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Desogestrel
Desogestrel is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP), which prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus in the cervix, preventing sperm from reaching an egg. It also delays ovulation.
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Desogestrel Prices
| Medicine | x3 x 28 tablets (3 Month Course) |
|---|---|
| Desogestrel 75mcg x 28 tablets (3 Month Course) | £12.49 |
What is Desogestrel?
Desogestrel is an oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. The Desogestrel pill is named after its active ingredient, which is a synthetic version of the female sex hormone, progestogen. It is commonly referred to as a progestogen-only pill, or POP. It is the generic version of Cerelle and Cerazette.
How does it work?
Desogestrel prevents pregnancy by thickening mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to enter into the womb and fertilising an egg. Desogestrel also delays ovulation.
Who should not use Desogestrel?
Desogestrel is safe for most women to take, however, you should not take Desogestrel if you:
- Are or think you may be pregnant
- Do not want your periods to change
- Take other medicine that affects this pill
- Have unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex
- Have developed arterial disease, heart disease, or have had a stroke
- Have liver disease, liver tumours, or severe cirrhosis
- Have or have had breast cancer
How do I take Desogestrel?
Take one pill at around the same time every day. There are no breaks between pills. Continue with the next pill pack the following day after finishing a pack.
When to start taking Desogestrel
When taking the pill for the first time, choose a convenient time of day, as you will need to take it around that time every day. You can start taking Desogestrel at any point during your menstrual cycle. Starting Desogestrel during the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle (the first 5 days of your period) will make it immediately effective, and you will not need additional contraceptives. However, if your menstrual cycle is shorter than normal, or you start using Desogestrel at any other point in your cycle, you will need an additional method of contraception for 2 days.
Taking Desogestrel after having a baby
You can start taking Desogestrel on day 21 after having a baby. In this case, the pill will be immediately effective, and you will not need an additional method of contraception. If you start taking Desogestrel after day 21, then you will need an additional method of contraception for 2 days.
Taking Desogestrel after having a miscarriage or abortion
You can start taking Desogestrel immediately. If you take it within the first 5 days, it will be effective immediately. However, if you start taking the pill more than five days after the miscarriage or abortion, then you will need an additional measure of contraception for 2 days.
What happens if I miss a dose of Desogestrel?
If you miss a dose and remember within 12 hours of your scheduled dose, take the pill straight away. Take your next pill when scheduled, even if that means taking 2 pills in one day. In this case, the pill will still be effective, and you do not need to worry if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse.
If you are more than 12 hours late:
- Take a tablet as soon as you remember, even it if means taking two tablets at the same time. Continue to take your tablets as usual, using an additional method of contraception for the next 7 days.
- If you have had sex, you may need to use emergency contraception. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you are in the first week of taking your tablets, and you have had sex the week before missing your tablet, you may fall pregnant. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist or advice.
Does Desogestrel stop periods?
Desogestrel can stop your period, but this is not always the case. Bleeding usually settles after the first few months. You may experience periods that are lighter than usual, and in some cases, periods may even occur more frequently.
Does Desogestrel cause weight gain?
While it is commonly believed that oral contraceptives cause weight gain, this is not true. With oestrogen-containing contraceptives, some people experience an increase in appetite, which can lead to weight gain. However, Desogestrel does not contain any oestrogen, so this should not be a concern.
Does Desogestrel affect your mood?
It is possible for Desogestrel to affect your moo, as it can cause fluctuations in hormone levels. Some women are more likely to experience depression while taking this pill. If you start to experience depressive symptoms while taking Desogestrel, speak to your GP or practice nurse about changing the contraceptive pill that you are using.
How effective is Desogestrel?
When taken correctly, Desogestrel is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancies. This means that less than 1 in 100 women who use this pill will get pregnant in a year. When considering the typical use of Desogestrel, or the way that most women take it in real life, this figure is closer to 91%. Taking the pill correctly increases its effectiveness.
Can I take Desogestrel with other medication?
It is possible that other medication you may be taking, can interact with Desogestrel. You should check with you doctor or pharmacist, to see if Desogestrel interacts with any medication you are taking.
Can you get Desogestrel on the NHS?
