DESOGESTREL

[MelW100]

Hi everyone, I'm a bit concerned that I've switched birth control without "thinking it through!" I was on microgynon 30 for years -with occasional spells on depot provera injections which removed my periods yay but made me gain weight / caused some pain issues with intercourse. Ultimately microgynon was best but recent months have involved hideous migraines when my period arrives. My GP says this is age related as in mid thirties so the estrogen in the tablets is no longer suiting me. She prescribed DESOGESTREL progestin only pill. I've taken two so far but switched without finding out enough. I've researched internet which says it interferes with periods with many women having irregular periods or heavy bleeding. This is something I really can't cope with as I need to be regular for my own peace of mind. Ideally I prefer no periods altogether. I work in a job where it is difficult to be dashing to the toilet as & when so I need minimal periods if possible. I wonder if anyone has advice. I was thinking of asking to go onto depot but now have taken two of the DESOGESTREL I don't know if am stuck with it for this month? We go on holiday for our first wedding anniversary in two weeks & I really shouldn't have been messing with my pills before this as definitely do not want a period as its our only holiday this year & would really like to enjoy the sea & pool without period issues. I don't even understand how / when a period is supposed to come as the pills are 28 days back to back with no breaks so are they supposed to stop periods completely. Any advice would be greatly appreciated please

[Anasnake]

Quite often on the mini pill you have no periods at all, been on it a few years due to a hormone imbalance and have had no periods. I much prefer it.

[Anasnake]

Forgot to say that I am on Desogestrel too x

[gottachangethename1]

I started taking it one month ago after not being on any hormonal contraception for years. I have had one period, which arrived on the day when it would have been due before I started mini pill. It was far lighter and much less painful. I've had no other bleeding apart from this. Only side effect is slightly achy boobs.

[MrsJ17]

I am currently on this pill too since having my daughter last June. However since being on this I have not stopped bleeding, I had a couple of days in October where I stopped bleeding but I have bled every day since last August .. I went to the doctors this morning to ask why his is happening and they said that this pill is known to do this! She has told me to stop taking the pill now I am no longer breastfeeding and leave it 2 weeks without any intercourse and then start on a different pill to hopefully get regular periods back. Also, she is going to do swabs and an examination next week when the bleeding should’ve hopefully calmed down from not taking this pill .. if I’d have known this before hand I would have stayed away from it!

[jellybean321]

Ive been.on the same mini pill for 12 months and havent had a period or break through bleed in the whole time. You run eack.pack back to.back so no withdrawl break.

[Alt37]

Just been prescribed this pill. Concerned re side effects. What are peoples experience of side effects?

[Honey2468]

If you didn’t have many bleeding problems on the depo you probably won’t with this, you don’t get a break for your period on depo either. You can only try it and find out I guess, good luck! Alt37 I bled constantly on it but I think you just need to try these things for yourself ...

[dementedpixie]

I had bleeding with the depo injection but cerazette (it's a desogestrel pill too) stopped my periods for years. Mirena also stopped them

[lstevens12]

I started the Desogestrel pill 5 weeks ago and my last period lasted for 12 days but for the last 5 days of it it wasn’t proper bleeding more like the last day of a period but lasted 5 days. It then stopped for 2 days and now I’ve had a bit of spotting. I have also been very very emotional. Not sure whether to go back to doctor yet or leave it another month?

[avoschmadoo]

I'm due to start this (the branded cerazette version) but nervous of persistent bleeding so it's been sat in my drawer for months.

[rcko93]

Hi,
I'm not sure if this is the right place but i couldn't find another discussion about desogestrel.

I have been on Feanolla 75 microgram(desogestrel) for 3 years now. I haven't had any periods for 3 years or any side effects which i though it's absolutely great.

Recently I had blood test that showed high prolactin so i was refered for a trasvaginal ultrasound, which showed no cysts (great) but after the examination the doctor told me that there is some sort of build up where i haven't had period for so long and that it is nothing to worry about. The doctor said it is not worrying but it might take longer to get pregnant later on.

