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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.