{"product_id":"desogestrel-contraception","title":"Desogestrel","description":"\u003cp\u003eDesogestrel is a mini pill (\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/fertility-and-family-planning-advice\/progestogen-only-pill\"\u003eprogestogen-only\u003c\/a\u003e) which is often an alternative to the combined pill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to take Desogestrel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou should take Desogestrel at the same time each day. This can be at any time perhaps as soon as you wake up or after dinner. Choose a time you’ll remember every day. You have one each day and take the packs of 28 back-to-back, without a break.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow does Desogestrel work?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesogestrel is the name of the active ingredient in this mini pill. Desogestrel works by thickening the mucus in the cervix to stop sperm reaching an egg to fertilise it. It can also stop ovulation – other mini pills that don’t contain the active ingredient desogestrel don’t do this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you start taking Desogestrel during the first 5 days of your period, it’ll work straight away. If your menstrual cycle is short or you start the pill on any other day of your cycle, you won’t be protected from pregnancy. You’ll need to use condoms for the first 2 days of taking the pill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesogestrel effectiveness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen taken correctly Desogestrel is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Out of 100 women, one will get pregnant in a year when taking this pill. With ‘typical use’ it’s thought that around nine in 100 women will get pregnant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can also help to lessen the symptoms of heavy periods. When taking Desogestrel your periods may stop completely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho can take Desogestrel?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mini pill is suitable for lots of women and is often appropriate for more women than the combined pill. For example, unlike the combined pill, it’s usually suitable for smokers over 35 or experience migraines with aura.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou shouldn’t take Desogestrel if:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou have or have had heart disease, a stroke, liver disease or breast cancer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou’re taking certain medications (e.g., some treatments for epilepsy and HIV)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere’s a chance you might already be pregnant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesogestrel side effects\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike with all medications, there’s a chance you might experience some side effects with Desogestrel, but these tend to be mild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first you might find you experience:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcne\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSore breasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeadaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChanges to your periods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIrregular bleeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese side effects usually stop in a couple of months. Find out more about \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/skin-and-hair-advice\/the-pill-and-acne\"\u003eDesogestrel and acne in our guide\u003c\/a\u003e. When coming off Desogestrel you may also experience \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/fertility-and-family-planning-advice\/coming-off-the-pill\"\u003eside effects\u003c\/a\u003e as your body goes back to the way it was before. It can take your body a while to get used to not being on the pill. For full information on side effects and correct use, see the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/1284\/4476\/files\/desogestrel_leaflet.pdf?v=1741263898\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003epatient information leaflet\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWill Desogestrel stop my periods?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaking the Desogestrel pill stop periods for many women. This is because it stops you ovulating (releasing an egg) in \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/healthy-living\/contraception\/progestogen-only-pill-mini-pill\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e97 out of 100 menstrual cycles\u003c\/a\u003e. However, not everyone finds that their periods stop when they take Desogestrel.  Some women experience irregular bleeding. Periods may become more or less frequent. This tends to settle down with time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UK Production","offers":[{"title":"3 Months","offer_id":42726828277948,"sku":"3907","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 Months","offer_id":42726828310716,"sku":"3908","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12 Months","offer_id":42726828343484,"sku":"3909","price":44.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/1284\/4476\/products\/Desogestrel_-_Contraceptive_pill.jpg?v=1743581141","url":"https:\/\/onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com\/products\/desogestrel-contraception","provider":"UK Production","version":"1.0","type":"link"}