Noriday pill vs Desogestrel pill

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Noriday pill

£From £0.17/day

Desogestrel pill

£From £0.20/day

Overview

Rated 2.7

108 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Rated 2.6

375 reviews

Daily

Frequency

91% - 99+%

Effectiveness

None

Blood clot risk

None

Effect on fertility

Noriday pill ingredients

Main hormones in Noriday pill

Androgenic progestogen


Desogestrel pill ingredients

Main hormones in Desogestrel pill

Less-Androgenic progestogen

What Lowdown reviewers say

36% somewhat negative

44% irregular periods

43% no impact

47% no impact

52% no impact on skin

Cycle return

52% don’t know impact

34% somewhat negative

43% stopped periods

54% lost sex drive

43% 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 £0.17/day

Try it now

£From £0.20/day

Check out our latest reviews

Real life reviews from people like you

Noriday pill reviews

108 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Noriday pill  

My doctor switched me to this after another progesterone only pill didn’t work. I took this alongside norethisterone 5mg. I kept having breakthrough bleeds that were painful and heavy and the only way they would stop is if I increased my Norethisterone dose. Finally I couldn’t take any more Norethisterone on top of the Noriday and I had the most painful bleed I have ever experienced. I stopped taking everything and needed multiple strong painkillers and other meds just to manage the pain and flow. Other than this I felt my skin get a little worse and my hair was thinning. I also gained some weight which I lost after stopping this pill.

Read more

Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Jul 24

Noriday pill  

I got pregnant whilst using Noriday i was on Yasmin but because of migrains with aura i decided to change the docs put me on Noriday and i never had any problems what so ever appart from the fact i got pregnant lucky i still had regular periods so i knew straight away i was deverstated i felt let down by the pill and i couldnt trust it anymore sex hasnt been the same scince im now on the implant and ask men to use condoms cause im paranoid contrception will let me down again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Jun 24

Noriday pill  

I have PCOS, so don’t get regular periods and take the mini pill in order to balance my hormones. However, I don’t feel that it truly does balance them; I frequently get break through bleeding, feel bloated, have very low energy and experience cramps even when not on my period. As there is no breaks in this pill cycle, I never know if bleeding is a real period or an effect from this pill which concerns me. If I forget to take this pill, it can trigger a hormonal migraine.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
26 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Noriday pill  

My doctor switched me to this after another progesterone only pill didn’t work. I took this alongside norethisterone 5mg. I kept having breakthrough bleeds that were painful and heavy and the only way they would stop is if I increased my Norethisterone dose. Finally I couldn’t take any more Norethisterone on top of the Noriday and I had the most painful bleed I have ever experienced. I stopped taking everything and needed multiple strong painkillers and other meds just to manage the pain and flow. Other than this I felt my skin get a little worse and my hair was thinning. I also gained some weight which I lost after stopping this pill.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Jul 24

Noriday pill  

I got pregnant whilst using Noriday i was on Yasmin but because of migrains with aura i decided to change the docs put me on Noriday and i never had any problems what so ever appart from the fact i got pregnant lucky i still had regular periods so i knew straight away i was deverstated i felt let down by the pill and i couldnt trust it anymore sex hasnt been the same scince im now on the implant and ask men to use condoms cause im paranoid contrception will let me down again.


Top side effects not reported

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇬🇧 UK
  •  10th Jun 24

Noriday pill  

I have PCOS, so don’t get regular periods and take the mini pill in order to balance my hormones. However, I don’t feel that it truly does balance them; I frequently get break through bleeding, feel bloated, have very low energy and experience cramps even when not on my period. As there is no breaks in this pill cycle, I never know if bleeding is a real period or an effect from this pill which concerns me. If I forget to take this pill, it can trigger a hormonal migraine.


