Desogestrel

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Reviewed on Jan 16, 2026. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on January 09, 2029.

Last updated on Jan 16, 2026.

Product info

Desogestrel is a mini pill used to prevent pregnancy.
It’s a progestogen-only pill, which means it contains no oestrogen.
It comes in a strip of 28. You take one pill at the same time daily.

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Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£36.95

Save £0.00 each order

Desogestrel: essential info
Desogestrel: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Desogestrel?

Desogestrel is a progestogen-only pill (or POP), also known as a mini-pill, to prevent pregnancy. It contains a small amount of a synthetic version of the female sex hormone progesterone called desogestrel. It may be considered a pure progestogen pill. It differs from combined contraceptive pills in that it doesn’t contain any other hormone, like oestrogen, to prevent pregnancy.

The great thing about Desogestrel is that it’s a good option for women who are breastfeeding or sensitive to oestrogen, as it’s considered safe to use for them.

How does Desogestrel work?

Some progestogen-only pills work to prevent sperm cells from entering the uterus. They don’t always prevent an egg from fertilising or maturing, which is how combined birth control is known to work. However, a pill like Desogestrel has a dose of progesterone that is sufficient enough to prevent the egg from maturing, making it an effective form of contraception. It also thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg. ^[1]

How effective is Desogestrel at preventing pregnancy?

When used correctly and consistently, Desogestrel is highly effective in preventing pregnancy. It has a 99% efficacy rate if used correctly, like most combined pills. ^[2]

Another indication of the effectiveness of Desogestrel is by looking at its Pearl Index (PI), a metric used to look at the efficacy of birth control. The lower the number, the more effective the contraception. Desogestrel’s Pearl Index has varied across different studies and trials, but it’s comparable to that of combined oral contraceptives. In a large study, Desogestrel was found to have a ‘crude’ Pearl Index of 0.41, and an ‘adjusted’ Pearl Index of 0.14.^[3] By comparison, levonorgestrel was found to have a PI of 1.6, which is a considerable difference and shows that Desogestrel is a reliable and safe choice for progesterone-only birth control.^[4]

Treated trusted sources:

Actavis (August 2022). Package leaflet: Information for the user: Desogestrel.
Horvath S, Schreiber CA, Sonalkar S. Contraception. [Updated 2018 Jan 17]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-.
Benagiano, G. and Primiero, F. (2003). Seventy-Five Microgram Desogestrel Minipill, A New Perspective in Estrogen-Free Contraception. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 997(1), pp.163–173.
Korver, T. (1998). A double-blind study comparing the contraceptive efficacy, acceptability and safety of two progestogen-only pills containing desogestrel 75 μg/day or levonorgestrel 30 μg/day: Collaborative Study Group on the Desogestrel-containing Progestogen-only Pill. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 3(4), pp.169–178.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on January 09, 2026. Next review due on January 09, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to use Desogestrel

To make sure you get the best contraceptive coverage you should always follow the instructions provided with your medication.

Each strip of Desogestrel has 28 tablets.
Take one tablet every day around the same time, swallowing it whole with water.
The tablet strips have arrows and the days of the week printed on them to help you remember where you’re up to.
Start from the top row with the corresponding day.
Follow the direction of the arrows and take one tablet every day until the strip is empty.
You may experience some bleeding but you should carry on taking your pills.
When your 28-tablet strip is finished, start a new strip without a break.

What happens if I make a mistake using Desogestrel?

If you are less than 12 hours late, then take the missed tablet as soon as you remember.
Take your next tablet at the scheduled time. Desogestrel should still protect you from pregnancy during this window.

Taking Desogestrel late (more than 12 hours) may decrease its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Make sure to take it as soon as possible, as well as your next scheduled one. This might mean you take two tablets in one day, but this should be fine. You should also use an extra method of contraception, like a condom, for the next seven days. If it’s been more than 12 hours and you’ve had sex, you may need to consider using emergency contraception and should speak to a clinician for more advice.

If you missed one or more tablets in the first week and had sex before taking the tablets, there is a high risk of pregnancy, and you should take a pregnancy test and consult your clinician.

When’s the best time to start taking Desogestrel?

Desogestrel can protect you from getting pregnant right away if you start taking it on the first day of your period.

If you’re switching over from a different contraceptive pill, you can start taking Desogestrel the day after you finish your current pack or when you’ve removed your vaginal ring or patch. There shouldn’t be a break between your current method and starting Desogestrel.

If you’ve been on a contraceptive that has a break in between, you should start Desogestrel the day after the break. If your current pill pack contains inactive (placebo) tablets, start Desogestrel the day after taking the last active tablet (do not take your usual seven-day break or placebo pills). If you do this correctly, you don’t need to use an extra method of contraception.

If you’re switching from another progestogen-only pill, you can start Desogestrel on any day without the need for additional protection.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on January 09, 2026. Next review due on January 09, 2029.

How we source info.

FAQ: Desogestrel

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Will I get side effects from Desogestrel?

Answer:

Like all medicines, Desogestrel may cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them. Some common side effects include mood changes, headaches, nausea, acne, breast pain, and weight changes.

You might also experience irregular bleeding when you start most mini-pills, but this is normal. The discontinuation rate due to abnormal bleeding in a clinical study group using Desogestrel was 22.5% compared to 18% for levonorgestrel. ^[1]

Will Desogestrel cause weight gain?

Answer:

This will depend on how your body reacts to the active ingredient as weight change is listed as a potential side effect. Some women report weight changes when taking hormonal contraceptives. Most studies show that the mini pill doesn’t cause weight gain, and it’ll be an individual response to the hormone whether you gain weight or not. It’s important to remember that you may not experience all the side effects of taking birth control, but if you’re concerned, please speak to your clinician.

How much time do I have to remember to take it if I’ve missed a pill?

Answer:

Compared to older generations of mini pills, Desogestrel has a bigger window for you to take your pill if you’ve forgotten it. It has a time period of 12 hours whereas some other mini pills have a window of just three hours. If you take a missed Desogestrel pill as soon as you can, within 12 hours, you’ll still be fully protected.

Will Desogestrel affect my mood?

Answer:

Some women using hormonal contraceptives, including Desogestrel, have reported depression or a depressed mood, as listed in the side effects above. Again, not everyone will experience this, but if you believe your mood has changed, let your clinician know. They may be able to offer advice or consider switching you to a different birth control.

There have been some studies on the effect hormones from birth control have on mood. Unlike oestrogen, progesterone is not neuroprotective, meaning it doesn’t protect nerve cells against damage and disease. This could worsen mood symptoms like depression, anxiety and insomnia. ^[2]

Do I need a prescription for Desogestrel?

Answer:

Desogestrel will need a prescription like most other hormonal contraceptives. Our clinicians will want to find out some more information about your health to help narrow down the best and safest treatments for you.

Treated trusted sources:

Korver, T. (1998). A double-blind study comparing the contraceptive efficacy, acceptability and safety of two progestogen-only pills containing desogestrel 75 μg/day or levonorgestrel 30 μg/day: Collaborative Study Group on the Desogestrel-containing Progestogen-only Pill. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 3(4), pp.169–178.
Mu, E., & Kulkarni, J. (2022). Hormonal contraception and mood disorders. Australian Prescriber, 45(3), 75-79.