desogestrel / Generic mfg. - LARVOL DELTA

Presumed Hippocampal Endometriosis Presenting as Catamenial Epilepsy: Diagnostic Challenges, MRI Follow-Up, and Comparative Review of Reported Cerebral Endometriosis Case. (PubMed, J Clin Med) - "The patient received hormonal therapy with progestins, including desogestrel and dienogest, after which antiepileptic therapy was discontinued. The favorable clinical and radiological response to progestin therapy in this case adds to the limited evidence regarding conservative management of presumed cerebral endometriosis. Cerebral endometriosis is a very rare condition, and only eight case reports were found in the literature."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Endometriosis • Epilepsy • Gynecology • Infectious Disease • Musculoskeletal Pain • Oncology • Pain • Women's Health

The two-shot protocol. A randomized controlled trial of a novel two-injection ovarian stimulation strategy. (PubMed, Hum Reprod) - P3 | "The two-shot protocol yielded a comparable number of MII oocytes to conventional stimulation; however, the pre-specified non-inferiority margin was not met, as the CI could not exclude a true reduction exceeding 1.5 MII oocytes. The point estimate of approximately one fewer MII oocyte is unlikely to be clinically meaningful, but larger studies are required before the protocol can be formally established as non-inferior."

Journal • Infertility

Exploring Short-Acting Hormonal Contraceptives in Endometriosis Care-A Narrative Review and Evidence-Based Practical Considerations. (PubMed, Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle)) - "Among formulations, desogestrel monotherapy was superior across multiple outcomes in women with endometriosis...SACs represent valuable first-line therapeutic options for endometriosis symptom management, with continuous regimens providing optimal symptom control and recurrence prevention. Formulation selection should be individualized based on symptom profile, safety profile, comorbidities, estrogen tolerance, and patient preference."

Journal • Endometriosis • Fatigue • Gynecology • Infertility • Musculoskeletal Pain • Pain • Sexual Disorders • Women's Health

Risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in users of progestogen-only contraceptives: A Danish registry study. (PubMed, Contraception) - "POCs-including POPs, implants, injections, and LNG-IUDs-were not associated with an increased risk of either IS or ICH and support their use as appropriate alternatives to CHCs with ethinylestradiol for women in whom stroke risk is an important clinical consideration."

Journal • Cardiovascular • Cerebral Hemorrhage • Hematological Disorders • Ischemic stroke • Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives

Desogestrel, etonogestrel and meningioma risk: how frequent does an adverse effect have to be worth mentioning? (PubMed, Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care) - No abstract available

Adverse events • Journal • Brain Cancer • Meningioma • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Effect of Dienogest in Symptomatic Endometrioma in Comparison to Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill. (clinicaltrials.gov) - P=N/A | N=60 | Completed | Sponsor: Mst.Sumyara Khatun

New trial • Endometriosis

Effect of Elagolix in Symptomatic Endometrioma in Comparison to Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill. (clinicaltrials.gov) - P=N/A | N=60 | Completed | Sponsor: Mst.Sumyara Khatun

New trial • Endometriosis

Desogestrel for ovarian recovery after high response to stimulation: preliminary audit. (PubMed, Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol) - No abstract available

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Exogenous Hormones and Their Clinical Implications for the Development and Growth of Meningioma Tumours. (PubMed, J Clin Med) - "Risk associated with synthetic progestin-containing compounds such as depot medroxyprogesterone and desogestrel contraceptives was higher and related to duration of use. Highly potent synthetic progestins including cyproterone acetate (CPA) carried the strongest risk profile and showed a strong association with multiple meningiomas and anterior/middle skull base location. In conclusion, there is strong evidence for a link between meningioma incidence and highly potent synthetic progestins such as CPA, but further evidence is needed regarding menopausal hormone therapy and broadly defined oral contraceptives, as well as the doses and durations that are associated with clinically relevant risk. There is a space for translational research in this area to better understand the molecular basis underlying the relationship between hormones and meningioma growth."

Journal • Review • Brain Cancer • CNS Tumor • Meningioma • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Contraceptive Progestogens and Incident Meningioma. (PubMed, JAMA Netw Open) - "For combined oral contraceptives, the estimated odds ratios (ORs) for the association between use of progestogens and meningioma were 1.61 (95% CI, 1.00-2.59) with cyproterone, 1.66 (95% CI, 1.31-2.10) with desogestrel, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.05-2.37) with drospirenone, 1.44 (95% CI, 1.17-1.77) with gestodene, 1.40 (95% CI, 1.12-1.76) with levonorgestrel, 1.38 (95% CI, 0.77-2.47) with norethisterone, and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.70-1.54) with norgestimate. In this case-control study conducted using data from the entire Danish population, recent use of the contraceptive progestogens cyproterone, desogestrel, drospirenone, gestodene, levonorgestrel, injectable medroxyprogesterone, and high-dose IUD was associated with increased risk of meningioma. These findings are considered relevant information for the treated women and the prescribing physicians."