Increased sex drive

0 helpful

0 comments


Desogestrel pill reviews

375 reviews

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Did not enjoy this pill! Tried for around 5 months, mood was poor and crying very easily or completely numb! Skin got bad at first but then was okay! Gained weight around increase by a dress size or two, felt bloated constantly and breast size increased but sore! Vaginal dryness was extreme was even sore to walk and have thrush twice in this 5 month period! Was spotting pretty much constantly and obviously unable to track periods with it being a continuous pill and they were irregular.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I got put on this pill when i had a miscarriage, i get worried from time to time about my period. I have the flo app and i’m on my period about every 2 weeks, but it’s not exactly a period it’s just very very light and lasts for longer then a period should last this only started happening when i missed a pill for a day and the next day took 2 of them so it didn’t screw the pill up in my body and it has so it worries me. I’ve also put on so much weight using the pill.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was 30 when I started this for anyone wanting reference and have had three children. I suffered from horrific period and ovulation pain coupled with ovarian cysts. I had tried many different forms of contraception but I cannot take estrogen as it gives me Hyperemesis Gravidarum, not uncommon in those who have also experienced it in pregnancy, which I did. The first three months weren’t great, mood was all over the place and libido plummeted but after that it levelled out and I’m glad I waited it out. My periods stopped almost immediately and so did my ovulation pain. As I usually got ovarian cysts that burst at the time of ovulation, that’s pretty much stopped too and I’ve gone from having cysts burst monthly, to maybe once or twice a year. It’s dramatically improved my quality of life and I’m so happy on it. What with it being desogestrel, it has a 12 hour time window, so if you forget to take it at your usual time, as long as you take it in the 12 hours following, you’ll still be protected. I’m usually fine as I take it first thing, but it’s always good to know.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
23 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  6 days ago

Desogestrel pill  

Did not enjoy this pill! Tried for around 5 months, mood was poor and crying very easily or completely numb! Skin got bad at first but then was okay! Gained weight around increase by a dress size or two, felt bloated constantly and breast size increased but sore! Vaginal dryness was extreme was even sore to walk and have thrush twice in this 5 month period! Was spotting pretty much constantly and obviously unable to track periods with it being a continuous pill and they were irregular.


Very negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 3 - 6 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I got put on this pill when i had a miscarriage, i get worried from time to time about my period. I have the flo app and i’m on my period about every 2 weeks, but it’s not exactly a period it’s just very very light and lasts for longer then a period should last this only started happening when i missed a pill for a day and the next day took 2 of them so it didn’t screw the pill up in my body and it has so it worries me. I’ve also put on so much weight using the pill.


Somewhat negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
32 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  2 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I was 30 when I started this for anyone wanting reference and have had three children. I suffered from horrific period and ovulation pain coupled with ovarian cysts. I had tried many different forms of contraception but I cannot take estrogen as it gives me Hyperemesis Gravidarum, not uncommon in those who have also experienced it in pregnancy, which I did. The first three months weren’t great, mood was all over the place and libido plummeted but after that it levelled out and I’m glad I waited it out. My periods stopped almost immediately and so did my ovulation pain. As I usually got ovarian cysts that burst at the time of ovulation, that’s pretty much stopped too and I’ve gone from having cysts burst monthly, to maybe once or twice a year. It’s dramatically improved my quality of life and I’m so happy on it. What with it being desogestrel, it has a 12 hour time window, so if you forget to take it at your usual time, as long as you take it in the 12 hours following, you’ll still be protected. I’m usually fine as I take it first thing, but it’s always good to know.


Very positive mood

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 12 - 18 mo
30 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  3 weeks ago

Desogestrel pill  

I had no periods and then all of a sudden had extremely heavy and long periods, bleeding for weeks at a time. I had no libido which isn't ideal at all. I had terrible anxiety with this pill, I would get extremely bad anxiety with intrusive thoughts


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I've been on the tablet since July 2024. I first had period that lasted a month from August-September, which was followed by a 10 day break. I then came on again in Ocotber and I've been having a period now for 4 months with no sign of it stopping. Thankfully I've been told my gynecologist to come of it later this year. This tablet came as a suggestion because I had issues with the implant. It's pretty much caused me to go through the equivalent of hell. I'm constantly in pain, I cannot have sex with my boyfriend and I'm pretty much hormonal all the time. I do not recommend going on this pill.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

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

Desogestrel pill  

I really wanted to like this pill as I had recently switched from rigevidon however it just wasn’t working for me at all. I found that my moods became very low and I would always cry for no reason. This pill also made my periods stop and me being a very anxious person this did not help as I was constantly worrying about being pregnant. I have now stopped taking my pill for a couple of weeks and I am so much happier now. Overall I have not had the best experience and I will be switching


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
40 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  1 month ago

Desogestrel pill  

I'm 40 and originally was prescribed Desogestrel to tackle severe period pain which was requiring me to take strong painkillers 3-4 days a month, making me wake up in pain in the night and stopping me exercising/walking the dog during those days as I was in such intense pain. The first two months I experienced pretty bad acne which has since settled down a bit but I definitely have spots throughout the month now which I didn't previously. The pill certainly helped reduce my period pain to a manageable amount but has just led to really irregular periods... frequently I'd have nothing for 5-6 weeks, then suddenly a 2-3 week long period! It's also really killed my sex drive. So some good (less pain) but lots of negatives too.


