Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Desogen

These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Desogen - Birth Control [posted 1/4/99]
Question: I am presently taking Desogen, and have no problems, but was wondering how it works. I think I understand that it suppresses ovulation during the 3 weeks of active pills, but what I do not understand is what happens during the one week of inactive pills. My doctor has told me not worry about back up contraceptives during this time, but my last active pill is on Saturday and I usually do not get my period until Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Should I be concerned about the change of getting pregnant in these 4 or 5 days, as I assume I ovulate during this time?

Anwser: Birth control pills have several functions. Some/most prevent ovulation. Some prevent implantation as well. As far as your body is concerned, you are pregnant and should not ovulate. The pause is to set up the sloughing of the endometrium that we call a period. You will not get pregnant during this time as it is post the time for implantation of the egg.

Desogen Info [posted 12/04/98]
Question: I wanted to know what kind of drug this desogen is, and the side effects.

Anwser: Desogen is a combination of desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. It is mainly used as a birth control pill. Side effects are like most birth control pills, phlebitis,weight gain, possible increase of breast cancer, liver toxicity.

Desogen and Skin Sensitivity [posted 8/11/98]
Question: I started on Desogen at age 15 with no immediate side effects. Slowly over the past two years my occasional atopic dermatitis has gotten more frequent and has worsened to numular eczema. Could this be related to pill use? Would stopping the pill for a month or two be a long enough test?

Answer: Probably not related. I suspect one month would be insufficient for a satisfactory trial.

Desogen
Question: If you are allergic to Desogen and a rash results, what would it look like?

Answer: There is too much variability between people to say. The best way is usually to stop the medication and see if the rash disappears, then restart and see if it returns. If this occurs the rash is probably due to the medication.



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