Micronor pill vs Desogestrel pill

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Micronor pill

Add your Micronor pill review

Desogestrel pill

£From £0.20/day

Overview

Rated 3.0

6 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.7

405 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Micronor pill ingredients

Main hormones in Micronor pill

Androgenic progestogen


Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

67% no impact on mood

50% stopped periods

67% no impact

67% gained weight

100% no impact on skin

Cycle return

Not enough data to say

33% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

52% lost sex drive

44% no impact

46% no impact on skin

Cycle return

41% don’t know impact

Benefits: What this contraceptive can help with

Period pain

Period pain

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£From £0.20/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Micronor pill reviews

6 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 23

Micronor pill  

I am currently on Norethindrone and i do not recommend it. I have been eating healthy and trying to stay active. I have gained a total of 7lb in the last 3 months. It does not matter what diet i am on. I keep gaining weight. I also got mild headaches in the beginning. My breast are super tender and they feel larger. My appetite has increased a lot from being on this pill. I am planning on no longer taking this mini pill.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 21

Micronor pill  

This medication improved my skin and stopped my periods and I didn’t get pregnant so it definitely went above and beyond it’s job. However, I’ve gained 15 pounds thus far and it seems like thats continuing to go up. I will likely stop taking it soon for that reason alone. Otherwise, it’s been the perfect experience of birth control.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Sep 19

Micronor pill  

This has worked well for me for years, no side effects (I already had migraines) and it reduced and lightened my periods.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  22nd Feb 23

Micronor pill  

I am currently on Norethindrone and i do not recommend it. I have been eating healthy and trying to stay active. I have gained a total of 7lb in the last 3 months. It does not matter what diet i am on. I keep gaining weight. I also got mild headaches in the beginning. My breast are super tender and they feel larger. My appetite has increased a lot from being on this pill. I am planning on no longer taking this mini pill.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Mar 21

Micronor pill  

This medication improved my skin and stopped my periods and I didn’t get pregnant so it definitely went above and beyond it’s job. However, I’ve gained 15 pounds thus far and it seems like thats continuing to go up. I will likely stop taking it soon for that reason alone. Otherwise, it’s been the perfect experience of birth control.


Gained weight

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 5 - 8 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  26th Sep 19

Micronor pill  

This has worked well for me for years, no side effects (I already had migraines) and it reduced and lightened my periods.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments


Desogestrel pill reviews

405 reviews

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

Desogestrel pill  

6 - 12 months 15/04/2025 - currently in my third week of me 7th month of the pill. I’ve just had a period after 3 weeks of not bleeding (having pretty much spotting all of the time/constantly bleeding) I feel like we’re finally getting back on track. The period was however thicker and more like ‘old’ blood than usual with a day of normal bleeding. I’ve been quite emotional recently and I’m pretty sure my breast have gotten slightly bigger while being on the pill but I haven’t gone up a bra size. I did put on some weight but I think I’m finally dropping it slowly but it feels slow going. 30/04/2025 - So I had that last period and have been and and off since. I think I’ve only had a couple of days on not bleeding at all or spotting. Today it seems that there is nothing. My boobs definitely feel larger but still not up a bra size. I had an awful breakout last week on my chest and back but my face seems ok/if not better than usual. 12/05/2025 - I’ve just had THE WORST under the skin spots on my chest. Like really really bad to the point I’m going to scar. However, I did just have a period but it lasted 3 days at most. I did feel super strange before it and in pain but not my usual period cramps. More like a full body sensation of pain which wasn’t excruciating but still not pleasant. Otherwise, I’ve been fine on it. I think I had nearly 2 weeks of no bleeding or spotting at all before this small period? 22/05/2025 - I’ve actually been feeling fine recently. I think I only had about 13 days between my last bleed and the small bleed/period that I’ve just had but there was no blood/spotting in between again which was nice. 01/07/2025 - I’ve still been bleeding really regularly. I’m noticing weight gain now that I can’t shift and I’m sweating so much more than usual. I’m at the point where I’m considering going to the GP and telling them I’m coming off of the pill I’m really not having a great time. 17/07/2025 - I’m about month 9 now of starting the pill. I’ve gone from bleeding about every 2 weeks to now having bled for nearly 3 now which is great. I did take a pregnancy test even though pregnancy would be a miracle (we use condoms as well because I definitely don’t want to be pregnant) It was negative. I’ve changed eating habits and have been exercising regularly and my weight is still creeping up. If it doesn’t start to come down soon I’ll be chatting to the GP about it. My mood is also really low. I’ve said this before but the spots on my face are definitely better than they were pre-pill but other body acne/spots are definitely worse. 15/08/2025 - So I still haven’t really had a period. I had a couple of days of cramps and old blood in mucus at the start of this week but nothing I’d really describe as a period. (definitely not pregnant). The issue I’m having is the increased sweating. It’s unbearable. My sister says that she has suffered the same since starting the pill. I’ve never in my life sweat this much. 4/11/25 - Yes it’s been over a year since being on the pill now. I’ve still not had a period since June so I guess it’s decided that it's not happening anymore (not pregnant) Breast tenderness is still here as well.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I was put on this pill to manage endometriosis. I had clear skin for years, and after around a month of desogetrel I experienced a massive flare up in cystic acne on chin and cheeks. I also gained 6 kilos in 3 months. I would not recommend.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Sep 25