My next appointment with my endocrinologist is in Feb, and i can't help but think is this something to worry about ?
Is this build up something to worry ?
Do I need to stop taking Feanolla so i can finally get a period and get this build up cleared ?

Also, when i first got my period at 15 i had a cyst which eventually shrunk and disappeared due to me being put on the pill, so i can't help but think, would i start developing more cysts the moment i stop taking the pill ?

If anyone can me on this will be great

Thank you :)

[Beckham1]

I had always been on the combination pill cilest 10 years +. After my first daughter they put me on cerelle which didn't work for me at all. Then when I had my twins (because my bmi was too high) doctor put me on desogestrel. The first 2 months were awful because my period was so unpredictable and heavy one minute then slow the next...After the 3rd month it completely settled down. I've now been on this pill 9 months and only had 3 periods in total! Stick with it for at least 3/4 months then request to get a different one if it doesn't work for you!

[Ella1980]

I've been on the mini pill since becoming sexually active at 17. I'm 38 now. For many years I was on the three-hour window one (always remembered to take it on time) and that was fine. A few years ago they discontinued it and I was put on the 12 hour window one (Desogrstel) which I did not get on with. No periods at all which I didn't like and felt very depressed on it. Got switched back to a three-hour window one (Noriday) which is much better. Again I have to remember to take it on time but I'm used to the routine after many years and I'm 38 now anyway so can't imagine I'm massively fertile!

[Dani1N25]

Just a bit of advice. I am on the desegestrol pill at first I didn’t have periods. Three months in I was bleeding twice a month. Now I’m on my 8 month pill packet, my last period was meant to be 10 days ago and I haven’t had a period yet. I’ve done pregnancy tests that have come back negative, I’m bloated and my moods are up and down. Do you think this is anything to worry about

[Stxcey]

Well I’m on this pill and I don’t get periods at all. You should try it for yourself everyone’s bodies are different so you won’t know if you’ll have a period or not unless you try. Don’t go with what other people say because you don’t have the same body!

[makingmiracles]

I’ve been on this years, since around 2012 I think, only come off it for pregnancies x2, not had any bleeding on it at all. Works wonders for me as I used to suffer with horrendously painful periods, both abdo and feeling a painful heavy feeling down there and they used to be very heavy and I’d end up ruining pjs or mattresses etc.
i would be devastated if the Gp took me off them as I’ve not had to worry about periods for years.

[Nospringchix]

@Stxcey

Well I’m on this pill and I don’t get periods at all. You should try it for yourself everyone’s bodies are different so you won’t know if you’ll have a period or not unless you try. Don’t go with what other people say because you don’t have the same body!

Totally agree. You can't predict how your periods will be on the progestogen only pill.

[SophieLou30]

Hi, I've just started Desogestrel at 30. How long were you taking it before you saw side effects/changes to your period. I'm 7 days in to my cycle and wondering how quickly it may make me bleed again if it affects my body in that way.

Thanks

[Lisa0301]

I have to take the mini-pill because of other medication I am on. I have been on it since the first lockdown and I have had no problems. Since then I've had my period once (when I had covid and I think it was because of the change in my body), otherwise no period, no pms, no pain. My skin or hair hasn't really changed at all. I do get headaches but I have chronic headaches so wasn't any different from the pill. My only gripe is taking it at the same time every day - healthexpress.co.uk/desogestrel

[RubyBlueBoo]

I started taking this pill in October time (2023). I have had unbearably heavy periods, some lasting three weeks and, sometimes, being able to go out due to having to change protection every hour/every half an hour and the pain is unbearable. The worst part is that I am finding my personality changing. I have always been an upbeat, smiling, happy and adventurous individual. Over the last couple of months I have found myself becoming progressively short-tempered, angry, moody and simply wishing to retreat and sleep, trying to avoid feelings of wanting to die. I barely smile. I did a bit of research on it, today, as I feel like I am out of my body watching myself and not believing what I am seeing. I just now threw away the rest of my pills before things get out of control.