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Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
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Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
Your treatment will be delivered to your door quickly & discreetly.
| Medication Name | Desomono Contraceptive Pill |
| Medication Form | Oral tablets |
| Used for | Preventing pregnancy |
| Who can use | Adult women (aged 18 years and over) |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Desogestrel 75 micrograms |
| Usual Dose | One tablet taken at the same time every day |
| Common Side Effects | Mood changes, headache, nausea, acne, breast pain, irregular or no periods, weight gain |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Desomono Contraceptive Pill Patient Information Leaflet |
The Desomono contraceptive pill is a progestogen-only pill, also known as the mini pill. It’s a pill used to prevent pregnancy. Each tablet contains the active ingredient desogestrel at a dose of 75 micrograms, which is a type of female sex hormone.
Unlike the combined contraceptive pill, Desomono doesn’t contain any oestrogen. This makes it a useful option for women who can’t take oestrogen for medical reasons such as migraine with aura, a history of blood clots, or certain heart and circulatory conditions, as well as women who are breastfeeding.
Desomono works in two ways:
Together, these actions work to prevent pregnancy. You may notice changes to your bleeding pattern while taking it, which is normal and doesn’t mean the pill has stopped working.
Desomono can be a good choice if you can’t use contraception that contains oestrogen, or if you’re breastfeeding. As an oral contraceptive pill, it’s intended for adult women aged 18 and over.
Desomono isn’t suitable for everyone. You shouldn’t take it if you’re pregnant, have a blood clot (thrombosis), have or have had certain types of breast cancer, or have serious liver problems or unexplained vaginal bleeding. You also shouldn’t take it if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients.
To get Desomono, you’ll first complete a quick online consultation. It isn’t right for everyone, so our pharmacy team will review your medical history to check it’s suitable for you before it’s supplied.
Desomono is a daily contraceptive pill. When you’re taking the mini pill, you take one tablet every day and don’t take a break between packs.
Like all medicines, Desomono may cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.
These may affect up to 1 in 10 women:
Side effects include changes to your bleeding pattern, and irregular bleeding or spotting is common in the first few months. This isn’t a sign the pill isn’t working. If bleeding becomes heavy or lasts a long time, speak to your doctor.
These may affect up to 1 in 100 women:
These may affect up to 1 in 1,000 women:
Serious side effects are uncommon, but get medical help straight away if you notice any of these:
If you experience any possible side effects, you can report them through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
Active ingredient: desogestrel 75 micrograms
Other ingredients: anhydrous lactose, all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, povidone, potato starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, stearic acid
Your bleeding pattern often changes on Desomono. Some women have irregular bleeding or light spotting, while for others their periods may become lighter, less frequent or stop altogether. This is normal and isn’t a sign the pill isn’t working. If bleeding becomes heavy or lasts a long time, speak to your doctor.
Weight gain is listed as a common side effect and may affect up to 1 in 10 women. Not everyone notices a change, and this type of pill affects everyone differently. If you’re worried about weight changes, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Desomono gives you a 12-hour window to take a late tablet. If you forget to take a tablet and you’re less than 12 hours late, take it as soon as you remember and carry on as normal, as your protection against pregnancy stays in place.
If you’re more than 12 hours late, take the last missed tablet straight away, keep taking the rest as usual, and use an extra method such as condoms for the next 7 days. If you had sex during this time, speak to your doctor, as you may need emergency contraception.
Desomono isn’t licensed as a way to stop periods and, unlike the combined pill, you can’t delay or stop bleeding by running packs back‑to‑back or “doubling up” on the mini pill.
Many women find their periods become lighter, less frequent or stop while taking it, because desogestrel changes how the womb lining builds up. However, bleeding patterns are unpredictable and some people still have irregular bleeding or spotting. If you’d like advice on managing your periods, speak to your GP or a sexual health clinic.
Desomono is an oral contraceptive that can be used while you’re breastfeeding. It doesn’t appear to affect the amount or quality of your breast milk, though a small number of women have reported a drop in milk production. Only a tiny amount of the active ingredient passes into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding and want to start Desomono, speak to your doctor first.
Some medicines can stop Desomono working properly, including certain treatments for epilepsy, tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis C and fungal infections, as well as the herbal remedy St John’s Wort. These can make the pill less effective and may cause unexpected bleeding.
Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines or herbal products you take. They’ll let you know if you may need to use another form of contraception, such as condoms, or move to a different contraceptive for a while.
Desomono is a progestogen-only pill with no oestrogen, which is different from the combined pill. Because of this, it’s often considered for women who smoke, where an oestrogen-containing pill may not be suitable. Our pharmacists will review your health and lifestyle during your consultation to check it’s the right choice for you.
If you start taking Desomono on the first day of your period, you’re protected against pregnancy straight away. If you start at any other time in your cycle, use an extra method such as condoms for the first 7 days. After that, as long as you take it correctly every day, you stay protected.
Desomono, Cerazette, and Cerelle all contain desogestrel at the same 75-microgram dose and work in the same way.
Cerazette was the original branded version, while Desomono is a desogestrel pill sold as a generic alternative, as is Cerelle. They’re all types of progesterone-only pills, so you can expect them to work in a similar way. Your prescriber can advise if you’re switching between brands.
There isn’t one best time to take the pill, but taking it at the same time every day is what matters most. Many women find it easiest to link their pill to a daily habit, such as brushing their teeth or going to bed. Because Desomono gives you a slightly longer window to take the pill each day, a small change in timing is usually fine. If you’re ever more than 12 hours late, follow the missed pill advice.
Page content authored by Amjad Khan, last reviewed by Dr Hussain Ahmad on 24th August 2026.