Journal • Brain Cancer • Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives • Meningioma • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Progestin therapy in premenopausal women with incidental meningioma-a narrative review and recommendations for women's health specialists. (PubMed, Gynecol Endocrinol) - "Consistent associations with increased meningioma risk were observed for high-dose or prolonged exposure to cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate, nomegestrol acetate, and medroxyprogesterone acetate...Evidence for other progestins, including desogestrel, dienogest, levonorgestrel, and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, remains limited and less conclusive...When hormonal treatment remains necessary, the lowest effective dose and regular neuro-oncologic monitoring are recommended. Increased awareness and individualized counseling are essential to optimize hormonal management in women at risk of meningioma."

Journal • Review • Brain Cancer • Endometriosis • Gynecology • Meningioma • Oncology • Solid Tumor • Women's Health

Combined Hormonal Contraception with Low-Dose Ethinylestradiol is Associated with Modest Reduction of Breast Milk Volume when Administered Vaginally, but Not Orally. (PubMed, Breastfeed Med) - "Vaginal rings with low-dose EE (15 µg/day) are associated with a modest, yet significant, decrease in self-expressed breastmilk volume. In contrast, oral CHC pills with low-dose EE (20 µg/day) are not associated with a significant impact on breastmilk production. These findings may have clinical implications for prescribers and patients."

Journal

Synthetic estrogen and progestin effects on the myogenic program following damage in C2C12 murine myoblasts. (PubMed, Physiol Rep) - "This study investigated how ethinyl estradiol (EE) and synthetic progestins [representing the different OC generations: medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), OC1; levonorgestrel (LNG), OC2; desogestrel (DSG), OC3; and drospirenone (DRP), OC4] influence C2C12 myoblast behavior...These results indicate that synthetic sex hormones in OCs can significantly alter myoblast responses to damaging stimuli in a generation-specific manner. OC use may influence muscle repair processes differently than natural hormonal profiles, highlighting the need for further investigation into how contraceptive formulations affect exercise recovery in women."

Journal • Preclinical

Re-evaluating desogestrel: hormonal contraception, early-onset breast cancer, and the postpartum period. (PubMed, Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care) - "Due to the many drawbacks of the registry study, the current evidence does not support discouraging the use of desogestrel during lactation or in patients contraindicated for oestrogen, de facto depriving many women of the possibility to perform an appropriate hormonal contraception. This paper delineates methodological priorities for future research to effectively distinguish biological effects from reproductive and metabolic confounding factors."

Journal • Breast Cancer • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Purchase of hormonal contraceptive methods after delivery: a population-based study from Finland. (PubMed, BMJ Sex Reprod Health) - "Overall, 37% of women purchased a hormonal contraception method or received an IUD during the first postpartum year. Common delivery complications were associated with higher rate of postpartum hormonal contraception purchase."

Journal • Diabetes • Gestational Diabetes • Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives • Metabolic Disorders

Comparison of Dermatologic and Neuropsychological Adverse Events of Oral Contraceptives, 2016-2020 (AAD 2026) - "Odds ratios (ORs) were determined using binary logistic regression with ethinyl estradiol (EE)/norethindrone (NET) as the reference comparator...Anxiety was more frequently reported with EE/levonorgestrel(OR 1.7, p<0.001) and EE/desogestrel(OR 2.0, p<0.001)... OCP formulations demonstrate distinct side effect profiles, with certain progestins (e.g., drospirenone, norgestimate) linked to higher dermatologic and neuropsychological adverse events. NET-only formulations may confer a more favorable profile for anxiety. These findings underscore the importance of individualized prescribing to minimize exacerbation of comorbid conditions."

Adverse events • Acne Vulgaris • CNS Disorders • Depression • Migraine • Mood Disorders

The #Enzian Classification as a Predictor of Hormonal Therapy Response in Endometriosis-Associated Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Referral Center. (PubMed, Gynecol Obstet Invest) - "Ultrasound-based #Enzian classification correlates with lesion distribution and predicts hormonal therapy efficacy. POP-D therapy is superior at lower #Enzian scores; chronic pelvic pain remains challenging. Findings support individualized medical management and warrant prospective validation including multidimensional pain and quality-of-life assessments."

Journal • Retrospective data • Colorectal Cancer • Endometriosis • Gynecology • Inflammation • Musculoskeletal Pain • Pain • Women's Health

Overall usefulness of desogestrel as a safe long-term contraceptive treatment for endometriosis patients: what can we expect? (ISGE 2026) - "In women with endometriosis, 48 months of oral desogestrel treatment resulted in significant improvements in pain and other general symptoms. It also enhanced quality of life and work productivity, with no severe side effects, a high continuation rate, and good tolerability."