Desogestrel pill  

I went on desogestrel twice. The first time I noticed it made me cry extremely easily, and I bled pretty much constantly for 9 months. Then I came off it. When I tried it again for a few months, I had a similar experience, with the added side effect of being so hungry that if I wasn't constantly snacking I was insanely nauseous. Ultimately, it was the bleeding that made me stop it.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

6 - 12 months 15/04/2025 - currently in my third week of me 7th month of the pill. I’ve just had a period after 3 weeks of not bleeding (having pretty much spotting all of the time/constantly bleeding) I feel like we’re finally getting back on track. The period was however thicker and more like ‘old’ blood than usual with a day of normal bleeding. I’ve been quite emotional recently and I’m pretty sure my breast have gotten slightly bigger while being on the pill but I haven’t gone up a bra size. I did put on some weight but I think I’m finally dropping it slowly but it feels slow going. 30/04/2025 - So I had that last period and have been and and off since. I think I’ve only had a couple of days on not bleeding at all or spotting. Today it seems that there is nothing. My boobs definitely feel larger but still not up a bra size. I had an awful breakout last week on my chest and back but my face seems ok/if not better than usual. 12/05/2025 - I’ve just had THE WORST under the skin spots on my chest. Like really really bad to the point I’m going to scar. However, I did just have a period but it lasted 3 days at most. I did feel super strange before it and in pain but not my usual period cramps. More like a full body sensation of pain which wasn’t excruciating but still not pleasant. Otherwise, I’ve been fine on it. I think I had nearly 2 weeks of no bleeding or spotting at all before this small period? 22/05/2025 - I’ve actually been feeling fine recently. I think I only had about 13 days between my last bleed and the small bleed/period that I’ve just had but there was no blood/spotting in between again which was nice. 01/07/2025 - I’ve still been bleeding really regularly. I’m noticing weight gain now that I can’t shift and I’m sweating so much more than usual. I’m at the point where I’m considering going to the GP and telling them I’m coming off of the pill I’m really not having a great time. 17/07/2025 - I’m about month 9 now of starting the pill. I’ve gone from bleeding about every 2 weeks to now having bled for nearly 3 now which is great. I did take a pregnancy test even though pregnancy would be a miracle (we use condoms as well because I definitely don’t want to be pregnant) It was negative. I’ve changed eating habits and have been exercising regularly and my weight is still creeping up. If it doesn’t start to come down soon I’ll be chatting to the GP about it. My mood is also really low. I’ve said this before but the spots on my face are definitely better than they were pre-pill but other body acne/spots are definitely worse. 15/08/2025 - So I still haven’t really had a period. I had a couple of days of cramps and old blood in mucus at the start of this week but nothing I’d really describe as a period. (definitely not pregnant). The issue I’m having is the increased sweating. It’s unbearable. My sister says that she has suffered the same since starting the pill. I’ve never in my life sweat this much. 4/11/25 - Yes it’s been over a year since being on the pill now. I’ve still not had a period since June so I guess it’s decided that it's not happening anymore (not pregnant) Breast tenderness is still here as well.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I was put on this pill to manage endometriosis. I had clear skin for years, and after around a month of desogetrel I experienced a massive flare up in cystic acne on chin and cheeks. I also gained 6 kilos in 3 months. I would not recommend.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Sep 25

Desogestrel pill  

I went on desogestrel twice. The first time I noticed it made me cry extremely easily, and I bled pretty much constantly for 9 months. Then I came off it. When I tried it again for a few months, I had a similar experience, with the added side effect of being so hungry that if I wasn't constantly snacking I was insanely nauseous. Ultimately, it was the bleeding that made me stop it.


Very negative mood

3 more effects

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
22 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  15th Sep 25

Desogestrel pill  

I stopped taking the pill yesterday. I used desogestrel for four months for my endometriosis. I tried really hard to stay positive, to remind myself that it takes time for the side effects to go away and for my endo pain to lessen. Well, unfortunately desogestrel hasn't helped at all, but has made everything worse for me. I've gained 5 kgs in these four months. I've always been naturally skinny and never gained (or lost) weight, so gaining this much in such a short amount of time is a lot for my body and self-esteem. Most of my pants don't fit anymore. Sure, some of it is just endo bloating, but the weight gain does play a part in it. And then there's the hot flashes. One minute I'm sweating like crazy, the next I'm feeling cold. I've also had constant breakthrough bleeding, so I'm using pantyliners daily. For the last two months of using the pills, I've had my periods every other week, which means I'm in terrible pain more often than I was without the pills. That's why I finally decided I've had enough and stopped taking desogestrel. I can't stand all the side effects and the pain. But this is just my experience, the pills might work for someone else! :)


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

2 helpful

1 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  24th Aug 25

Desogestrel pill  

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  7th Aug 25

Desogestrel pill  

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2nd Aug 25

Desogestrel pill  

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
20 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  30th Jul 25

Desogestrel pill  

Ok but not a fan of the hair loss and continuous spotting


Top side effects not reported

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
16 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  25th Jul 25

Desogestrel pill  

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

1 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  23rd Jul 25

Desogestrel pill  

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

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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Compare the Desogestrel pill with other contraceptives

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