Desogen is an oral contraceptive (tablet) made up of a combination of female hormones called ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel. You can purchase this medication in 0.15mg and 0.03mg and can be bought in 21 day packages or 28 day packages; consult your doctor about which is right for you.

Desogen (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a contraceptive used in females to avoid pregnancy from occuring. Asides from preventing pregnancy, it can also be used to make your period more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods, decreases your risk of ovarian cycts and can also help clear acne. This medication should not be mistake as a prevention from STDs.

Ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel work by stopping the release of an egg during ovulation. It creates much thicker than normal vaginal fluid to keep the sperm from reaching the egg to prevent fertilization. It then changes the lining of the womb so if there is a fertilized egg, it cannot attach to the uterus (womb) resulting in it passing through and out the body.

Take this medication by mouth or as directed by your doctor.

Take 1 pill once a day.

Pick a time of day to take the pill and continue taking it at that same time every day. It is important you take the pill at the same time, 24 hours apart.

Start with the first pill in the package and continue taking them in the correct, following order.

If you have a 28 day pack, the last 7 are inactive reminder pills. Continue to take these pills after you have completed the first 21 pills; continuing taking 1 day at the same time each time.

Avoid using this product if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Desogen or your period is late by 2 weeks, let your doctor know right away. If you have had a baby recently, you should wait at least 4 weeks before taking birth control pills.

Smoking can immensely increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, which can sometimes be fatal. If you are 35 years old or older and are a smoker, you should not take Desogen. You are even more at risk if you are also over weight, have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.

To help break it down, below is a list of conditons in which you should not take Desogen;

untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure; heart disease (chest pain, coronary artery disease, history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot); an increased risk of having blood clots due to a heart problem or a hereditary blood disorder; circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes); a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina; unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor; liver disease or liver cancer; severe migrane headaches (with aura, numbness, weakness, or vision changes), especially if you are older than 35; a history of jaundice caused by pregnancy or birth control pills; if you smoke and are over 35 years old; or if you take any hepatitis C medication containing ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Technivie).

You may need a dose adjustment or extra precaution:

heart disease, high blood pressure, or if you are prone to having blood clots; varicose veins; high cholesterol or triglycerides, or if you are overweight; depression; migraine headaches; diabetes, gallbladder disease; liver or kidney disease; irregular menstrual cycles; or fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram

Common side effects of Desogen (Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol) may include:

nausea, vomiting (especially when you first start taking this medicine); breast tenderness; breakthrough bleeding; acne, darkening of facial skin; weight gain; or problems with contact lenses.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Desogen (Desogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol) may include:

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; changes in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches; or a breast lump;

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Signs to watch for:

stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

blood clot - sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;

heart attack- chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

liver problems - loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

increased blood pressure - severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears

depression - sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss 1 (active) pill in week 1, take 2 pills when you remember; continue as normal;

If you miss 2 (active) pills in week 1 or 2, take 2 pills a day for 2 days; continue as normal;

If you miss 2 (active) pills in week 3 and you started on day 1, start a new pack; discard of previous one; continue as normal;

If you miss 2 (active) pills in week 3 and you started on a Sunday, continue taking a pill a day until Sunday; on Sunday discard of the pack and start a new one; continue as normal;

If you miss 3 (active) pills in week 1, 2 or 3 and you started on day 1, start a new pack; discard of previous one; continue as normal;

If you miss 3 (active) pills in week 1, 2 or 3 and you started on a Sunday, continue taking a pill a day until Sunday; on Sunday discard of the pack and start a new one; continue as normal;

What should I avoid while on Desogen?

Avoid smoking as it can increase your chance of blood clots.

Will this medication protect me from STDs?

No. This is not a medication meant for the protection of STDs, it will only help to prevent pregnancy.