Clinical • Cardiovascular • CNS Disorders • Depression • Endometriosis • Gynecology • Mood Disorders • Women's Health

Comparative Effectiveness of Dienogest and Desogestrel in the Treatment of Endometriosis: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis Considering Racial and Ethnic Differences (ISGE 2026) - "Dienogest and desogestrel were similarly effective in relieving pain symptoms in women with endometriosis, without significant impact on lesion size. Treatment outcomes did not differ by race/ethnicity, supporting the use of either agent as a valid therapeutic option."

HEOR • Retrospective data • Endometriosis • Gynecology • Musculoskeletal Pain • Women's Health

Assessment of the risk of negative quality of life declines in women with uterine fibroids without indications for surgical treatment (ISGE 2026) - "118 patients (18-45 y.o.) with uterine fibroids FIGO 3, 4, 5, 6 without indications for surgical treatment were included: 54 of them used triphasic (35-30-30 mcg ethinyl estradiol + 50-100-150 mcg desogestrel) and monophasic (20/30 mcg ethinyl estradiol in one pill + various gestagens) COCs; 64 women did not use COCs...Conclusions. The use of both multiphasic and monophasic low-dose COCs is an equally highly effective technology that helps reduce the risk of negative dynamics in the quality of life of patients with FIGO 3, 4, 5, 6 fibroid nodes without indications for surgical treatment."

Clinical • HEOR • Gynecology • Solid Tumor • Uterine Leiomyoma • Women's Health

Progestogen use and the risk of intracranial meningioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (PubMed, EClinicalMedicine) - "Cyproterone acetate (CPA) was associated with increased meningioma risk (5 studies; 1047 exposed; pooled-OR 12.36 (95% CI: 7.47-20.45); I2: 73.8%; GRADE: moderate)...Chlormadinone acetate (CMA), nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC), promegestone, medrogestone, and desogestrel showed signals of increased risk (CMA 3 studies, 164-683 exposed; NOMAC 3, 171-969; promegestone 1, 83; medrogestone 1, 42; desogestrel 2, 115-287)...No signal was found for norgestrel, levonorgestrel, progesterone, dydrogesterone, or spironolactone; evidence for dienogest and hydroxyprogesterone was insufficient...Transparent patient information and careful clinical and, where appropriate, imaging follow-up are essential. None."

Journal • Retrospective data • Brain Cancer • Meningioma • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Comparison of Substances in Combined Oral Contraceptives Used in Acne Vulgaris, Hirsutism, Migraine, and Dysmenorrhea. (PubMed, Med Sci Monit) - "Tablets containing ethinylestradiol in combination with drospirenone, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, chlormadinone acetate, dienogest, or lynestrenol were compared. An individualized approach to patients is important to select COCs appropriate for the condition and at the same time minimize adverse effects, thereby improving quality of life. The progress in the development of newer COCs, such as an estetrol-containing pill with drospirenone, is promising as well."

Clinical • Journal • Review • Acne Vulgaris • CNS Disorders • Dermatology • Migraine • Pain • Women's Health

Is the Availability of Immediate Inpatient Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Associated with a Decrease in Rapid Repeat Pregnancy? (PubMed, J Am Board Fam Med) - "After SB 332's passage, IPP-LARC availability was positively associated with RRP, but the percentage of patients who chose IPP-LARC was low. However, RRP occurred less often among patients who chose IPP-LARC placement. Hospital systems must actively invest in patient education and provider support to ensure interventions to reduce rapid repeat pregnancy are optimally utilized by vulnerable populations."

Journal • Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives • Obstetrics • Preventive care • Small for Gestational Age • Women's Health

PPOS (Progestin Primed Ovarian Stimulation) and Corifollitropin Alfa (CFA) Cross-over Study (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Steven Weyers, MD, PhD | Not yet recruiting ➔ Recruiting | Trial completion date: Dec 2025 ➔ Dec 2027 | Trial primary completion date: May 2025 ➔ Dec 2027

Enrollment open • Trial completion date • Trial primary completion date

Trends in the use of oral contraceptives and progestins in Japanese female Olympic athletes. (PubMed, Phys Sportsmed) - "A significant shift occurred from OCs containing ≥30 µg of ethinylestradiol (EE) to those containing 20 µg of EE, and from desogestrel-based OCs to those containing drospirenone and norethisterone. This trend highlights the growing importance of gynecological support in elite sports. Future research should focus on the potential performance and health effects of the newer-generation formulations that are now predominantly used."

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