Desogestrel

Desogestrel is a progestogen-only contraceptive that offers effective protection against pregnancy. It comes in the form of a daily pill. It can also be referred to as a progestogen-only pill (POP) or a mini-pill.

POPs are ideal for women who smoke, are overweight, are over 35 or suffer from blood clots, migraines or high blood pressure. This is because they only contain a single hormone. Contraceptives with two hormones, such as the combined pill have an increased risk of side effects.

As well as the name of a generic medication, desogestrel is the active ingredient. Generic medications are the same as their branded counterparts, but can have a lower price tag, making them ideal if purchased regularly (as is the case with contraceptive pills).

Branded versions of desogestrel include Desomono, Desorex, Cerazette, Feanolla, Zelleta and Cerelle. Some of these are available to buy from HealthExpress.

When used correctly, desogestrel pills are more effective than other traditional mini-pills due to how they affect your ovaries.

Please note - no oral contraceptive will prevent sexually transmitted infections. You should use a condom to guard against STIs.

The active ingredient, desogestrel, mimics the effects of progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone naturally produced by a woman’s body during pregnancy. By taking it as a pill, it both thickens the lining around the cervix (so sperm cannot reach an egg) and prevents eggs in your ovaries from ripening. The combination makes it very unlikely you will become pregnant.

On the other hand, traditional mini-pills that contain the synthetic progesterone ‘progestogen’ only have the effect of thickening the cervix lining.

As mentioned above, the advantage of using desogestrel is that there are fewer side effects. The disadvantage is that it quite often causes irregular vaginal bleeding - however, this is not always the case.

If you are ever uncertain how to use medication - you should contact your doctor or consult the patient information leaflet.

Each pack will contain 28 tablets. Tablets contain 75 micrograms of the active ingredient.

• you should take one tablet every day (at the same time)
• you should take the tablet whole with water (do not break or crush it)
• you should take the first tablet on the first day of your period
• if you take the first tablet on days 2-5 of your period starting, you should use a condom for 7 days
• take tablets until the pack is empty - follow the direction of arrows
• do not just take any tablet
• when a pack is empty, immediately move on to the next

Please note, you may experience bleeding whilst using desogestrel contraceptives - this is completely normal. You should continue to take tablets. If bleeding is painful or severe, please inform your doctor.

As a hormonal medicine, desogestrel may affect you differently to others. The chance of serious side effects occurring is very low. However, you may experience more mild reactions, though these may gradually fade as your body adjusts.

If you find reactions particularly distressing, or they do not fade, you should ask your doctor for different contraception.

All desogestrel pills (branded and generic) pose the same risk of side effects. The most commonly reported include:

• altered mood
• breast abnormalities
• decreased libido
• depressed mood
• headache
• menstrual cycle changes
• nausea
• skin reactions
• weight change

For a full list of adverse effects, please consult the patient information leaflet. You will find this to the upper-right of this page and attached with your order.

Everyone reacts to medication uniquely - some may suffer mild reactions and some none at all. Unfortunately, several conditions increase the chance of your experiencing serious complications.

If you suffer from any of the below conditions, you should look for other treatment:

• breast cancer
• severe liver conditions
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• thrombosis
• acute porphyrias

If any of the following apply to you, you should be extra cautious of complications when taking this contraceptive:

• a history of breast cancer
• history of stroke
• diabetes
• history of thrombosis
• liver tumours
• rheumatoid arthritis
• multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease (e.g. obesity, smoke, age)

There are many different contraceptive methods available, including non-hormonal methods, so you should not worry if desogestrel is not suitable for you.

What precautions should I take?

It is sensible to have regular doctor check-ups when taking any medication long-term. You should also report to your doctor any bodily changes you notice whilst taking this contraceptive.

You should examine your breasts for lumps and abnormalities on a regular basis. Many hormonal contraceptives have been linked to a slight increase in cases.

Certain medications can also reduce the effectiveness of this contraceptive, including epilepsy, HIV, TB, depression and stomach condition medications. You should check with your doctor if you are currently taking medications for these conditions.

You should be aware of the symptoms of thrombosis (e.g. leg cramping or swelling, swollen veins) and pulmonary embolism (chest pain, coughing blood, breathing difficulties). Hormonal contraceptives can slightly increase the likelihood of blood clots forming.

You should not use this contraceptive if you are pregnant.

Yes, you can buy desogestrel online. At HealthExpress, we ask that you first complete a quick (and free) consultation. Here, you will be asked to answer some medical questions so that our doctors can confirm the selected treatment is safe for you to use. Your answers are completely confidential and will only be viewed by the doctor.