Desogestrel

Desogestrel is a progestogen with a structure similar to levonorgestrel that is used as a contraceptive, alone or associated with an estrogen such as ethinyl estradiol. It is metabolized in the body to etonogestrel. Daily oral administration.

It is excreted in breast milk in clinically insignificant amounts ^{(Bjarnadóttir 2001)}, with no harmful effects on breastfed infants from treated mother reported, except for two cases of transient gynecomastia ^{(Bjarnadóttir 2001)} and a case of scrotal hypertrichosis in a 4-month-old infant whose mother had also received treatment with another progestogen during pregnancy. ^{(Janus 2013)}

Desogestrel does not affect the quantity or composition of breast milk, the duration of breastfeeding, or the growth and development of infants followed up to 2.5 years of age ^{(Dilbaz 2022, Dutta 2013, Bjarnadóttir 2001)}. A single study on the desogestrel pill reported two cases of gynaecomastia in exposed infants. ^{(Kapp 2010)}

^{In 2015, a midwife expressed her concerns to us that the development of a breast bud on an 8-month-old infant might be due to her mother taking Desogestrel 75.}

For a detailed discussion with references:

• on why non-hormonal methods are the first choice during the first 4–6 weeks postpartum, followed by IUDs and progestin implants,
• on the potential problems associated with the use of combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives,
• the possible decrease in milk production with estrogen use,
• and why progestin-only contraceptives are preferable during breastfeeding,

see below: “(Combined Estrogen + Progestin Contraceptives, COCs)”

See below the information of these related products:

• (Combined oestrogen-progestogen contraceptives, COCs) (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
• Ethinylestradiol + Desogestrel (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)