Worse skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
24 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Jan 25

Desogestrel pill  

Day 1 - (14/10/24)- cramping in uterus but not like period cramps, felt more like movement down there. Day 2 - similar cramping to day 1. Day 3 - Similar cramping still (but less frequent/not as bad), increased discharge, slight pressure headache. Day 4 - Similar headache to previous day, increased discharge - no cramping at all. Day 5 - Headache on right side of head near the back (dull ache, like I was trying to fight off a migraine from starting) felt a bit spacey all day. Nausea and some different cramping to what I felt previously (like the warning sign period cramps I get before the big ones kick in) Day 6 - Same headache, nausea and spacey-ness. Found that I felt better after eating more frequently (which might make sense as to why people say they gain weight on the pill because if eating makes me feel better then I’m sure as hell going to do it) In the morning had similar cramps to day 5 but gone by evening. - Did spend the daytime out though so the headache could have been made worse by the fact I wasn’t drinking water as regularly as I usually would. Day 7 - Started the day without a headache but by lunchtime I had one again. This could be because I’d had a busy morning though and ate lunch later than usual. # Day 8 - Ok for most of the day but by the evening I felt so nauseous and headachey Day 9 - Felt down and low all day - boobs seem to hurt and feel bigger almost? Slight cramping. Day 10 - Really really low today - sore boobs Day 11 - Really sore boobs are cramping Day 17 - (30/10/24) - Been fine for most this week except I’ve had sore boobs. Yesterday I had a suspicious cramp and today I’ve had more and some spotting/pre-period blood. This would mean my period is starting on day 27/28 of my cycle not day 31-35 as usual. Day 18 - Period started, has a different consistency than usual. More mucusy? I’m really not sure how to describe it, slippery? I mean it makes sense since desogestrel thickens the mucus lining. Period cramps HURT and some clotting which I haven’t had for a couple of years. Nothing major though. Day 19 - Same as yesterday. Not an extremely heavy period where I’m constantly having to change pads but I can tell this is heavy. Still that new consistency but occasionally the usual consistency. Not as bloody as usual. Day 20 - (2/11/24) - Medium-light flow. Usual consistency like I would be coming towards the endings of my usual period. (which usually lasts about 5 days) 4/12/24 - Not sure what to say the day is. I’ve had a lot of spotting this past month and basically haven’t been a day without wearing a period pad just in case.I had a mini proper period (not spotting) last week and I’m having another proper period now. It’s a lot and I just want to be able to not wear a pad anymore. I’m going to go back to the doctor this week to tell them about what's happening and get another prescription. 21/01/24 - I have no idea what day this would be now. (I’m into my 2nd week of my 4th month) I’ve been pretty much consistently bleeding all of December. Very light with a heavier week but not like my usual period and not the same cramping/minimal cramping. I think I’ve possibly gone 2 days without wearing a pad since I last wrote. However, I did completely stop bleeding for about 3 days last week which was lovely but then I had a proper period with cramps that hurt (well more like my periods pre-pill) It seems to be slowly stopping now though. I’ve gained a bit of weight (but not gone up a dress size) but this could be because I have been less active recently and my eating habits have changed. My skin has cleared up recently but I can’t entirely put that down to the pill as I’ve changed the skincare products I’m using as well. Other than the bleeding I've felt completely fine, the bleeding (not the one just described) is just annoying more than anything.


Improved skin

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 6 - 12 mo
21 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  21st Jan 25

Desogestrel pill  

Since starting this pill after changing from Yasmin my hair has been thinner, I have more hair loss, increased oily skin and acne and I've been noticing palpitations I don't know if this has happened to anyone else but I've been experiencing chest pain all over, and I notice when I stopped taking it for a few weeks that chest went away but I'm back on it again and the chest pain came back. It may not be related but it's something new for me being on this pill. Other than that it's not been horrible I haven't had as much cramping on this pill as I did with Yasmin and I don't get debilitating headaches either.


Somewhat negative mood

2 more effects

0 helpful

0 comments

Progestogen-only / Mini pill  
Used for 1 - 3 mo
19 years old
🇬🇧 UK
  •  17th Jan 25

Desogestrel pill  

I have only been using the minipill for a month but I am already feeling pretty strong side effects especially on my mood: crying for no reason, being very angry at times and very sad at others, overall depressed mood. I am probably going to finish the blister and switch to something else.


Very negative mood

1 more effect

0 helpful

0 comments

Contraceptive alternatives and comparisons

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