desogestrel / Generic mfg. - LARVOL DELTA

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."

Journal

Hormonal Contraceptive Formulations and Breast Cancer Risk in Adolescents and Premenopausal Women. (PubMed, JAMA Oncol) - "Higher risk was associated with oral desogestrel-only formulations (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.23) and oral desogestrel-combined formulations (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.08-1.31), as well as implants containing etonogestrel, desogestrel's active metabolite (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11-1.35), compared to levonorgestrel-containing combined pills (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03-1.15) and levonorgestrel, 52 mg, intrauterine system (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.09-1.18). No statistically significant increased risk was observed for medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, etonogestrel vaginal ring, or combined oral drospirenone, despite having many users. Findings of this cohort study highlight that breast cancer risk varies substantially by progestin content in hormonal contraceptives, providing valuable insights to support more informed contraceptive prescription."

Journal • Breast Cancer • Cervical Cancer • Gynecology • Infertility • Oncology • Ovarian Cancer • Sexual Disorders • Solid Tumor • Uterine Cancer

THE NAPCSR, THE BIOMARKER FOR CHC-ASSOCIATED THROMBOTIC RISK EVALUATION (FIGO 2025) - " nAPCsr was assessed on plasma samples from women using either no contraception (n = 220), progestin-only pill (POP) (n = 14), natural estrogen (estradiol or estetrol)-based CHC (n = 43), ethinylestradiol (EE) 20 or 30 μg with levonorgestrel (n = 70), EE 20 μg with desogestrel, gestodene or drospirenone (n = 105) and EE ≥30 μg with desogestrel, dienogest or cyproterone acetate (n = 32). For non-users or women using POP, nAPCsr >3.0 indicate a procoagulable state, which could be attributable to thrombophilia (e.g. FV Leiden), meaning the pill should be contraindicated. For women already on CHCs, nAPCsr above respective thresholds indicate that the benefit–risk balance of the contraceptive formulation used is questionable."

Biomarker • Hematological Disorders • Hepatitis C

Effectiveness and Safety of Postoperative Medical Treatments Following Fertility-Preserving Surgery for Endometriosis: A Network Meta-Analysis. (PubMed, BJOG) - "LNG-IUS combined with laparoscopic surgery appears most effective in reducing recurrence and pain in EMs patients. Danazol and goserelin should be used cautiously due to notable adverse effects."

Journal • Retrospective data • Review • Endometriosis • Gynecology • Pain • Women's Health

Comparative Effectiveness of COCPs Versus Levonorgestrel and Other Therapies in Female Acne: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (EADV 2025) - "Materials & A systematic search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (randomized controlled trials) comparing combined oral contraceptives (e.g., ethinyl estradiol with drospirenone, norgestimate, desogestrel, or chlormadinone acetate) against levonorgestrel-only pills, topical agents, or combination therapies for the treatment of acne. Combined oral contraceptives are effective and safe options for the treatment of acne in women, with enhanced benefits observed when used in conjunction with other treatment modalities. Despite high heterogeneity in reported outcomes and treatment protocols, the evidence supports the use of combined oral contraceptives, particularly formulations containing ethinyl estradiol with drospirenone or ethinyl estradiol with norgestimate. Future clinical trials should aim for standardized reporting of acne severity and direct head-to-head comparisons between contraceptive formulations to better inform optimal treatment..."

HEOR • Retrospective data • Review • Acne Vulgaris • Seborrheic Dermatitis

Addition of Metformin Does Not Alter Metabolic Impact of Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills in Hyperandrogenic Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Findings from COMET-PCOS Trial (ENDO 2025) - "240 women with hyperandrogenic PCOS and BMI ≥25kg/m2 were randomized to 6 months of continuous COCPs (20ug ethinyl estradiol/0.15mg desogestrel) (n=79), extended-release 2000mg/day Metformin (n=81), or a combination (COCP+Metformin) (n=80). In this study including a high-risk PCOS phenotype, COCPs had favorable effects on obesity measures and mixed effects on lipids and glucose tolerance. Metformin alone or in combination with COCPs did not result in significant improvements. Our findings support the use of COCPs as first-line therapy in the hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotype and suggest that Metformin is of limited benefit."

Clinical • Cardiovascular • Genetic Disorders • Obesity • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome • APOA1

Addition of Metformin Does Not Alter Metabolic Impact of Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills in Hyperandrogenic Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Findings from COMET-PCOS Trial (ENDO 2025) - "240 women with hyperandrogenic PCOS and BMI ≥25kg/m2 were randomized to 6 months of continuous COCPs (20ug ethinyl estradiol/0.15mg desogestrel) (n=79), extended-release 2000mg/day Metformin (n=81), or a combination (COCP+Metformin) (n=80). In this study including a high-risk PCOS phenotype, COCPs had favorable effects on obesity measures and mixed effects on lipids and glucose tolerance. Metformin alone or in combination with COCPs did not result in significant improvements. Our findings support the use of COCPs as first-line therapy in the hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotype and suggest that Metformin is of limited benefit."

Clinical • Cardiovascular • Genetic Disorders • Obesity • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome • APOA1

Meningioma in users of progestogen contraceptives: a disproportionality analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). (PubMed, Eur J Clin Pharmacol) - "Notwithstanding the important limitations of disproportionality analyses, these findings add to a growing body of literature describing a potential association between progestogen-based contraceptives and meningioma. Screening should be recommended for progestogen-treated females experiencing symptoms consistent with meningioma."

