Hana pill vs Desogestrel pill

Need help choosing? Speak to a doctor
Hana pill

Get Hana delivered

Desogestrel pill

£From £0.20/day

Overview

Rated 2.9

20 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

424 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Hana pill ingredients

Main hormones in Hana pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen


Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

26% no impact on mood

48% spotting

57% lost sex drive

52% no impact

78% no impact on skin

Cycle return

33% in 2 months

34% somewhat negative

44% stopped periods

52% lost sex drive

43% 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

Try it now

Get Hana delivered

Try it now

£From £0.20/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Hana pill reviews

20 reviews

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

Hana pill  

I think this is the best mini-pill I have taken so far as it has very little side effects for me personally speaking. Made my periods a lot lighter, almost non existent which is great for my endometriosis. Mood wise it didn't have much of an effect either, other mini pills made me sad or depressed. Its frustrating its not free on the NHS in the UK but you can buy it over the counter after you have consulted with a pharmacist. Worth a try if other mini-pills didnt agree with you.

Read more

Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 25

Hana pill  

I've tried so many pills and was really hoping this one would be different but sadly not. I started on day one of normal period, stopped bleeding for a few days but then after being intimate with my husband I've been bleeding daily for 2 weeks. I know it says it can take months to settle, but I can't cope with 3 months of bleeding. It makes me miserable, I smell and constantly feel unclean. I wish I could find one that doesn't make me bleed.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Apr 25

Hana pill  

I have been taking Hana for 4-5 months now. Generally I have enjoyed the effects of taking a POP, but the specific effect Desogestrel had has led me to trying Slynd instead. Aside from the contraceptive effect, I mainly started taking this pill to combat low mood, hormonal headaches and to hopefully lighten my period. I did find all of these things improved on Hana, but I found that inconsistent and increasingly frequent bleeding was killing my sex drive, making it a touch redundant and prompting the switch. I would have likely reluctantly kept taking Hana (or tried a different brand) as I do feel my mood has benefited overall, and it is advised that bleeding can settle down over time, but now that Slynd was finally available in the UK, I see no need to compromise. In my first month on the pill, I had no bleeding at all (as you would expect). I also generally didn't notice many other side effects. I did have some mood swings - which took me by surprise, but were easier to handle once I identified what was happening and generally settled down after the first month. I also noticed slight vaginal dryness (not uncommon for me in my luteal phase and nothing a bit of lube can't fix) but have been unable to determine if this has also settled. As I got to the last week of pills in my first pack, I had a withdrawal bleed, which again was not unexpected. I was pleased to note that this was much lighter than my normal period, even if it lasted longer, because I could essentially just wear period underwear instead of my normal underwear and that would last all day. In my second month, I noticed some light but otherwise entirely manageable spotting. This alone would not have dissuaded me from taking this pill. I again had a withdrawal bleed around the start of the last week in the pack and would have been happy with that cadence. This is where the problems started, however. Through the course of the third month, I noticed that the light spotting was turning into more prolonged bleeding, which by the end of the month was almost constant and in some cases led me to leak through my clothes. Having done some research online, I decided to try taking two pills instead of just one - this did seem to make the bleeding lighter but it has continued. While I feel that the hormones have overall had a positive impact on my sex drive, it is very hard to feel attractive or think about sex when you are constantly bleeding.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

1 comments

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

Hana pill  

I think this is the best mini-pill I have taken so far as it has very little side effects for me personally speaking. Made my periods a lot lighter, almost non existent which is great for my endometriosis. Mood wise it didn't have much of an effect either, other mini pills made me sad or depressed. Its frustrating its not free on the NHS in the UK but you can buy it over the counter after you have consulted with a pharmacist. Worth a try if other mini-pills didnt agree with you.


Decreased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
43 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th May 25

Hana pill  

I've tried so many pills and was really hoping this one would be different but sadly not. I started on day one of normal period, stopped bleeding for a few days but then after being intimate with my husband I've been bleeding daily for 2 weeks. I know it says it can take months to settle, but I can't cope with 3 months of bleeding. It makes me miserable, I smell and constantly feel unclean. I wish I could find one that doesn't make me bleed.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  8th Apr 25

Hana pill  

I have been taking Hana for 4-5 months now. Generally I have enjoyed the effects of taking a POP, but the specific effect Desogestrel had has led me to trying Slynd instead. Aside from the contraceptive effect, I mainly started taking this pill to combat low mood, hormonal headaches and to hopefully lighten my period. I did find all of these things improved on Hana, but I found that inconsistent and increasingly frequent bleeding was killing my sex drive, making it a touch redundant and prompting the switch. I would have likely reluctantly kept taking Hana (or tried a different brand) as I do feel my mood has benefited overall, and it is advised that bleeding can settle down over time, but now that Slynd was finally available in the UK, I see no need to compromise. In my first month on the pill, I had no bleeding at all (as you would expect). I also generally didn't notice many other side effects. I did have some mood swings - which took me by surprise, but were easier to handle once I identified what was happening and generally settled down after the first month. I also noticed slight vaginal dryness (not uncommon for me in my luteal phase and nothing a bit of lube can't fix) but have been unable to determine if this has also settled. As I got to the last week of pills in my first pack, I had a withdrawal bleed, which again was not unexpected. I was pleased to note that this was much lighter than my normal period, even if it lasted longer, because I could essentially just wear period underwear instead of my normal underwear and that would last all day. In my second month, I noticed some light but otherwise entirely manageable spotting. This alone would not have dissuaded me from taking this pill. I again had a withdrawal bleed around the start of the last week in the pack and would have been happy with that cadence. This is where the problems started, however. Through the course of the third month, I noticed that the light spotting was turning into more prolonged bleeding, which by the end of the month was almost constant and in some cases led me to leak through my clothes. Having done some research online, I decided to try taking two pills instead of just one - this did seem to make the bleeding lighter but it has continued. While I feel that the hormones have overall had a positive impact on my sex drive, it is very hard to feel attractive or think about sex when you are constantly bleeding.


Somewhat positive mood

0 helpful

1 comments


Desogestrel pill reviews

424 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was on this mini pill for just over a year after switching from the combined pill. It slowly affected my mood to the point where my mood was constantly flat and I didn’t feel excited about anything. My libido was also very low. I felt a massive difference after stopping. Positives were I didn’t have periods often (every 6-8 weeks) and not much period pain. The 12 hour window to take the pill was also helpful when I sometimes forgot, as some other mini pills have shorter windows.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 week 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 week 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 12 - 18 mo
35 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was on this mini pill for just over a year after switching from the combined pill. It slowly affected my mood to the point where my mood was constantly flat and I didn’t feel excited about anything. My libido was also very low. I felt a massive difference after stopping. Positives were I didn’t have periods often (every 6-8 weeks) and not much period pain. The 12 hour window to take the pill was also helpful when I sometimes forgot, as some other mini pills have shorter windows.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

Compare the Hana 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