with one of The Lowdown's doctors

The Lowdown Footer

Women's health, reviewed.

Get the best women’s health info in your inbox

You are signing up to receive The Lowdown's latest findings and news in women's health. Your data will be used in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie policy

Built by doctors and experts

Our tools are made by medical professionals for your peace of mind

Our website uses affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click on them