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

Dispensing practices issue shorter prescription lengths compared to non-dispensing practices. (PubMed, BJGP Open) - "Dispensing practices are associated with shorter prescription lengths, increasing the number of prescriptions issued over time and the associated dispensing fee. The absence of clear guidance on prescription lengths likely contributes to this-central bodies should consider providing explicit recommendations to optimise prescription durations."

Journal

Onset and recovery from depressive mood changes on progestin treatment - a case series reporting the course and type of depressive symptoms in progestin users with different histories and risks. (PubMed, Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care) - "Seven women reported depressive symptoms after newstart with desogestrel, dienogest or the LNG-IUS 52 mg. It is promising that symptoms resolved within few weeks after discontinuation. Close follow-up of all newstarters is recommended."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Depression • Endometriosis • Gynecology • Psychiatry • Women's Health

Hormonal contraceptive use and anaemia: a nation-wide pharmacoepidemiological study from Northern Europe. (PubMed, Eur J Epidemiol) - "Individual product effects ranged from 0·77 [0·66-0·90] for drospirenone and ethinylestradiol to 0·40 [0·32-0·48] for desogestrel-only. Benefits of HC use extend to anaemia protection on population level. Anaemia protection should be included in guidelines on HC to support clinical decision making."

Journal • Anemia • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Long-acting Reversible Contraceptives • Obesity • Oncology • Women's Health

Use of systemic hormonal contraception and risk of depression: a registry-based study from Finland. (PubMed, Eur J Epidemiol) - "Use of HC in the six preceding months, specifically that of combined hormonal contraceptives (containing gestodene and ethinylestradiol, drospirenone and ethinylestradiol, and nomegestrol and estradiol), was significantly associated with a lower risk of depression compared to non-use when controlling for marital status, socioeconomic status, education, recent delivery, recent psychiatric hospitalization, chronic diseases, use of psychiatric medications (excluding antidepressants) and former use of HC (odds ratio: 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.85-0.95; 0.86, 95% confidence interval = 0.81-0.91, respectively). Current use of progestogen-only preparations (norethisterone, levonorgestrel, desogestrel) was not associated with depression. This pattern was evident in all age groups, including adolescent girls. HC use appeared not associated with an increased risk of depression in fertile-aged women and across all age groups, including adolescent girls."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Depression • Mood Disorders • Psychiatry

THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN THE CONTEXT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA: A CASE REPORT (EHA 2025) - "She was evaluated at the medical consultation of Gynecology in August/24 for menstrual pain, with anterior fibroid myoma uterine type 1 of 42x40 mm and starting desogestrel... These cases of iron deficiency anemia accompanied by non-severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count > 20 x 109/L), usually asymptomatic, can occur and the presence of associated bleeding symptoms should not lead to a misdiagnosis. The diagnostic mistake could cause it to be treated as a ITP with secondary iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplementation (either intravenously or orally) allows for rapid and complete recovery of platelet count with transient thrombocytosis on occasion and avoids inappropriate steroid use."

Case report • Clinical • Anemia • Cardiovascular • Fatigue • Gynecology • Hematological Disorders • Pain • Solid Tumor • Thrombocytopenia • Thrombocytosis • Uterine Leiomyoma

THROMBOSIS RISK AND HORMONE USE IN WOMEN WITH MPN : DATA FROM A CONTEMPORARY COHORT (EHA 2025) - "Hormones included estrogen (ethinyl estradiol, estradiol and estrone) and/or progesterone (levonorgestrel, progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate and desogestrel) for OC and HRT... This study disclosed a significant association between i) OC/HRT exposure; ii) oral hormone preparations and arterial thrombotic risk in patients with ET. This is, to our knowledge, the most contemporary study addressing this critical topic. Findings underscore a potential need for heightened vigilance in ET patients treated with OC/HRT and will be helpful in refining clinical recommendations to those considering such therapy."

Clinical • Cardiovascular • Diabetes • Dyslipidemia • Essential Thrombocythemia • Hematological Disorders • Hypertension • Metabolic Disorders • Myelofibrosis • Myeloproliferative Neoplasm • Oncology • Polycythemia Vera • Thrombocytosis • Thrombosis • JAK2

Oral contraceptives with progestogens desogestrel or levonorgestrel and risk of intracranial meningioma: national case-control study. (PubMed, BMJ) - "The results showed a small increased risk of intracranial meningioma in women who had used desogestrel 75 µg for more than five continuous years, but no risk in users of levonorgestrel (alone or combined with oestrogen)."

Journal • Brain Cancer • Meningioma • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Spontaneous Endometrioma Rupture: A Retrospective Pilot Study and Literature Review of a Rare and Challenging Condition. (PubMed, J Clin Med) - "Interestingly, only one patient had undergone hormonal treatment, with a combined oral contraceptive (COC) of Ethinylestradiol (0.02 mg) and Desogestrel (0.15 mg), while the other patients either lacked awareness of their endometriosis or expressed reluctance towards hormonal downregulation therapy... Though rare, spontaneous OMA rupture should be considered in acute abdomen cases, especially with cysts > 5 cm. Hormonal therapy may reduce rupture risk, but more research is needed to confirm this and refine diagnostic strategies."

Journal • Retrospective data • Endometriosis • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Gynecology • Musculoskeletal Pain • Pain • Women's Health