Switching to Desogestrel Pill: What to Expect and When to Start

 

Desogestrel is an oral contraceptive pill containing progesterone. This pill contains only progesterone hormone but no estrogen. This medicine is prescribed to prevent pregnancy. Now it is a widely used medicine to prevent the pregnancy.

 

What is Desogestrel? 

 

Desogestrel is a progestin that prevents the release of an egg from the ovary or helps prevent egg fertilization by sperm. Also, this progestin changes the lining of the uterus (womb). It prevents pregnancy by enhancing the cervical mucus thickness.

 

Why do people switch to using Desogestrel? 

 

The progesterone pill is designed for use by women who are breastfeeding. By taking these progesterone pills, you can easily avoid the side effects of estrogen which can be risky.

 

Why you need to take Desogestrel

 

·         Desogestrel is prescribed to prevent pregnancy.

·         Survey says the pill is more than 99% effective, but you need to take it correctly as per the prescription of the healthcare provider.

·         You should take it every day at the same time without breaking or chewing. You should avoid skipping doses or overdosing. 

·         Unlike other combined oral contraceptives, any woman can take this medicine whether she is a smoker, over 35 years of age, or breastfeeding.

·         You must take a pill within 12 hours to avoid pregnancy. For the next two days, you should use another method of contraception, such as a condom.

·         If you experience vomiting within 2 hours of taking medicine, you have to switch to another contraceptive pill as soon as you feel better.

·         Taking this medicine may stop your periods or make them lighter, irregular, or more frequent. Be sure to inform the medical practitioner if you experience such type of problem.

·         If you notice unexplained swelling and pain in any limb, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, or vision changes, stop taking medicine and tell the doctor immediately. In many cases, these can be signs of blood clots in the veins.

 

How and in what dose do you need to take the Desogestrel?

 

This medicine should not be taken alone. It is essential to use it as directed by your doctor. Do not use it more than the prescribed dose or for longer, do not use it too often. Overdose or missed doses can cause severe side effects.

 

These oral contraceptives are quite safe. To get good results from these, you must first understand how and when to take them. You can expect a good effect if you use the prescribed dose. This medicine comes with patient instructions in the package. You should read the instructions carefully before use and follow them well. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any confusion.

 

This medicine comes in a blister pack along with a tablet dispenser. Each pack of the medicine contains 28 pills in different colors. You have to make maintain the same order as directed on the blister pack.

 

When you start taking the drug, you must give it at least 7 days to adjust it to your body before pregnancy is prevented. For the first 7 days of the first cycle, you must use another form of contraception (e.g., a condom, spermicide, or a diaphragm).

Try to take this medicine at the same time every day. Birth control pills work best if you don't leave more than 24 hours gap between doses.

 

Take the pill within 24 hours, don't delay. Accept you for all faults. Missing a dose can make you suddenly pregnant. Ask your doctor about the dose of your pill or if another method of birth control is effective for you. If you feel sick or nauseous for any reason, especially within the first few months of starting the drug, talk to your doctor.

How Desogestrel works

Desogestrel is a progestin, an effective female hormone that prevents pregnancy by stopping an egg's release from the ovary. It also works by preventing the fertilization of the egg by sperm. Again it changes the lining of the uterus (womb) and increases the thickness of the cervical mucus to prevent pregnancy.

 
How effective is this pill?

 

This medicine is more than 99% effective and safe when taken correctly, as prescribed by the doctor. It means that less than 1 in 100 women will become pregnant within 1 year of using this contraceptive. However, the side effects of this pill mean vomiting and diarrhea, which can make it less effective.

 

The common side effects of using the Desogestrel everyday

 

After taking medicine, you may experience side effects such as irregular vaginal bleeding. Other side effects of the medicine include headache, nausea, acne, mood change, and breast pain. However, these side effects are very common and temporary. If these may persist in the body for a long time, you should consult with the health care provider.

 

Before taking the drug, you should inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to estrogens or any progestin or are allergic to a different substance. This medicine contains inactive ingredients, which may lead to allergic reactions or other problems. You have to discuss this matter with your pharmacist to get more details.

 

Before start taking the medication, you should consult your health care provider or pharmacist about your medical history, especially of: blood clots, especially in the legs, eyes, and lungs), blood clotting disorders including protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, cancer (especially endometrial or breast cancer), high blood sugar, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, depression or mood change, diabetes, family or personal history of a certain swelling disorder, gallbladder problems, severe headaches or migraines, heart problems including heart valve problem, irregular heartbeat, previous risk of heart attack, history of jaundice such as yellowing eyes or skin during pregnancy. You should avoid the medicine when you take hormonal birth control or have kidney problems, liver problems, stroke, swelling, thyroid problems, or unexplained vaginal bleeding. 

 

If you have diabetes, you should consult with your doctor. This drug may affect your blood sugar level. During the treatment, you should monitor your blood sugar level regularly as directed by the doctor. Then you have to share the results with your healthcare provider. You need to inform your doctor immediately if you experience high blood sugar symptoms, including increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet during the treatment.

 

Chewable tablets may contain sugar or aspartame, which increases the blood sugar level. You need to be very careful if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other health condition that needs you to limit or avoid these substances in your diet.

 

Is Desogestrel a good contraceptive pill?

 

If this Desogestrel pill is taken correctly as per the doctor's prescription, it can be more than 99% effective. But you should take it according to the doctor's suggestion. It means that less than 1 in 100 women who take this contraceptive pill will become pregnant within a year. You should take one pill every day. It is proper dose of the medicine.

 

Can Desogestrel cause infertility?

 

This hormonal contraceptive cannot cause any infertility, no matter what type of method you choose or how long you've been using it.