Desogestrel is available for free on the NHS. You do not need to pay for NHS prescriptions for any contraceptive pills, provided they are being used for contraception and not other conditions such as acne or hirsutism.
Side Effects
What are the side effects of Desogestrel?
Desogestrel's side effects are rare as it's normally a well-tolerated contraceptive. However, you may encounter some side effects, which is more normal during the first few months of use and will generally improve over time.
Some side effects include but are not limited to:
- Acne
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
- A change in your sex drive
- A change in your mood
- Headaches or migraines
- Nausea or vomiting
- Ovarian cysts – these are usually harmless and go away without treatment
For a full list of side effects, please see the patient information leaflet. If you experience any side effects, including ones not mentioned above, please contact your GP or pharmacist for advice. In the case of a medical emergency, call 999 or visit your local hospital's A&E department.
If you have concerns about the pill, you can speak with your GP or practice nurse for advice on whether or not you should switch contraceptives.
Patient Information Leaflet
For more information about the contraceptive pill Desogestrel, take a look at the patient information leaflet below:
Where can I find out more information about Desogestrel?
To find out more information about Desogestrel, visit the NHS website.
OTHER OPTIONS INCLUDE
Co-Cyprindiol (generic Dianette) is a prescription medicine containing cyproterone and ethinylestradiol. It is typically used as an acne treatment but can also be used as a form of contraceptive.
Dianette (also available as a generic medication called co-cyprindiol) is a prescription treatment for acne but can also be used as a contraceptive treatment in some cases. It contains the active ingredients cyproterone and ethinylestradiol.
Yasmin is a combined contraceptive pill containing the active ingredients drospiernone and ethinylestradiol. These synthetic hormones work to prevent ovulation and make it difficult for sperm to enter the womb.
Microgynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill, which contains the synthetic hormones, levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol. It works by preventing ovulation, making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg. One tablet should be taken daily for 21 days, followed by a 7 day break. It is also available as an ED (every day) version, which should be taken daily.
Cerazette is a progesterone only contraceptive pill, also known as the mini pill. It contains the active ingredient desogestrel, which works to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. It should be taken continuously without a break.
Rigevidon is a combined contraceptive pill. It contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel. They work together to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, as well as thickening the mucus in the womb. This makes it difficult for sperm to enter and fertilise an egg, preventing pregnancy.
Hana is a contraceptive pill, available to buy over the counter. It is a progesterone only pill, also known as the mini pill and contains the active ingredient, desogestrel. It works by stopping ovulation and thickening the mucus in the womb, to prevent sperm reaching an egg.
Marvelon is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. These hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg, and also work to thicken the fluid in the cervix making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb.
Mercilon is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and desogestrel, which are naturally occuring hormones that prevent eggs being released from the ovaries.
Noriday is a progesterone only contraceptive pill, also known as the mini-pill. It is commonly used by women who are unable to take the combined pill.
Gedarel is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and desogestrel, which are synthetic versions of female sex hormones oestrogen and progestogen. Gedarel contains the same active ingredients as Marvelon and Mercilon.
Femodene is a combined oral contraceptive which contains two active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and gestodene. They mimic the naturally occuring female sex hormones oestrogen and progestogen.
Logynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains the active ingredients levonorgestrel and oestrogen ethinylestradiol which are artificial versions of naturally occuring female sex hormones, progestegen and oestrogen.
Millinette is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and gestodene. It is available in two different strengths, both containing 75mcg of gestodene and either 20mcg or 30mcg of ethinylestradiol.
Femodette is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and gestodene which are artificial versions of the naturally occurring female sex hormones oestrogen and progestogen.
Cerelle is a progestogen only contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as a mini pill. It contains the active ingredient desogestrel, which is an artificial version of the female sex hormone progesterone. It is also available as a branded medication under the name Cerazette.
Cilest is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and norgestimate. These are synthetic hormones which mimic the action of naturally occurring hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
Loestrin is a combined oral contraceptive which contains the active ingredients ethinylestradiol and norethisterone. These are synthetic versions of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone which work to prevent ovulation.
Ovranette is a combined oral contraceptive pill and contains the same active ingredients as Microgynon and Logynon.
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