Has anyone heard of Desogen? My doctor switched me from Cyclessa to Desogen because my periods were irregular again. I've never heard of it before so I was just wondering if anyone has ever been on it and how they liked it?

I think that is one of the third generation progestin pills--the ones that have an even greater risk of blood clots. If I were ever to go back on the pill (which is not very likely), I'd go on one of the older triphasic pills like the plain Ortho-Cyclen or Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 because I think they have a lesser risk of blood clots than the Desogen pills.

Desogen was one of the many that I tried in vain over the many, many years that I was on the pill. It was pretty much....the same thing, different pill name. I went on the pill for heavy periods and painful cramps. None of the brands I tried (including desogen, loestrin, microgestin, ortho-cyclen, orthotricyclen, norinyl, tri-norinyl, demulen, seasonale, triphasil, and about 3 others that I don't recall the names) ever helped me with that problem. I finally gave up last year because I was sick of losing my sex drive and dealing with the depression and mood swings.

So, if you're asking my opinion of desogen, I'll tell you the truth: It was no better than any of the other brands I tried. It was the same crap, different name. That's my personal opinion and as you can see, I've been on a lot of different brands over the years.

Every woman reacts differently to each pill. While one formulation may have a certain effect for one woman, it may have an entirely different one for another woman.

So while one woman may have no side effects, another may have many, and vice versa.

As well, as to Desogen being a "higher risk" pill for blood clots, there is conflicting information regarding that, and even those studies which did show an elevated risk of blood clots in those taking the pill, the risk overall was still very low in women with no other risk factors.

Blood clots can happen on any pill, so just know the warning signs (severe leg pain, redness, warmth, swelling, shortness of breath, crushing chest pain, severe headache, confusion, blurred vision) and if you have any, go to the hospital.

Aside from all that, Desogen contains the same progestin (what people talk about being "third generation") as Cyclessa, so chances are, your side effects will be more or less the same.

The reason your doctor switched you is likely because Cyclessa is a multiphasic pill, meaning that the amount of hormones varies from week to week. This means the hormone levels in your body are rising and falling, sort of mimicing your natural cycle. For some women, this works great, but for others their periods can be irregular.

Desogen is a monophasic pill. This means that each of the 21 hormone-containing pills contain the same exact amount of hormones. This means you have a constant, steady level of hormones in your body for those 21 days, which may help your period to become regular.

Bear in mind that it may take several months on Desogen before you notice any change.

Hope that helps!

Samizzle79 -

I was on Desogen for only a month and I absolutely hated it. It completely slaughtered my sex drive. I couldn't deal, so I went off it. That was the only side effect I had, though.

My new doctor switched me from OrthoTri Cylen (on it for 13 years was perfectly happy on it) to Desogen and I took the generic (Apri) and I have since gained around 10lbs over the last 2 years. I stopped exactly 3 weeks ago today and I have lost 3 lbs. I will never ever go back on it. Coincidetally I have recently learned that it may cause blood clots in your lungs and legs. I know that's a risk of BCPS but the 3rd generation brands seem to be the culpirts. I would stay away from Desogen but the other poster is right they affect people differently.

Why is it that the pill makes you lose your sex drive? And is there anything you can do to increase your sex drive while your on the pill??

I took Desogen for about 13 years. I was switched to Loestrin FE 24 when my doc questioned all the meds I was on. I told him it was for migrains and he thought it could be from the birth control.

This is my 5 month on Loestrin FE 24 and my second month that I did not get my period. I'm not pregnant this type of birth control causes you to have little to no period. Each month it was less till it just stopped. However, I gained 22 pounds in the first couple of months from the Loestrin.

I never had any problem with the Desogen except for the migrains the week of my period. I am waiting on the doc to call in my new prescription for Desogen. I'll take the headaches over the weight gain. I had no problem with my sex drive while on it.

Jenteal

I have been on Desogen for almost a year, and I have not really had any problems with it. I had some side effects for the first two months or so (headaches, nausea, crankiness), but they went away. I am taking it because hormonally is a higher midrange pill. I am overweight, and bcps are slightly less effective, especially if you are taking a low dose pill. All bcps have a risk of blood clots, and as was said before, you need to know the signs for any pill.

Why is it that the pill makes you lose your sex drive? And is there anything you can do to increase your sex drive while your on the pill??

From what I understand, the pill greatly reduces the amount of free testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for your sex drive. As for trying to increase your sex drive while on the pill, I don't know. I just switched to a different pill and my sex drive came back. One of the last pills I was on was Ovcon-35 (monophasic pill) and I never had libido problems on that.